Seriously Snooty!Fueled by May and Patrick's critique from last week along with the initial shock of being filmed for two days solid. I was rather giddy for episode 2- Pattern week, and thirsty for more! I was really pleased with my 'cloth'. SO Glad that Chinelo didn't go with the same fabric in the end. I aslo got to 'peek-a-boo' with Patrick and Claudia, exposing my 'Pattern Matching Perfection'. I have no idea where I had pulled that out the bag as I hadn't done this before, but could feel the adrenaline rushing through me as I started to beleive, I can do this! A big improvement to how I felt on the night gown challenge in episode 1. After spending so much time pattern matching to please Patrick and May , I was now running out of time. In the rush, I matched my waist band to the back of the skirt rather than the front. A mistake that Tamara also made but noticed to correct in time. Had I let myself down again? Scoring seventh position was a blow. Just when I thought I was getting back on track and mentally placing myself at sixth, I was knocked down by David's skirt that didn't fit the mannequin however he owned the title of 'pattern matching perfection' with those perfect squares of blue and white. It was great to see a bit of the back stories this week, hearing my husband Kirk's view on my sewing skills. You also got to see Kirk, the boys and I performing in our band, Snooty Bob's. Please feel free to check out our facebook page or listen to our tracks on itunes or spotify. https://www.facebook.com/SnootyBobs?ref=hl https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/gossip-ep/id789874875 It was great to see the families of my fellow contestants in their environments rather than just in a studio, I wanted to see more but it was on to challenge two - Alterations using two shirts. With only a few moments to think and having been burnt before for being too bold with my silk challenge. I knew what I was going to do. I'm going to make a skirt. Play it a little safe and make something that I have done before and do it WELL! Cutting up shirts was something that I am acustomed to! 'Nothing is safe' as Kirk appealed on the back story! I have cut up at least eight of Kirk's shirt over the short time that I had been sewing before the Bee. Sorry Kirk, but at least im 'upcycling' them and they look so much better now! :) Therefore, I knew i needed to get my skates on 'Run'! I needed good lines to deliever my vision. Harlequin is my brief and I dont know whats on the rail yet! 'Vile' is exactly what i was faced with! but I managed to get two shirts that I was happy with, to the cutting table I go. Cerina was right when she said 'Guerilla' sewing. It was manic. With one hour remaining I was reserved to just getting a skirt and hopefully for a hem. With the time ticking down, the fire in my belly couldn't be contained any more. PUSH FOR A POCKET! Fight or Flight? I'm punching for a pocket. I manage to get my skirt on the mannequin and finish buttoning my last button when Claudia called TIME! 'OH MY LIFE you were pushing it then Taylor! Ranking fifth position, I was mid table and not very safe but I was proud that I didn't settle for safe but pushed myself to the limit. I was ready for a pint and my bed. For challenge three I was going to need some inspiration! Six hours for a pair of PJ's. Are they crazy! There was only one person who came to mind. My Dad! If I was going to make a pair of Pyjama's for my Dad, Roy. What would they look like? A huge fan of Monty Python, I knew that a classic stripe wouldn't define it! Dad even got on board sending me comedy sketches to help. I decided on Moustache's and Top Hat's for my fabric. Dad used to wear a top hat in his late teen's with his long wild hair, so combined with a 'snooty' moustache these pyjama's were a reflection of me and my family. I hoped this was the secret weapon to my sewing box, especially when I found out that both David and Lynda were using the same pattern as me! I knew that I wanted to make a classic pyjama therefore it needed to have piping. It's a must! 'You've gotta have a bit of piping on a bit of PJ!' There was my deep end plunge, again. Piping on the collar, cuff's, hem and pocket. I'd gone piping mad with no prior experience. I was going to need to take my time. Time that we all didn't have. One hour left and I hadn't started my trousers. It was only when watching it on Tuesday that I couldn't beleive I was even capable of doing that! At the end of what seemed a blink of an eye, rather than six hours. Its was time for judging and I was first up! Gasping for breath I awaited May and Patrick's critique. Crossing my fingers that their comments were nothing like last week's Silk Challenge, and more along the lines of, you are good enough to stay in this competition. May delievered a short but sweet 'Beautiful piping'. 'A little on the large side' from Patrick, but overall a 'very good pair of pyjama's.' Relief! Beautiful and Very Good - i'll take that! Now I just needed to wait to see how my competitor's got on. One by one the eight other pyjama's catwalked in front of me. Being at the front, I had a un-interupted view of the other contestants hard work. and was able to see exactly what May and Patrick are picking apart or rewarding. It was scary. After a long break while the judge's come to their decision, the competition became very real. I felt like I was really getting to know these guys. I didn't want to leave, I have so much more to learn from each and everyone of them. At the same time, if I get to stay I didn't want to see any of them go either. It was strange, the atmosphere had changed between us. It was a slow walk back. Standing in the line, Simon's name was called. He seemed to know that this was his time, which made me very sad. He is a brilliant sewer! So glad we keep in touch through twitter and I get to see what he is up to! With Simon out, I'm still in the competition and with my family behind me - I can do anything! So for this episode I want to dedicate it to my dad and my husband. Thanks for keeping me 'Snooty'! Love you loads. Now your turn - What inspires you to sew or pick out fabric?
