WEEK 2
The Challenges
This week is 'colour and print' week and this is right up our street. The pattern challenge was to sew an adaptive shell top with high low heam, a wider neckline and invisible zip. The tops needed to be pattern matched. For the transformation challenge, they took Patrick and Esme's least favourite colours and combined them. Que the purple and brown challenge! For the made-to-measure they created an outfit in all one colour.
Highlights
Yet again the pattern challenge was full of our fabrics. It feels like a very good thing that the FG team didn't go for a 'drink every time you see one of our fabrics' game this year! Four of the bees chose to use one of our prints.
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| Daisy Beau Cotton Lawn - Maroon | Sardinia Viscose & Linen - Multi | Jessie Cow Print Denim - Ivory | Yoko Viscose & Linen - Ivory |
Our free pattern matching tutorial will guide you through a few techniques, including how to match a patch pocket, perfectly.
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| Match Made in Fabric: A Guide to Pattern Matching |
The purple and brown challange got us thinking. We love purple and brown but are we more team purple or team brown? We have to say, we do love a good brown. Whether it is chocolate, marroon or even burgundy, it goes so well with other colours. Here are some of our favourites.
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| Bandana Denim - Chocolate | Bay Viscose & Linen - Brown | Dorothy Floral Patchwork Viscose Twill - Espresso |
We're Inspired to Make...
Emma is inspiring us again this week with her waistcoat which is giving us Marlowe vibes with the weltpockets. Loving it with a floaty, gathered skirt. We have a great video tutorial to support you with every step of sewing the perfect welt pocket.
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| Fabric Godmother Marlowe Waistcoat | How to sew perfect welt pockets |
Garment of the week
Wow! Adele's two tone co-ord coulottes and cross back top was stunning. The placement of the two green fabrics created a gorgeous look. We are off to look through all our coulottes patterns and find that cross back top!
Who went home?
It is such a shame to lose such a skilled sewist as Sam. He is clearly very talented and we have been loving seeing his work with recycled coffee sacks on Instagram. We can't wait to see what he creates in the future.
Next week is 'Reduce, Reuse, Recycle' week. The sneak peeks in the trailor are getting us very excited. Lots of dramatic looks!
WEEK 1
The Challenges
The Sewing Bee is back, and we couldn't be more excited. This week's theme is 'British Summer', and the Pattern challenge was to sew a pair of shorts with patch pockets and topstitching. For their transformation challenge, the Bees were provided with a selection of aprons to transform into the bag of their choice. The made-to-measure was a first time for the Sewing Bee. The sewists made a summer garment for themselves.
Highlights
We loved meeting all the new bees. It's always fun to see if we can spot what patterns they are wearing. In the first challenge, we spotted lots of shorts in our fabrics and added some of them below, along with some perfect patterns to recreate your own.
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| Lobster Viscose & Linen - Blue | Strawberry Fayre Denim - Cream | Padstow Crab Viscose & Linen - Pink |
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| Fabric Godmother Ren Shorts | Tessuti Bailee Shorts | Puff and Pencil Breezy Shorts PDF |
We're Inspired to Make...
A summer dress like Adele's in blue Strawberry Fayre has jumped to the top of our sewing plans. Esme said she really loved this fabric, and so do we! We also loved Heather's dress in Kio Viscose Linen with that stunning piping.
If you fancy attempting an invisible zip like these two Bees, we've added a link to our free tutorial.
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| Inserting a concealed Zip - Free Tutorial | Strawberry Fayre Viscose & Line - Blue | Kio Visocse & Linen - Ivory |
We loved seeing the huge variety of bags created in the transformation challenge.
These are some of our favourite bag patterns in the FG studio.
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| Rosie Caldwell Quilted Kit Bag PDF (Beginner) | BF Patterns Bestie Bag PDF (Beginner) | Fibre Mood Mehri Bag PDF (Beginner) |
Need some extra help? Our free tutorials are here to help...
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If you fancy adding topstitching to your shorts too, read our handy post with: |
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The made to measure required the Bees to sew and fit a garment for themselves. Our free tutorial introduces you to simple fit adjustments on our Marlowe waistcoat. |
Garment of the week
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Garment of the week was Emma's beautiful, colourful swimsuit and matching trouser combo. Now all we want to make is swimwear and cover-ups. If you fancy matching your swimsuit to your cover-up, we have just the fabrics. Lots of our swimwear fabrics come with a matching woven fabric.
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| Neon Parrot Swimwear Jersey - Blue | Lolita Swimwear Jersey - Pink |
Who went home?
We Were So Sad To See Lovely Dawn Go.
We Can't Wait For Colour And Prints Week Next Week. That Sounds Right Up Our Street.