Episode 4 The Great British Sewing Bee


Episode 4

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We are halfway through way through our search for Britain's best amateur sewers.

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So far, we've had dresses that wrap, leggings that sag

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and leotards for tap dancing babies -

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you can't say we haven't covered everything.

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'In the last Sewing Bee...'

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Do I wear leggings? No, will I ever wear leggings? No.

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'Chinelo won garment of the week for the first time.'

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I'm very shocked.

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'Jennie struggled with stretch...'

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SHE STIFLES A SCREAM

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'But it was Julie who had to leave the sewing room.'

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THEY LAUGH

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'This week, the sewers tackle kids' clothes.'

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-So how does this work then?

-That's it.

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This is why I need kids now.

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'It's the fiddliest pattern yet.'

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It's tiny.

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'The alterations get more fancy...'

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-What have you got?

-Never you mind.

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'And whilst the sewers know what prom dresses they're making...'

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That's not an easy sew.

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'The biggest surprise...'

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Let's bring them in

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-'..is their models.'

-LAUGHTER AND GIGGLES

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-Gin?

-I need a Valium.

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The sewers have reached the halfway point in the Sewing Bee.

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# Every morning, every evening

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# Ain't we got fun?

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I am excited to get back to my sewing table.

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I never leave my table, actually. SHE GIGGLES

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I'm sewing here or at home so I'm excited to get back here.

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I think you're only as good as your last garment

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and last week I had a particularly poor week.

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I have no idea what Patrick and May have in store for us this week.

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Hopefully it will be cowboy-themed. I'm already halfway there.

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-Oh, wow.

-Uh-oh.

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Every week they introduce something else,

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I've come to the limits of my knowledge.

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I don't like the small child.

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I'm going to be much stricter with myself, pay attention more

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and stop talking. SHE LAUGHS

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-I'm nervously confident or confidentially nervous - either or.

-SHE LAUGHS

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-Hello.

-ALL: Hello.

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Now, as you'll have noticed, there are quite eerie children's

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-mannequins on your sewing stations.

-Very creepy.

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That's because this week the judges want to see how you cope

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making children's clothes.

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The first challenge, as always, is about following a pattern.

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What have you got for them, May?

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This week, we'd like you to make some dungarees for a toddler.

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You have three hours, your time starts now.

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We're going.

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To make successful dungarees, the sewers should chose a hardwearing,

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firm fabric like a cotton drill or corduroy from the haberdashery.

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That's lovely. Jenni, I want to share that with you.

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-You sharing the blue corduroy?

-Yeah. It's beautiful.

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# Corduroy. #

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OK, Patrick and May, why children's clothes?

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Fundamentally, children's clothes need to be robust -

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heavy fabrics, hefty seams.

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These clothes have to go through the rough and tumble

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of kid's lives and go through the washing machine 20 times a week.

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Talk me through these dungarees, what you want to see.

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We've got lots of surface stitching, we've got double rows of

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top stitching here. And that has to be beautifully straight.

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You've got more top stitching here.

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Much more stitching in this garment, simply because you need

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the strength in the rows of stitching.

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The other thing they need to do on this garment are

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some different fastening, so we've got snap-fastenings on the side,

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which they'll have to insert correctly and align properly.

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And dungaree clips, which they may not have had experience of working with before.

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Thank you very much. Thank you.

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I've gone for a needle cord and it's got little piggies on,

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which I thought was rather cute.

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Their first task is to carefully pin the small pattern pieces.

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It's tiny.

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The pattern requires nine pieces of fabric, four for the legs,

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two for the bib, two more for the straps

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and one more for the waistband.

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The front of the legs, waistband and bib are sewn together.

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The back of the legs are sewn to the straps and then the front

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and back sections are sewn together. Dungaree clips are then added to the

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straps and bib and snap fasteners to the side seams.

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Now, you've got twin boys who are four,

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you must be constantly making dungarees for them.

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No, just repairing.

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David is not the only sewer in the family.

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I love sewing with my daughter, we make those little bags together

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that go with her dresses. And my boys, there's no so sort of,

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"That's a girly thing, you shouldn't be doing that."

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It's just, "Oh, it's what my dad does."

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I don't make clothes for them cos I spend

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so much time looking after them, stopping them from killing

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each other and the local wildlife, you don't have time to make clothes.

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Me and Kurt are really looking forward to having kids just

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so I can make them dungarees, so I'm getting some practice in.

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Jenni doesn't have kids yet,

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but she does have someone special she sews for.

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I've made a dog coat for my dog, Renton.

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He's got a bald belly so you've got to keep him warm in the winter.

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He's my number one fan, obviously.

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I've made sure that I'm pinning my fabric all in the same direction,

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otherwise you're going to get shadows and things you don't want.

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It's really important to get the nap right.

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-Me and Jenni are using the same one.

-Oh, yeah.

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CHINELO LAUGHS She stopped it first though.

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You've got good taste.

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One sewer has decided to cut out two different fabrics.

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So this is your base fabric, a really good sturdy bit of corduroy,

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-what is this?

-I quite like to decorate dungarees

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so I'm making strips for my bias binding.

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Given that we've under time pressure, why would you do

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this at the beginning and not at the end?

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It's better to do the fiddly bits first

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cos by the end of the challenge, my hands are shaking so badly.

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Tamara is mum to nine-year-old Lily and six-year-old Charlie.

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At the moment, he's quite into his Ninja Turtles so he wants me

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to make him a little shell for his back. And with Lilly, she's

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often asked me to help her make dresses for her Sindy dolls.

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And we'd literally be wrapping fabric around it and tying it with a bow.

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Because I'm adding a little bit of colour to the seams,

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I'm just re-reading the pattern

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and making sure that what I want to do is actually physically possible.

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I've sewn the front trousers together and I'm just going to top stitch now.

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This is the first time the sewers have been required

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to topstitch every single seam.

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Err, OK.

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It's a visible stitch, so it needs to be perfectly straight.

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I'm just putting the bib onto the bottom parts,

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so there you have the front of the trousers and this will be the bib.

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I'd like to do all my top stitching in this slightly thicker thread so

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it's a construction question. I'll give it a go, going down.

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I think the first thing I sewed for my younger daughter was,

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I was going to my sister's wedding and I cut up my own wedding dress

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and made a little suit for her and she was only six months old.

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I'm really experienced at making children's clothes,

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that's how I got back into sewing after I'd done sewing at school.

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So I'm definitely in my comfort zone.

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Once the front of the dungarees is constructed...

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It says press the seams open at the front.

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The sewers need to complete the finish on the waistband.

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I'm just making sure that all my pieces are sorted out

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because when I turn this over, I want to make sure that

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everything is going to be tucked in to the waist band nice and neat.

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I've gone for camouflage.

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I see quite a lot of this at home - familiar territory.

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Heather's husband is a lieutenant colonel in the Royal Medical Corps.

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He keeps asking me to make stuff for him.

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I haven't got round to it yet, but I will do.

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He's quite tall and the shirts are so big you could hang-glide in them.

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I mean, it's like masses of fabric.

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Does he sleep in camo?

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No, but he brings me a cup of tea when he's fully dressed.

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-Does he, does he?

-In camo. Yeah.

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Does he? Does he stand straight and everything?

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No, he goes, "I'm really tired.

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"I'd really like to get back into bed, actually."

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But he's wearing camo and he's brought you tea,

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so quite frankly, it's win-win.

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-It's win-win.

-It's better than what I'm getting.

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# Love me in the day time

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# Love me in the night-time... #

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One hour has gone, sewers, you have two hours left.

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The time is worrying me.

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Lynda, read your pattern.

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I'm reading my pattern, don't worry.

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The next stage requires a technique that is unfamiliar to some.

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Snap felt seams are the only way forward

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because they don't tear, which is what it's about.

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The dungaree straps must be attached to the back leg sections

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using a flat-fell seam.

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These are what you usually have on jeans. I've never done one before.

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What we've done is, I've joined these two pieces of fabric together

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so that the wrong side is on the back and I've got the right side here.

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-OK.

-I've ironed them

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so that they are both pressed in the same direction.

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And then you take the top layer back

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and you trim the underneath layer away.

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It feels so weird cos this is the right side. Normally...

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It is. Absolutely. And then we turn under the edge

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so it's beautifully flat.

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-So we now put it underneath the sewing machine.

-Right at the edge.

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So you get this beautiful double stitch seam.

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And that's a flat-felled seam, that is dead flat.

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I've finished the one, which I'm really pleased with.

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I'm just about to do the second.

