Spotted on the Sewing Bee

Last night saw the highly anticipated return of The Great British Sewing Bee on BBC 2. With 10 new contestants and new presenter Joe Lycett, the sewing community has been all a-buzz with the excitement about what the challenges will be, what innuendos Esme will come out with and Patrick Grant-in general! 

Image sourced from the Radio Times. 

As I avidly tuned in at the later time of 9pm my eyes were glued to the screen! 

I loved all the challenges for the theme of 'cotton' this week! The pattern challenge saw the new sewists make a fitted wiggle dress, the alteration challenge saw them cut up old denim garments to make a brand new one and the showstopper challenge featured jumpsuits. 

Being the eagle eye that I am, I couldn't help but notice some familiar fabrics and sewing supplies on the cutting tables and in the haberdashery so if you fancy sewing like the 'new-bees' here are my finds.....

Mark your darts

There are so many different ways to mark darts. Sheila used carbon paper and a toothed tracing wheel to mark hers. 

Have a wiggle

Janet used a Liberty stretch cotton gaberdine to make her wiggle dress. The Tilly and the Buttons Etta dress is a perfect pairing to have a good wiggle in! 

Sew like a pro

I was delighted to spot the same Prym magnetic pin cushions that we use in our sewing studio, in fact I was delighted to see Prym being used in general. I think their haberdashery is the best quality! 

And talking of good quality I even spotted that they were using gutermann thread - yay! 

Thinking of finally making use of those old jeans and doing a bit of up cycling? Just make sure you pop a denim needle in the machine. 

Make a jumpsuit

Fancy making a jumpsuit for yourself? Here are my top pattern picks from our indie sewing pattern range. 

Bring on week 2! I can't wait!