tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4375252611624193232.post4896760891821983329..comments2024-03-05T02:50:14.025-08:00Comments on Chanel No 6 (A Novelist at Her Sewing Machine): The Great British Sewing Bee (episode two)Inkstainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03849218858979776045noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4375252611624193232.post-59152731365083337892013-04-14T02:35:44.495-07:002013-04-14T02:35:44.495-07:00Thanks, nice points, like your humor and I would h...Thanks, nice points, like your humor and I would have enjoyed seeing you head in there, covered in warrior marking chalk, preferable a Celtic blue? <br />Perhaps I should have viewed the show with the assumption that these contestants had oodles of time to prep.<br />We'll all keep watching, more happily if we take your attitude, on the understanding that this is not sewing chez home, but sewing on the SAT model. I can live with that.<br />Inkstainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03849218858979776045noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4375252611624193232.post-7525734883551458822013-04-13T23:59:24.953-07:002013-04-13T23:59:24.953-07:00It's at www.tillyandthebttons.comIt's at www.tillyandthebttons.comJo Ashcrofthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12498449344477320495noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4375252611624193232.post-71975090015880588792013-04-13T17:26:14.556-07:002013-04-13T17:26:14.556-07:00Hm. I love your ideas about the show format, but ...Hm. I love your ideas about the show format, but I have to disagree about Mark and Tilly.<br /><br />I think reality shows are basically like the SATs: they're not about knowing math or English, sewing or pattern-drafting, but rather, they test you on how well you take a test. I think the GBSB is about taking an honest assessment of your skills, and knowing how to best showcase your strengths within the constraints of the competition. We all know that Tilly drafts a cute pattern and can sew the Dickens out of a range of things, but drafting her own pattern for a model with a body she knew was quite different from her own? Not the smartest move. Not making appropriate adjustments for the model's body in the week preceding, even though she had the same model in the last challenge? Deadly.<br /><br />Ambition is good, but without clean execution it just looks wrong-headed. I don't think Ann or Sandra will win because they necessarily have better-developed skills than everyone else, but rather because they have a better understanding of their own strengths and weaknesses and make their decisions based on that. I do think a leaderboard would be an awesome way to let everyone relax a bit and have more fun with their makes. <br /><br />Perhaps I'm just really stinkin' competitive, but if I were going into the GBSB, I would have practiced seam finishes, pockets, zipper insertions, linings, and those basic things in advance, just in case. Then again, I would have also donned war paint and been an awful human being, so maybe we shouldn't take my word for it?<br /><br />In any event, I'm so glad to have found your blog! This post really made me think. If anything, the GBSB has made me realize that we, the sewing community, are united by our beard-loving.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4375252611624193232.post-65705202149746514472013-04-13T14:21:42.901-07:002013-04-13T14:21:42.901-07:00I wonder if it wasn't May who prioritized prec...I wonder if it wasn't May who prioritized precision rather than Patrick. In fact, after I read a bit more about his sewing experience I was a bit confused why he'd be a judge for a sewing show. They don't make it clear that he's more of a designer / entrepreneur than an actual tailor. In fact, he revived Norton and Sons - so he must be a modernizer to be able to take an ailing Savile Row shop to the 21st century. <br /><br />So in that context, his comment on what he's looking for - "understanding of materials, shape, fit...that goes into making of beautiful clothing" - makes a lot more sense. And, when the judges disagreed over who should go in episode 2, it was Patrick who rooted for Tilly rather than Stuart - May's preference because his work showed "lots of processes in it" and he's an "improver" - terms I'd see coming from a sewing teacher. I think as a designer Patrick probably gets Tilly more than May would.<br /><br />Regardless, I agree with everyone that ridiculous time limit and elimination lets the show down. And if it has to be a "competition", then leader board format would be a much better idea. What I find interesting is the judges' professional feedback on everyone's projects, not the competitive element. And the more contestants they keep on the show for the duration of the theory the more projects to get professional feedback on! (Same with Project Runway / Catwalk - they're more fun at the beginning of the series when there are more outfits to look at, more variety of solutions to the same challenge.)<br /><br />I'll still watch the last 2 episodes. As Portia of Miss P blog - who seems to work in British TV industry - says, whatever GBSB's faults if we don't show support we won't get more sewing programs. (http://portialawrie.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/why-we-have-to-make-great-british.html)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4375252611624193232.post-64221885109058965212013-04-13T07:41:44.831-07:002013-04-13T07:41:44.831-07:00What I meant, PearlK is that as a cliffhanger, it&...What I meant, PearlK is that as a cliffhanger, it's a snore, because obviously Ann and Sandra have the best skills. But I'll definitely stayed tuned. I so much want sewing programming to succeed.Inkstainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03849218858979776045noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4375252611624193232.post-51348687345459688822013-04-12T23:57:48.560-07:002013-04-12T23:57:48.560-07:00I love the idea of a point system/leaderboard as w...I love the idea of a point system/leaderboard as well, Kbenco. Inkstainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03849218858979776045noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4375252611624193232.post-80200547180009444732013-04-12T20:06:58.311-07:002013-04-12T20:06:58.311-07:00Keep in mind the premise of the show - to find THE...Keep in mind the premise of the show - to find THE BEST home sewer in Great Britain. So...yes, that means being able to insert an invisible zipper; it means being able to do a rolled hem on silk (chiffon, yet!). It's about skills.<br /><br />Tilly has done a good job with her sewing in the three she's been at it; but she still has a long way to go, even in some of the basics. That's not a put down; everyone starts at the beginning, and learns at a different pace. I'm a way better sewer now than I was 25 years ago; but when I grow up, I want to be able to sew like Ann Rowley.