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It's a bit tricky with the thicker material,

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cos it gets a bit bulky.

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You don't want a massive about of bulk in the seams cos

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they're only little, tiny people.

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And what feels like a like a little bit of a stiff seam to us

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is probably going to rub and be quite uncomfortable.

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I'm just adding a little bit of colour to the seams.

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They are looking all right.

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All right. I'm hoping all right's going to be good enough.

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Lynda's halfway through, her first ever flat-felled seam.

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I thought the flat-fell seam went that way.

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But looking, it comes down.

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But she's sewn it pointing upwards

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rather than downwards as the pattern demands.

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So I'm going to undo the whole seam because that's something

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the judges will definitely pick up on.

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-Pink and purple, was it?

-Yeah.

-OK.

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I think it's really important to teach my grandchildren to sew.

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It's a very important life-skill.

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And everything is so much better when you've put love into something

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you've made than buying it, in my opinion.

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I made dungarees for my girls, years and years ago.

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I didn't have much money

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so sewing was a great way of clothing the children.

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The seam I've just done is ever so slightly bigger than it should be,

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so I've just done it again.

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If this goes wrong, it could mess up the fit of the clothes.

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So I'm just making sure that it's all perfect.

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Oh, that's nice.

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Yeah, but I've made a couple of mistakes

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so I need to take out some stitches now.

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Chinelo lives with very own quality controller - her husband Tunde.

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Careful, careful.

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He is like my biggest fan.

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He is my biggest critic as well, cos he picks at everything I make.

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But it's not symmetrical, if you look at this bit...

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But he is my biggest supporter.

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I couldn't ask for better, to be honest.

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Do you want me to do it for you whilst you do something else?

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No, thanks.

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I think it's such a simple garment.

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The beauty of it is in those little details.

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And I think the judges will be looking at those little details.

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Sewers, you have one hour and 20 minutes left.

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I'm just doing the rolled hems on my straps.

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I've just slightly cut those

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so it falls a little bit neater on the back.

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How fiddly is this? Right, next step.

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Each dungaree strap should be finished with

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two parallel rows of topstitching.

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It's very difficult to keep it straight when you go over the bumps.

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These are horrend...er, not nice.

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These are horrendous, you were about to say.

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Well I didn't want to be too dramatic.

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The danger of a contrasting top stitch is that everything shows.

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Yeah.

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I need to sew this part of the pattern up,

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so I need right sides together like so.

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I need all of this to match up. I'm just going to be sewing there.

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When joining the back pieces together, the curved top edge

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must line up exactly. As should the two flat felled seams.

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I'm just taking it slowly.

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Because they've been double topstitched

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any errors will be twice as obvious.

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Bob's your uncle. No.

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It's only slightly out by a couple of mm,

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but it's really lovely matched here.

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This is ever so slightly off, but it's done and

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I can't do about it now, so I'll just stick with it like that.

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What I'm going to do is unpick that section and re-stitch it.

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I want to come first today.

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I really, really, really am enjoying this challenge.

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The seams aren't perfectly lined up.

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May and Patrick would pick up on that straightaway so it's coming out.

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-Go on.

-Do you want a go?

-Yes!

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If you break the material, Claudia, I'm going to find it very

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difficult to forgive you.

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CLAUDIA LAUGHS

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Dungarees for children became popular in the 1970s -

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but children's fashion is a relatively new phenomenon.

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One of the first big trends was kick-started nearly 170 years ago

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when a young prince stepped out onto the deck of the Royal Yacht.

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During a family holiday, all eyes were on Queen Victoria's

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four-year-old son Prince Albert who was dressed

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head to toe in a scaled-down version of a low ranking sailor's uniform.

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The original suit is kept in storage

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at the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich.

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This is it - this is Prince Albert's outfit.

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This is the sailor suit

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that launched the fashion for children wearing them.

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It was made by the man who made the sailor uniforms for sailors

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on the Royal Yacht, so it's exactly what they were wearing in 1846.

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There are a few little personal quirks to it,

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which are really lovely.

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If you see these little stripes here and here,

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sailors on the Yacht would only have one stripe and that

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would indicate that they were either on the port or starboard watch.

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For Bertie, what they had done was to have both stripes put on

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so he's not showing any favouritism.

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And then if you open this up, you've got this little fob pocket.

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He's not putting his pocket watch in,

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but probably his sweets and his little bits and pieces.

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What was the queen trying to show by putting him in this?

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It's quite a humble association because she's going with the

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common sailor and not with an officer,

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which people found really charming.

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That the Royal Family is associating themselves with Jack Tar

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who's seen as this honest, loyal and patriotic character.

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The trend did take a while to take off but it did become

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one of the most popular children's outfits of the 19th century.

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And, in fact, Bertie had his own five children photographed

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wearing sailor suits in 1875.

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And that's when the outfit's popularity soared.

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Until then, children would wear miniature versions of what their

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parents wore, which were dictated by class and status.

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But the sailor suit was a democratic little outfit

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that was worn by every class of child.

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It was robust too - made from canvas or wool serge.

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Seaside holidays were massively popular,

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but saltwater and the wet sand is going to wreck your clothes.

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So families wanted something that the kids could wear that

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wouldn't get ruined. And sailor suits fitted that bill.

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Sailor suits weren't just for the holidays -

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soon they were being worn on a daily basis.

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Tailors all made them, but by the 1870s

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they were being mass-produced in factories.

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The great thing about the sailor suit is it's really simple to make.

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They'd cut out the basic garment pieces and then they'd make

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it in different fabrics, they'd make it in different colours.

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A catalogue like this from 1897...

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You've got one with short trousers,

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one with long trousers in dark blue wool.

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This one in the middle, which is a bit more formal.

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And then for Sunday best you've got velvet sailor suits.

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And, of course, it does cost more. This one starts at five shillings

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and the velvet one starts at ten shillings.

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So, basically, the UK was wearing a sailor suit?

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Absolutely. If you went to a primary school

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anywhere in Britain, nine out of ten boys would be wearing a sailor suit.

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I am pinning the back of my dungarees to the front of my

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dungarees and I'm about to sew down the side seams.

0:16:300:16:33

Once the dungarees are fully constructed and hemmed...

0:16:330:16:36

Where have you got to, Dave?

0:16:360:16:38

The front and back have been sewn on.

0:16:380:16:40

-This is divine.

-Thank you.

-I'm coming off the pill.

0:16:400:16:43

TAMARA LAUGHS

0:16:430:16:45

The sewers need to add the fasteners.

0:16:450:16:48

So how does this work then?

0:16:480:16:50

-That's it.

-This is why I need kids now.

0:16:500:16:52

'First, each strap must be fitted with a dungaree clip.'

0:16:520:16:56

I'm just trying to work out how it works.

0:16:560:16:59

So that button goes snap on top and then that hooks over.

0:17:010:17:05

The sewers need to be sure that as they position

0:17:050:17:08

the button and fastener.

0:17:080:17:09

That's how it's going to be.

0:17:090:17:11

The dungarees will fit the mannequin when the strap

0:17:110:17:13

and the bib are joined.

0:17:130:17:15

18 minutes. Dix-huit for those of you who have been to France.

0:17:170:17:21

He's lost his head.

0:17:230:17:24

Is that right? No, it's wrong. My God.

0:17:240:17:27

I'm no parenting expert...

0:17:270:17:30

CHINELO LAUGHS

0:17:300:17:31

That should not happen.

0:17:310:17:33

Hello...what? Yeah, OK. It wants its body back.

0:17:330:17:36

I'm just trying to make you laugh,

0:17:360:17:38

which is unfair cos you don't have long.

0:17:380:17:40

-I feel like crying now, actually.

-Don't cry. What?

0:17:400:17:43

He doesn't want you to cry.

0:17:430:17:45

I just thought of something.

0:17:470:17:49

These are the top ones, they should be up there.

0:17:490:17:51

SHE SIGHS

0:17:510:17:54

I hope they come off. Silly me.

0:17:540:17:58

SHE GROANS

0:17:580:17:59

So, I've finished that.

0:17:590:18:04

My hands have started shaking again cos we're running out of time.

0:18:040:18:08

I can't get it off.

0:18:080:18:09

I'm going to go for my hero.

0:18:110:18:13

Uh-uh, don't do that.

0:18:140:18:18

HE SIGHS

0:18:180:18:20

Come on, Dave, you can do it.

0:18:200:18:22

-Yes! No.

-No.

0:18:220:18:25

Oh! Do you know what, I love you.

