0:00:03 > 0:00:05This year, rather than going shopping
0:00:05 > 0:00:08why not make your Christmas home-sewn?
0:00:08 > 0:00:10And there we are.
0:00:11 > 0:00:13The Great British Sewing Bee's experts -
0:00:13 > 0:00:15Savile Row's Patrick Grant...
0:00:15 > 0:00:18That is very handsome reindeer.
0:00:18 > 0:00:20..and sewing teacher May Martin...
0:00:20 > 0:00:22Oh, I love that, I love that!
0:00:22 > 0:00:25..have reunited their semi-finalists...
0:00:25 > 0:00:27Stuart,
0:00:27 > 0:00:28Sandra,
0:00:28 > 0:00:30Lauren,
0:00:30 > 0:00:34and winner Ann for a very special Christmas Sewing Bee.
0:00:34 > 0:00:36Patrick, did you know that embroidery should look
0:00:36 > 0:00:38- the same on the back as the front? - I know that!
0:00:38 > 0:00:39Let me see the back.
0:00:39 > 0:00:41THEY LAUGH
0:00:41 > 0:00:44Collective making is something that people use to enjoy a lot
0:00:44 > 0:00:47and I hope that we just remind people that actually time
0:00:47 > 0:00:50spent together just doing something simple is very special.
0:00:50 > 0:00:54They'll be pooling their talents to produce beautiful Christmas
0:00:54 > 0:00:55table linen...
0:00:55 > 0:00:57Doesn't it come alive now that it's all together?
0:00:57 > 0:01:00- Yes! Really pretty, yes. - There's a little bit of all of us.
0:01:00 > 0:01:02..exquisite handmade gifts...
0:01:02 > 0:01:04This is the really exciting bit.
0:01:04 > 0:01:06..and quick and easy tree decorations.
0:01:08 > 0:01:10Put something nice inside.
0:01:11 > 0:01:14And we'll find out just what the semi-finalists have been up to
0:01:14 > 0:01:15since the Sewing Bee.
0:01:17 > 0:01:21Welcome to the Great British Sewing Bee Christmas.
0:01:22 > 0:01:24I love a bit of glitter!
0:01:46 > 0:01:48MUSIC: "Silver Bells" by Doris Day
0:01:56 > 0:01:58Hello!
0:01:58 > 0:02:00Hiya. Nice to see you.
0:02:00 > 0:02:02Good. How are you?
0:02:02 > 0:02:05CHATTER
0:02:05 > 0:02:09It's absolutely wonderful to be back here and meet everybody again.
0:02:09 > 0:02:12It sort of brings back all the happy memories of last year.
0:02:12 > 0:02:14It's lovely.
0:02:14 > 0:02:18I've got lots of happy memories of being in the sewing bee.
0:02:18 > 0:02:22Everybody looking at what everybody else is doing. Are you on time?
0:02:22 > 0:02:26We're just here to have fun, so it feels a lot different. It's good.
0:02:28 > 0:02:32So cool to see May and Patrick and the other sewers -
0:02:32 > 0:02:34I've missed them. It's lovely.
0:02:35 > 0:02:37Have you made that matching waistcoat and bag, Stuart?
0:02:37 > 0:02:40I have. I've been practising!
0:02:40 > 0:02:43Sometimes we lose sight of what Christmas is all about.
0:02:43 > 0:02:45It's about thoughtfulness
0:02:45 > 0:02:48and making something by hand and creating it yourself is
0:02:48 > 0:02:54so much more special than going to a store and spending money.
0:02:54 > 0:02:57Sewing bees are just a wonderful way for likeminded people to come
0:02:57 > 0:03:00together to make things.
0:03:00 > 0:03:03And it's actually really nice sharing your skills with
0:03:03 > 0:03:06somebody else, helping each other, sharing ideas.
0:03:06 > 0:03:09It's a really sociable, fun thing to do.
0:03:09 > 0:03:13The old-fashioned sewing bees were collectives of friends
0:03:13 > 0:03:16and neighbours who would get together to share work.
0:03:16 > 0:03:19It's something that's largely disappeared and I think it somehow
0:03:19 > 0:03:23reconnects us with the simple things that us human beings really enjoy.
0:03:23 > 0:03:29# Soon it will be Christmas Day. #
0:03:31 > 0:03:33Merry Christmas, all of you.
0:03:33 > 0:03:35ALL: Merry Christmas!
0:03:35 > 0:03:37And welcome back to the sewing room.
0:03:37 > 0:03:41We are going to hold a much more traditional sewing bee.
0:03:41 > 0:03:44We are going to sew everything we need for a beautiful,
0:03:44 > 0:03:46handcrafted Christmas.
0:03:46 > 0:03:48We're starting off with a table runner.
0:03:48 > 0:03:50There is going to be five panels.
0:03:50 > 0:03:53We'll do one and we'll like you to do a panel each.
0:03:53 > 0:03:55We've done a basic colour palette here.
0:03:55 > 0:03:57If you can stick as close as you can to this,
0:03:57 > 0:04:00use anything you'll like from around the sewing room.
0:04:00 > 0:04:02I think, let's just get cracking.
0:04:03 > 0:04:06A table runner is a long, thin decorative cloth,
0:04:06 > 0:04:10which runs along the centre of the dining table.
0:04:10 > 0:04:12I totally love that one!
0:04:14 > 0:04:17Three tree is our main feature in our house,
0:04:17 > 0:04:20- so it's got to be a tree, hasn't it? - OK.
0:04:20 > 0:04:23Table runners, they are fantastic
0:04:23 > 0:04:25because you can all contribute a square.
0:04:25 > 0:04:27Everybody can experiment with their own ideas
0:04:27 > 0:04:30and it's a wonderful sociable project to do.
0:04:30 > 0:04:33Really, really lovely thing to bring people together.
0:04:33 > 0:04:37Patrick and May's Christmas runner will be made up of square
0:04:37 > 0:04:41panels, which are joined together using fabric strips,
0:04:41 > 0:04:43a border and a backing.
0:04:43 > 0:04:45Everyone will decorate a square each.
0:04:45 > 0:04:49May and Patrick's will form the centrepiece - a patchwork star.
0:04:56 > 0:04:58How are we putting the star together?
0:04:58 > 0:05:01We are going to put it together in rows, we'll have some squares
0:05:01 > 0:05:04and we'll have some triangles joined together to make other squares.
0:05:04 > 0:05:07We're joining up a lot of triangles and squares to make a star?
0:05:07 > 0:05:08- That's right!- OK!
0:05:08 > 0:05:10So how is your machining?
0:05:10 > 0:05:11My machining is excellent.
0:05:11 > 0:05:13You have to be quite precise with this design.
0:05:13 > 0:05:15Yes, these need to be neat.
0:05:15 > 0:05:16Shall we cut up some fabric?
0:05:16 > 0:05:18Have we got our triangle template somewhere?
0:05:18 > 0:05:20I have something up my sleeve.
0:05:20 > 0:05:23I need eight cream triangles.
0:05:23 > 0:05:25I feel like Santa's little helper.
0:05:29 > 0:05:32While May and Patrick are using patchwork to decorate their
0:05:32 > 0:05:36centrepiece, the other sewers are using another traditional technique.
0:05:37 > 0:05:42I'm going to do an applique design of a poinsettia because, to me,
0:05:42 > 0:05:45Christmas isn't complete without a poinsettia flower,
0:05:45 > 0:05:48so this to me is Christmas.
0:05:48 > 0:05:51Applique involves cutting out fabric pieces that are ironed,
0:05:51 > 0:05:52then stitched onto material.
0:05:56 > 0:05:59I wanted to do a square that symbols what Christmas
0:05:59 > 0:06:01is about in our house.
0:06:01 > 0:06:04It's all about Christmas trees and baubles,
0:06:04 > 0:06:06so I thought I would go for a Christmas tree
0:06:06 > 0:06:08and hope for the best!
0:06:08 > 0:06:11I'm going to use a combination of these fabrics,
0:06:11 > 0:06:15but I'm still just mulling over the details in my head a little bit.
0:06:15 > 0:06:18I've got a few different templates here, the reindeer's caught my
0:06:18 > 0:06:22eye and I think that's quite a nice Christmassy thing to have around.
0:06:22 > 0:06:25He's going to be quite cute.
0:06:25 > 0:06:31I've got like scissors and cotton reels, so we'll have a wreath
0:06:31 > 0:06:36made up of sewing things, with a few holly leaves and berries thrown in.
