Spotted on the Sewing Bee

I feel like I love childrens week now more than ever that I have Sophia! When I was a contestant back in series one we almost had a childrens week too. As it was a pilot series with just 4 episodes, I guess they had to consider really carefully what each week was and it ended up not happening. Instead we made a 'luxury blouse' - it had to be out of silk or some other kind of fancy or more tricky to work with fabric. 

Last nights episode saw the contestants sew a hoodie from sweatshirt fabric, customise faux fur coats into fancy dress costumes and stitch up a made to measure dance outfit for a child. I loved all the imagination and creativity! I think it weeks like this that really show off that side of the contestants!

If your feeling inspired by what you saw here are my top tips for where to start along with a few of the fabrics and tools you might need that I spotted on the show!

Make that 'hoodie and goodie'

Whether you have a little person in your life or fancy a cosy hoodie yourself - we've got a pattern for that! 

The Stella Hoodie in the Tilly and the Buttons Stretch Book is also a really good one! 

Fabric finder

I spotted two fabric that we stock on the Bee last night! Both these fabrics would make great adult and child hoodies or jumpers! 

Get the tools 

I spotted quite a few of the contestants last night using a rotary cutter to cut out their fabric. This method is great, especially for lighter weight jersey fabric. You'll need some pattern weights and a self healing cutting mat too! 

If your sewing jersey you can do it just on your regular sewing machine - just switch out the needle for a jersey one!

What neat double lined top stitching -  pop a twin needle in! 

Got quite thick fluffy sweatshirt fabric? I spotted one of the contestants using fabric clips instead of pins! These are great as sometimes pins can distort thicker fabrics. 

All my tips

I LOVE sewing with jersey fabric and I've done lots of Youtube videos on various aspects of it! 

Learn all about jersey stretchy fabric in this one -Fabric Focus - Jersey Fabric

Get the neckband right on t-shirts and sweatshirts - How to insert a jersey neckband

Fancy making a jumper or sweatshirt? - Laurens Top Tips on choosing a jumper or sweater pattern