Sew satisfying
SOME shows are like a velvety mug of hot chocolate, comforting on any night of the week. Bake Off’s sister series, celebrating home sewing, has long been a favourite.
Host Joe Lycett has proved the perfect replacement for Claudia Winkleman: he’s funny without stealing the spotlight, great with the contestants and liable to accidentally rip their garments while ‘helping’ – all very Mel and Sue circa early GBBO.
Judges Patrick Grant and Esme Young try and fail to be fierce in their critiques, which only makes them more endearing.
Tonight 12 new sewers step into the workroom to face their first three challenges, all of which are wardrobe staples. Our early favourites include Alex, who learned to sew to make his own ballroom dancing costumes and Therese, whose children kindly informed her that she ‘dresses like a sofa’.
The pattern challenge demands a wrap-round midi skirt, which they make look easy, while the
Alex makes a start on a challenge made to measure task allows five hours to stitch a vintage-inspired tea dress.
The results are impressive enough to make you contemplate dragging that old sewing machine down from the loft for a bit of lockdown crafting.
The transformation challenge is the humdinger tonight though. With so few of us going into the office these days – or out on shopping sprees – why not grab a tired, dingy work shirt from the wardrobe and take 90 minutes to whip up a natty skirt, a bustier or even a dress that looks like… a crumpled old shirt.
It’s all good fun.