0:06:37 > 0:06:40That's kind of what's going round in my head at the moment.
0:06:40 > 0:06:42A wreath sounds so involved!
0:06:42 > 0:06:45It's a piece of cake for him, he's a quilter!
0:06:45 > 0:06:46HE LAUGHS
0:06:47 > 0:06:50Well, I had better make it good, hadn't I!?
0:06:58 > 0:06:59Do you get all the things out
0:06:59 > 0:07:02that the kids have made over the years, Sandra?
0:07:02 > 0:07:05I do but they're drifting to the back of the tree now
0:07:05 > 0:07:07cos they're getting that old and shabby.
0:07:07 > 0:07:10Whenever we go through the year, I have to buy a new Christmas bauble.
0:07:10 > 0:07:11I do that!
0:07:11 > 0:07:15I buy one new bauble every year that goes on.
0:07:15 > 0:07:17We have to buy more than one...
0:07:17 > 0:07:19So do you do have a real family Christmas, Sandra?
0:07:19 > 0:07:22Yes, everybody's there for Christmas.
0:07:22 > 0:07:24You need to realise that these two talk all the time!
0:07:24 > 0:07:26Do they? People walk in off the street?
0:07:26 > 0:07:28Sometimes their partners are there...
0:07:28 > 0:07:30We might be here for a while.
0:07:30 > 0:07:32Everybody's there for Christmas dinner.
0:07:32 > 0:07:34Everybody sits there stodged.
0:07:41 > 0:07:45The sewers' fabric designs are being attached to the runner panels
0:07:45 > 0:07:48using fusible web, a fibre that melts
0:07:48 > 0:07:51when it's heated with an iron, leaving a sticky residue.
0:07:51 > 0:07:56It's kind of like glue, in a way, that's heat activated.
0:07:56 > 0:08:00I've ironed this onto the fabric, so it's stuck onto it.
0:08:00 > 0:08:03But when I peel this off, there'll be another layer of glue.
0:08:03 > 0:08:07But when I iron it again, it will stick onto the base fabric.
0:08:08 > 0:08:10It's good for just holding things where you want them
0:08:10 > 0:08:14to before you sew them, otherwise things can move around a lot.
0:08:17 > 0:08:19Ann's constructing her poinsettia
0:08:19 > 0:08:22from over ten separate layered pieces.
0:08:22 > 0:08:26I'm using different coloured reds to give a bit of texture to the
0:08:26 > 0:08:28look of the flower.
0:08:29 > 0:08:32They don't have to be too exact.
0:08:33 > 0:08:36This is freehand drawing, after all.
0:08:36 > 0:08:43And there's my shape and it's got its sticky backing on it.
0:08:47 > 0:08:51I'm worried that it doesn't look...maybe like a dog
0:08:51 > 0:08:53with antlers on.
0:08:53 > 0:08:56THEY LAUGH
0:08:56 > 0:08:57Oh, dear!
0:08:57 > 0:09:00People do that, don't they, at Christmas?
0:09:00 > 0:09:02They put antlers on their dogs.
0:09:02 > 0:09:04I've totally got a picture of antlers on my dog.
0:09:04 > 0:09:08Have you? Was that what inspired this table runner design?
0:09:08 > 0:09:09SHE LAUGHS
0:09:16 > 0:09:21So this is our Chrisatmas poinsettia. Now, talk me through where you are.
0:09:21 > 0:09:26I'm doing layers of applique, starting with the wrap-round leaves.
0:09:26 > 0:09:27And the central flower...
0:09:27 > 0:09:31The central flower is the little polka-dot fellow.
0:09:31 > 0:09:33I really like this idea of everybody coming together
0:09:33 > 0:09:36and doing a piece of something communal.
0:09:36 > 0:09:40It's a great idea because you get such a variety of ideas,
0:09:40 > 0:09:43and there's so much talent out there.
0:09:48 > 0:09:51I've got my elements all cut out, and what I'm trying to do now is
0:09:51 > 0:09:56just place them into a wreath-like shape.
0:09:56 > 0:10:00It's a bit difficult because the scissors are long and thin,
0:10:00 > 0:10:03and it doesn't help me making a round wreath.
0:10:03 > 0:10:05It's sort of coming together.
0:10:05 > 0:10:08OK, dog or reindeer?
0:10:08 > 0:10:11- That is a reindeer. - (Yes!)
0:10:12 > 0:10:15Patrick and May are still working out what goes
0:10:15 > 0:10:17where for their Christmas star.
0:10:17 > 0:10:20It's a quite a complicated design, so they're temporarily
0:10:20 > 0:10:24sticking their shapes onto a piece of paper to create a template.
0:10:24 > 0:10:28Then it's easy to see which pieces to sew together.
0:10:28 > 0:10:31By Jove, I think we've cracked it.
0:10:31 > 0:10:34When you sew this together, you join those two together
0:10:34 > 0:10:36and those two together.
0:10:36 > 0:10:38Then you join those squares that you've made to that square
0:10:38 > 0:10:40there and that square there.
0:10:40 > 0:10:43We sew them in four strips and then we sew the four strips together.
0:10:43 > 0:10:44Absolutely!
0:10:44 > 0:10:45And you end up with a star!
0:10:45 > 0:10:47You know what you are going to do now?
0:10:47 > 0:10:49I'm going to have to sew something...
0:10:49 > 0:10:51You're going to have to sew some together.
0:10:53 > 0:10:55How many of these do I have to do?
0:10:55 > 0:10:58Quite a few. Don't go anywhere.
0:11:02 > 0:11:06I'm very interested to see May and Patrick's work.
0:11:08 > 0:11:11I'm going to be looking very carefully
0:11:11 > 0:11:12at Patrick's top stitching.
0:11:16 > 0:11:22Mine could be the weakest link on the table runner, couldn't it?
0:11:22 > 0:11:25I've just got to hope Patrick's no good.
0:11:27 > 0:11:28What have you done there?
0:11:28 > 0:11:31Have you got three bits of fabric and sewn them on the back?
0:11:31 > 0:11:33It does look complicated!
0:11:36 > 0:11:40People that haven't got a machine, or children who want to have a go,
0:11:40 > 0:11:45can literally get them to iron it on and just stab-stitch it round,
0:11:45 > 0:11:49and then they can add pom-poms and bits and pieces.
0:11:49 > 0:11:52Oh, I remember you were a fan of the pom-pom.
0:11:52 > 0:11:55- I love a pom-pom.- I remember a particular pom-pom moment.
0:11:55 > 0:11:57- My bag was lovely. - It was lovely.
0:12:03 > 0:12:05And this is the last...
0:12:05 > 0:12:07And that's the last one. Fantastic.
0:12:07 > 0:12:09Then that forms the rest of our star.
0:12:10 > 0:12:14The patchwork strips are attached using wedding dress lace pins,
0:12:14 > 0:12:16which are so fine they can be
0:12:16 > 0:12:19stitched over without damaging the machine.
0:12:19 > 0:12:21So now if we take those pins out...
0:12:24 > 0:12:26..and we open this out,
0:12:26 > 0:12:28it all matches beautifully!
0:12:28 > 0:12:30- Presto!- Part of our star.
0:12:30 > 0:12:33Right. Let's crack on and finish it off then.
0:12:43 > 0:12:47I'm going to use thicker embroidery thread
0:12:47 > 0:12:50and I'm just going to do a little knot for his eye.
0:12:50 > 0:12:52Finished!
0:12:53 > 0:12:57It wants to move that way round a bit but, yes, that's OK.
0:12:59 > 0:13:00I think that's it!
0:13:02 > 0:13:05There you go. It's going to be a sewing bee Christmas.
0:13:13 > 0:13:16- Nice piecing. - They are absolutely amazing
0:13:16 > 0:13:19and they're all completely different.
0:13:19 > 0:13:22Incredible. I love your threads.
0:13:22 > 0:13:27I'm particularly impressed with Sandra's star.
0:13:27 > 0:13:30May will ensemble and sew everyone's squares together later
0:13:30 > 0:13:32to form the table runner.
0:13:32 > 0:13:34I put those the other way round,
0:13:34 > 0:13:37so that the reindeer is facing into the middle.
0:13:37 > 0:13:39Oh, that's a good idea, well done!
0:13:39 > 0:13:42Ann came into the Sewing Bee with over 75 years of sewing
0:13:42 > 0:13:44experience behind her.
0:13:46 > 0:13:48She was just a joy to watch.
0:13:48 > 0:13:50Oh, now that's a delight!
