The Great British Sewing Bee: Interview & Giveaway


If you've popped by today expecting a Simplicity giveaway, I'm afraid I've moved that to tomorrow. Stick around though as I have a copy of The Great British Sewing Bee: From Stitch to Style to give away today, thanks to Quadrille Publishing.

Before I go into details about the giveaway, here's an interview with the book's author, Wendy Gardiner. Considering the buzz that always surrounds the BBC 2 prime-time programme, I thought it would be fun to hear about what it's like to work on the fourth series, which kicked off this Monday.


You’ve been influential in the sewing industry for many years, having edited sewing magazines, authored sewing books and presented on television shows. Tell us a bit about your journey. 

It has been incredible and I feel so lucky that I have had a career in something I love so much! It was a serendipitous start – I had edited a general interest magazine for the army in Germany, and it was that experience that led me to the job with Butterick and Vogue – as editor of the sewing magazines. I did sew of course, but not to the extent I now do! I love to share my passion for sewing so am always looking for ways to do that – writing books, presenting on TV etc.

The Great British Sewing Bee: From Stitch to Style is the fourth title in a series based on the popular BBC TV show. What drew you to this current project? 

Who wouldn’t have been!?! It is an honour to be associated with the show and the book – it has done so much for the sewing industry, helping to promote sewing to a wider audience. I also felt I could add to what is broadcast by including lots and lots of techniques and how-tos in the book – to help readers grow their skill set in a way it is impossible to do on an entertainment TV show.


How did working on a book based on a TV series differ from other books you’ve written? 

More people were involved in the decisions such as what garments to include and fabrics to use. The timing was also very, very tight from start to finish and of course, so much of the content is still confidential because it relates to the show – which is yet to be broadcast. However, the nitty gritty, of writing copy, producing rough diagrams, making samples etc – all that is the same whatever book I’ve written!

The book is divided into three main sections - Foundation, Inspiration and Exploration. How do these reflect and support who it’s aimed at?

I think the sections are very clever – and here is an example of others' involvement as it was Lisa from Quadrille who came up with the titles and idea to divide the book in that way. Anyone who wants to start out can begin at the Foundation stage and make the simpler garments whilst learning techniques as they do so. For those more experienced, they can dip right into the more challenging garments. It really is aimed at everyone who wants to dressmake!

There are 27 projects (with additional variations) in the book. How and why were they chosen? 

We got together as a group to decide on the garments to include. Some are from the show of course, and others are based on ideas from the show, the rest are classic or wish-list garments that I know people want to make. We also wanted to ensure there was something to make for all the family so have some for children and men.

What format and size-range do the patterns come in and why? 

The patterns are in a regular format, although you do have to trace them off if you don’t want to cut into the pattern sheet (which has all the patterns included). The sizes range from 8–20, but not traditional pattern sizing, the sizing is more closely akin to the high street sizing. As always, take measurements and make the size that is closes to your measurements.


How does this book set itself apart from the three that precede it? 

Oh, that is difficult! It follows the same tried and tested format with lots of projects and occasional ‘hacks’ or variations, but I like to think that it also provides lots and lots of sewing advice. For instance, rather than have one zip insertion method, I’ve included lapped zips, surface mounted, exposed and invisible zip insertion. You can then take your pick.

Finally, did you get to work on The Great British Sewing Bee set and what was your highlight? 

I did go for one day’s shoot to watch proceedings and I did, very briefly meet Patrick and the lovely new judge Esme. She is delightful and fun. Patrick is as handsome as he appears and very tall! The set is very busy with loads of camera crews all around the contestants filming their every move and utterance(!). I sat with the producer who watches everything and decides on which contestant to follow at each moment. It was fascinating. When the contestants get a break, the crew are still busy taking extra shots of the garments and the sewing team lead by Claire Louise Hardie are busy cleaning the workstations and getting prepared for the next. The days are also extremely long so really, hats off to all involved.

Thanks to Wendy for a fascinating insight into the making of the book and programme! For book and project reviews check out Made Peachy, English Girl at Home, Sew Over It, The Foldline, Sew What's New and By Hand London. Don't miss related post by Crafty Sew & Sew and Guthrie & Ghani tomorrow to complete the blog tour organised by Quadrille Publishing.