0:18:280:18:31

Ten minutes left on the toddler dungaree challenge.

0:18:330:18:37

The side seams should be closed by using child-friendly snap fasteners.

0:18:370:18:42

-That must be B.

-You sure?

-No.

0:18:420:18:45

Interlocking the disks of metal are attached by using

0:18:450:18:48

a special pair of pliers.

0:18:480:18:50

This is probably where I lose a finger on telly.

0:18:500:18:52

-My reckoning...

-Are you sure you've got this the right way?

0:18:520:18:55

No, but I'm willing to take a risk.

0:18:550:18:57

I'm still having trouble. I'm just really stupid. I can't do it.

0:18:570:19:02

SHE LAUGHS

0:19:020:19:03

I need somebody strong. Is Patrick strong?

0:19:030:19:06

-Get that bit on.

-What way?

0:19:060:19:08

-One on these.

-SHE GROANS

0:19:080:19:11

Don't worry, don't worry.

0:19:110:19:12

When I'm at home, I use a rubber glove to open a bottle cos

0:19:120:19:16

I can't even open a bottle.

0:19:160:19:18

Here you go, David, I'm absolutely thick as...

0:19:180:19:20

Here, take this. This bit goes in there.

0:19:200:19:22

This bit goes through your hole, then you line that up there.

0:19:220:19:25

And then it goes in there.

0:19:250:19:27

Give it a good squeeze and you end up with that.

0:19:270:19:29

-Cool.

-OK?

0:19:290:19:30

-David, you're the hero of the room.

-Oh, I don't know about that.

0:19:300:19:33

We're all going to cuddle you in a minute.

0:19:330:19:35

Well that's one done, because the other one is back to front.

0:19:350:19:38

Good team work. That's what I keep telling my kids, it's

0:19:380:19:41

all about the team work. You don't have to fight each other. Please.

0:19:410:19:44

SHE SIGHS

0:19:450:19:48

Everyone, that's five minutes.

0:19:480:19:50

Come here, Fred.

0:19:500:19:51

Thank you. His head just fell off.

0:19:540:19:58

As for this person...

0:19:580:20:00

Chinelo, I really don't want you to have children.

0:20:010:20:05

This is how I dress my kids, Heather.

0:20:050:20:07

Oh, my God. Nightmare.

0:20:070:20:09

HE CHUCKLES

0:20:090:20:10

Oh!

0:20:120:20:14

As you were, Chinelo. Don't panic.

0:20:140:20:16

How do I do this?

0:20:160:20:18

Right, 60 seconds left

0:20:190:20:21

and your dungarees have to be on your mannequins.

0:20:210:20:23

SHE LAUGHS

0:20:230:20:26

LAUGHTER

0:20:260:20:29

Don't come off.

0:20:290:20:30

OK, that's it, end of the challenge.

0:20:310:20:33

Let's get your mannequins and take them

0:20:330:20:35

through to the haberdashery. David, I'm coming to help you.

0:20:350:20:38

# 20 tiny fingers

0:20:380:20:40

# 20 tiny toes... #

0:20:400:20:43

Seven pairs of toddler's dungarees made in just three hours,

0:20:430:20:46

but which ones will impress the judges?

0:20:460:20:50

Jenni, please bring your little creature.

0:20:500:20:52

# ..exactly like his pop, pop, pop... #

0:20:520:20:56

I think, overall, I'd say they look very good.

0:20:560:20:59

I think they hang very well. The bottom hem sits nice and even.

0:20:590:21:03

I really like the double top stitching.

0:21:030:21:05

The same separation throughout,

0:21:050:21:07

all the way round and on the bottom hem.

0:21:070:21:09

I think it looks really effective, especially in this contrast red.

0:21:090:21:12

Really beautifully flat well-executed flat felled seams.

0:21:120:21:15

And also, you've actually matched your seams at the back.

0:21:150:21:19

-Ignoring that fastening...

-That's unfortunate.

0:21:190:21:22

-..then I think, overall, that's a pretty good job.

-Thank you.

0:21:220:21:26

-First thing I have to say is that you haven't finished.

-Yeah.

0:21:260:21:29

One trouser leg not at all hemmed and the other one looks

0:21:290:21:32

-a little bit like you've sewn it with your feet.

-I know...

0:21:320:21:37

You've put this popper on back to front.

0:21:370:21:39

We have a flat felled seam that is really beautifully flat

0:21:390:21:43

and matching on the back.

0:21:430:21:45

Oh, your seam is escaping.

0:21:510:21:52

I undid it once because I wasn't happy.

0:21:520:21:55

Your seam isn't trapped, so your turning isn't turned under enough, so

0:21:550:21:59

you haven't caught it in. So, at the back, you've got seams escaping.

0:21:590:22:03

-Right, right.

-You've got no stitching here.

0:22:030:22:05

I didn't realise that was supposed to be done.

0:22:050:22:07

I must not have read the pattern properly. I'm sorry.

0:22:070:22:11

Oops!

0:22:110:22:13

Whoops!

0:22:130:22:15

I had a bit of drama with my poppers.

0:22:150:22:18

Some of your topstitching is good.

0:22:230:22:25

-I improved as I went on.

-And some of it is a bit wayward.

0:22:250:22:28

The early stuff is wayward.

0:22:280:22:30

I'm a little concerned, I've just found a little hole or

0:22:300:22:33

something in the back of your fell seam.

0:22:330:22:34

You've had neater sews in this competition, I think.

0:22:340:22:37

I think with this challenge, it was all about precision.

0:22:370:22:40

And I don't think you've shown us enough of that on this one.

0:22:400:22:43

We've got two pairs of dungarees both in the same fabric.

0:22:460:22:49

The fabric has been used in a different way -

0:22:490:22:51

the nap goes up one garment and down the other.

0:22:510:22:54

Either is absolutely fine

0:22:540:22:56

-providing the whole garment goes in the same direction.

-Yeah.

0:22:560:23:00

They are sitting nicely, they're nice and even.

0:23:000:23:02

Your poppers appear to be well-secured.

0:23:020:23:06

Well-executed flat felled seams, but they don't quite match

0:23:060:23:08

at the bottom of the V at the back, which is a shame.

0:23:080:23:11

-The bottom one was just a bit...

-Yeah.

0:23:110:23:13

Also...your stitching here has slipped off the edge of the seam.

0:23:130:23:17

Your seams at the back, your V matches.

0:23:230:23:26

Well done. They are beautifully aligned.

0:23:260:23:28

-The sides are even on this one, aren't they?

-Yep.

0:23:280:23:31

The poppers are well positioned, well-anchored. It's very solid.

0:23:310:23:35

Good finishing on the inside as well.

0:23:350:23:38

Your turning under on your machine, on all your hems.

0:23:380:23:41

Good top stitching around the crutch.

0:23:410:23:43

I mean, that looks like a good, solid, robust sew,

0:23:430:23:46

-which is exactly what we were looking for.

-Thank you.

0:23:460:23:48

I think it's a nice combination, I'm just not sure the machine's got

0:23:550:23:59

enough guts to go through what's going to be one, two, three, four,

0:23:590:24:02

five layers of fabric. And you've just lost a few stitches there.

0:24:020:24:06

-We've just sadly lost a popper.

-Naughty popper.

-Naughty popper!

0:24:060:24:10

Your dungaree clips are on back to front.

0:24:100:24:13

It may have been that,

0:24:130:24:14

because you're trying to control this piping,

0:24:140:24:17

your stitching's just run off the edge in the back here.

0:24:170:24:20

I really like the idea of putting this piece of trim in here,

0:24:200:24:23

but I think it's given you a problem that you didn't need to have.

0:24:230:24:27

And the time that it took you to do all of this

0:24:270:24:29

could have been spent ensuring

0:24:290:24:31

that everything else was just that fraction neater.

0:24:310:24:34

Patrick and May will now rank the dungarees from worst to best.

0:24:360:24:40

In seventh place was Cerina.

0:24:400:24:43

The overall tidiness of those seams just wasn't up to standard.

0:24:430:24:47

Sixth place is Lynda. A lot of finishing off didn't happen.

0:24:470:24:51

Tamara is fifth, Heather is fourth.

0:24:510:24:54

In third place...

0:24:540:24:56

Chinelo. It's very difficult to judge between yourself

0:24:590:25:03

and the next one up.

0:25:030:25:04

In second place is...Jenni.

0:25:040:25:09

Some well-executed stitching, a really good effort.

0:25:090:25:13

Thank you so much, I'm really pleased with that.

0:25:130:25:15

And that means that this week's winner is David.