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BOOM - The Secret's Out.There was only one way for me to watch the premier of The Great British Sewing Bee Series Two. With bunting, beautifully handmade cupcakes (made by Charlotte Hall), popcorn and prosecco at the ready, surrounded by friends and family. We eagerly sat down to watch along with 3.1 million other viewers. As soon as it began we all squealed! It was amazing! The big secret was finally, in this case, being projected on a big screen for all to see! I was on the telly. It's really weird seeing yourself from angles that only other people can see I must admit! I can see why Claudia Winkleman doesn't watch herself, even though I think she is wonderful. I was cringing! Putting my self-deprecation aside, it was a joy to watch the other contestants. I finally got to see what they were doing. I knew I was surround by some talented sewers, but WOW seriously, it is only now that what I felt has been confirmed. So I had to go bold! Challenge one being the pattern challenge, I knew I wanted to put my mark on the Bee, by choosing fabric that I would seriously wear! I loved that fabric, but it could have gone very wrong! So glad the nerves didn't make me forget to make sure my pattern ran down the front. PHEW. However under the eagle eye of May Martin, my under-stitching let me down. I honestly didn't know what that was at that point. I understood what it was achieving but I didn't know that it needed to be so close to the edge/seam. With feedback taken on board and ranking 4 in the first challenge, I was pleased. Challenge two and its down to alterations. I HAVE NEVER WORKED WITH WOOL EVER. This was scary. I didn't know how it was going to handle under the needle, but once I got my hands on the skirt. I was put at ease, a little. Starting as I mean to go on. I asked myself 'what would you make for yourself?' DUNGAREES!!! Not to May and Patrick Grant's taste it seemed but hey, I would wear it so who cares! Luckly the skirt was my size and I did put it on, but sorry no pictures taken. It was fun as I had the other contestants in stitches as I had the dungarees over my trousers! It took an age to turn those straps out and the shots don't leave much to the imagination if so inclined. But keeping with the pack at 5th position. I left for the day feeling uneasy. Was I doing enough? Next day, with the made to measure challenge ahead of me. I was nervous. Stepping into uncharted territory, I was going to make my Silk nightgown. Inspired by Rear Window's Grace Kelly. You know the scene where she is standing in the bathroom doorway, with that stunning gown. Well that's the one! My first ever self drafted pattern constructed out of newspaper in my kitchen, I was now going to make it out of silk. A fabric I have never used before and didn't practice with. I was seriously jumping into the deep end. With wonderful coloured silk and lace flying around the sewing room. I tried to not let my plain but classic ivory silk with no lace, get the better of me. Silk is a tough cookie, and with 24 tucks I was begining to regret the bold move. Such a beautiful model who might be cat walking without a gown. I felt I was letting myself down and doubting why I should even be there. I just didn't have the experience behind me as I had only been sewing approximately a year at that point. With the judges not holding back - I was out of there it seemed. Standing in that line for what seemed an age, waiting for a response. My heart stopped a beat when I heard I was staying. That non of us would be going. Oh my life, I have a second chance! So armed with a big hug from May and Patrick. Being told to have a little more faith in myself by all contestants and the judges. Taking on board their critical feedback, i'll stop being a 'naana', 'keep it snooty' and its onwards and upwards to episode two. go #teamjenni Now I want to hear from you. What was your favourite garment, task, contestant and best bits? I'm in my local paper!!! Phone interview and photographer to visit the house. Bish Bash Bosh! Next day here I am! Sorry to say that May had changed her name to Mary within a paragraph. But we know who she is- wink!! I especially liked 'Singer in Sewing Bee Challenge'. No pun of course! :) A few other details a miss but I'm still loving the Pun, so I don't mind! Well...it was either going to be 'Singer' or 'Taylor'. Might need to keep that for future use! Thanks to Express and Star though for getting in touch! It was a fun experience! :) Not long now until the first episode of series two - The Great British Sewing Bee goes on Air!
