A day at the Great British Sewing Bee

Like many people I loved the Great British Sewing Bee (GBSB) and as I mention in my prologue, the programme inspired me to dust off my sewing machine and get making my own clothes again.  I have started reading some sewing magazines and I saw an advertisement for the Great British Sewing Bee Live which was to be held in London.  I looked at the dates and it was possible to go.  I checked the ticket prices and thought them reasonable.  Finally I checked the location and decided it was definitely driveable.  I felt in need of a treat so I booked the tickets there and then.  There were lots of workshops and shows that could be booked as well, sadly the workshops I was interested in were already booked up (lesson learned, next time book early).  I decided I would book for one of the shows.  As readers of my gardening blog will know, I visit gardening shows quite often but I rarely if ever go along to any of the talks.  A sewing show was a new adventure for me and I wondered if I would find enough to look at (don't laugh) so I booked the show as that would make sure it was worth my journey.  That was my reasoning anyway.

The day arrived and I set off fairly early so I could be there when it opened.  I found the venue (ExCel) easily and parked with no problems at all.  All was good.  I then wandered into the huge complex where the show was and then had no idea where to go.  Thankfully there was a constant stream of women who looked liked they sewed heading in one direction so I followed them.  Now don't ask me what a stream of women who look like they sew looks like, I'm not really sure and there was a danger I would have ended up in the bodybuilding for beginners show (no such show).  Thankfully my gut-feeling was right and I ended up in the right place.  I headed first for a coffee and a moment to collect myself.  

There was much to see.  I enjoyed seeing some of the makes from the TV series.

and also displays from educational institutions like this one from the University of East London.

and there was shopping to think about, 

much shopping.  But I had my show to go and see so I wandered towards the theatre area and took my seat. 

Having been unsure whether I really wanted to see a show or not, it turns out it was a great idea.  It was hosted by Jenny Eclair, someone who I have always found very funny, and consisted of a makeover challenge with three contestants from the GBSB and three pre-selected members of the audience.  They had to makeover three shirts.  Esme and Patrick were the judges and there was also a demonstration on how to fit an invisible zip from Heather Jacks, a GBSB winner.  It was hugely entertaining and interesting.  There was a discussion about the lack of dressmaking in schools, which I was very interested in.  My first time with a sewing machine was in dressmaking lessons at school.  It taught me the basics I still use today and started me off on my sewing journey.  It is a great loss if that no longer happens.

Show over and it was lunchtime.  A sandwich consumed later and I was ready to start shopping.  I had a list with me and I had photographed the back of some patterns I want to make so that I had a quick easy way of knowing what fabrics I needed if I found something I liked.

If - ha - of course I found something I liked.

This is my haul, fabric, patterns and ribbons.  So watch this space as they get made up.

I also had a major reason for wanting to attend.  I wanted to look at sewing machines and I knew there would be many to look at and talk to people about there.  I really needed to talk to someone as whilst I have a machine and I love it, I was wondering whether it was still the right machine for me.  So guess what, I bought a new machine.  When it arrives I will write more about it and why I made the decision.

I came home with many projects whizzing around in my head, slightly over-excited and very happy.  Good days are made like this.  I hope they do this show again next year, I know will be buying my ticket quicker than quick.

The Beach Pyjamas

Sometimes to see something is to have to have something.  One of the glories of Twitter is that it introduces me to some wonderful people and some fantastic things.  This 'Now and Then' pattern from Til the Sun Goes Down for these wonderfully retro beach pjjama and holiday dress that was just too tempting not to buy.

I did wonder if I was pushing myself too far for this to be a second project, but the glory of dressmaking is seeing things like this and giving it a go.  I just knew I had to go carefully and slowly, something I am not always very good at.

Firstly though, I decided I wanted a matching jacket of some sort to go with it.  I looked around firstly to see what I thought would look right and then I found a pattern.

The jacket pattern from Butterick was really very simple so I knew I had to do this first to make sure I was getting more confident.

The jacket came together really well.  The fabric was bought from John Lewis and it hangs nicely.  I decided I would take the plunge and start on the pyjamas.

I cannot begin to tell you how pleased with them I am.  They fit and are very comfortable. I also did not make any huge mistakes or have to hide any blunders.  At some point, probably closer to next summer, I want to also make the summer dress.  I have bought some pattern chart paper so I can cut around the original pattern and also have the right pieces for the summer dress.  Well who knows,  I might have to make more pyjamas one day

My confidence took a big leap forward and I started to think that I needed to be even more serious about my new found love for my sewing machine.  Completing this project successfully meant it suddenly felt that a whole raft of possibilities was now open to me.  I got so excited that I decided the time was right to create a sewing room, which I will write more about in a future post.

To be continued as they say......

Starting simple

Sometimes the thing that kicks you back into action is the refusal to accept what is put in front of you.  I saw a really nice Japanese style apron in a brochure I regularly receive.  I pondered how much I had never thought the words 'ooh that's a nice apron' would be uttered by myself; but I moved on quickly to how nice the apron was and how useful it would be as a cover-up when I was busy around the house.  The words 'Hilda' and 'Ogden' might have been involved.  The price of this apron of wonder though was steep and I rebelled.  I looked at it and thought 'I really ought to be able to make that'.  I looked at trusty sewing machine sitting dustily in the corner of the lounge and realised it was time for it to be brought back into action.

Much internet searching followed.  I needed a pattern that looked reasonable to me to achieve.

I found this wonderful pattern from Sew Me Something and a purchase was quickly made.  Then, pattern held firmly in hand, I went to buy some fabric.  I was not sure what I wanted, but I wanted bright and cheerful

Fabric aquired, some sewing  sewing later and....

Ta da!  She was complete, bright and cheerfully floral with a pale pink lining.

Best of all for this pattern is the crossover back.  This means the apron wraps around nicely and is very easy to throw on and off.  It now lives in the kitchen hanging where I can quickly grab it.  The pattern is very straightforward to follow.  The paper is also nicely thicker than the wafer thin tissue of many patterns so it is carefully saved for if/when I want to make another.  It was the perfect project for me as I had not made anything for a few years and I had not regularly made clothes for a good twenty years.  My skills are rusty and my confidence in my ability was low at the start of this project.  On a scale of 1 to 10 of confidence I felt happily edging towards a 5 by the time Beatrice was completed.

I loved making this simple pattern and my interest, like the Kraken, was released.  I was soon looking for my next project.