0:13:50 > 0:13:54She really is extremely talented, extremely meticulous.
0:13:56 > 0:13:58I think she looks rather good in it!
0:14:01 > 0:14:05A very well executed piece of sewing.
0:14:05 > 0:14:06Gorgeous zip insertion.
0:14:07 > 0:14:10Ann won the Sewing Bee with her classic tailoring techniques
0:14:10 > 0:14:12and precision timing.
0:14:12 > 0:14:16Wherever I go people come up to me and say, "Congratulations!"
0:14:16 > 0:14:19It's quite extraordinary.
0:14:19 > 0:14:25Somebody stopped me and said, "Do you do alterations?"
0:14:27 > 0:14:30I was completely taken aback!
0:14:30 > 0:14:32I do not do alterations.
0:14:34 > 0:14:37I'm the moderator of a sewing website.
0:14:37 > 0:14:39Come on, dearie!
0:14:40 > 0:14:43I put up tutorials and things.
0:14:43 > 0:14:47Also, I can go in and if people aren't behaving themselves,
0:14:47 > 0:14:51then I can tick them off or delete their stuff!
0:14:54 > 0:14:57I will always love sewing. This is me.
0:14:57 > 0:14:59This is what I do. This is what I am.
0:15:06 > 0:15:09For Ann, when it comes to Christmas, it's not about making clothes
0:15:09 > 0:15:13but about making presents for her grandchildren.
0:15:18 > 0:15:22So, I'm going to make a teddy bear for one my granddaughters.
0:15:22 > 0:15:27She's 15 and she collects soft toys.
0:15:27 > 0:15:30Teddy bears became popular gifts in 1902.
0:15:30 > 0:15:33They're named after US President Theodore Roosevelt,
0:15:33 > 0:15:36who refused to shoot a bear on a hunting trip
0:15:36 > 0:15:40and the first cuddly bears were produced to commemorate this event.
0:15:43 > 0:15:46Ann's teddy bear is going to be made in the same traditional way,
0:15:46 > 0:15:49from 13 pieces of mohair.
0:15:49 > 0:15:54This is expensive fabric and you use every inch of it that you can.
0:15:56 > 0:15:58Ann sourced this teddy bear pattern
0:15:58 > 0:16:01and fabric from a specialist online shop.
0:16:02 > 0:16:04Once the pieces are cut out, excess mohair is
0:16:04 > 0:16:09trimmed off the edges to stop fur catching in the sewing machine.
0:16:09 > 0:16:13Everything gets covered in teddy bear fur.
0:16:13 > 0:16:17Don't wear your best black trousers when you're doing this.
0:16:19 > 0:16:24It gives me great pleasure to see a child's reaction to a soft toy.
0:16:24 > 0:16:30When I was I teenager, I made absolutely masses of soft toys
0:16:30 > 0:16:35and I made soft toys for my children and for my grandchildren.
0:16:35 > 0:16:40I think a lot of my soft toys have become favourites, yes.
0:16:43 > 0:16:47Ann starts sewing the arm pieces together first.
0:16:47 > 0:16:51So what I'm doing is I'm pushing as much of the fur as I can
0:16:51 > 0:16:54out of the way as I stitch round.
0:16:54 > 0:16:59I don't think I was interested much at all in the way of soft
0:16:59 > 0:17:03toys as a child until I could make them, then I became interested.
0:17:03 > 0:17:06That's now an arm shape.
0:17:06 > 0:17:11Arm stitched, this process is repeated for the other arm,
0:17:11 > 0:17:13legs, body and head.
0:17:13 > 0:17:16We've got the sides of the head sewn up and in order to make
0:17:16 > 0:17:19it three-dimensional, we're going to put a gusset over the top.
0:17:19 > 0:17:22The bear has a bald nose.
0:17:22 > 0:17:28I've trimmed the fur off the end of the gusset.
0:17:28 > 0:17:31I'm not a biologist. I've no idea why bears have bald noses.
0:17:31 > 0:17:34I guess it's the way their born!
0:17:35 > 0:17:37The head is the final piece that's machined.
0:17:37 > 0:17:40Ann will finish the rest of the bear by hand.
0:17:41 > 0:17:44I really think that for my teenage granddaughter,
0:17:44 > 0:17:48she's going to appreciate the fact that this is something that
0:17:48 > 0:17:52I have made specifically for her.
0:17:54 > 0:17:58Now it's all turned right-side out, we're ready to do some stuffing.
0:17:58 > 0:18:02This is my stuffing stick. You don't need to buy anything special,
0:18:02 > 0:18:04just raid the kitchen.
0:18:04 > 0:18:09I think I used that to stir some sauce a couple of nights ago!
0:18:09 > 0:18:13Before stuffing the arms, joints are attached.
0:18:14 > 0:18:18Plastic pellets give the arm and foot paws a more real feel.
0:18:18 > 0:18:22It almost feels also there is a person inside there.
0:18:22 > 0:18:29You need to put some of this wadding in quickly to stop them coming out.
0:18:29 > 0:18:32Once the arms and legs are stuffed and stitched,
0:18:32 > 0:18:34Ann puts the bear together.
0:18:34 > 0:18:40That's on, and the last thing we have to do is stuff his body.
0:18:40 > 0:18:44She then gives the bear his face.
0:18:44 > 0:18:48Half the nose is completed before starting on the mouth.
0:18:48 > 0:18:51He does need to smile at you
0:18:51 > 0:18:56and so it's quite a good idea to put a pin or something across.
0:18:56 > 0:18:58Does he look as though he's smiling?
0:18:58 > 0:19:02Yes, I think so. I think that's quite a good place for it.
0:19:02 > 0:19:06Mouth done, there's just the other half of the nose to stitch.
0:19:10 > 0:19:11And there we are.
0:19:22 > 0:19:25Back at the Sewing Bee, May is assembling the table runner
0:19:25 > 0:19:28whilst Patrick and the sewers get on with another communal project.
0:19:28 > 0:19:32This time all they have is a needle and thread.
0:19:33 > 0:19:38OK, sewers, we're going to make personalised table napkins to
0:19:38 > 0:19:40go with our table runner.
0:19:40 > 0:19:41Just to give you an idea,
0:19:41 > 0:19:44this is the handkerchief that I did for myself,
0:19:44 > 0:19:45so I would like, if you can,
0:19:45 > 0:19:47just to put the initials of the person for whom you
0:19:47 > 0:19:53are making it and then some little motif that represents the person.
0:19:53 > 0:19:57So perhaps, Ann, you could make one for Stuart, Stuart
0:19:57 > 0:20:00for Lauren, Sandra for me. Nothing rude, please.
0:20:00 > 0:20:03And I will make one for Ann.
0:20:03 > 0:20:07Pick anything but maybe try and think of who you are making it for.
0:20:07 > 0:20:10Each take a hoop, each take a napkin.
0:20:10 > 0:20:12It can be any motif you like.
0:20:12 > 0:20:15We've done a few for you here on tracing paper,
0:20:15 > 0:20:16so you can trace them on.
0:20:16 > 0:20:19If you want to take some carbon paper
0:20:19 > 0:20:22and then just trace over the top if it with a pencil.
0:20:22 > 0:20:26Before carbon paper was invented in the 18th century, embroiderers
0:20:26 > 0:20:31would use the dregs from red wine to mark out their patterns.
0:20:31 > 0:20:35So, Stuart, what initials do you want put on yours?
0:20:35 > 0:20:38Er...
0:20:38 > 0:20:41- "SH"? - Just "SH"?
0:20:41 > 0:20:44Yeah, or you can put "G" for my middle name.
0:20:44 > 0:20:46I think "SH" is probably enough.
0:20:46 > 0:20:49I think it probably is.
0:20:49 > 0:20:50SHE LAUGHS
0:20:53 > 0:20:56As the napkins get under way, May constructs the runner.
0:20:59 > 0:21:02I've got these pieces of fabric which are called spacers.
0:21:02 > 0:21:06I'm going to pin them and this will form a join
0:21:06 > 0:21:07between all your squares.
0:21:12 > 0:21:15From year to year, you can actually change your runner.
0:21:15 > 0:21:18You can add extra blocks to the end of it if your table gets longer.
0:21:21 > 0:21:22And that's the last one.
0:21:24 > 0:21:27All the panels now have a red band in-between them
0:21:27 > 0:21:32and then we're going to put some red down the sides.
0:21:34 > 0:21:37So now we need add the borders,
0:21:37 > 0:21:41and it just frames these lovely panels and they just come alive.
