New show on TV about sewing

alltrustgone

M.E. wrote: »

Reminded me of my needlework "O" level exam 50 years ago...eek!

Enjoyable though!

Me too. Enjoyed the programme, but worried some of it could end up putting newbies off a bit. They pointed out problems with the finished garments (e.g dart point bumps and the stretching of the fabric when altering the neckline on bought tops and on joining the reversible dress edges together) but didn't even mention the fact that there are basic simple techniques to deal with them. Missed opportunity to demystify a bit. Early days yet though.
ATG

BitterAndTwisted

As someone who hasn't sewn anything from scratch since I was at school I really wanted more details about the basic elementary stuff. Why some fabrics behave in the way they do. It's all very well commenting on when something's bias-cut but not why you would want to use it or which fabrics lend themselves to it better than another. What kind of seams and why? How to avoid the need for overlocking when you don't have a machine which does it. What kind of stitches on which fabrics? How to set a zip in properly. What are facings and why would you need them. All those sorts of things.

As usual with most entertainment shows on TV these days, they've thrown in the competitive element to the detriment of it being informative.

alltrustgone

So true, Bitter and Twisted. Mentioned this website before on another thread, but there's a brilliant sewing technique American magazine called "Threads" which has a fantastically informative website. Check it out.

http://www.threadsmagazine.com/

ATG

Peggybabcot

I agree, I expected Claudia Winkleman to be annoying but in actual fact she was really good.
I think they wizzed through some of the methods and especially the section on the laundry bag. I've been sewing all my life and more than capable of making a laundry bag but even my brain was fuddled with the speed they explained it. Although I saw an overlocker (only one, may have been more) no one seemed to use it.
I hope the people out there that approach dressmakers to make them a dress realise how long it takes now. All too often I used to hear "how much? I can get it at Primark for a tenner!" When in reality you couldn't even buy a paper pattern for that let alone fabric, notions and not forgetting labour! X

Rage_in_Eden

Well I really enjoyed it as I've already said. However I did have a nosey on the FB page today and there was one extremely patronising comment from somebody that it taught nothing, was banal, a "waste of the licence fee" and "people on the breadline will not have a sewing machine" along with a moan about the "exorbitant cost of haberdashery and fabric". Hmmm this person claimed to be an ex fashion student so they obviously never shopped on markets or charity shops then during their time as a student. What a muppet......

Poppy_Golightly

I know there are many excellent YouTube tutorials out there, but I bet the time is ripe now for a proper sewing techniques programme. Anybody remember the wonderful Ann Ladbury?

Years ago after being banned from my school sewing class for breaking so many sewing machines and having sewing 'disasters' all over the place, I found her tv programme and I owe a big debt of gratitude to her for showing me how to set in a sleeve!

Justamum

Poppy_Golightly wrote: »

I know there are many excellent YouTube tutorials out there, but I bet the time is ripe now for a proper sewing techniques programme. Anybody remember the wonderful Ann Ladbury?

House Party! That was quite a good programme. I used to watch it only occasionally if I was off sick from school, but I did enjoy it.

nuttyp

Just watching it on youview catch up. Its quite good, but im not overly keen on the bloke. He looks a bit too suited as in professional against the others.

Poppy_Golightly

Now I've mentioned Ann Ladbury I can't get her out of my head!! Here is a link to a BBC archive sewing programme from 1967 where she teaches you how to make a shirtwaister dress. Classic stuff!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/archive/whatwewore/5601.shtml

Goldiegirl

I enjoyed the programme and I'm not even a needlework person.

My favourites are the steam punk guy and the older lady.