<br /><br />And, if you truly find the show a snorefest, change the channel - no one is holding a gun to your head, forcing you to watch :-)Pearl Kjarsidehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07629729212118014724noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4375252611624193232.post-26339806081444339262013-04-12T19:25:19.954-07:002013-04-12T19:25:19.954-07:00I love the idea of a point system / leaderboard. A...I love the idea of a point system / leaderboard. Almost starting with a dancing with the starts / strictly come dancing start. Maybe a few weeks with everyone. I think your ideas are great. I have heard the ratings are quite good in the UK. But, I don't understand those numbers at all, lol.cidellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13762649326538041094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4375252611624193232.post-88236156645288857212013-04-12T17:26:54.159-07:002013-04-12T17:26:54.159-07:00that's a great idea - points or a leaderboard....that's a great idea - points or a leaderboard. I also hate seeing people go.a little sewinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18086285440873869055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4375252611624193232.post-56298418573895792242013-04-10T15:35:26.084-07:002013-04-10T15:35:26.084-07:00Except that she wouldn't be sewing what she wa...Except that she wouldn't be sewing what she wanted to, either. I agree, one challenge with as much time as you wanted would be much more like home sewing, but would be harder to put on television. <br />I was sorry to see anyone go. I think having such a wide variety of contestants would work well with a points system or leaderboard, so that over the mere 4 episodes, everyone's different strengths could be shown, whilst still recognizing technical excellence, which seems to be the focus of the judging criteria.kbencohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00885068563358776147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4375252611624193232.post-6864636002116180312013-04-10T12:07:18.250-07:002013-04-10T12:07:18.250-07:00Episodes 1 and 2 are indeed on youtube!Episodes 1 and 2 are indeed on youtube!Colleenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10555677225543413982noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4375252611624193232.post-40642162556652779482013-04-10T11:47:21.889-07:002013-04-10T11:47:21.889-07:00If only you were there, Cyber, with your futurist/...If only you were there, Cyber, with your futurist/Orientalist/minimal/sixties vibe to show what can be done through choice of fabric and line!Inkstainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03849218858979776045noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4375252611624193232.post-27455805739025265792013-04-10T11:17:59.614-07:002013-04-10T11:17:59.614-07:00I was sorry to see Mark go!
You're right, th...I was sorry to see Mark go! <br /><br />You're right, the format is unlikely to draw in anyone who doesn't already sew. Unlike cooking you can't really see what's going on as the contestants are working. I like your idea of getting the contestants to choose themed patterns. This worked well in episode 2 with the blouse challenge.Catherine Dazehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14286784668307559391noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4375252611624193232.post-19908665536397432022013-04-10T10:30:20.244-07:002013-04-10T10:30:20.244-07:00Yes, Becca, you've made an interesting point, ...Yes, Becca, you've made an interesting point, especially with regard to the male judge whose work on Saville Row suits would prioritize precision and speed in a stylistically conservative and competitive environment. Well-spotted!Inkstainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03849218858979776045noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4375252611624193232.post-17562485868102670052013-04-10T09:05:13.354-07:002013-04-10T09:05:13.354-07:00I agree that the focus of the Great British Sewing...I agree that the focus of the Great British Sewing Bee is off. Home sewers sew at their own pace, mostly for themselves, and rip out and redo as necessary. The show seems to be trying to single out the home sewer who could turn their sewing into a business--working on a deadline, sewing for people they don't know, making items that don't interest them. They also got rid of the two people who show two very creative approaches to sewing--authentic costuming and making one's own patterns. The show is unlikely to inspire young people to take up sewing when they keep the people with the most pedestrian styles. BeccaAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05839761273520524641noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4375252611624193232.post-91000970396795215472013-04-10T04:53:32.242-07:002013-04-10T04:53:32.242-07:00http://www.tillyandthebuttons.com
I am sure Tilly...http://www.tillyandthebuttons.com<br /><br />I am sure Tilly will be fine. She is sort of England's Answer to Gertie (from the Gerties Guide to Better Sewing in the USA.)<br /><br />I agree, the time limits do make it a narrow contest. Such tight time constraints spread the field based on basic skills and mean even the best sewists don't have time to do anything more than basic shells.Karinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06551387452771116176noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4375252611624193232.post-27953056396192064552013-04-10T02:57:04.322-07:002013-04-10T02:57:04.322-07:00Jo, Tilly has a blog? Please link us up. I adored ...Jo, Tilly has a blog? Please link us up. I adored her retro style from the start!<br />XXInkstainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03849218858979776045noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4375252611624193232.post-15892695772494662242013-04-10T02:49:28.410-07:002013-04-10T02:49:28.410-07:00Im in NZ so haven't seen this episode yet-no i...Im in NZ so haven't seen this episode yet-no iplayer for us, still holding out for youtube. I am not surprised by the eliminations at all. And it is such a shame. Tilly is fabulous. I have been following her blog for a while and she is fresh and innovative. I was rooting for Mark from the start too and simply adore his steampunk costumes. They both embody the creative and artistic element of sewing and the FUN!<br />You can already see who the producers want to win and it is not going to enthuse anyone to pick up a needle, especially if everything has to be perfect and somewhat old fashioned everytime.Jo Ashcrofthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12498449344477320495noreply@blogger.com