0:21:42 > 0:21:45To conceal all the raw edges, May pins a length of backing fabric
0:21:45 > 0:21:49right side to right side to the runner and machines them together.
0:21:51 > 0:21:53I'm going to leave one end open,
0:21:53 > 0:21:57so I can turn the whole thing through this opening here.
0:22:03 > 0:22:05I've sewn round the edges
0:22:05 > 0:22:07and what I'm going to do now is turn it through.
0:22:12 > 0:22:14We need to give it a really good press
0:22:14 > 0:22:16and then it's ready for the Christmas table.
0:22:21 > 0:22:24There's an enormous art to embroidery.
0:22:24 > 0:22:26I mean, choosing the colours,
0:22:26 > 0:22:30what stitches you use, where you put the stitches.
0:22:30 > 0:22:33Patrick, what kind of stitch would you use?
0:22:33 > 0:22:37- A backstitch for straight lines and satin stitch for filling in.- OK.
0:22:39 > 0:22:42Backstitching is when the needle is placed a space
0:22:42 > 0:22:46ahead of the previous stitch and the next stitch neatly fills the gap.
0:22:51 > 0:22:54Almost! Good enough!
0:22:54 > 0:22:56Satin stitches are placed
0:22:56 > 0:22:59so closely together they appear solid, resembling satin.
0:23:02 > 0:23:05Patrick, did you know that embroidery should look
0:23:05 > 0:23:06the same on the back as the front(?)
0:23:06 > 0:23:10I know that, yes! I'm taking a different approach.
0:23:10 > 0:23:12Let me see the back.
0:23:12 > 0:23:13THEY LAUGH
0:23:13 > 0:23:15Get out! Keep on with your own job!
0:23:15 > 0:23:18You ticked me off last year on the sewing bee when you looked
0:23:18 > 0:23:21at the back of the embroidery that I had done and it was inside
0:23:21 > 0:23:25a purse and nobody but you,
0:23:25 > 0:23:28peering inside the purse, would have seen it!
0:23:33 > 0:23:37Stuart's chosen a sewing machine motif for Lauren,
0:23:37 > 0:23:40while she's embroidering a measuring tape for Sandra.
0:23:40 > 0:23:42I thought she'd appreciate an inch tape,
0:23:42 > 0:23:44even when she eating her dinner.
0:23:44 > 0:23:47I even have gone shopping with a tape measure around me neck.
0:23:47 > 0:23:49- I can imagine that!- I have! - This is perfect, then!
0:23:49 > 0:23:52I've forgotten I've got it round me neck,
0:23:52 > 0:23:55and I've looked down and there's me tape measure!
0:23:55 > 0:23:56SHE LAUGHS
0:23:56 > 0:23:59I'm doing a dickie bow for Patrick.
0:23:59 > 0:24:03When I think of Patrick, I always think of him in his smart suits.
0:24:03 > 0:24:05People are always shocked when they see me
0:24:05 > 0:24:09not in a tailored jacket, so I think that's about right.
0:24:09 > 0:24:12Do you dress casually very often?
0:24:12 > 0:24:15Yeah! I don't live in a three-piece suit.
0:24:15 > 0:24:19I'm currently trying to do a letter "A" for Ann.
0:24:19 > 0:24:21There we are, there's an "A".
0:24:23 > 0:24:24That's definitely an "A", isn't it?
0:24:24 > 0:24:27It's definitely an "A"!
0:24:27 > 0:24:31I think, if you like sewing, you just like the process of sewing
0:24:31 > 0:24:35as much as what you're actually are sewing.
0:24:35 > 0:24:38Just sitting and using a needle and thread
0:24:38 > 0:24:41just seems to be a fascinating thing to do.
0:24:41 > 0:24:45The only sewing I've ever known is sitting in a quiet work room
0:24:45 > 0:24:49with lots of people all sewing together,
0:24:49 > 0:24:55so this feels like the norm and everybody just sits and talks,
0:24:55 > 0:24:57they talk and sew.
0:24:57 > 0:24:59They all know an awful lot about each other.
0:24:59 > 0:25:04They each other much more intimately than is probably healthy.
0:25:04 > 0:25:09But absolutely, everybody knows everybody's business on Savile Row.
0:25:12 > 0:25:15OK, so we've all finished.
0:25:15 > 0:25:17Ann, I've done a little pin cushion.
0:25:17 > 0:25:20It's kind of turned into something of a crown
0:25:20 > 0:25:22because you were our worthy winner.
0:25:22 > 0:25:25Stuart, let's have a look at what you've done.
0:25:25 > 0:25:29- That's nice!- There's my traditional sewing machine for Lauren.
0:25:30 > 0:25:35- Oh, I just love this.- I mean, that's just absolutely amazing.
0:25:35 > 0:25:40And, Sandra, you've encapsulated me in green and blue.
0:25:40 > 0:25:44- To me, that just speaks you, Patrick.- I think it's perfect!
0:25:44 > 0:25:50And, Ann, you have taken Stuart and recreated him in stitch and napkin.
0:25:50 > 0:25:54I love it! I love the way the buttons are just straining,
0:25:54 > 0:25:56anatomically correct!
0:25:56 > 0:25:57HE LAUGHS
0:25:57 > 0:26:00That kind of happened!
0:26:00 > 0:26:03- Tell me about it! - THEY LAUGH
0:26:04 > 0:26:07Stuart was the maverick in the Sewing Bee, producing
0:26:07 > 0:26:10some of the most unusual garments.
0:26:10 > 0:26:12I had an absolute ball.
0:26:12 > 0:26:15What Stuart bought to the sewing room was just a sort of joy
0:26:15 > 0:26:18and an enthusiasm for the process of making things.
0:26:18 > 0:26:21If in doubt, call it punk...
0:26:21 > 0:26:23He grew throughout the competition.
0:26:23 > 0:26:25..that's what I say!
0:26:28 > 0:26:31Since the Great British Sewing Bee, Stuart's been rather busy.
0:26:31 > 0:26:35I'm at the Alexander Palace Knitting and Stitching Show,
0:26:35 > 0:26:39just generally sewing and talking at the same time.
0:26:39 > 0:26:40Who knew a man could do that?
0:26:40 > 0:26:43I shall applique that in the middle
0:26:43 > 0:26:47and then make another 48. That's my quilt!
0:26:47 > 0:26:49I've been teaching a lot of workshops...
0:26:49 > 0:26:50Have I met you before?
0:26:50 > 0:26:53- I don't know.- I met you at the Festival of Quilts.
0:26:53 > 0:26:59I'm doing lots of pattern designing and lots of writing.
0:26:59 > 0:27:01If you've got a book, I've got a pen!
0:27:02 > 0:27:06It's probably one of the best thing I've ever done in my whole life,
0:27:06 > 0:27:08yeah!
0:27:10 > 0:27:14And this Christmas, at least one of the presents under Stuart's
0:27:14 > 0:27:16tree will be home-sewn and made of tweed.
0:27:18 > 0:27:23I'm making a messenger bag, a laptop-style satchel,
0:27:23 > 0:27:24and I'm making
0:27:24 > 0:27:27it for my partner, Charlie. You know, boys need bags, too.
0:27:29 > 0:27:31This one's made in a really nice heavy wool,
0:27:31 > 0:27:35so it's durable and smart.
0:27:36 > 0:27:39I'm just making the button loops now.
0:27:39 > 0:27:45I've got my strip of fabric and I've folded it in three times,
0:27:45 > 0:27:48so the raw edges are all encased.
0:27:48 > 0:27:52So I've put my lining fabric right side facing up,
0:27:52 > 0:27:56and put my outside fabric on top of it
0:27:56 > 0:28:00and my interlining goes on top of that.
0:28:00 > 0:28:04The button loops are attached and the three sides are stitched.
0:28:04 > 0:28:07I've made this bag a couple of times, actually.
0:28:07 > 0:28:10It's a nice, easy bag and it's all rotary-cut,
0:28:10 > 0:28:16which I like. And it's very quick, so...it's a good one.
0:28:20 > 0:28:23When you're top stitching, it's really worth taking your time
0:28:23 > 0:28:25cos this is the bit that really shows.
0:28:29 > 0:28:32Next, a pocket is constructed for the inside.
0:28:33 > 0:28:36I think for Charlie, two fairly roomy pockets,
0:28:36 > 0:28:42so he can keep things like his keys, mobile phone will make it useful.
0:28:42 > 0:28:44Got to get him organised.