If you're in the UK and you like what you see, then leave me a comment for the chance to win a free copy of From Stitch to Style. Tell me your favourite thing about The Great British Sewing Bee by midnight (GMT) on Saturday 28 May...good luck!

71 comments:

  1. Fascinating to hear what goes on behind the scenes. Mmmm...what I like about GBSB.....well it has to be the alteration challenges of course! Nothing would test my swear vocabulary like having to do that in 1.5hours😁. Hila @saturdaynightstitch

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  2. This is my first time watching the sewing bee and already I have learnt / remembered things. I'm a return to sewing after a gap of decades - hoping to make an item of clothing I like one day.....

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  3. Hi! I love seeing the garments come together in each show, seeing the contestants grow, and also how inspired it makes me to get sewing again. I've been a bit lax recently. Thanks for this giveaway! X

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  4. My favourite thing about the GBSB is watching the contestants improve as they progress through the series. Thanks for the chance to win a copy of the book,
    annamariehlustik@googlemail.com

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  5. Great interview :-)

    I love the alteration challenge. It's always fun to see where the bees will go with the item they have been given - and think wjat I would do. Might have to try sequin godets s

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  6. I love the variety of expertise amongst the contestants, you really do not know who is going to win each challenge. Oh and that Claudia, whilst being great fun, seems to have accumulated no sewing knowledge what so ever.

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  7. I love the GBSB! I think, if I have to choose just one, my favourite thing would be how it promotes the idea that sewing can be for anyone. I love the variety of backgrounds of the contestants and it's so great to see some really talented men sewing!

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  8. My favourite thing about is feeling like you're in the room with them, without the pressure our gallant contestants are under!

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  9. Ooo! Thanks for the chance of winning. My favourite thing about The Bee is that there is sewing on the telly!

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  10. The GBSB is totally absorbing and inspires me to try all sorts of new patterns and alteration projects (more than I have time to!). Patrick is an added bonus 😉. Great interview x

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  11. I love how the GBSB shows the spirit of the sewing community. Even in the first episode, complete strangers were helping each other with the challenges and were super friendly to each other.

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  12. I love the sewing bee and am so glad it's back! I really love the alteration challenge, it's fun to see the different garments the contestants come up with

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  13. I love to see how the contestants develop and of course the wonderful garments they produce. I don't envy them having to work at that level of pressure though!!!

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  14. The sewing bee is something I look forward to each year! It gives you inspiration to get sewing. Thank you for the chance of winning.

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  15. Thanks for the chance to win the sewing bee book! I love that there is sewing on tv, love the judges, and how they bring out the personalities of the contestants! Oh! and of course I love Claudia! In fact, I love everything about it LOL!

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  16. i love all the sewing inspiration i get from the GBSB! especially the alteration challenges, so clever. thank you for the giveaway! :)

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  17. The first GBSB got me back into sewing after nearly 30 years. Still love the show and seeing how they cope with the challenges. Anne

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  18. Probably my favourite thing is seeing the different interpretations the contestants have of the same pattern. I find it very inspiring and tend to run to my machine as soon as the credits roll. Other favourite thing, the haberdashery, wouldn't it be fun to have access to all that!

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  19. My favourite thing is the inspiration. I'm new to dress making and seeing others conquer tricky tasks encourages me to give it a go. That, and the friendly atmosphere in the room. I don't like watching overly competitive people so I like seeing the sewers help each otherout.

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  20. Interesting interview. I really liked the last GBSB book. It was well worth a purchase so I am a bit excited about this one. It is really nice to have some sewing on the telly. Actually it is the only TV programme that I watch. My favourite thing about the sewing bee is that it is bringing sewing to a wider audience which has definitely helped to increase its popularity again. Xx

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  21. I love GBSB! It has inspired me to take up sewing, and I am now completely obsessed!

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  22. I love watching their progress throughout the series and how they cope with sewing under such immense pressure.

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  23. If love this book! My favourite thing about the GBSB is that it shows that sewing is for everyone and you can do it however you want and that's OK (usually!!)

