If you're a fan of The Great British Sewing Bee then you'll no doubt be aware that The Great British Sewing Bee Live will be taking place from 21st to 24th September 2017 at Excel London. I loved the GBSB when it was on TV and am really looking forward to seeing how the concept translates to a live show format.
From the information I've had so far, it looks like there will be LOTS going on to attract dressmakers and sewing lovers of all abilities, including:
From the information I've had so far, it looks like there will be LOTS going on to attract dressmakers and sewing lovers of all abilities, including:
- The GBSB Live Super Theatre featuring Patrick Grant and Esme Young and hosted by comedian, author, Grumpy Old Woman and red lipstick fan Jenny Eclair
- Workshops and demonstrations by GBSB contestants and top sewing tutors
- Dressmaking drop-in clinics
- A make-at-home fashion catwalk
- The Fashion and Textile Museum's Liberty in Fashion exhibition, specially curated for the event
- 200+ dressmaking and sewing suppliers
If this sounds like a description of your perfect day, then you're in luck as I have five pairs of tickets to give away to UK readers. Please note that the tickets are for either Thursday 21st or Friday 22nd September only so you must be able to attend the show on those dates.
To enter leave a comment on this post telling me what was the first thing you ever sewed. The closing date is midnight on Friday 4th August 2017 and winners will be chosen at random and announced on my blog.
If you're not one of the lucky winners then don't despair, I also have a discount code - HMJ - which gives readers £1.50 off advance adult tickets bought here. Come along, it will be a laugh!
The first thing I ever sewed was a tiny purple and white patchwork bag at school when I was about 13. Nobody showed me how to do it I just grabbed the fabric and got on with it. Didn't make anything else for at least 10 years!
ReplyDeleteThe first thing I ever sewed was a princess seam dress made out of curtains! It had a center frontbench because I didn't have enough fabric and I had no idea what a seam allowence was!!!
ReplyDeleteFrankie
Www.knitwits-owls.blogspot.co.uk
First thing I ever sewed was turning a voluminous circle skirt I'd been given into a sleek pencil skirt which I wore to death. Not wildly adventurous but I was always wearing ill fitting hand me downs and this opened up a whole new world of wardrobe ��
ReplyDeleteThe first thing I remember making age 13 was a maxi dress in a green paisley I didn't have a pattern so I made it up as I went along ! at the front I gathered fabric through a metal ring it was halter neck and had sheering elastic at the back. I swanned around in it I loved it so much it looked a bobby dazzler with my platforms😊 well it was the 1970s
ReplyDeleteThe first thing I ever made was a purple skirt when I was about 9, I won the school sewing Copford it too (the only school cup I ever won). Geor
ReplyDeleteI made a flamingo print Cambie dress for my sons graduation and I still love it, though I need to adjust the shoulders. I'm thinking of wearing it this weekend to the sewing Weekender, this is my fifth attempt to win tickets, so hope I'm lucky this time!
ReplyDeleteMy first sewing adventure was an under water scene quilted cushion in textiles at secondary school. Sewing didn't capture my imagination then until I had my little girls and I started making a memory patchwork blanket from their old baby clothes
ReplyDeleteThe first thing I ever made was an apron for my cookery classes at school at the age of 11. can still remember it green striped with my name embroidered on the front wore it all the way through school until I finished my A levels and at home. inspired by love of sewing happy memories.
ReplyDeleteThe first item I made was Simplicity 5847 http://pg.b5z.net/get/kb5z/s200-*/zirw/1/i/u/6040209/i/ec/s5847a.jpg for my CSE Needlework in the 1980s - and whilst a brilliantly executed make, my mum wouldn't buy the fabric I actually wanted in case it wasn't worn, and so bought some material I would never wear - self fulfilling prophecy!
ReplyDeleteHi Jane - the first thing I ever sewed was a little tote bag in some really kitsch fabric. I went to a sewing class in London and it eased me in the first scary step of cutting fabric and sewing in straight lines (with a glass of white wine which helped!)
ReplyDeleteI made a bag for my mum as a Christmas present. I was aged about 9 and had the help of a very patient babysitter
ReplyDeleteThe first thing I made was a skirt. I was 9 or 10 years old. I took the waist size as the main size and of course the skirt did not fit over my hips.
