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I am really enjoying this series of the Great British Sewing Bee.  It seems better structured than the first series – and also it has more episodes!  Always a win.
Episode three of this series was on working with knit or stretch fabric.  This is something lots of sewers find a bit challenging! I’ve been trying to work with knits a bit, making underpants and a few other knit things (post to come!).

The first challenge – the “pattern” challenge – was to make a pair of leggings to fit the mannequin.  Different fabrics produce a different amount of stretch, so the contestents had to be sure to measure accurately and adjust the pattern accordingly.

The creative challenge was to take a large men’s plain t-shirt and make it into something different!  I always love to think of what I’d make in this challenge.  This time I would have made a pair of underpants and maybe a singlet if possible!  That’s certainly a big change to the t-shirt!

The fitting challenge was to make a wrap dress to fit the models.  Some of these dresses were absolutely gorgeous, things I’d like to wear!

This is such a great program – even my husband Charles looks forward to it each week.  I’m naughty and download it but I think in some countries you can watch it on youtube (not available here).

Not much of a review today but I recommend you get into this show!!

I don’t have much to show for myself today – a bunch of failed bodice fittings and a half-finished jumper – so I thought I’d write about the Great British Sewing Bee second series episode 1! I might do this for the other episodes too.

I found out about this show when the first season aired last year – while my parents were in England they happened to see an episode on the TV and knew I’d love it!  The second series is slightly different – 10 contestants instead of however many there were last time, and much harder challenges.

There were three challenges this week, based on three natural fibres: cotton, wool, and silk.  Challenge 1 was to make a cotton top from a pattern, no alteration or decoration.  I think that was mostly to see if there was anyone who *really* shouldn’t be there.  There were some lovely cute tops, all sleeveless and with a facing – which had to be made in 2 hours!  Fast!

The next challenge was to take a plain grey wool maxi-skirt and alter it in some creative way.  Basically everyone made it into a mini-skirt with some detail.  I think I would have kept the fabric in one piece but made horizontal pleats to shorten the skirt and add interest.  Can you believe that one guy made a welt pocket in like 30 minutes??  We did that at CIT last week and it took us 3 hours!

The last challenge was to make a fitted silk nightgown for a model.  I learned some tricks about cutting slippery silk – best to do it with a rotary cutter because scissors make the fabric shift.  Some of these nighties were spectacular (some sucked) and I was just so impressed.  It made me want to make a nightie!

This show has inspired me to get back to sewing.  After a few failures recently, I’ve given up and now I have a big pile of unfinished things and patterns to make.  But failure is just a step on the road to success I suppose, I’d better get back to it.  Totally watch this show!  It’s the best!

I thought it would be nice to review on how I’m going with my resolutions!

1. Floss my teeth DAILY!
Am totally winning at this.  My dentist will be SO THRILLED.

2. Write in my diary daily.
Also winning at this!

3. Get up earlier.
Not really winning at this.  I have terrible sleep problems.  Last night I literally did not sleep at all, I was so nervous about my first day back at teaching.  I’m trying to take melatonin pills at the same time each night but it doesn’t do much.  My problem is tension, not anything physical.  So usually if I’m sleeping at 8am, I want to stay sleeping for as long as possible.  Hopefully eventually I’ll settle into a routine and begin to sleep better, and then I can transfer it to waking up earlier… or should I do it the other way around?  I start teaching at 7:20am on Mondays so that will kick start me.

4. Buy less and have less.
I think I’m doing ok at this.  I did buy some t-shirts and shoes the other day, but I think I need those things to function!  The problem is now getting rid of some t-shirts and shoes that I don’t want!  I haven’t bought anything big or expensive though, despite really wanting a particular dress from Review…

5. Use up a bunch of my stash.
Very much winning!  Yesterday I managed to make a whole dress out of a piece that’s been hanging in my stash.  A few weeks ago I made a cushion out of a skirt that was silly.  I also found some old UFOs that I might try to finish soon.  I have plans for a lot of my stash too.  It’s still huge – embarrassingly huge.

6. Sew more wearable clothes for me.
This dress I made yesterday I totally wore to work today!  And I also wore the jumper I knitted recently!  So yes, doing quite well.  It’s a matter of finding a few patterns that really work for your style and just recycling them!

7. Finish projects before starting new ones.
Winning SO HARD at this!  It is also great because I feel less stressed about all my projects – now I’m just feeling stressed about my stash.  So far this year I’ve finished my ripple blanket (post to come – it’s a biggie), my Amber Bramble jumper, my lace chevron scarf, and I’m working on finishing my Milena cardigan (doing the sleeves now!  Nearly done!).  

I’m also getting fitter (so far)!  Charles bought me a FitBit, which has been encouraging me to get out and walk more.  It rewards you with buzzes and lights when you walk more than 10000 steps!  Hopefully 2014 will be a happier, healthier year!