0:25:150:25:19

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

0:25:190:25:21

-LYNDA:

-Good man!

0:25:220:25:24

Who knew? One for Team Gentleman. Really solid, robust -

0:25:250:25:30

exactly what we were looking for in a pair of kid's dungarees.

0:25:300:25:33

Thank you .

0:25:330:25:35

# Talk about a moon

0:25:350:25:37

# Floating in the sky... #

0:25:370:25:40

Definitely looking forward to telling my wife.

0:25:400:25:42

She's going to go, "Really?!"

0:25:420:25:45

16 stone of hairy-bottomed copper

0:25:450:25:48

and I'm winning a sewing competition.

0:25:480:25:51

Or at least that bit of it anyway.

0:25:510:25:53

I am so pleased! I knew I'd really enjoy that challenge anyway.

0:25:530:25:58

I was completely brooding through the whole of it.

0:25:580:26:01

I am never - for the record -

0:26:010:26:03

ever going to make dungarees for anybody ever again -

0:26:030:26:06

child, adult, whatever.

0:26:060:26:07

Oh, the result was sad, I came last.

0:26:070:26:11

I don't get a gold, silver or bronze medal today.

0:26:110:26:15

So that's how they cope with instructions,

0:26:170:26:20

and now it's time for challenge two - when they don't have any.

0:26:200:26:23

The judges would like you to make a children's outfit

0:26:250:26:28

from the following...

0:26:280:26:30

I have a pillow case.

0:26:300:26:31

GROANS

0:26:310:26:34

You'll be pleased to hear that's not all.

0:26:340:26:38

You also have these two items.

0:26:380:26:41

And what we'd like you to do is make a child's fancy dress outfit.

0:26:410:26:45

-Chinelo, you look horrified.

-I am horrified.

0:26:450:26:48

You have an hour and a half. Off you go. Good luck.

0:26:480:26:51

The sewers can use anything they find in the haberdashery,

0:26:530:26:56

but their finished outfit must feature the three items

0:26:560:27:00

they've been given.

0:27:000:27:01

-I haven't got a clue.

-Oh, come on, you've got three kids.

0:27:010:27:04

-And they love dressing up.

-Come on then.

0:27:040:27:06

You're kidding me, it's red and blue!

0:27:060:27:08

And it must fit their mannequin.

0:27:080:27:10

What have you got?

0:27:100:27:12

-Never you mind!

-I love this challenge.

0:27:120:27:15

I think I'm going to do Super Girl.

0:27:150:27:17

So I need some cape material.

0:27:170:27:19

I think I'm going to make a little girl's dress.

0:27:190:27:22

I can't quite recall whatever her name is.

0:27:220:27:26

Over The Rainbow job.

0:27:260:27:28

This might seems like a fairly frivolous challenge,

0:27:280:27:31

but it's actually going to be quite testing for them.

0:27:310:27:33

And it's something that a lot of home sewers will do.

0:27:330:27:36

Everybody has things in their cupboards that they do not use,

0:27:360:27:39

that they could chop up and reinvent.

0:27:390:27:40

They are going to have to come up with a good idea,

0:27:400:27:43

create a pattern, dissemble, reassemble - different materials.

0:27:430:27:46

So actually, it's going to test their technical skills as well.

0:27:460:27:50

Lynda is hoping to transform the old tracksuit

0:27:500:27:53

and pillowcase into the Queen of Hearts.

0:27:530:27:55

I've never made one for my daughter or granddaughter.

0:27:550:27:59

I did tell a lie!

0:27:590:28:01

I made Princess Jasmine for Tash when she was little.

0:28:010:28:06

She's 26 now, so that was quite a while ago.

0:28:060:28:09

I used to be involved with school plays, making costumes,

0:28:090:28:13

-painting scenery.

-What are you going to make?

0:28:130:28:15

I'm going to make a pirate outfit.

0:28:150:28:16

Look, there you are. The trousers sorted already.

0:28:160:28:19

And this will become a waistcoat.

0:28:190:28:21

How adorable!

0:28:210:28:23

-And this, I'll make this into a little kind of flouncy shirt.

-Yeah.

0:28:230:28:26

I'm making a big meringue-y something.

0:28:260:28:29

Something big and meringue-y, that's what I'm making.

0:28:290:28:32

So it could be either a princess or a ballerina. Or something like that.

0:28:320:28:37

Lots of people, when we announced that that challenge, were like that.

0:28:370:28:40

-And you were like, let me go!

-I want to go now!

0:28:400:28:42

What are you making?

0:28:420:28:43

I'm going to make a dinosaur. I'm going to do zigzags,

0:28:430:28:45

-so he has scales on his back, and stuff it.

-Nice!

0:28:450:28:48

And I'm going to make a tail.

0:28:480:28:50

I haven't got any thoughts at the moment.

0:28:520:28:55

How do you start with that? Come up with a children's thing...?

0:28:580:29:01

It's the wrong colour for anything.

0:29:040:29:06

Have we got any big black spots on red fabric or anything like that?

0:29:070:29:11

Spots. Spots. Anything for spots? Where's the spots?

0:29:110:29:14

Right, let's make a ladybird.

0:29:180:29:20

Sewers, you have an hour left on this challenge.

0:29:200:29:23

I feel like I'm in work and they've said to me,

0:29:230:29:26

"We're doing a play, can you quickly make something to wear?"

0:29:260:29:29

I just have in my mind that a pirate's waistcoat has little

0:29:290:29:32

black straps across it with gold buttons.

0:29:320:29:35

So I think I'm going to resort to the felt.

0:29:350:29:37

I'm going to use the pillow case to cut out two big D-shapes,

0:29:370:29:40

fill them with a bit of wadding and make wings.

0:29:400:29:43

So that's the spikes. They'll be stuffed, and nice and pointy.

0:29:430:29:47

I'm going to make a little ruffle to go round the neck.

0:29:470:29:50

So once I've done the neck here, I'll line it a little bit with gold

0:29:500:29:54

and then I'm going to do a little orange tutu.

0:29:540:29:56

Any child would want to wear this. Good luck. You'll be fine.

0:29:560:29:59

-Do you need tea?

-Oh, God.

0:29:590:30:01

-Gin?

-I need a Valium.

0:30:010:30:02

THEY LAUGH

0:30:020:30:03

You're halfway through - you have 45 minutes left on your outfit.

0:30:050:30:09

David, you may begin.

0:30:090:30:11

It's a good job I came first this morning, because

0:30:110:30:14

I'm going to come last in this!

0:30:140:30:15

I've never rushed this much before really, apart from the time when

0:30:150:30:18

my husband asked me to make two canoe suits for him to take

0:30:180:30:21

on his canoeing expedition, and I needed to do them in half an hour.

0:30:210:30:25

-Jenni, have you made fancy dress before?

-For myself, yeah!

0:30:250:30:28

-What did you make?

-I think the last one was

0:30:280:30:31

a zombie? What about you?

0:30:310:30:33

-Never, ever, ever.

-You've not succumbed

0:30:330:30:35

-to a fancy dress night out?

-Never.

0:30:350:30:37

Right, I'm taking you out, girl.

0:30:370:30:39

I did go down the pub one New Year's Eve for a fancy dress, but I did

0:30:390:30:43

go as Jane, so I wore three chamois leathers

0:30:430:30:45

and carried a stuffed monkey.

0:30:450:30:47

Not much of a costume. Certainly wasn't when it got wet.

0:30:480:30:51

Ha-ha. That's what I'm after.

0:30:510:30:54

I'm making the pillow case...

0:30:540:30:55

a little sort of flamboyant little shirt

0:30:550:30:58

to go underneath the waistcoat.

0:30:580:31:00

So, with slightly puffy sleeves.

0:31:000:31:02

This is going to be the key.

0:31:020:31:03

Then I'm putting hearts on it.

0:31:030:31:06

Nearly all of the alterations will feature applique...

0:31:060:31:09

Just doing my scales on the front of the jersey.

0:31:090:31:12

..a technique where shapes are cut out of fabric

0:31:120:31:15

and then sewn on to the front of the garment.

0:31:150:31:17

I'm making it for my goddaughter. Her name's Alice.

0:31:170:31:20

The bodice of the dress is the pillow case.

0:31:200:31:23

And I've used the tracksuit to make like a little heart.

0:31:230:31:25

Do ladybugs have eyes?

0:31:250:31:27

Ha!

0:31:270:31:29

They must have eyes, mustn't they? My daughter would say,

0:31:290:31:31

"Just chuck it in the bin, Dad. Not wearing that."

