Sewing Bee Style - Series 6, Episode 1
Sewing Bee is back for another series, and we are so happy! Each week we'll be bringing you a review of the episode plus some inspiration if you felt inspired to get sewing by the challenges in the episode...
Sewing Bee Style - Series 6, Episode 1
Pattern Challenge
The first episode of the series kicked off with a style staple - a gorgeous wrap skirt! These come in so many styles to suit all shapes and tastes, and they can be a great first project for a beginner to dressmaking as there's no fiddly fastenings to deal with.
Fancy giving it a go? Here's a few of our favourite wrap skirt patterns:
Fabric suggestions: always check the back of your pattern specifically for what to use if you're not confident choosing your fabric. Most wrap skirts require a woven fabric like cotton, linen, denim or viscose. For a more structured style, stick to cottons and linens; if you want a drapier effect to your skirt, you want a fabric with drape like viscose/rayon, crepe or silky satin types.
We loved these fabric options, inspired by the choices of the sample skirt and the contestants' fabric choices!
Makower Spectrum Bright Red - 100% Cotton Fabric
Hamburger Liebe Cosy Cabin Circles Teal - Viscose Twill Fabric
Hamburger Liebe Cosy Cabin Circles Navy - Viscose Twill
Lewis & Irene Hann's House Shapes Navy - 100% Cotton Fabric
Studio E Boho Blooms Paisley Blue - 100% Cotton Fabric
Dashwood Studios Dovestone Mustard Rayon Fabric
Transformation Challenge
Contestants were put to the test right from the start this series, charged with turning some men's office shirts into something exciting. It was a tough challenge but they did come up with some interesting shapes... a bit like these!
If you liked the pleated details, have a try at this New Look skirt with simple pleated designs.
Love the simple halter style dress that was made? Recreate a more chic version yourself with Simplicity's summery pattern.
The beautiful button down skirt was a favourite of ours, and we've found a very similar style from Mimi G.
Or opt for the simple panelled A-line skirt which is so wearable!
Made-to-Measure Challenge
It was a classy one this week, with tea dresses taking the stage for the made-to-measure challenge where the sewists had to fit their garments to a real body! There were so many wonderful iterations of this classic style -
Want to try your hand at a tea dress at home? Here's a few patterns to inspire:
Fabrics inspired by the Bee's tea dresses
Powder Blue Double Spot Peachskin Fabric
Ditsy Floral Stone Stretch Crepe Fabric
Liberty Flower Show Spring Malvern Meadow - 100% Cotton Fabric
Riley Blake Sweet Melody Main - 100% Cotton Fabric
Black Feathers Stretch Crepe Fabric
Makower Linen Texture Aquamarine - 100% Cotton
Handy Helpers
The contestants seemed to struggle quite a lot turned out their tubes for the rouleau loops, and I'll admit - it's a job I've always hated until I found these amazing little gadgets! The tube turners from Prym are a life saver and make a quick meal of turning out; usually it can take me up to half an hour to do it bit by bit, but these had me done in about 30 seconds flat! A fantastic little addition to your sewing equipment.
A lot of unpicking happened on this episode too, and once again, it's one of those jobs that seems to take longer than you want! Next time you're fed up of this chore, reach for a Seam Fix seam ripper - the innovative silicone head helps you to remove your unpicked threads SO quickly and easily, simply rub it along like a rubber to remove in a flash. Less time unpicking = more time doing the fun bits!