This has got to be the most surreal week of my LIFE! I'm on Adverts, TV Mags, Websites and Social Media and it hasnt gone live yet! ITS GOING TO BE VERY WEIRD! What are we going to expect? Well, im not going to spoil it for you all but I will say that I was surrounded by the most wonderfully creative people, i have ever met! So friendly and caring! It was fantastic to just be in a room with so many people who are just as nutty about sewing as you are. This is the most ultimate sewing course I could have ever gone on! Stressful, Exciting, Intense and an Incredible Opportunity. To have May Martin and Patrick Grant, critique MY work, has got to be the most petrifying yet awesome experience! So before it gets all crazy, I just wanted to get my thoughts down and say 'Kirk, im gonna kill you!' And as its Valentines Day, this is really a message to you! As much as I doubted myself, thank God you did not! Your strength and support has been awesome. I wouldn't be writing this blog now if it wasn't for your faith in me. Thank you for being those gentle hands that always encourage and sometimes give a little push when needed! Always there to pick me up when I fall. Hands that are always open to let me fly! My juggler of priorities and occasional clown, Thank you for being my husband! Love you, Kirk. xxxx Wishing you all a wonderful Valentine's Day!!! Spoil those who you love all year round and not just for today!!! PEACE OUT! Press is out and Here's me trying to keep my game plan under wraps!!! P.s things just got really surreal watching this, and its only 30 seconds worth!!! Aaahhh!only a week to go!!!! http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01s27qh Finally!! I've found a picture of us all!! Can't wait to watch these guys and girls on telly! Some serious talent here. I Didnt get chance to watch them while filming because you are so focused on what you are doing! We are all in for a treat!! http://tellychat.co.uk/the-great-british-sewing-bee-2014-series-2-contestants-lineup-judges-0311/ My secret is out! I'm finally allowed to say that I'm gonna be on the telly! Doing what I love! But not only that I'm doing it on the Great British Sewing Bee! A programme that couldn't wait to watch myself. This is going to be such a strange experience, I still can't quite believe it! So please tune in February 18th BBC2 8pm! I'm gonna sew my butt off! Wish me luck!!! Well here goes! My attempt to set up my first website and first blog ready for publishing! But as you can see I have a little company not making it easy, This is Renton, our four year old Staffordshire Bull Terrier. Kirk (my husband) however is in the kitchen washing up. Little tip there if every you want to get out of doing the washing up, blame it on setting up a website to pursue your dreams! Getting very excited out my upcycle/ recycle workshop scheduled for the 22nd February! So much so, I wore my very own upcycled shirt dress today! Made from six old pin stripe shirts. Gotta practice what you preach! Please feel free to contact me on bespokebytailortaylor@hotmail.co.uk if you are interested in attending! I also have some very exciting news that I cannot wait to share with you all! Sew watch this space!!!!! :) I would love to hear your feed back - so please comment! |
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