0:31:310:31:34

I'm using some blue binding with my red sleeves.

0:31:350:31:38

If this stitching is not straight, then it's going to look awful.

0:31:380:31:41

I don't like kids' clothes - I don't like kids!

0:31:410:31:44

Ah...!

0:31:470:31:48

Sewers, you have five minutes.

0:31:480:31:51

And those outfits HAVE to be on the mannequins.

0:31:510:31:53

Oh. Oh, OK.

0:32:010:32:03

But I can't get the dress onto the mannequin.

0:32:030:32:07

Actually, I've just let the zip down a bit more. That might help.

0:32:090:32:12

Oh, g...!

0:32:130:32:15

-Nope.

-Ha-ha-ha-ha!

0:32:150:32:17

Pity she hasn't got a head.

0:32:200:32:23

I could make a crown!

0:32:230:32:24

It can't go on.

0:32:280:32:31

OK, three, two, one...

0:32:310:32:34

That is it.

0:32:340:32:36

Please bring your mannequins forward, we'll jumble them up,

0:32:370:32:40

and then I'll invite the judges in.

0:32:400:32:42

# Tweedlee, tweedlee, tweedlee dee

0:32:420:32:45

# I'm as happy as can be... #

0:32:460:32:50

Patrick and May will have no idea who's made each fancy dress outfit.

0:32:500:32:54

Bravo, sewers.

0:32:540:32:56

-Wow!

-Yep, that is pretty genius.

0:32:560:32:59

I think this one's the Queen of Hearts.

0:33:020:33:04

A lovely little collar here,

0:33:040:33:05

and there's a bit of trim that's holding the collar on.

0:33:050:33:08

The skirt's been gathered onto the bodice.

0:33:080:33:10

-A little net petticoat underneath.

-A petticoat!

0:33:100:33:13

-Just to give it a bit more...

-Oomph.

-..fullness.

0:33:130:33:16

There's an awful lot going on there.

0:33:160:33:18

So, this is a...

0:33:210:33:23

-Oh, my goodness, on the back...

-Ladybird!

0:33:230:33:25

Ah! It feels like there's a bit of padding in there as well.

0:33:250:33:28

Has that been sewn together? No, it's just sitting on the top.

0:33:280:33:32

Some rough applique where the circles have been applied.

0:33:320:33:35

-So, this is a superhero.

-So...

0:33:400:33:42

-Who's A?

-Don't know. I'm not up-to-date with my superheroes.

0:33:420:33:46

Layers of applique on the front, big net skirt...

0:33:460:33:50

Oh, we've got trim round the arm holes, and some binding.

0:33:500:33:53

So we've got rickrack round the back and a bit a lace round the front.

0:33:530:33:56

-Ha-ha!

-Did we run out of rickrack?

0:33:560:33:59

-Again...

-Applique.

-Applique on the front...

0:34:030:34:07

I mean, this is brilliant.

0:34:070:34:09

Just a wadded row of scales down his back,

0:34:090:34:12

and this brilliant little tail.

0:34:120:34:14

-And we've got some scales on the sleeves as well.

-Yeah.

0:34:140:34:16

I mean, it's quite simple, but it's really, really effective, isn't it?

0:34:160:34:20

Our little pirate. So, he's got a waistcoat,

0:34:240:34:28

with little appliques to look like braid.

0:34:280:34:31

-Oh, look!

-And a strap-and-button at the back.

0:34:310:34:35

-Yeah!

-Is the sash pleated, or is it just...?

-Well, I think...

0:34:350:34:37

-Yes, look!

-Yeah, it is, yep.

0:34:370:34:39

The pillow case has become a little tunic top,

0:34:390:34:42

-with gathered, elasticated sleeves.

-..sleeves.

-This is quite brilliant.

0:34:420:34:45

We've got our Sugar Plum Fairy -

0:34:500:34:53

not quite on the mannequin.

0:34:530:34:55

A little cat sleeve with a bound edge.

0:34:550:34:57

That one is absolutely beautiful, but it doesn't fit

0:34:570:35:00

the little chap, or... the little girl!

0:35:000:35:02

-Could be a little chap.

-It could be a little chap, yes!

0:35:020:35:05

I'm not really sure what we call this little creation.

0:35:100:35:14

-I think it's a princess.

-Some sort of princess. Do you have insight

0:35:140:35:17

-into this, Winkleman?

-I do.

0:35:170:35:18

-I think it's an autumnal flower fairy.

-Oh, OK!

-Oh, right!

0:35:180:35:21

Meets princess.

0:35:210:35:22

I think this is probably an autumnal flower fairy meets princess.

0:35:220:35:26

Oh!

0:35:260:35:27

We've got our pillow case, which has been gathered in with a piece of gold

0:35:270:35:30

-and a bit of...

-What have we done on the edge here?

0:35:300:35:32

Just a bit of zigzagging. And we've got a bit of binding round the neck,

0:35:320:35:36

and this wonderful gold layer to the cape.

0:35:360:35:38

No autumnal flower fairy/princess should go out

0:35:380:35:41

-without a gold cape.

-Absolutely!

0:35:410:35:43

May and Patrick will now attempt to rank the outfits

0:35:450:35:48

in order of creativity and technical execution.

0:35:480:35:51

-There we are.

-I think we'll stop there.

0:35:530:35:56

Would the creator of number seven come and take

0:35:570:36:00

this beautiful swan...ballerina... heart...princess?

0:36:000:36:04

-Chinelo!

-Chinelo!

-Ha-ha!

0:36:040:36:06

Simply, at the end of the day, yours didn't fit the mannequin...

0:36:060:36:10

OK, the creator of the autumnal flower-fairy-meets-princess...?

0:36:100:36:14

-Heather! You're up against stiff competition...

-Yes.

0:36:140:36:17

-..and, you know, you were beaten by a ladybird.

-Ha-ha!

0:36:170:36:20

-No shame in that whatsoever.

-No.

0:36:200:36:23

David is fifth,

0:36:240:36:26

Tamara fourth, and Jenni is third.

0:36:260:36:28

Now, you're flummoxed!

0:36:290:36:31

-No idea!

-Completely. Cerina or Lynda...?

0:36:310:36:34

Let's find out. Could the creator

0:36:340:36:36

of the Queen of Hearts costume please come forward?

0:36:360:36:39

-Yeah!

-Oh!

-Oh!

0:36:390:36:41

Seeing the Queen of Hearts

0:36:410:36:43

out of a pillow case, a pair of tracksuit bottoms and a sweatshirt -

0:36:430:36:47

-amazing.

-Thank you very much.

0:36:470:36:50

So, the winner...is Cerina!

0:36:500:36:52

APPLAUSE

0:36:520:36:55

It's really, really lovely, your pirate.

0:36:550:36:57

Just brilliant attention to detail, the little buckle,

0:36:570:37:00

the gold buttons, the imitation braid, the gathered sleeve,

0:37:000:37:03

the sash - there's so much going on.

0:37:030:37:05

And all of that in an hour-and- a-half is swashbucklingly good.

0:37:050:37:09

Thank you.

0:37:090:37:10

A huge well done. Thank you so much for today.

0:37:100:37:12

Go home, have a nice rest, we'll see you tomorrow

0:37:120:37:15

for the next bit challenge. Thank you very much.

0:37:150:37:18

Night-night.

0:37:180:37:19

I came first - again - for a small person's outfit!

0:37:190:37:23

And I just... I'd like to win a big person's outfit,

0:37:230:37:26

but hey, never mind!

0:37:260:37:28

I'm delighted to have come second, because the afternoon challenge

0:37:280:37:31

is the one I absolutely dread the most.

0:37:310:37:34

My day has been pretty rubbish.

0:37:340:37:36

I just feel like I'm coming up average.

0:37:360:37:39

I'm just not on the same wavelength as the judges,

0:37:390:37:41

so I'm really dreading tomorrow.

0:37:410:37:43

Tomorrow's going to be a big day for me,

0:37:430:37:45

now that I've come last in this challenge. I have to really

0:37:450:37:48

pull out all the stops tomorrow, make sure that...

0:37:480:37:50

fitting is perfect, it looks beautiful...

0:37:500:37:52

That challenge was horrible!

0:37:520:37:54

Horrible!!

0:37:540:37:56

'The sewers have one more garment to make.'

0:38:060:38:09

What's extraordinary is that at the end of today,

0:38:090:38:11

somebody's going to have to leave the sewing room.