ReplyDeleteThe first thing I sewed was a elasticated waist skirt for my dolly when I was aged 6. I've been sewing for the last 57 years since!
ReplyDeleteThe first thing I remember ever sewing was a wall hanging when I was 7 years old. My mum used to sew things for me from a really young age and my dad used to knit me cardigans and jumpers :)
ReplyDeleteFor me it was a pencil skirt. I'd never sewn before, but had three lessons a couple of years ago and haven't stopped since. This sewing malarky's addictive!
ReplyDeleteLoads of dolls clothes, but the first thing for me was a precut denim look pinafore with red patches on it.
ReplyDeleteA cushion cover, completely self drafted, total guess work really. And I've never looked back...
ReplyDeleteA men's waistcoat in March this year, decorated for my county Young Farmer's 80th anniversary - talk about diving in at the deep end! It was an entry for a competition, so I redid the welt pockets about three times because I chose fabric with chickens on, and they kept coming out upside down...
ReplyDeleteI made a dress for my dolly when I was about 8.
ReplyDeleteI made a pillowcase at school. Can't believe that I learnt French seams on the first thing I ever made
ReplyDeleteI made an A-line pink and purple flowered mini skirt at school in 1976. The teacher put me off sewing for 10 years when I rediscovered it and got the bug!
ReplyDeleteThe first thing I ever sewed was a head band to wear during cookery classes... I had to sew the head band on the machine which scared me to death and then hand embroidered my name on.. I was so slow I had to do this part during lunch breaks!! 😀 Great giveaway question 😀 hugs xx
ReplyDeleteThe first thing I ever sewed was an apron for cookery O level.
ReplyDeleteMarionahp@aol.com
At primary school we sewed cross stitch patterns on a piece of gingham which later became an apron!
ReplyDeleteHi - I think the first thing I sewed was a small apron at primary school. And then I think the next thing was a quilted tea cosy!
ReplyDeleteA checked circle wrap skirt at school. Oh, I loved that skirt so very much!
ReplyDeleteI made myself a sleeveless blouse when I was 11, I was so proud of it, and wore it to death. The fabric was recycled from my mother's dress, I was so sad when I grew out of it.
ReplyDeleteI think it was a rather dodgy handbag for my mam, unless you're counting the Humpty Dumpty doll we sewed in primary school!
ReplyDeleteThe first thing I ever sewed properly as a project was an 8-foot long(ish) giant squid stuffed toy! And that was about a month ago XD
ReplyDeleteThe first thing I ever sewed was a binca bookmark for my mum for Mother's Day!
ReplyDeleteThe first item I sewed was simple circle skirt at school - I adored it lol!
ReplyDeleteI must have been about 6 and can remember drawing a dress shape around a doll, straight onto the fabric, cutting it out and sewing it up on a hand cranked Singer, and then being devastated that it didn't fit! No seam allowance, no 3D consideration.... Luckily, my very patient mum helped me draft a pattern that worked and I've never looked back! I still ask her for help though...!
ReplyDeleteI would be about 8 when I made a red sewing bag at school, which tied around the waist. I had it for years, it eventually became my peg bag when I was first married, before it fell to bits.
ReplyDeleteI made my first usable item aged 7 years. It was a needlecase made from pale blue gingham with cream wool flannel pages and my initials embroidered in orange perle thread. It was a thrifty way to teach running, back, slip and chain stitches, sewing on a button and making a button loop.
ReplyDeleteI made a skirt for a little dolly! Xox
ReplyDeleteThe first thing I ever sewed was a maternity dress. I actually sewed a few pieces of maternity clothing, and I then made everything for the nursery -- tiny quilt, sheets, coverlet (blanky), changing table pad, and more. My son took his "blanky" with him everywhere! It eventually become very worn, tattered and faded. I am so thankful that I kept all the nursery things, as I lost my dear son, my only child about 2 years ago now. I hold on to these and cherish the memories woven into the cloth.
ReplyDeleteAlthough my sewing has improved exponentially since then, my son's items were not only the best thing I ever made, but the most meaningful. I continue to sew now, as it is a much needed creative outlet, and keeps me focused on the present.
Btw, I love following your blog, and seeing all the lovely things you make!
