Have you watched week 3 of the Sewing Bee yet? This episode was inspired by travel, and saw the sewists creating summer blouses from tablecloths, nautical-themed bags and ‘outfits fit for the French Riviera’.
You can catch up on BBC iPlayer whenever it suits you, and tune in for Episode 4 at 9pm on Tuesday 11th June on BBC 1.
Episode 3 recap
This post is a recap of the third 2024 episode. There are spoilers underneath, so don’t read on if you don’t want to know what happened last Tuesday night!
The pattern challenge
The first challenge this week was to upcycle tablecloths into beautiful summer blouses.
I loved this one – especially the focus on keeping the embroidered patterns intact, and incorporating them into the design.
I also enjoyed seeing how everyone approached the challenge slightly differently, and used their individual tablecloths to make the design look so versatile. The pattern for the blouse is in the Bee’s ‘Back to Basics‘ book that accompanies this series.
Luke and Ailsa were a tie for first in this challenge. The judges thought their pattern placement and the neatness of their sewing earned them a shared top place.
If you like the idea of using scrap fabric as a feature on a garment, have a look at my video where I make patchwork pockets for the back of my trousers!
The transformation challenge
Ever creative, the show had the sewists reuse old nautical equipment to make themselves a holiday bag in this week’s transformation. Their materials included ropes, nets and waterproofs.
The hardware from the maritime gear gave lots of options for transforming into bags, but Esme specifically asked them to include rope – and to use it in an interesting way.
I loved the way Alex used the netting to create a pocket for shoes – I could definitely imagine taking that to the beach. The judges loved it too, and it earned her the top spot this week.
The made to measure
The brief for this challenge was to create an outfit fit for the French Riviera – think nautical stripes, linen shirts and voluminous skirts and trousers. It needs to be both elegant and comfortable.
Lauren’s was the first down the catwalk – Patrick said the little halter top and chiffon bloomers were more ‘Rio de Janiero than St. Tropez’, and I do see his point. It was an interesting make, but perhaps not the most on brief. Alex, on the other hand, went for the classic look with her blue striped jumpsuit.
It was Ailsa who really wowed though, with the pleated, voluminous ivory trousers that exuded both comfort and luxury. They reminded me a little of the Protea Pants by Paradise Patterns.
We had to say goodbye to Janet, whose makes weren’t quite up to the same standard as the others’ this week. We’ll miss her!
What’s happening next week?
Tune in on Tuesday 11th June to watch Reduce, Reuse and Recycle Week The episode will feature a ‘multi-piece pattern’, a colourful transformation from pre-loved clothes, and wedding dresses becoming party wear.
Ready to start your sewing journey?
The Sewing Bee has made sewing accessible, and inspired the nation to start creating their own wardrobe. Seeing the contestants experimenting with different fabrics and styles is a lovely way to think about how you might tackle your own projects.
We’re thrilled to announce that we’ve partnered with Tree Nation, the platform to reforest the world & fight climate change! Home to over 90 planting projects in 33 countries, Tree Nation is a non-profit organisation that helps people & companies offset their CO2 emissions.