0:38:110:38:13

Sometimes you have an inkling about two or three people,

0:38:130:38:16

-but you have no idea...

-Absolutely no idea.

0:38:160:38:17

Tamara has hovered in the middle ground, we've seen David

0:38:170:38:21

winning a challenge for the first time,

0:38:210:38:22

we've had Cerina going from the bottom all the way to the very top.

0:38:220:38:25

It's completely mixed-up, and it's absolutely wide open.

0:38:250:38:28

For their final challenge, something's missing...

0:38:290:38:32

Right, it's time for the next challenge, you know the one -

0:38:350:38:37

where they have to fit something perfectly to a model's body.

0:38:370:38:40

It's Children's Week so they're going to make prom dresses.

0:38:400:38:43

Here's the thing - the models

0:38:430:38:45

aren't the usual models.

0:38:450:38:47

Instead, let me introduce you to...

0:38:470:38:49

their daughters, nieces, best friends, neighbours.

0:38:490:38:52

They have no idea you're here!

0:38:520:38:54

Girls, thank you for being here. Be very quiet,

0:38:540:38:56

because they don't know you're here. I'm about to send you in.

0:38:560:38:59

Stay where you are, OK?

0:38:590:39:01

Hello, everybody, how are we?

0:39:030:39:05

Let us start the next challenge.

0:39:050:39:08

The judges would love you to make a prom dress

0:39:080:39:11

for a teenager. You're probably wondering where your models are,

0:39:110:39:15

so let's bring them in.

0:39:150:39:17

# For once in my life... #

0:39:170:39:19

-Ah!

-Agh! GASPS

0:39:190:39:21

# ..someone who needs me... # SHOCKED LAUGHS AND GASPS

0:39:210:39:24

# Someone I've needed so long

0:39:240:39:27

# For once, I'm afraid

0:39:280:39:31

# I can go where life leads me

0:39:310:39:34

# And somehow I know I'll be strong

0:39:340:39:38

# For once I can touch... #

0:39:400:39:42

Excited? Going to make you a prom dress!

0:39:420:39:45

Good! You can help me!

0:39:450:39:47

-You didn't know?

-No, I didn't have a clue!

0:39:480:39:51

So, I hope you're happy...

0:39:530:39:55

-Yes!

-Very, very happy.

-..with your models.

0:39:550:39:58

You have seven hours. Your time starts...

0:39:580:40:01

now.

0:40:010:40:03

The sewers have been allowed to practise this challenge at home.

0:40:030:40:07

Well, why don't you do it a 30 and then you can take it in?

0:40:070:40:09

Yeah, good idea.

0:40:090:40:10

But until now they have had no idea who

0:40:100:40:12

they were making the dresses for.

0:40:120:40:14

-Are you going to wear heels?

-Yeah.

-Is it that long though? That high?

0:40:150:40:18

There are just so many elements in a prom dress -

0:40:180:40:21

the fit, layering.

0:40:210:40:23

So, if we've got a full skirt we'll be seeing some net petticoats.

0:40:230:40:27

Also, with prom dresses, very often you take away the straps,

0:40:270:40:30

so therefore how do you support those bodices?

0:40:300:40:33

Do you want simple or do you want complex, high impact?

0:40:330:40:37

I don't mind whether we see a simple or a complicated dress,

0:40:370:40:40

as long as it's well-handled and well fitted.

0:40:400:40:42

They just need to give themselves not too much to do.

0:40:420:40:44

It's a very big challenge and we need to see them finished.

0:40:440:40:48

And the best one Patrick will wear.

0:40:480:40:50

Totally pleased that we OK'd that in the meeting. Well done, May.

0:40:500:40:53

BOTH LAUGH

0:40:530:40:56

Jenni, who's your model?

0:40:560:40:58

My second cousin.

0:40:580:41:00

Oh, wow! That's lovely.

0:41:000:41:02

-This is my daughter's best friend.

-Oh, no way!

0:41:020:41:06

When I read the measurements of the model,

0:41:060:41:08

I thought, "She sounds like she's like Emma. She's tall and slim."

0:41:080:41:12

Honestly, I didn't for one second imagine

0:41:120:41:16

that it would actually be Emma!

0:41:160:41:17

Linda's making Emma a dress with a short, circular flared skirt,

0:41:170:41:21

fitted sweetheart bodice and a sheer overlay.

0:41:210:41:25

I'm using two fabrics, the Georgette on top of the silk,

0:41:250:41:29

because I think this is beautiful material.

0:41:290:41:31

But obviously you can't have a top like that,

0:41:310:41:34

so I'm putting the fabric underneath.

0:41:340:41:37

This is the worst idea ever. I can't concentrate.

0:41:370:41:40

My second cousin's just sat right there and this is just mental.

0:41:400:41:44

Jenni's vintage inspired prom dress for Becky has a gathered

0:41:440:41:47

halter neck bodice and gathered skirt.

0:41:470:41:50

I have a tremendous amount of fabric, six metres in total.

0:41:500:41:55

Even when I was making my wedding dress,

0:41:550:41:57

I didn't have this much material.

0:41:570:41:59

Heather's model Annie is one of her dressage students.

0:41:590:42:02

-She's responsible for the pin dog.

-No!

-Yeah!

0:42:020:42:06

The pin dog has developed quite his own character.

0:42:070:42:11

Heather's making Annie a shot silk strapless dress with

0:42:110:42:15

a layered organza overskirt.

0:42:150:42:17

Having Annie here is just a joy.

0:42:170:42:19

I can...put her to work, like I normally do.

0:42:190:42:23

SHE LAUGHS

0:42:230:42:25

They don't call me Cruella for nothing.

0:42:260:42:28

This is Ellie, my neighbour, and we've been very close.

0:42:280:42:32

She used to babysit the kids. It brought a tear to my eye.

0:42:320:42:35

Tamara's prom dress for Ellie features a strapless satin bodice

0:42:350:42:39

to which a pleated paper bag-style skirt made in neoprene is

0:42:390:42:43

attached over a net petticoat.

0:42:430:42:45

I just like the mixture of a really modern and unusual fabric

0:42:450:42:49

alongside a traditional fabric.

0:42:490:42:51

It's nice cos you get a very clean edge,

0:42:510:42:53

but it's really hard to put a crease into.

0:42:530:42:55

Once again, you've given yourself a different and unusual challenge.

0:42:550:42:58

-I hope you do it tremendous justice.

-No pressure(!)

0:42:580:43:01

The sewer's first concern should be constructing the bodice.

0:43:020:43:06

Where is my upper bodice.

0:43:060:43:08

It's the section of the prom dress where fit will be most visible.

0:43:080:43:11

I think it's going to have to go in a bit.

0:43:110:43:14

I made it slightly larger so I could reduce it.

0:43:140:43:16

Cerina's making a strapless shift dress with a double layered

0:43:170:43:21

bustled overskirt for her youngest daughter Katty.

0:43:210:43:23

Your reaction, by the way, might have been my favourite because...

0:43:240:43:28

Can I just do a full Cerina? Stand up for me, darling.

0:43:280:43:31

You stood here and you watched everybody walk in,

0:43:310:43:35

and you went, "They know these people - how marvellous."

0:43:350:43:38

And your daughter literally stood like that, and you went, "Arg!"

0:43:380:43:43

Holly is my niece. The daughter of a big, burly soldier,

0:43:430:43:47

so this better be good, otherwise he might be having words with me!

0:43:470:43:51

David's strapless panelled princess seemed dress for Holly is

0:43:520:43:56

fitted at the waist, all constructed in a fine satin.

0:43:560:43:59

Goodness me, it's a slippery bit of old stuff, isn't it?

0:44:000:44:03

It's a pain in the bum, it really is.

0:44:030:44:05

I'm trying to use as many pins...

0:44:050:44:07

These long visible seems all the way through the front, I mean,

0:44:070:44:10

that's not an easy sew.

0:44:100:44:11

Er... Yes, now I feel like I've worried you, but I'm going to....

0:44:120:44:16

-You have.

-..leave you to crack on.

0:44:160:44:19

Chinelo is using two fabrics in her bodice...

0:44:190:44:22

It's got to go over.

0:44:220:44:24

A duchess satin and organza, which will be attached to the

0:44:240:44:27

bottom of the bodice and tied in a bow at the shoulder.

0:44:270:44:30

Lizzie, we've been going to the same church for about seven years?

0:44:300:44:34

So I've known her since she was quite young.

0:44:340:44:36

I taught her how to sew. She's like my little baby girl, really.

