All sewn up
THE GREAT BRITISH SEWING BEE BBC1, 9pm
IT’S a glamorous end to this fun sewing contest, complete with a brilliant 1980s photo of Esme Young wearing Lycra and Patrick Grant getting excited about Wonder Woman.
Having failed to decide who should leave the competition last week, four contestants have made it through to this all-female final – Debra, Brogan, Man Yee and Annie.
“They are really similar in skill, any of them could win,” says Esme.
They take on a trio of party themed challenges starting with the pattern for one of Esme’s iconic designs from her Swanky Modes fashion house – the Amorphous Dress. Esme launched it in 1983, setting the trend for Lycra partywear – even Cher bought one. A photo reveals Esme and her friend modelling the dress after their actual model got drunk.
Made from one piece of Lycra and manipulated into shape with a connection of D-rings, it’s all about precision and fabric handling.
Then it is on to the Transformation Challenge and there’s a shock in store when the sewers are confronted with all their scrap fabric from the past nine weeks. They must use it to make a party outfit or garment that they would actually wear.
“It’s the fashion equivalent of tidying up,” says host Sara Pascoe.
Finally, they fit a red carpet jumpsuit using sparkles and luxury fabrics for their model, who this week is a friend or a family member. One result brings about the Wonder Woman moment.
The past sewers then return for a reunion and the judges will now actually have to make a decision…