0:28:44 > 0:28:47Christmases in Yorkshire, tend to be family affairs.
0:28:47 > 0:28:50I'm not that bothered about presents particularly,
0:28:50 > 0:28:53but definitely about the eating,
0:28:53 > 0:28:56lots of lots of that, so all good stuff.
0:29:00 > 0:29:03Stuart stitches the bottom and sides of the lining together,
0:29:03 > 0:29:06with gaps left at the edges.
0:29:06 > 0:29:08The reason why that's important is because
0:29:08 > 0:29:12when we bring those two pieces together to make the bottom
0:29:12 > 0:29:13of the box, if you like,
0:29:13 > 0:29:17they'll be nice and flat because we have got that gap in the stitching.
0:29:17 > 0:29:21Now what I'm going to do is stitch across this line here.
0:29:22 > 0:29:24The front piece of lining is attached,
0:29:24 > 0:29:27but a gap is left at the bottom.
0:29:27 > 0:29:31I often put double pins in, cos I get a bit enthusiastic
0:29:31 > 0:29:34when I'm on the sewing machine and I just keep going.
0:29:34 > 0:29:36When I see those double pins I know to stop.
0:29:37 > 0:29:41And that's the gap that will be used to turn the bag through later.
0:29:41 > 0:29:45The outer bag's constructed in the same way.
0:29:45 > 0:29:48Hopefully it will look like a bag.
0:29:48 > 0:29:49Brilliant!
0:29:50 > 0:29:52Stuart makes loops for the strap rings...
0:29:52 > 0:29:54Trusty chopstick.
0:29:54 > 0:29:56There we go!
0:29:56 > 0:30:00..and uses the same process for the shoulder strap.
0:30:00 > 0:30:05At this stage now, I've got the outer bag inside the lining
0:30:05 > 0:30:08and the pretty sides touching each other.
0:30:16 > 0:30:18It's like giving birth, isn't it?
0:30:18 > 0:30:20I can see the head.
0:30:21 > 0:30:25A bit of top stitching and the strap's then attached.
0:30:25 > 0:30:30Once the toggles are sewn on, my bag is done.
0:30:30 > 0:30:33MUSIC: "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" by Patti Page
0:30:35 > 0:30:40Next on Patrick and May's home-sewn Christmas list are tree decorations.
0:30:44 > 0:30:47There's something lovely about having
0:30:47 > 0:30:51decorations on our trees that are made by members of the family.
0:30:51 > 0:30:54I think we cherish them far more than any that we've bought.
0:30:54 > 0:30:58This is one that was made by one of my daughters,
0:30:58 > 0:31:03I suspect my eldest daughter, probably 40 or 50 years ago!
0:31:03 > 0:31:04- Wow!
0:31:04 > 0:31:06It's really lovely.
0:31:06 > 0:31:09What have you got in your hand, Lauren?
0:31:09 > 0:31:12Well, I've got this little one, which I must have done
0:31:12 > 0:31:15when I was about 11 years old, so don't look too closely!
0:31:15 > 0:31:17The stitches are so small!
0:31:17 > 0:31:20My mum brings it out every year and she lent it to me today,
0:31:20 > 0:31:23and she was very keen that I bought it back,
0:31:23 > 0:31:25and that it wasn't for me to keep. She wanted it back.
0:31:26 > 0:31:29May is making her decoration to celebrate a new arrival.
0:31:31 > 0:31:36I am going to make a new decoration for my new granddaughter.
0:31:36 > 0:31:39- Brilliant!- How lovely!
0:31:42 > 0:31:46Christmas in our house starts on the first of December.
0:31:46 > 0:31:49The tree is my main feature, always has been.
0:31:49 > 0:31:52It's sort of my pride and joy that I decorate.
0:31:52 > 0:31:54Every year you make something new.
0:31:56 > 0:32:03I saw the lid of my pin box and that just said, "Hang me on the tree!"
0:32:03 > 0:32:04What are you doing?
0:32:04 > 0:32:08I'm doing a garland, with hearts and stars
0:32:08 > 0:32:11- and bells in-between. - Oh, brilliant!
0:32:11 > 0:32:16- Patrick!- Yes, Sandra?- What are you making towards Christmas?
0:32:16 > 0:32:22I am making a tweed stocking from a bit of leftover tweed.
0:32:22 > 0:32:24I think that's the nice thing about Christmas
0:32:24 > 0:32:26because you can use all your scraps ups.
0:32:26 > 0:32:28Stuart, what are you doing?
0:32:28 > 0:32:31There is something fantastic going on up there!
0:32:31 > 0:32:32HE LAUGHS
0:32:32 > 0:32:36I'm making, it's called a clamshell case. It's a hanging bauble,
0:32:36 > 0:32:41but it's actually like a little box as well.
0:32:41 > 0:32:44You can hide stuff in there.
0:32:44 > 0:32:46So, what's that stuff?
0:32:46 > 0:32:49- It's template plastic. - Oh, brilliant!
0:32:49 > 0:32:52- It's quite rigid template plastic. - Acetate, is it?
0:32:52 > 0:32:55Lauren, what are you rustling up for us?
0:32:55 > 0:32:59I'm just making a really simple little dove with felt
0:32:59 > 0:33:03and hearts on it.
0:33:03 > 0:33:05Very sweet!
0:33:07 > 0:33:11Christmas trees became popular in Britain in the 1840s after
0:33:11 > 0:33:13Queen Victoria's husband, Prince Albert,
0:33:13 > 0:33:16brought the tradition over from his native Germany.
0:33:16 > 0:33:21Early tree decorations included crystallised fruits and candles.
0:33:25 > 0:33:29Something simple like this would be great for a child to make.
0:33:29 > 0:33:32They want to use something which doesn't fray,
0:33:32 > 0:33:36which they can make big stitches, which is easy to sew.
0:33:36 > 0:33:40So I've chosen felt in bright Christmassy colours
0:33:40 > 0:33:44and I've got some matching threads to sew it all together.
0:33:45 > 0:33:48Is this the first Christmas decoration you've made?
0:33:48 > 0:33:51No. I think I've made one in playschool.
0:33:51 > 0:33:55I made an angel for the top of our Christmas tree with a loo
0:33:55 > 0:33:57roll down the middle.
0:33:57 > 0:33:59He lasted on our tree for many a long year.
0:33:59 > 0:34:04This presumably is "C" for new granddaughter Charlotte?
0:34:04 > 0:34:05Yes. C for Charlotte, yes.
0:34:05 > 0:34:08I'm going to make a heart-shape hanging decoration.
0:34:08 > 0:34:10You're going to sew over the top of that?
0:34:10 > 0:34:13Yes, an embroidery stitch round the edge of that. How you doing, anyway?
0:34:13 > 0:34:16This is about the simplest tree decoration ever. Pair of shears,
0:34:16 > 0:34:20a little bit of paper, you don't even need a pattern, you can free hand it.
0:34:20 > 0:34:22A piece of cloth, a needle and thread
0:34:22 > 0:34:25and actually you can make a tree decoration.
0:34:33 > 0:34:35Stuart's cut his acetate leaf shapes,
0:34:35 > 0:34:39stuck wadding and fabric onto one side and is ready to construct.
0:34:39 > 0:34:44I've glued my fabric on, making sure the points are nice and neat.
0:34:44 > 0:34:50I'm going to stitch the pairs of inner and outer together.
0:34:53 > 0:34:56I've cut out my little hearts from the red felt
0:34:56 > 0:35:00and I'm just top stitching them on with a little running stitch.
0:35:00 > 0:35:05And then when I've finished this heart, my two separate doves
0:35:05 > 0:35:07will get put together
0:35:07 > 0:35:10and I'm just going to stitch all the way round the outside,
0:35:10 > 0:35:15stuff it and then I've got some of this really pretty ribbon that I
0:35:15 > 0:35:17think will look lovely with it.
0:35:17 > 0:35:20That will be how it can hang from the tree.
0:35:23 > 0:35:27So I'm just starting at the point of the star
0:35:27 > 0:35:29and just doing a small straight stitch.
0:35:29 > 0:35:31I don't want the stuffing to come out.
0:35:31 > 0:35:35When you get to the point, you've got to make sure your needle
0:35:35 > 0:35:40is down, then you can lift your foot up and just turn your fabric.
0:35:40 > 0:35:45So you haven't got a rounded point, it's a nice sharp point.
0:35:46 > 0:35:52Turn it inside out, then I'll get my magic little tool,
0:35:52 > 0:35:56which Stuart told me all about when we did the series.