0:44:360:44:39

Chinelo's freehand cutting the dress for Lizzie,

0:44:390:44:41

which will be fitted in at the waist and hips with a

0:44:410:44:44

flared fishtail skirt.

0:44:440:44:46

My system usually, when I'm going to do my fitting,

0:44:460:44:48

is just put her in the dress and it fits.

0:44:480:44:50

If it doesn't fit then I should really just need to take

0:44:500:44:53

it in a little bit in the side seems,

0:44:530:44:55

so not having to fidget with anything else in the middle.

0:44:550:44:58

When it comes to fitting the bodice...

0:44:580:44:59

SHE MUMBLES

0:44:590:45:01

..some sewers are being a little more cautious.

0:45:010:45:04

With it being vintage the pattern size is always a bit tricky,

0:45:040:45:07

so when you are normally a size 12, for instance,

0:45:070:45:09

you'll probably be more like a 16 in a vintage pattern.

0:45:090:45:12

Not that you're big or anything.

0:45:120:45:14

What you can see here is that I've created all the suedes of fabric,

0:45:140:45:19

and all these pieces of red cotton are called 'tailor tags'

0:45:190:45:22

and they get transposed from the pattern onto the fabric,

0:45:220:45:26

and they guide me as to where the pleats need to go.

0:45:260:45:29

No fittings have taken place just yet

0:45:290:45:32

because my model is the perfect size for this pattern.

0:45:320:45:36

SEWING MACHINE HUMS

0:45:390:45:43

Sewers, you have three and a half hours left.

0:45:430:45:46

You are halfway through.

0:45:460:45:49

It's a shame you haven't got a sewing oven you can just put things in

0:45:490:45:52

and...come back 25 minutes later and it's done.

0:45:520:45:55

-As prom dresses are traditionally strapless...

-OK.

0:45:550:46:00

..they need to be supported using a technique called boning.

0:46:000:46:03

This is my first time boning, yes.

0:46:030:46:05

Never used boning before, but I have watched this on YouTube,

0:46:050:46:08

like, a million times to make sure I get it right!

0:46:080:46:11

I've worked with boning once before when I made a ball

0:46:110:46:14

dress for a work's Christmas do,

0:46:140:46:15

but this is a long time ago...

0:46:150:46:17

and it wasn't very good.

0:46:170:46:20

The strips of plastic are sewn into the seems around the bust.

0:46:200:46:23

You've got to get it in the right place,

0:46:230:46:25

otherwise it makes everything look wonky.

0:46:250:46:27

They give it structure and help to create shape within the dress.

0:46:270:46:30

Cos the boning's got a curve already, I'm making sure I layer it

0:46:300:46:34

so that it's curling around the body it's going to lay.

0:46:340:46:37

With the boning in, everything sort of...

0:46:370:46:39

It's like having straight arms on everything.

0:46:390:46:41

So you go to move something round and you can't get at it cos it's...

0:46:410:46:45

It's like a child who won't be put in its pram,

0:46:450:46:48

you know, it goes rigid.

0:46:480:46:50

With their bodice completed...

0:46:500:46:52

-Ah! Job done.

-So, out tonight.

0:46:520:46:54

-Cocktail. You with me?

-Why not?

-Why wouldn't we?

0:46:540:46:57

..the sewers should move on to constructing their skirts.

0:46:580:47:01

I'm slightly concerned about when I get started on the skirt.

0:47:010:47:05

These are skirt overlays.

0:47:050:47:07

I'm going to do an orange layer and a magenta layer.

0:47:070:47:10

Tamara is the only sewer creating pleats

0:47:100:47:12

where the skirt meets the waistband.

0:47:120:47:14

Can I have your tape measure?

0:47:140:47:16

That's at least a quarter of an inch less deep than that one.

0:47:180:47:21

Fair enough, yes.

0:47:210:47:22

Sewers, you have one hour left.

0:47:230:47:26

-Is anyone going to finish early?

-SHE LAUGHS

0:47:260:47:29

With skirts attached, the sewers needs to insert a zip.

0:47:290:47:32

I'm using an invisible zip because I don't want to see it.

0:47:320:47:35

Here it is! Look, it's invisible.

0:47:370:47:41

Having a concealed zip, it's almost like

0:47:410:47:43

it's just one flowing piece of fabric.

0:47:430:47:45

Definitely gets more Brownie points.

0:47:450:47:47

I've got my zip seems folded in already,

0:47:470:47:49

so it makes life a lot easier for me already.

0:47:490:47:52

I've made a decision.

0:47:530:47:55

If it was a zip down the back of the dress,

0:47:550:47:57

it would be really important for it to be an invisible zip.

0:47:570:48:00

But this is down the side of the dress,

0:48:000:48:02

so it's tucked underneath the arm.

0:48:020:48:05

So because it's a little easier than an invisible zip, I'm going

0:48:050:48:08

to go with the dress zip.

0:48:080:48:10

Oh, gosh. What's going on?

0:48:120:48:14

My zipper's not going up. It's getting caught in the lining.

0:48:140:48:17

I've done it far too close to the teeth of the zipper.

0:48:170:48:20

I'm going to have to redo that.

0:48:210:48:23

If I can pull of a concealed zip, it will be my first one ever

0:48:230:48:25

and I'll be really chuffed.

0:48:250:48:27

It's better that I checked this now than when I had finished the dress.

0:48:270:48:30

That would have been a real disaster.

0:48:300:48:32

That's not bad for a first ever concealed zip.

0:48:330:48:37

Oh, Lord. This zip...

0:48:370:48:39

SHE SIGHS

0:48:390:48:41

Oh...

0:48:410:48:43

Jesus, please help me.

0:48:430:48:45

SHE SIGHS

0:48:450:48:47

Oh, thank God for that.

0:48:470:48:49

Five minutes remaining.

0:48:490:48:51

I've made a decision that it's better just to have a dress...

0:48:510:48:54

-and no skirt.

-What?!

-Yeah.

-So...overlay gone.

0:48:540:48:59

-SHE LAUGHS

-Linda's finished.

0:48:590:49:01

Seriously?

0:49:010:49:03

Really?

0:49:030:49:05

-On the table.

-That's not safe!

0:49:050:49:06

-Don't worry about safety.

-You're a policeman!

0:49:060:49:10

-I can't believe this is young uncle and a policeman.

-Turn around!

0:49:100:49:13

Stop shouting at a teenager!

0:49:130:49:15

It's not illegal. When they make it illegal, I'll stop.

0:49:150:49:19

Oh, my God. What am I doing?

0:49:190:49:21

Come on...

0:49:260:49:29

We've got a flower.

0:49:290:49:30

DAVID: Oh, this is terrible.

0:49:300:49:33

Sewers, you have one minute left.

0:49:350:49:37

Put your dresses on your models.

0:49:370:49:39

-That's it.

-Arg!

0:49:390:49:42

This is definitely not a conventional way of ironing.

0:49:460:49:49

OK, that's it. Time's up. Step away from your models.

0:49:540:49:59

I'm just so upset. I've really done a bad job.

0:49:590:50:02

# Mama, teach me to dance

0:50:060:50:10

# Mama, teach me to dance.. #

0:50:100:50:14

Seven made-to-measure prom dresses in just seven hours,

0:50:140:50:18

but whose will impress the judges?

0:50:180:50:20

# Mama show me the way... #

0:50:230:50:26

Initial impression, really effective.

0:50:260:50:28

All those layers work really well together and the shape's lovely.

0:50:280:50:32

This sharp silk has two colours, and to pick both of them out

0:50:320:50:35

and use them in the overskirts is a really nice touch.

0:50:350:50:37

Yes, it's not brilliantly fitted across the front of the bodice,

0:50:370:50:40

but there's quite a lot of work in here.

0:50:400:50:42

There's a lot of tucks and pleats.

0:50:420:50:44

Whereas the back of the bodice is a really good fit.

0:50:440:50:46

Your boning has been really well used

0:50:460:50:49

and it's a really structural supported bodice.

0:50:490:50:52

You've got an invisible zip in there.

0:50:520:50:54

It's not completely level, but it was a very difficult thing to do

0:50:540:50:56

with all those different layers of fabric.

0:50:560:50:59

There's a thin line between well-fitted

0:51:030:51:06

and just a little bit too tight.

0:51:060:51:09

Some of those seems are just stretching a little bit.

0:51:090:51:12

That hem on that underskirt is certainly not your finest work.

0:51:120:51:16

I'm fairly certain the manual for sewing that does not include

0:51:160:51:20

the technique that we saw you demonstrating

0:51:200:51:22

-just a few moments ago.

