Needles up for the final time
ONLY three contestants remain as the competition for the title of Britain’s best amateur sewer reaches its tense finale.
“I feel slightly sick, but in a good way,” says Serena, the front runner with five pattern challenge wins already under her belt.
Judge Patrick Grant says she’s potentially the most technically capable seamstress ever to appear on the show.
She’s up against Raph, who judge Esme Young says is unique, while Rebecca is described as a real talent who has upped her game.
“It’s so scary going up against
Raph and Serena,” says Rebecca. “I’m such an underdog! But underdogs can turn it around at the end.”
Noting the young set of finalists, Patrick says: “We’ve got a new generation of sewers coming through and I think all three of them have an outstanding chance of winning.”
A trio of celebration-themed garments stands between them and the prize.
First they must make a bridesmaid’s dress for a little girl, complete with puff sleeves and a huge sash bow. Everyone gets a little stressed about the ‘bound buttonhole’.
Then they must transform household items, such as beaded curtains, cushion covers and lampshades, into festival outfits. “They must be fun, fantastical and flamboyant,” says Esme.
Finally, their mates turn up to model as they stitch off-theshoulder red carpet evening gowns.
“These garments are daring, dramatic, difficult, just like me,” says Joe Lycett.
But when it’s time for Needles Up and the catwalk is complete, only one can take the crown.