The first thing I ever sewed was my school cookery apron followed by a pleated P.E. Skirt. They believed in throwing us in in the deep end xx
ReplyDeleteI made a red denim maxi skirt for a school disco
ReplyDeleteYes, my school apron for domestic science was my first made item.
ReplyDeleteThe first thing I made was a skirt with a dungaree style bib - it didn't turn out well but I didn't give up!
ReplyDeleteI think the first thing was probably a quilt block, and that was followed by a pillowcase.
ReplyDeleteI first sewed at school and we made an A line skirtt,it was quite a few years ago so I can't recall how successful it was but it sparked a life long love of sewing. This was been reignited and is kept glowing by the blessing of the internet and its fantastic sewing community!
ReplyDeleteThe first time I stitched anything on a machine I altered (butchered!) my 80's school skirt to make it indecently tight. 30 years later I decided to learn how to sew for real and I made a Colette Ginger skirt.
ReplyDeleteA felt fish for a school display, aged 5, about the same age that I started to crochet a blanket for my doll who lived in a shoebox bed! I next remember my yellow gingham cookery apron made at school age 11, followed by a tennis skirt and dance tunic, all made in the first year of secondary school. Those were the days. Jenny Collard
ReplyDeleteThe first thing I sewed was a felt needle case, I think when I was probably 7. 37 years on and it's not fallen apart yet, with almost daily use over the last few years.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway, I'd love to attend either day.
Emily
Teenage sewing distasters have been erased from my memory - with good reason. First thing I remember sewing as an adult was a knights outfit from 2 rectangles of nasty grey knitted fabric but the boys thought it was the bees knees!
ReplyDeleteHi Jane, the first thing that I sewed was a Sew Over It ultimate shift dress. It was fabulous, except I couldn't move my arms when wearing it! I wasn't madly keen on the strait jacket look, so I took off the sleeves, et voila, a beautiful sleeveless shift dress (and a lesson learned-always make a toile).
ReplyDeleteMine was a binca dressing table mat. I was about 6 and I rapidly got bored of the stitches my infant school teacher showed us, so I made up my own. My mother still has it, some 40 plus years later.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness - the first thing I ever sewed was hilarious, but I admire my ambition! I drafted a pattern using baking paper and my favourite skirt, and made it up in leftover curtain fabric from Laura Ashley. I never wore it and the sewing machine was consigned to a cupboard for another year. (I am now an avid self - taught sewist!) (My spell checker wants to change "sewist " to "sexist" which is a disgrace!)
ReplyDeleteHi Jane - the first thing I sewed without help from my Mum was a tablecloth for her birthday. I spent hours and hours on it, and to this day (over 40 years later) she still uses it. Now I am teaching my own daughter to sew, and she would love to go this show with me!
ReplyDeleteMy first sewing item was a red polka dot dress for my daughter when she was a toddler. It wasn't great..... didn't attempt anything again until two years ago when I did a course at Sew Creative in Petersfield. Last weekend after reading your blog I made a GBSW shell top. Thank you for the inspiration.
ReplyDeleteHi
ReplyDeleteThe first thing I ever sewed was a long brown crimplene skirt to wear with a pink wrap top I'd bought from Chelsea Girl. I made this to go to my first adult dance (with my parents!!) I was aged 16 and made it all on my own - I felt so grown up at that dance
That's a lovely dress Jane. Smart yet relaxed and cool. Perfect for summer days. I think it would also make a super maxi dress!
ReplyDeleteดูหนังฝรั่ง
My first sewing project was a sleeveless shift dress, sixties style, which I constructed in needlework class at school. It was a cotton/linen type fabric in yellow with huge orange and green flowers all over it. It was a very simple make and did eventually turn out okay and I did wear it. However, it took forever to complete as the teacher insisted that everything was pinned ( pins evenly spaced at every 5cms) , tacked and inspected by her before queuing to use one of the three sewing machines (class of 20). The tedious procedure did put me off sewing for many years but I came back with a renewed enthusiasm in my twenties.
ReplyDeleteAw love reading all these comments of everyone's first makes! I first made a Christmas stocking, it was quilted and had appliqué, mum still gets it out at Christmas bless ���� id love to go to this, I've never been to London or to an event of sewers!x
ReplyDeletemy first make was the Tilly & the Buttons Bettine dress :-)
ReplyDeleteI can only go to the show on the Thursday