Visited my English girl friend for a week and got back home yesterday. As she is soo sick with various diseases now (rheumatical arthritis, osteoporosis) she hardly can walk and is always under pain. She, however, finds joy watching TV and other things to do sitting in a chair. As she knows I love sewing she recorded five sessions of the British sewing bee challenge 2015. I was quite impressed what these people are doing. Thursday this week there will be the final and I wonder who will win (my favourite Neil). British Cuties - do you also watch this? We don't have entertainment like this in our German TV but I love the BBC a lot and think it's a great idea to encourage people to do crafting, sewing etc.
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255049I think any could win. However the whole concept annoys me intensely. It never did really encourage much creativity, but with each series it has become more of a dressmaking competition and less about sewing. I'll still be watching though!
Why didn't you let us know you were coming? We could have met up somewhere.
2 comments
by grossfamilie
11 Mar 2015
Sue, you are right. I had been considering contacting you but actually Karla (my friend) feels so poorly. Therefore, I didn't want to give her any extra stress but wanted to help her.
But most probably I'll visit before Christmas 2015 again 'cause my friend does not think she'll be able to travel any longer :-( I'll tell you as soon as I know and I could take a bus into Lincoln and meet up with you and avoid the Christmas market time.
I would have loved to know the basics for this sewing competition - whether people can apply without or low sewing experience or did they start from different sewing levels? Also it would have been more helpful to give basic working advice for the different tasks such as how to work with leather or which stichess would be best for lace or satin ........I mean in order to encourage TV-watchers to try their own "first" sewing and maybe give them an opportunity to buy a basic pattern and see
how it is done by experienced people. But maybe that is too much asked for in this TV-format.
by spendlove
11 Mar 2015
I think huge numbers apply. The application form asks a lot of questions about experience, but in the end they choose people who will be good on TV. There was more basic advice to viewers in the first series.
140717I do like the way Matt cuts out, with the stones and rotary cutter, theres no distortion on the fabric that way. Next time I cut something out that I would normally scissor cut I'm going to have a go at it. I agree that Neil looks the hot favourite but I do like to cheer on the underdog! Jo
1 comment
by grossfamilie
11 Mar 2015
Yes, I also find the stones and rotary cutter method very useful and will probably try - will have to collect stones first :-)
2958My favourite programme at the moment, I am looking forward to the final. Fortunately I can (and do) watch BBC1 and 2 in the Netherlands.
I like the way Neil works, so methodically, loved his kilt. In the last episode he did not come first in every challenge, and the others are doing great as well. It will be very interesting to see who comes out first.
1 comment
by grossfamilie
11 Mar 2015
Unfortunately in my part of Germany we have no possibility to watch BBC. But I have not checked whether I could buy
an access to BBC.
145302How sad that you will not be in the UK for the final programme. I think all of the final 3 have produced some great work. I am not going t say who I think will win as a small hiccup along the way has been the exit of others. Neil is very accomplished with his work. I do have to say that it would be good if there was a bit that says this is how you do this process. Saw the book on the series for sale today and patterns but it was shrink wrapped so I couldn't peek. Sorry to hear that your friends health is not good. Would you be able to see the final programme via the internet?
1 comment
by grossfamilie
10 Mar 2015
No, have tried the BBC site but it clearly states NO, if you are not a customer of theirs and situated inside UK you cannot watch. I think it is quite understandable too. Why you should pay while I can get it free of charge? This would not be fair. But I think, Karla will record the final and if I get to visit her again we'll watch together.
But I agree it will be hard to choose a winner.
Wow, she also recorded the New Year show in London and I fell in love again with Queen and their new front man Adam Lambert. What a treat to see this all :-)
115749I'm so glad you got to see her. What a sweetheart to record the program for you.
1 comment
by grossfamilie
10 Mar 2015
Yes she really is a darling. It makes me cry how she suffers. We met 40 years ago working for the same company in Germany but some time after she had to go back home; in spite of our different ways of life and the distance between us we never stopped being friends
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