0:35:56 > 0:35:58Got your chopstick?
0:35:58 > 0:36:01I used to use a knitting needle,
0:36:01 > 0:36:05but this is an excuse to have a meal out.
0:36:05 > 0:36:08Then the fun part starts with the stuffing.
0:36:09 > 0:36:12I've put this white decorative piece on
0:36:12 > 0:36:15and I've just used some big stitches.
0:36:15 > 0:36:18And it doesn't matter what the back looks like
0:36:18 > 0:36:21because it's all going to be covered up,
0:36:21 > 0:36:22It's not going to show in the end.
0:36:32 > 0:36:35I've put two pieces together and just stitched around the outside,
0:36:35 > 0:36:39and now I've got to put the third bit in, which is the tricky bit.
0:36:39 > 0:36:44Cos it's not quite as easy as putting two flat bits together.
0:36:47 > 0:36:50Kind of squish it, like that.
0:36:50 > 0:36:54It's just a bit of a fiddle, really.
0:36:54 > 0:36:57I think the idea is Japanese originally,
0:36:57 > 0:37:03and they're just like little accessory boxes that people make.
0:37:03 > 0:37:07And the first time I saw one of these,
0:37:07 > 0:37:11a friend had got a mini version of this.
0:37:11 > 0:37:13And she keeps her thimble in it,
0:37:13 > 0:37:17and I thought it looked like a little Christmas bauble.
0:37:17 > 0:37:22And I loved the idea that you could have something on the tree,
0:37:22 > 0:37:25which was more than it looked.
0:37:26 > 0:37:31I've sewn it on, then the very last thing that I do
0:37:31 > 0:37:35is too trim it all the way round...
0:37:36 > 0:37:39..and there we are.
0:37:40 > 0:37:45I think that a nine or ten-year-old could probably make that.
0:37:45 > 0:37:51Just finishing stuffing the star and what I've done, I've pushed it in
0:37:51 > 0:37:57and then got me chopstick and I've just pushed it into the points
0:37:57 > 0:37:59so it's nice and firm.
0:37:59 > 0:38:02Well, you don't want soggy corners, do you?
0:38:03 > 0:38:07Sandra's adding her pieces to an existing bunting.
0:38:07 > 0:38:10I just wanted a little bit of jingle for Christmas.
0:38:10 > 0:38:12MUSIC: "Deck The Halls" by Peggy Lee
0:38:16 > 0:38:19Once this is closed up, he'll be finished.
0:38:19 > 0:38:23All I've done is threaded some ribbon through the end,
0:38:23 > 0:38:28so the last bit is to tie a little knot and then I can open it.
0:38:31 > 0:38:32Put something nice inside.
0:38:33 > 0:38:35Could be sweets, could be a diamond ring.
0:38:38 > 0:38:40Let's hang them on our tree.
0:38:41 > 0:38:43Christmas at my house,
0:38:43 > 0:38:46every surface is covered with Christmas decorations.
0:38:46 > 0:38:49My husband has an expression if he stands still for too long,
0:38:49 > 0:38:51he gets decorated.
0:39:01 > 0:39:04I do enjoy making gifts for other people
0:39:04 > 0:39:07because I can personalise it or I can put a little touch on it
0:39:07 > 0:39:10that I know they will really love or appreciate.
0:39:12 > 0:39:1527-year-old Lauren was the youngest member of the Sewing Bee,
0:39:15 > 0:39:18but she made it to the final with her advanced techniques
0:39:18 > 0:39:20and well-finished garments.
0:39:20 > 0:39:24She is a passionate sewer and her skill levels were terrific.
0:39:24 > 0:39:28In the final week, we were able to see, really, everything
0:39:28 > 0:39:33she was able to do. That ball gown was truly spectacular.
0:39:34 > 0:39:37Since the Sewing Bee, I feel like my life has hugely changed.
0:39:37 > 0:39:40It completely revolves around sewing now.
0:39:42 > 0:39:45Lauren has opened her own haberdashery.
0:39:46 > 0:39:50I've got two girls that work in the shop with me, and it's like we're
0:39:50 > 0:39:53friends that get to hang out in the haberdashery shop all day.
0:39:53 > 0:39:56Oh, yes, yes. Better than that one.
0:39:56 > 0:40:00It means a lot to me that I've got a job that revolves around sewing
0:40:00 > 0:40:04or being creative because it's great that I can do it every day.
0:40:04 > 0:40:07I feel really lucky. It is what I truly love.
0:40:17 > 0:40:19I am making a fabric-covered doll's house
0:40:19 > 0:40:23and it's going to be for my two little nieces.
0:40:23 > 0:40:25And, at the moment,
0:40:25 > 0:40:30I am just cutting out what is going to be the walls of the doll's house.
0:40:30 > 0:40:33This plastic, it's just called plastic canvas.
0:40:33 > 0:40:35It's almost like a little grid.
0:40:35 > 0:40:37It gets used quite a lot for children
0:40:37 > 0:40:39when they are learning how to sew.
0:40:39 > 0:40:42Wadding lining is cut, and the plastic canvas is
0:40:42 > 0:40:46sandwiched between it and secured in place with a tacking stitch.
0:40:46 > 0:40:49So now we've got all the panels for my house ready.
0:40:49 > 0:40:53We need to cut out the main fabric for the house.
0:40:53 > 0:40:55It's going to have a garden section,
0:40:55 > 0:40:58and this is what I'm going to use for the garden.
0:40:58 > 0:41:00And as it's got a gingerbread theme,
0:41:00 > 0:41:02I've chosen this brown fabric as the base.
0:41:04 > 0:41:07So this is the outside of the house and this is going to
0:41:07 > 0:41:12be my walls on the inside. I'm just going to sew it all the way around.
0:41:15 > 0:41:16Turn it the right way out.
0:41:19 > 0:41:22Next bit I am going to do is prepare the roof.
0:41:22 > 0:41:26I'm going to use this rick rack. It will sort of look like snow,
0:41:26 > 0:41:29but also a little bit like chocolate biscuits as well.
0:41:29 > 0:41:32It ties in nicely with my gingerbread theme.
0:41:35 > 0:41:39I've got one done, so I repeat that for the other side
0:41:39 > 0:41:44and then I will be ready to sew all the different panels together.
0:41:44 > 0:41:47The first bit is just putting my plastic canvas and wadding
0:41:47 > 0:41:49into my side panel,
0:41:49 > 0:41:55so that just gets slotted in and it should be a nice, snug fit.
0:41:55 > 0:42:00So, now I am just sewing the roof panel onto the main panel
0:42:00 > 0:42:06of the dolls house and then I will sew the interior fabric together.
0:42:07 > 0:42:11So, what I am going to do now is join my outside panel to my inside
0:42:11 > 0:42:14and do it with the right sides together,
0:42:14 > 0:42:18so all my raw edges are hidden. OK.
0:42:27 > 0:42:29This is the really exciting bit
0:42:29 > 0:42:32because I'll turn it all the right way out,
0:42:32 > 0:42:34and I'll start to really get an idea what it's going to look like.
0:42:35 > 0:42:40Here's my roof. Next comes the garden...
0:42:40 > 0:42:41There it is.
0:42:41 > 0:42:44I am going to insert my panels.
0:42:45 > 0:42:49With all the wadding panels sewn in, the house can be decorated.
0:42:49 > 0:42:53I'm going to have a snowman, and he is going to be flying a kite
0:42:53 > 0:42:56because I've got a really nice memory of visiting
0:42:56 > 0:42:59my nieces and we all went to the park together and flew the kite and
0:42:59 > 0:43:03they really loved it, it's a really nice memory that I've got.
0:43:03 > 0:43:06OK, so now he's got the carrot for his nose,
0:43:06 > 0:43:09I can get started on some of the other decorations.
0:43:09 > 0:43:13I've been looking through old Christmas photos with my mum,
0:43:13 > 0:43:17and we found this one when I was only just over a year old
0:43:17 > 0:43:19and she made me this Wendy house!
0:43:19 > 0:43:22I can remember playing in it and I loved it!
0:43:22 > 0:43:25I think people really appreciate it when you put time
0:43:25 > 0:43:29and effort into making something that's handmade.
0:43:32 > 0:43:36These are the last few stitches...
0:43:36 > 0:43:39and then it will be finished.
0:43:39 > 0:43:41I'm really pleased with it.