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  24. Thanks for the comp! Best thing about the bee? proper attention to detail in the judging

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  25. Love this show. I have found so much inspiration in how the contestants struggle/succeed and am so jazzed about this new season.. amazing!!!! This interview was a great insight and I can't wait to dig in to this book.

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  26. I love that the show has been an encouragement to so many people from different lifestles, ages, genders and race to take up their pins and scissors, and get Granny's sewing machine out of the attic.

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  27. I love seeing how each contestants interpretation of a task & watching how their confidence & sills develop through the series.

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  28. I love the way the GBSB brings sewing and diy fashion to the general TV watching public! How many of us were inspired by the show to step up from hemming trousers to creating an entirely me-made outfit? It's what got me hooked! :)

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  29. I love all things about the GBSB but the best thing is that it's so popular that they've made so many series. It shows that sewing really is a great hobby and I think it makes it more accessible. Plus, that haberdashery!!!!

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  30. I love the alteration challenge, it's really interesting to see what everyone does with exactly the same item! Thanks for the chance to win!

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  31. I love the alteration challenge. It's great to see the range of inspiration and creativity.

    Lisa

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  32. As a beginner sewer the sewing bee helps things that seem impossible appear more achievable, and I always feel inspired to try out new techniques. I have the last sewing bee book, and love the chance to win the new one!

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  33. My favourite thing about the great British sewing bee is learning new techniques and thinking to myself I wonder if I could do that?
    Frankie
    Www.knitwits-owls.blogspot.co.uk

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  34. I admire the contestants' bravery. I have been sewing for 60 years but would never be brave enough or fast enough to complete those projects.

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  35. Great interview. I love to see that other people have those things that go wrong and they have to quickly remedy. It's refreshing to see that everyone has those same experiences, even if they are more experienced.

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  36. Thank you for a chance to win this amazing book!! It looks wonderful!
    Gosh I love everything about the sewing bee... The alteration challenge is so creative and makes you think outside the box but I love the made to measure challenge too!
    I love how the judges help as they see what everyone is doing instead of making you feel freaked out... Although it would freak me out it has to be said lol

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  37. I really enjoy watching how each person approaches the same task in their own way and what they achieve at the end, hopefully with a great garment, to win the judges over.

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  38. Even though I've been sewing for quite a long time there's usually a few techniques featured that I've never tried and it's great to see them demonstrated 😊

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  39. What I love best about the Sewing Bee is getting to know the contestants, and seeing how their skills increase as the series goes on. But actually I love everything about the Sewing Bee, I watch each episode over and over!

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  40. I like to see how the patterns look in different fabric, like the chevron challenge this week

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  41. I love GBSB. My favourite thing is following the sewers and seeing how they improve and get more confident towards the final

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  42. I'm in Ireland, not the UK but sure we're only just next door!
    What an interesting interview.Great to find out more about the show and the book. What a fabulous career immersed in sewing

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  43. I don't think there is enough sewing on tv anymore. I remember programmes everyday that included crafts that weren't trying to sell kits and gadgets. I'd love to see a real craft channel that teaches you things and gives real inspiration to new and old sewers alike. We all love the Sewing Bee but there just isn't enough of it!! I want MORE.. ;P

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  44. Thank you for holding this giveaway. I think it's great to watch a sewing program on television. There used to be a few some years ago. There should be more. I love seeing the progression of everyone's skills and the fact that there are men sewing as well. Great programme all round.

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  45. love watching people with different levels of sewing experience and great watching others sew new things, things i haven't had the confidence to sew yet, makes me want to give it a go too ;)

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  46. Love that this is back on telly again and loving some of Esme's comments!! My favourite bit is Claudia's 'helpful' comments :-)

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  47. I watched the first British Sewing Bee online (on youtube I believe) and I was enthralled! I loved it!!!
    It was so inspiring! It made me want to learn to sew clothes so badly!
    Unfortunately, I couldn't find the second series online anywhere and was very sad.... A quick search I made again just now has it showing up on youtube again so I will definately be checking that out!!

