| FILMING | 10th/11th October 2019 |
| AIR DATE | 17th June 2020 |
| CHALLENGE | Made to Measure – Red Carpet dress with cut out section |
| PATTERN USED | Bodice is self drafted, the skirt is based on Vogue Pattern V1094 |
| MATERIALS USED | 2m of black faux letherette 7.5m of Black and Gold Brocade 5.5m of Gold Taffeta |
| TIME ALLOWED | 6 Hours |
“It’s fabulous, there’s nothing here that i’ve ever seen before. It’s glamorous, it’s powerful, but with this very elegant full skirt” – Patrick
I knew as soon as I got accepted onto Sewing Bee that if I got to the final, I wanted Greg to model for me. He always looked good in anything he wore, and could get his waist down to 24” with a corset!
The pattern was, of course, self drafted, and there was a lot of trial and error getting the shape of the bodice just right. I wanted to create something that had both a masculine and feminine element. The challenge had to include a cut out segment, and my cut out segment would show off Greg’s lean waist. I guess it made it a little easier that I didn’t have breasts that needed darting to fit perfectly, but the bodice still had to lie flat and curve around Greg’s body.
There was a lot to do, especially gathering metres of fabric for the full skirt. I think Greg was nervous for me, but it was great to have him there for support. I was so pleased when I got it done and Greg just looked fantastic. There was a lot of bulk around the waistline, but this didn’t really show on the outside. The inside was a bit of a mess, but luckily we weren’t being judged on the inside of the garment! The zip also wasn’t put in very straight and I really struggled doing it up. Luckily no attention was given to the zip.
The feedback from the judges was incredible. I was nervous beforehand, not knowing what they might think of it, but the reaction was all positive. I didn’t think I had done enough to win, but I was incredibly proud of this moment. I don’t think anything like this had been done on Sewing Bee before, and when Esme and Patrick listed this as one of their top ten favourite garments in the ten years of sewing bee recently I was gobsmacked.
I could invite some guests along to the final. My mum and dad were obviously invited as they had been so supportive in everything that I’ve done. My friend Lin from work came along as she’s a huge fan of Patricks. I also invited along my friend James, who taught me how to sew my first shirt.
We waited ages in the ‘flat’, as our guests arrived in the sewing room and were given the chance to look at everything we had made, including our final garments. When the moment came to go back into the sewing room, it was wonderful to see all the Bee’s again, and then I spotted my mum and dad and ran over to them for a big hug.
I knew that my performance in the final wasn’t good enough for me to win, but I was incredibly proud of myself for being there, especially among such talented sewists. When it was announced that Clare won, I was so pleased for her, she had been consistently good, and a well deserved winner.
Once the filming was done, it was time for the wrap party. The pressure was finally gone, I could relax, and maybe not sew for a few weeks and enjoy myself! There was plenty of drinking and dancing going on at the party, it was finally time to let my hair down at last.
When the final was finally aired I was touched by the number of positive comments that I received. I thought that there might be some negativity, putting a bloke in a frock, but I didn’t see one negative comment. I hope that in a small way that dress helped change attitudes in what we wear.
“Quite Saucy” – Esme
