Stash Chats – Sewing Bee Extravaganza

We really enjoyed celelbrating Stash Hub’s first bithday throughout November! In addition to the Birthday Discounts (some of which are still valid, so make sure you check them out!), I hosted the Stash Chats Sewing Bee Extravaganza! I spoke to five different Sewing Bee alumni thoughout the week and found out about their sewing stories, stashes and experiences on the Bee.

Monday – Vicki @whatvickimade

It was lovely to hear about Vicki’s Stash, I’m also a big fan of a bold print (I’m pretty sure we own some of the same fabrics!). Colour analysis seems to be all the rage right now and I’m loving the bright palette from Vicki’s ‘warm spring’ results. Vicki was expecting to come out as more autumnal tones so I’m interested to see how how these colour analysis results impact Vicki’s handmade wardrobe going forwards.

Vicki’s first ever sewing project was attempting a wedding dress for herself! I say ‘attempted’ because it didn’t go to plan, but I’m massively impressed that she even attempted it!

I asked Vicki whether she had kept everything she made whilst on the Sewing Bee. She said she’s kept most of it but the Bermuda Triangle Jumpsuit made out of windbreakers went in the bin. I was sad to hear that this hilarious creation is no more but it will always bring us funny memories! Vicki has also framed a section of the painted canvas transormation challenge, so she can keep a memento of Art Week and free up a little more space in her house.

Tueday – Lauren @madebylaurentedstone

Lauren was a fellow series 9 Sewing Bee contestant, alongside Vicki and Matthew. I asked what her favourite challenge was and she said the Transformation Challenge, where contestants are given non-fabric material (such as cleaning products or parachutes) and have to create a garment in only 90 minutes. Lauren said she loved the creativity of the challenge, as it was an opportunity to try something you’d never get to make otherwise. In fact, all the Bees I asked said that the Transformation Challenge was their unexpected favourite.

Lauren has incredible personal style, favouring high quality plain fabric over prints. I asked Lauren where she likes to buy plain fabrics, and she said New Craft House and Sew Me Sunshine (which is run by past Stash Chats guest, Harriet). Even though she doesn’t like to wear it herself, she does love a ditsy Liberty print, and used some to make her ‘Sunday Best’ dress for Children’s Week. Unfortunately, her daughter has grown too much to fit into the dress Lauren made for the show, so she’s thinking of making another version her daughter can wear.

During the chat, Lauren was wearing her New Craft House Everyday Waistcoat. The waistcoar is reversible and I love how she quilted along the wiggly lines of the Bargello Edit fabric, creating a fun texture on the plain side.

Wednesday – Lawratu @seamesew

When we talked about Lawratu’s stash, she said she has accumulated way too many patterns. Her solution to this is to go fully digital. She’s now adjusting her PDF patterns on her tablet and using a projector to cut out projects, so the process is fully paperless!

Lawratu has got really into bra making over the last couple of years, to the extent that she’s just opened her own shop! Seamesew Supplies sells everything you need for lingerie making, from beautiful laces to all the notions required. You can build your own bra making kits, so you can stock up on exactly what the pattern calls for. Lawratu recommended Lilypa Designs for bra patterns plus loads of helpful resources for those getting started with lingerie making. I got the Epervier Bralette pattern by Hari Ito Lingerie in a Haystack Pack, so I’m hoping to embark on my first bra project soon!

Thursday – Jen @jenerates

After competing in Series 5 of the Sewing Bee in 2019, Jen has gone on to become the sewing community’s favourite inventor! Jen has designed all the Jenerates tools based on her own frustrations during the sewing process. The Jenerates Seam Circles are a game changer for adding seam allowance to patterns. Definitely worth checking out Jenerates if you still need some ideas for your Christmas list!

When I asked Jen about her stash she said she’s actively decided tostop feeling guilty about it and see it as a source of inspiration! Jen uses lots of second hand fabric and surplus from a local cashmere factory. She told us a wonderful story about attending a party at a vintage shop and wearing an outfit made from fabric the shop owner joyfully recognised as once being part of her mother’s personal stash.

Friday – Matthew @hessewmatthew

Since the Sewing Bee earlier this year, Matthew has been busy working on loads of fabulous projects. Inclusivity is at the core of Matthew’s work, and he is currently developing a series of gender inclusive sewing patterns. Matthew is really inspired by musicals, so has set himself a personal challenge of working on a different musical-themed project each month. The last one was a cosy playsuit inspired by the Bad Idea Bears of Avenue Q.

Upcyclying is a big part of Matthew’s sewing process, so he really enjoyed the challenge of the ‘Reduce, Reuse, Recycle’ theme of the We Sew Too runway at the Knitting and Stitching Show in London this autumn. Matthew used around 30 pairs of second hand jeans to create the most wonderful coat – a worthy winner indeed!

Matthew is also working on a children’s book and has just started work on the illustrations. Matthew works with kids for his day job and wants to help promote kindness and acceptance and hopes his work will stop young people from feeling othered. Really excited to see all of Matthew’s plans come to fruition, I’m sure next year will be incredibly exciting.

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Next week we’re back to the usual schedule of only one Stash Chat, but it’s going to be double trouble with both Clair and Charlotte from Emporia Patterns! Clair designs sewing patterns for Emporia and they also sell fabric, so you can get stocked up for a whole project. I have met Clair and Charlotte in person at the sewing shows and they are both great fun so I’m sure it will be an entertaining chat.

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