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  48. Marie, I did notice that the giveaway said 'UK residents', but I figured that it if was a matter of postage -which I know is hefty!- that you'd consider non-UK residents that were willing to pay for postage......
    If not, please disregard my comment above.

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  49. My favourite thing about the Sewing Bee is watching all the different techniques and tips that different sewists have. T also love seeing the fabric choices and seeing them develop their skills. It's lovely when they help each other even though it's a competition.

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  50. I just LOVE Sewing Bee - it is informative, exciting and above all fun and hopefully encourages everyone to have-a-go at such a fantastic hobby! Thanks for the opportunity to win the book.AnnieS

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  51. I always feel really inspired and ready to sew after watching the Great British Sewing Bee. I have been known to start making a garment straight after the show and into the night!!

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  52. I like the way the contestants are willing to help each other even though they're panicking themselves.

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  53. I love that GBSB made sewing cool, that it helped people like me come out of the woodwork and reach out to the community and make sewing friends.

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  54. Firstly I love that there is a program on main stream telly about sewing!! But I think my favourite part is the alteration challenge, I love seeing how many different things can be made from one garment! Recycling, creative and inspirational in one.

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  55. I like that there is sewing on TV and I like the way they show the camaraderie between the contestants. They're so brave! I enjoy the GBSB - wish it were on for longer.

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  56. Ooooo, well I agree with Jayne, I love the fact that what my friends used to consider a slightly odd habit has now become mainstream and in fact many are jealous of my handmade wardrobe! However for me it's the gems you get from Patrick and his co-judge, this year Esme but I loved May's comments too. A good way to work the odd trick or couture technique into my own sewing. However... not much beats Claudia's comments, and my overlocker has been known as the Overlord ever since...!

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  57. My favourite thing is watching the show with a couple of friends who are also keen sewers as it makes our solitary pastime a little more sociable. I think GBSB has inspired quite a lot of people to start sewing or pick it up again after not having sewn anything for quite a while.

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  58. My favourite thing about the Great British Sewing Bee is that it shows people who don't sew how garments are constructed. I'm hoping it helps reduce cheap fashion by making people pay more attention to the way their clothes are made and maybe inspire more to upcycle our out of date garments rather than just get rid of them.

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  59. I love seeing how the sewers tackle the challenges. It's great to see what works and what doesnt - I pick up so many tips to try!
    H.

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  60. I love that gbsb brings sewing more main stream, my friends always thought I was terribly old fashioned to sew but now its just accepted.

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  61. i love the gbsb because i like to see everyone's different style come through on what they make. plus i often get to learn new techniques along the way.

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  62. The best thing about GBSB is that most of the garments are so awful that I don't feel so bad about my own not very good makes.

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  63. Definitely the alteration challenge - and hearing the judges' opinions

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  64. I love the comraderie between the contestants, the alteration challenge, how inspirational it is and I love to see Patrick ..... (He,he...). Thanks for hosting such a great giveaway! Pati x

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  65. I love the fact that when I'm in a bit of a sewing slump, it inspires me to keep going and be creative.

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  66. After watching the first episode I'm tempted to apply for next year's show

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  67. My favourite thing about the GBSB has to be having my own time infront of the telly to relax. I live with my parents (I know, lucky me right?!) so my telly time is limited but it's my one hour a week when it's on that I can sit, destress and not worry about whether what I'm making is going to fit and whether I'm making too much mess!

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  68. I love the final challenge when the contestants get to chose their version of a garment. It's so interesting to see how each of them interprets the brief...for better or worse!

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  69. My mum has been sewing for as long I can remember and made countless items. She even wanted to make my wedding dress! So I suppose it was fate that sooner or later I'd be wanting to try my hand at sewing. I am a beginner that just received my first sewing machine and can't wait to progress from simple shopping bags to dresses.
    I love the GBSB because it gives me inspiration and shows how certain fabrics behave, and certain techniques. I am enthralled!

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  70. It's such a treat to have it back and have an hour of sewing telly watching!

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  71. You know I could write about how nice it is to sewing on tv and how inspirational it is - but I'd be lying. It's Patrick.

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