0:43:41 > 0:43:42I think it's got a lot of personal details
0:43:42 > 0:43:44that the girls will really love,
0:43:44 > 0:43:47and I think they will have a great time playing with it.
0:43:52 > 0:43:57The Sewing Bee is all about sharing home-sewn gift ideas,
0:43:57 > 0:43:59and these quick-and-easy stocking fillers
0:43:59 > 0:44:02can all be made in under an hour-and-a-half.
0:44:06 > 0:44:09My daughter-in-law has been bitten by the sewing bug,
0:44:09 > 0:44:12so I am going to make her a beautiful sewing box for Christmas.
0:44:12 > 0:44:14It's really, really simple to make.
0:44:14 > 0:44:16The outside is made from thick-ish card.
0:44:16 > 0:44:19The inside is made from thinner bits of card -
0:44:19 > 0:44:21those could be cereal packets.
0:44:22 > 0:44:24Masking tape.
0:44:29 > 0:44:31When you fold it up like that, you've got your box,
0:44:31 > 0:44:36you've got your inner and you've got your outer.
0:44:36 > 0:44:38I'm going to make a Christmas jumper -
0:44:38 > 0:44:40the scourge of all Christmases past - but I'm going to try
0:44:40 > 0:44:42and do it in a way that is really nice.
0:44:42 > 0:44:45It's a simple way. I'm not knitting it but, what I am going to do
0:44:45 > 0:44:51is take a really simple reindeer motif and just applique layers
0:44:51 > 0:44:55of wool and melton on top on one and other to create this pattern.
0:44:55 > 0:45:00So what I've done with the picture of the reindeer is break
0:45:00 > 0:45:04it into three colour groups, which took a bit of working out
0:45:04 > 0:45:06but is not beyond the wit of man.
0:45:06 > 0:45:09Each one will be cut out, the fabric will be cut out,
0:45:09 > 0:45:12they will all be stitched together and put on the jumper.
0:45:13 > 0:45:15We weren't a big Christmas jumper family.
0:45:15 > 0:45:17It wasn't really a tradition at all.
0:45:17 > 0:45:19It's one I would like to start if I have one of my own.
0:45:19 > 0:45:22I think ridiculing your children by making them
0:45:22 > 0:45:24wear idiotic-looking knitwear is something
0:45:24 > 0:45:26we need to preserve as a nation.
0:45:29 > 0:45:31When I usually get home from work, the first thing
0:45:31 > 0:45:35I do is put my pinny on and get the tea started,
0:45:35 > 0:45:38and it just saves all my work clothes getting messed up.
0:45:38 > 0:45:42I've decided to make an apron for one of my friends.
0:45:44 > 0:45:47I am making a hot water bottle cover.
0:45:47 > 0:45:49Decided to go for a Christmassy fabric -
0:45:49 > 0:45:50I couldn't really resist it.
0:45:50 > 0:45:53I've just put a paper pattern on top
0:45:53 > 0:45:56and I used this really cool stuff called freezer paper.
0:45:56 > 0:45:58It's got a paper side and a waxy side.
0:45:58 > 0:46:00For someone like me, who is a bit cacky-handed
0:46:00 > 0:46:04and not very good at pinning things down, you can just
0:46:04 > 0:46:07and put the paper pattern down, go over it and it sticks.
0:46:07 > 0:46:12But then you can peel it back off again and then you can re-use it.
0:46:12 > 0:46:15So if you were making a number of these, it's a lot faster,
0:46:15 > 0:46:17it just sort of speeds the process up.
0:46:19 > 0:46:23I'm going to make a fabric-covered notebook for my mum,
0:46:23 > 0:46:29and I've got this, just a plain note book here, nothing special, really.
0:46:29 > 0:46:32And I've got all of these scraps of fabric that I just had
0:46:32 > 0:46:34left over from other projects.
0:46:34 > 0:46:38So, I am just going to join them up to make a big, long rectangle
0:46:38 > 0:46:45and it will be like an envelope that just almost slots onto the notebook.
0:46:46 > 0:46:50I'm making a little coin purse so that I can put the present
0:46:50 > 0:46:55of money that I'm giving into it, so it's not just in an envelope.
0:46:55 > 0:46:58It's just made from a rectangle of fabric
0:46:58 > 0:47:02and I've put a layer of thin cotton wadding underneath it,
0:47:02 > 0:47:06just to give it a little bit of softness and body.
0:47:06 > 0:47:09The fabric and the zip for this came from Lauren's shop.
0:47:17 > 0:47:21Stuart's cut some button holes for his hot water bottle cover.
0:47:21 > 0:47:23I've cut some circles of fabric
0:47:23 > 0:47:25and doing a quick running stitch around the edge.
0:47:25 > 0:47:27Once I've got back to where I've started,
0:47:27 > 0:47:30I can put...
0:47:32 > 0:47:36..the plastic bit inside and gather up.
0:47:38 > 0:47:43And then I just get the other part, pop that on top,
0:47:43 > 0:47:49push it down and there is the finished button, all covered.
0:47:49 > 0:47:51Before attaching the design to his jumper,
0:47:51 > 0:47:54Patrick checks his reindeer pieces fit together.
0:47:55 > 0:47:58Roughly speaking, although he looks grumpy now,
0:47:58 > 0:48:00I'll make him a little happier. Hello!
0:48:00 > 0:48:02There he is.
0:48:02 > 0:48:06What I'm going to do now is start by attaching in layers,
0:48:06 > 0:48:10and then the whole thing will be sewn onto the jumper.
0:48:15 > 0:48:20May's lined and covered the outer and inner parts of her pyramid.
0:48:21 > 0:48:25I'm now going to do my fastenings, these rings here.
0:48:25 > 0:48:27This is my invention.
0:48:27 > 0:48:33You take a paper fastener and you take a little brass curtain ring.
0:48:33 > 0:48:39You put the ring to the back of the paper fastener.
0:48:39 > 0:48:43Pop that through, over the top.
0:48:43 > 0:48:45Fabric strips are stitched on to become pockets.
0:48:45 > 0:48:49I'm using a curved needle because it's really easy when you are sewing
0:48:49 > 0:48:53on a flat surface, cos it comes back to meet you as you stitch.
0:48:53 > 0:48:56Next, May makes a pin cushion from triangular pieces of fabric
0:48:56 > 0:48:59stitched and stuffed with wadding.
0:48:59 > 0:49:03The outer and inner triangles are then assembled.
0:49:03 > 0:49:06Clip it together while the glue dries, or you can put the two
0:49:06 > 0:49:08together and put a pile of books on top of them.
0:49:08 > 0:49:11Once stuck, the edges will be stitched.
0:49:11 > 0:49:13You can put anything inside these.
0:49:13 > 0:49:15I've made this one into a sewing case,
0:49:15 > 0:49:18but you can put a little pouch into the middle for jewellery.
0:49:18 > 0:49:21You can customise it to suit the person you are giving it to.
0:49:21 > 0:49:24So when you've done this, you take a piece of ribbon
0:49:24 > 0:49:27and you thread it through...
0:49:32 > 0:49:34..and there you are.
0:49:34 > 0:49:37Lauren's attached flaps to both ends of her fabric to make
0:49:37 > 0:49:39a sleeve for her notepad.
0:49:39 > 0:49:42It means that you can re-use it again and again.
0:49:42 > 0:49:43When that notebook's full,
0:49:43 > 0:49:46you can just take it off and put it on another one.
0:49:46 > 0:49:50I'd be more than pleased to receive an apron for Christmas,
0:49:50 > 0:49:54especially if it was in a pretty fabric with co-ordinating pockets.
0:49:56 > 0:49:58I've pinned them on. I've checked where the pins are and then
0:49:58 > 0:50:02I shall make sure they look level and line them up
0:50:02 > 0:50:05with a tape measure, just to make sure.
0:50:06 > 0:50:11If I turned the purse right side out now, it would be absolutely flat.
0:50:11 > 0:50:17So, what I am going to do is make a sort of box,
0:50:17 > 0:50:19so I am going to
0:50:19 > 0:50:22machine stitch across that corner...
0:50:25 > 0:50:28..and I do that on all four corners.
0:50:28 > 0:50:30My little hair bobble's in place,
0:50:30 > 0:50:33so I am just going to sew my button on and I will be finished.
0:50:33 > 0:50:37I think it looks great, and I think my mum will really like it.
0:50:51 > 0:50:55Turn this right side out and then
0:50:55 > 0:50:58if, I want to give some money as a present...
0:51:04 > 0:51:08I thought, just to finish it off, a bit of ribbon around the neck.
