Sewing Bee Style - Series 6, Episode 5
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...
Things got intimate with lingerie and loungewear week... the Bee's got to make some interesting and more challenging garments, including a bones basque - now that's a challenge!
Sewing Bee Style - Series 6, Episode 5
The Pattern Challenge
Cor blimey, what a challenge this week! The contestants had to tackle making basques (like corsets but with hook and eye fastenings not lacing) with boning, and boy did they look tricky! Considering everything, we think they did a good job - except for the missing panel! If seeing their finished makes had you wanting to try one, we've found some patterns you can try out yourself...
Fabric Suggestions
The fabrics that work best for these sorts of garments need to have structure, so things like satin and brocade are great choices. You can also add lace for pretty detailing!
That hook and eye tape seemed to cause the most problems of all! Personally, I'd much prefer to just sew them on by hand... at least I'd know it's secure! One thing I do know is that they're always handy to have around...
Bias binding worked miracles for giving a nice neat finish in this challenge too - and is a technique you can apply to any project with raw edges you can't conceal. It hides a multitude of sins!
Transformation Challenge
An interesting challenge this week, turning old pyjamas into summer garments! There were some interesting interpretations, but we really loved the shirt with billowing sleeves, the dungarees and the simple button down skirt. All things we'd be wearing!
Grab a piece of those styles with these patterns:
As always, this was our favourite challenge! There were some gorgeous 2 piece sleep sets, and all the flowy fabric was utterly delightful - we were ready to hop into bed after!
Here's some of our fave sleepwear patterns if you want to make your evenings cosier:
Fabric Suggestions
Most of the bee's chose to use soft and flowing fabrics for their sets, especially the camisole and shorts style garments. You want to look out for silky lightweight satins, drapey viscose and viscose jersey if you want a bit of stretch for added comfort.
Some of the contestants chose to use more comfy and stable fabrics like winciette (similar to flannel), and floatier cotton lawn which is great for warm nights!
Leopard Print Silky Satin Viscose Fabric
Navy Floral Micro Satin Fabric
Multi Micro Dot Printed Viscose Fabric
Animal Print Stone Viscose Fabric
Coral Ditsy Floral Viscose Fabric
Duck Egg Floral Printed Viscose Fabric
Mint Lightweight Linen Viscose Fabric
Peach Dot and Dash Textured Viscose Crepe Fabric
Sausage Dogs Printed Viscose Fabric
Sketch Floral Printed Viscose Fabric
Dashwood Ace Lawn Bahar Navy Fabric
All The Roses Cotton Lawn Fabric
Busy Blossom Mint Cotton Lawn Fabric
Busy Blossom Lilac Cotton Lawn Fabric
Fifi Camisole and Shorts Project Box
The one requirement the judges did stipulate on this challenge was that it had to include lace, and it did add a nice finishing touch!
Many of the Bee's did some fine cutting and trimming on their sleepwear sets, precisely cutting their lace edges - you'll definitely need a super fine pair of scissors for this, and these Milward ones are great as they have such a fine point tip for such close work.
