5 MINUTES WITH...

Sewing Bee judge Esme Young, 69, who went to London’s famous fashion college Central St Martins in the ’70s – and she also has cool hair…

Was it good to be reunited with Patrick?

Yes! I’ve really missed it and it was lovely to get back and see Patrick and of course meet Joe [Lycett]. He’s a really nice guy and very open – I think you need that for this show. I didn’t really know Patrick when I filmed the first series, but I feel like we’re a double act now.

Do you make your own clothes?

I would say I make about 50 per cent of my own clothes. I also buy a lot of vintage and go to charity shops. I tend to buy outfits that I can keep for years and remake by altering them. And I’ve never bought online; I like to go into a shop and feel the cloth. I have a workshop where I do a lot of sewing, but I can sew anywhere.

Is there a gadget you have a special attachment to?

There’s a kind of un-picker that I particularly like, and I’m attached to a decent pair of sharp scissors.

What would be your favourite kind of thing to make?

Nothing in my career has really fazed me and I’ve done it all, but I don’t particularly like making wedding dresses. It can be quite stressful – and then the bride loses weight! You also have to keep the gown clean... Recently, though, I made my niece’s wedding dress. She has tattoos so you could see those through an organza top, and the embroidery was placed around them. I enjoyed working on that.

Do you have any tips for home sewers?

Cutting out really accurately is really important, otherwise the garment won’t hang properly. Under pressing is always my top tip. I started sewing at the age of seven – I made a gathered skirt. And then I started designing as a teenager as I couldn’t afford clothes in the shops.