0:51:08 > 0:51:12If it gets cold in Yorkshire, that will keep you warm and toasty.
0:51:12 > 0:51:14How much money shall we give them?
0:51:19 > 0:51:21I think that's probably about enough.
0:51:25 > 0:51:32That is a slightly hurried, but very handsome reindeer.
0:51:34 > 0:51:37I could probably slip it on and see how it fits.
0:51:37 > 0:51:38So there you go.
0:51:40 > 0:51:42I think she'll be pleased with that.
0:51:42 > 0:51:44I'd like it if I had it.
0:51:47 > 0:51:52Sandra was a bit of a rebel in the sewing room.
0:51:52 > 0:51:54You haven't made rouleau loops.
0:51:54 > 0:51:55I have!
0:51:55 > 0:51:57Sandra and I didn't always see eye-to-eye on things
0:51:57 > 0:51:59like fabric choice.
0:51:59 > 0:52:02You like it and that's the important thing.
0:52:02 > 0:52:05But what was so lovely was that was very much her personality.
0:52:05 > 0:52:08She's bright and fun, terrifically experienced.
0:52:08 > 0:52:12All those years of making clothes for her daughters clearly shone through.
0:52:12 > 0:52:14She didn't believe in herself initially.
0:52:14 > 0:52:17Week-by-week she just got better and better.
0:52:17 > 0:52:18Superb.
0:52:18 > 0:52:20Immaculate.
0:52:20 > 0:52:22Brilliant technique.
0:52:22 > 0:52:25And things have continued to get better and better.
0:52:25 > 0:52:28OK, ladies, have you all done your bit of homework?
0:52:28 > 0:52:31Life has been really busy since the Sewing Bee.
0:52:31 > 0:52:34I've gone from the normal mum to doing classes,
0:52:34 > 0:52:39which is something I would never have dreamed of doing before.
0:52:39 > 0:52:43If I was you, I'd re-tack that in there quarter of an inch.
0:52:43 > 0:52:45I'm working at something I really enjoy doing.
0:52:45 > 0:52:47The response has been great,
0:52:47 > 0:52:50and it's nice to pass on all the knowledge I've got to others.
0:52:50 > 0:52:52You've done really well there.
0:52:52 > 0:52:57I do more sewing now than I've ever done and it just so enjoyable.
0:52:57 > 0:53:00- Lovely.- That's not too bad, is it, girls?- No.
0:53:09 > 0:53:13I'm making a suede gardening belt for my husband,
0:53:13 > 0:53:15just to see if I can encourage him
0:53:15 > 0:53:18to spend more time up the allotment with me.
0:53:20 > 0:53:26The belt is made from seven pieces of fabric, some binding and loops.
0:53:26 > 0:53:28It's a nice suedette material.
0:53:28 > 0:53:32Quite hard-wearing. When you're bending down and digging, it's
0:53:32 > 0:53:38not stiff and rigid to get in your way. It'll bend with you.
0:53:38 > 0:53:40There we go, so lift those off.
0:53:41 > 0:53:44I've designed this with Anthony especially in mind,
0:53:44 > 0:53:48knowing what kind of tools he uses up the allotment.
0:53:48 > 0:53:51A pouch for his secateurs. One for his mobile phone,
0:53:51 > 0:53:56which he has usually got shoved in his pocket and never hears.
0:53:57 > 0:54:01This is a waterproof pocket, so it will do for your mobile phone,
0:54:01 > 0:54:05your seed packets, anything that you don't want getting wet.
0:54:06 > 0:54:10With different fabric, pockets and attachments, the belt can be easily
0:54:10 > 0:54:15be adapted as a gift for anyone, from an artist to a DIY enthusiast.
0:54:17 > 0:54:20I really didn't cut up my husband's string vests for this.
0:54:20 > 0:54:24The stretchy waterproof mesh forms the last two pockets.
0:54:25 > 0:54:28Next, Sandra trims the edges with binding.
0:54:29 > 0:54:32So I'm just doing the top stitching,
0:54:32 > 0:54:35and if you fold your binding over and just make sure it overlaps,
0:54:35 > 0:54:42you know when you sew it's going to catch it the other side.
0:54:42 > 0:54:47So there you go, and we'll just bind all the pocket pieces like that.
0:54:51 > 0:54:55That's my little net pocket for any string or anything.
0:54:55 > 0:54:58I'm going to fold that in half and I've got a silver ring,
0:54:58 > 0:55:02which we usually put clips on for tying the fruit
0:55:02 > 0:55:05canes on or you can put your keys on.
0:55:05 > 0:55:07Then, I'll have that one going down like that,
0:55:07 > 0:55:09which will bring it all together.
0:55:14 > 0:55:16Anthony always spoils me at Christmas
0:55:16 > 0:55:19and I usually get my wish list.
0:55:20 > 0:55:22A new machine would be nice.
0:55:23 > 0:55:26Now, I'm ready to sew it onto the main piece,
0:55:26 > 0:55:28which you'll attach to the belt.
0:55:28 > 0:55:31It's unusual for me to make much for Anthony.
0:55:31 > 0:55:33I usually do a lot more for the girls,
0:55:33 > 0:55:36so I think he will be really pleased with this
0:55:36 > 0:55:38because he gets a bit left out.
0:55:39 > 0:55:42I can always remember a Christmas with my mum sitting their sewing.
0:55:42 > 0:55:47I can remember her making endless amount of frog door stops,
0:55:47 > 0:55:49everybody wanted one.
0:55:49 > 0:55:53I think she supplied the whole of Wolverhampton with them.
0:55:53 > 0:55:56So there we go. That's the first pocket done.
0:55:56 > 0:55:58All we've got to do is add the others.
0:56:03 > 0:56:06We can pop the seeds in there, ties in there.
0:56:06 > 0:56:08We've got a little pocket for his pen.
0:56:08 > 0:56:13And he can even put his mobile phone in there, so I can keep hold of him.
0:56:13 > 0:56:16I think I might make myself one of them with a bit of flower on!
0:56:23 > 0:56:25I don't think home-made gifts are for everyone.
0:56:26 > 0:56:28That's really clever!
0:56:28 > 0:56:31Any little girl would love that, wouldn't they?
0:56:31 > 0:56:34If your 15-year-old wants a computer game,
0:56:34 > 0:56:37don't give them a home-sewn stocking!
0:56:37 > 0:56:39Isn't that fun?
0:56:40 > 0:56:46But there is enormous love and energy in things which are handmade.
0:56:46 > 0:56:48It's absolutely fabulous!
0:56:48 > 0:56:51Such fun to make! Such fun!
0:56:51 > 0:56:55And actually, probably that child that doesn't necessarily want
0:56:55 > 0:57:00that home-made gift at the time will keep it for ever,
0:57:00 > 0:57:07and the expensive toy they ask for gets discarded after a few years.
0:57:07 > 0:57:10And you didn't neaten the edges? It's just raw edges.
0:57:10 > 0:57:13What do you mean, "Didn't neaten them"?
0:57:13 > 0:57:17They are beautifully neat, Ann! "No" is the answer to that question!
0:57:17 > 0:57:19THEY LAUGH
0:57:30 > 0:57:34My grandmother, God bless her, was not the best knitter
0:57:34 > 0:57:39in the world but she used to knit us mittens that looked more like socks.
0:57:39 > 0:57:42Every time I pull one out it reminds me of my grandmother,
0:57:42 > 0:57:43and that's lovely.
0:57:43 > 0:57:46It's much more thoughtful and much more redolent than
0:57:46 > 0:57:49anything you can possibly buy in the store, and I think that's why
0:57:49 > 0:57:55hand-sewn and handmade at Christmas is just the thing to do.
0:57:55 > 0:57:58This is just very much part of being a sewing bee.
0:57:58 > 0:58:00We've all worked together,
0:58:00 > 0:58:03we've all sewn together, created together, fantastic!
0:58:04 > 0:58:07The Sewing Bee has produced teddy bears, table cloths,
0:58:07 > 0:58:10and tweed stocking decorations.
0:58:10 > 0:58:13With a bit of time, a needle and thread, anyone who wants to
0:58:13 > 0:58:18can create a beautiful, home-sewn Christmas.
0:58:20 > 0:58:25Cheers! ALL: Merry Christmas.
0:58:29 > 0:58:32Feeling ready to sharpen up your sewing skills? Visit...
0:58:34 > 0:58:38..where you'll also find sewing tips, techniques and ideas.