-And one last point.

0:51:220:51:24

It is a prom dress, and therefore Holly should be able to

0:51:240:51:27

-dance in it without bursting out of it.

-Hopefully not like that.

0:51:270:51:30

SHE LAUGHS

0:51:300:51:33

Well, the first thing I'm noticing...

0:51:380:51:40

I can see a row of stitching showing around the hem, which spoils it.

0:51:400:51:44

You got the zip in, not quite as neat as it ought to be.

0:51:440:51:48

It isn't quite sitting flat.

0:51:480:51:50

The sad thing for me is I didn't make the overskirt,

0:51:500:51:52

which was going to be the spectacular bit.

0:51:520:51:54

I cut my losses and thought,

0:51:540:51:55

"I better concentrate just on the dress."

0:51:550:51:57

It's sitting really nicely round the waist,

0:52:030:52:06

and this band fits her well.

0:52:060:52:07

You've got a lovely effect down the back

0:52:070:52:09

with these rouleau loops and buttons.

0:52:090:52:11

To me, it just looks slightly overpowering.

0:52:110:52:14

-Fabric or...?

-Just the amount of it.

0:52:140:52:17

It looks a little bit clumsy.

0:52:170:52:20

The first thing I notice is the fit - it's a really lovely shape on her -

0:52:280:52:32

and the skirt flutes beautifully

0:52:320:52:34

For me...the bow's just a bit overpowering,

0:52:340:52:37

and I think what it's doing is actually twisting the whole

0:52:370:52:41

dress a little bit.

0:52:410:52:42

This back seem is being thrown just out of kilter by it.

0:52:420:52:47

You've put in an invisible zip -

0:52:470:52:48

quite difficult to do on such a slippery fabric -

0:52:480:52:51

you've done it really well.

0:52:510:52:53

It's a really lovely fit. It's a very effective dress.

0:52:530:52:55

I think you've done very well.

0:52:550:52:57

I think we might need to get a box for May to adjudicate this one.

0:53:090:53:13

-Imagine how I feel.

-Yes, exactly.

0:53:130:53:16

I think there's a really nice balance to it.

0:53:160:53:18

The waist is nice. The shape in the skirt is good.

0:53:180:53:21

This bodice fits beautifully. It really does hug the figure.

0:53:210:53:24

And you've got boning in here, haven't you?

0:53:240:53:26

-I have got boning in all the seems.

-It's really well-supported.

0:53:260:53:29

This is a really nice finish on this bottom

0:53:290:53:32

because it brings out a little bit of the black

0:53:320:53:35

and a bit of the red in that shot silk.

0:53:350:53:37

And you've had a little bit of time left over

0:53:370:53:39

and you've done a little corsage for the wrist.

0:53:390:53:41

I think you should be very pleased with it.

0:53:410:53:43

Those colours look fabulous - really lovely combination.

0:53:550:53:59

The back fits beautifully,

0:53:590:54:01

but the front could do with being a bit snugger.

0:54:010:54:04

The way you've put the zip in, if those had just been tucked in...

0:54:040:54:07

That just looks a lot neater, doesn't it?

0:54:070:54:09

I love all this binding all the way round the hem.

0:54:090:54:12

Not caught in every place.

0:54:120:54:14

I think it's really effective. You look really worried.

0:54:140:54:17

I think it's really good.

0:54:170:54:18

You took those pleats out and put them back in again.

0:54:180:54:21

They now sit really evenly.

0:54:210:54:22

It's got a really nice shape to it.

0:54:220:54:24

I'd have done without the belt.

0:54:240:54:25

I think it's a strong-looking garment.

0:54:250:54:27

I don't think it needs the additional embellishment.

0:54:270:54:30

I think it looks great.

0:54:300:54:31

Having not completed the task,

0:54:420:54:44

and not to the quality it should have been,

0:54:440:54:46

could well be my downfall.

0:54:460:54:47

I wouldn't be the least bit surprise if I was the one to go tonight.

0:54:470:54:51

I'm gobsmacked to be here in week four,

0:54:510:54:53

but I don't want to go. I don't want to go.

0:54:530:54:55

I've done everything I can,

0:54:580:55:01

and I think there's a line in the sand and it's coming up...

0:55:010:55:03

very shortly.

0:55:030:55:05

Now we get to the horrible decision about who's going to be

0:55:100:55:14

leaving the sewing room.

0:55:140:55:16

Cerina gave us a fantastic little pirate suit,

0:55:160:55:20

but then really let us down with dungarees and, unfortunately,

0:55:200:55:24

not a terrific prom dress.

0:55:240:55:26

So she went from bottom to top to bottom again.

0:55:260:55:29

Fairly near the bottom again.

0:55:290:55:31

David's dress, there was various issues with this.

0:55:310:55:34

But his dungarees...were pretty faultless.

0:55:340:55:37

Anybody else?

0:55:370:55:38

No. I think it was really just those two that I think

0:55:380:55:40

we need to make a decision from,

0:55:400:55:42

and I don't know that it's easy to separate them.

0:55:420:55:44

First, the good news.

0:55:530:55:55

Our favourite piece this week is...

0:55:550:55:58

..that one.

0:56:000:56:01

APPLAUSE

0:56:010:56:04

It was a really, really close run thing, actually,

0:56:040:56:07

-between about four of you, so congratulations.

-Thank you.

0:56:070:56:11

Well, I tell you, the next bit hasn't made anyone happy

0:56:110:56:14

because it was not an easy decision.

0:56:140:56:17

The person leaving the Sewing Bee is...

0:56:170:56:21

..Cerina.

0:56:300:56:32

I'm sorry!

0:56:320:56:34

-I'm sorry!

-It's all right. I can stay cheerful.

0:56:340:56:37

You don't have to stay cheerful.

0:56:370:56:39

No. You can't be too nice to me cos I'll cry then.

0:56:390:56:42

-ALL: Aw...

-Oh, dear.

0:56:420:56:44

Really, really well done.

0:56:440:56:45

It really was, honestly, just a horrible decision.

0:56:450:56:49

It's been such an experience.

0:56:490:56:52

It's such a tough decision this week.

0:56:520:56:54

We really, really didn't want to lose anybody, and it really came

0:56:540:56:58

down to a kind of forensic unpicking of everything that they'd done.

0:56:580:57:02

-I'm so sorry.

-Not at all. Not at all.

0:57:020:57:06

Sadly, the dress making skills that she demonstrated in both

0:57:060:57:09

the first challenge and the third challenge were not particularly good.

0:57:090:57:13

She will be a great loss to the sewing room.

0:57:130:57:15

We just loved having her around.

0:57:150:57:17

I really had a lovely time and I've met a great bunch of people.

0:57:170:57:21

Once of the best aspects of being in Sewing Bee

0:57:210:57:24

has been meeting other sewers.

0:57:240:57:26

I don't have any other sewing friends,

0:57:260:57:28

so to meet a whole bunch of people,

0:57:280:57:29

who all know what they're talking about, it's been really good.

0:57:290:57:33

Delighted to win amateur of the week, but I still feel really sad.

0:57:330:57:37

I was really shocked when my name wasn't called out.

0:57:370:57:39

I've got some long and hard thinking to do,

0:57:390:57:42

have a good chat with myself,

0:57:420:57:43

and hopefully a hug from Kirk will make it all better.

0:57:430:57:46

-I will miss you all.

-We'll miss you.

0:57:460:57:49

I did think it was going to be me and I think I could have handled that.

0:57:490:57:52

I feel really, really, really gutted. Every week...

0:57:520:57:55

you take one of my friends away.

0:57:550:57:57

At the next Sewing Bee...

0:58:040:58:06

HE SIGHS

0:58:060:58:08

..the most challenging fabrics yet.

0:58:080:58:10

Oh, are you serious?

0:58:120:58:14

They tackle leather for the first time.

0:58:140:58:16

I love a bit of leather.

0:58:160:58:17

And in a brand-new twist...

0:58:190:58:21

I'm not going to go right underneath.

0:58:210:58:23

..make trousers for themselves.

0:58:230:58:26

Oh.... Careful!

0:58:260:58:27

SHE WOLF WHISTLES

0:58:270:58:29

Control yourself, Heather.

0:58:290:58:31

Applications for the next series of Sewing Bee will be closing soon.

0:58:320:58:35

So if you, or someone you know, would like to apply, please go to...

0:58:350:58:39

You'll also find ideas there for sewing projects

0:58:410:58:44

inspired by the series.

0:58:440:58:45

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