Catch up with the 9th person to leave the Sewing Bee!

It’s Semi Final week in the Sewing Room with only four plucky sewists left in the running to be this year’s Great British Sewing Bee winner.

Farie, Raph, Serena and Rebecca are this week challenged to go back in time to the 1940s, celebrating a mix of form-fitting glamour and thrifty upcycling.

First up, the classic Oxford Bag trousers tested the sewists ability to fit waistbands with pleats and grapple oversized pattern pieces and fly zips. Sew your Oxford Bags with our five FREE trouser patterns here. For the Transformation Challenge the final four had to turn old parachutes into glamorous dresses. Everyone turned up the volume and Patrick Grant and Esme Young were extremely impressed with the innovation on offer.

Finally, Made to Measure saw the sewists take inspiration from Dior’s 1940s New Look, celebrating hourglass silhouettes and impeccable tailoring. Learn all about the Dior New Look and how you can give your wardrobe a classic feel here.

For more 1940s style inspiration, check out our interview with La La Land costume designer Mary Zophres.

Serena took home a well-deserved garment of the week but sadly Farie failed to finish her satin gown and didn’t quite make it through to the final round.

We caught up with Farie to find out all about her experience on this year’s Great British Sewing Bee!

How did it feel to be filming this series?
It was daunting at first knowing that the cameras were there however with all the sewing happening I soon forgot about them and focused on the task at hand. There was loads to learn, moments of frustration and 11 of the most talented sewers who I could ask and bounce ideas off.

When did you first start sewing and why do you love it so much?
I started hand sewing in primary school and took on Fashion and Fabrics in High School. It was an obvious choice as my school offered Agriculture as the other choice. I love it so much because I find something relaxing and therapeutic in handling a piece of fabric to create something new and unique. It engages my creativity, problem solving skills and I can work at a pace suitable for me.

Who was your mentor?
I cannot say I had a mentor as such however there are many people who have fed my curiosity along the way. My high school teacher Mrs Matapura probably did the most by laying a strong foundation I have built on.

What is your favourite garment to sew/or your speciality?
Before Covid I would have said one-off occasional pieces are my favourite because they stand out and are unique however they don't contribute to a functional wardrobe. I am transitioning to a more practical way of building my wardrobe but still maintaining that uniqueness that can only be my own.

Joe was fantastic and just as hilarious in person as he is on telly

Why did you want to be a Great British Sewing Bee and who did you want to most impress of the judges?
I wanted to be a Bee to learn from a close community of sewers, expert judges as well as to step out of my box and do something daring. Putting oneself out there is always scary but it allows for growth. Joe was fantastic and just as hilarious in person as he is on telly. He offered me tissues when I found the going a little tough, always offered to choose a button or two and was always willing to step in as a model, a genuine ally.

Describe your experience on first walking into the sewing room on this year’s Sewing Bee, and which challenge were you fearing the most the first week?
That moment stepping into the sewing room was just surreal. I cannot begin to describe it. Was I really there or was it just all a dream. I was fearing the transformation challenge the most as I like to plan beforehand and I wasn't sure that my slow and steady mantra would suit any of the three time-pressured challenges.

What was your best and worst moment that first week?
The transformation challenge was the highlight of the first week for me. The worst moment was literally on the next day as the thought of being the 1st sewer to leave the show left me paralysed with fear.

Initially I had tried staying calm by whispering slow and steady wins the race. My mantra was clearly not working as I realised that I might not finish my made to measure. The weight of all that expectation I had placed on myself to make a perfect garment soon lifted as I realised that as much as this was a competition, I had 11 friends who all wanted me to do my best regardless of who exited first. This was a special moment for me.

Do you have an attachment to a sewing tool, and why is it special to you?
I love my erasable pens to transfer pattern markings which disappear under a hot iron. It's much quicker than tailors tucks,  however I don't recommend my method on special fabric. I always test it on a swatch before marking my actual fabric too.

Which tools should you use to mark your fabric? Read our expert guide here!

In your sewing life: What has been your worst sewing disaster - and your biggest triumph?
My worst sewing disaster was a dress I made for myself. Having sewn with commercial patterns I knew I needed to do a full bust adjustment and went to work slicing and dicing my precious pattern. Satisfied with what I had done I proceeded to sew my dress in my special fabric and it didn't fit. I hadn't understood what I was doing and ended up with an ill fitting bodice. Let's just say that dress never saw the light of day. My biggest triumphs are always my makes for my two daughters. They get so excited about their garments and can't wait to show off and twirl around. This brings me the most joy of all my makes.

Do you make for family and friends as presents?
As someone who sews leisurely I rarely sew for family and friends. I have made a few occasion dresses and bridesmaids dresses for a friend's wedding as we couldn't find anything in the shops that represented her style. For the most part I don't. My cousin has been waiting for a skirt I started making seven years ago. In that time she's gotten married and had a baby. I really should sew a matching piece for her husband and baby when I get round to finishing her skirt.

Describe your style, and how much of your own clothes do you make?
My style is simple lines paired with 'pops' of colour. Exaggerated sleeves are a favourite as well as afro-fusion. I honestly don't make as much as I would like however I'm determined to transition to a more conscious and sustainable wardrobe.

Exaggerated sleeves are a favourite as well as afro-fusion

Can you give a sewing tip for amateur sewers who have been enjoying the show?
My biggest tip is not to be afraid of failure. In that making of a garment (good or bad) you will learn of a better or easier way to do it next time. I also find writing down a timeframe for how long each step will take will allow you to keep focussed and get much more done.

Was it hard to keep a secret that you were going to be on the show?
It hasn't been difficult to keep the secret and we have been in lockdown for the most part so no social outings where it could slip. I also want my family and friends to be surprised when they see me. I have one friend I taught to make a pin cushion who keeps egging me on to apply and I'm looking forward to her reaction when she sees me on telly.

What is the best way to describe the relationship between this year’s Bees?
As this is a special cohort filmed during a difficult time our relationship has evolved from competitors when we first met to a family. The general mood was always of helping each other on and off camera.

What will you take away from your experience of being on The Great British Sewing Bee?
My biggest takeaway is to do those things that scare you and are aligned with your purpose. I was born to sew. I may not be best at everything but I have a talent and I should never underestimate the joy it can bring to others no matter how small or insignificant I may feel it is.

I may not be best at everything but I have a talent

What’s next for you in the sewing world?
I have always wanted to study fashion so maybe a short course would be fun. There's so much to learn especially about fitting a garment which is the essence of a good garment so I might bury myself in pattern drafting. I should really share my makes more online as this could encourage someone to give sewing a go.

What were your best and worst moment for you during the whole series?
Best moment was winning the M2M challenge in week 5. This was the third week in a row and I couldn't believe how far I'd come from my wobbly in week 1. Worst moment has to be the M2M in week 9. My fabric was not heavy enough to carry the design I had envisioned. I think at one point I had already resigned to the fact that I was going home. I was up against three really amazing sewers and was having a bad day in the office. Though it was hard to say goodbye I was grateful to be going back home and getting lots of cuddles from my girls.

How about your favourite challenge overall?
My favourite challenge was surprisingly the transformation which I had dreaded before going on the show. I loved how we could be free to express our creativity and personalities while using old clothes. No two garments were the same and it was a thrill to see all our makes lined up after what can only be described as 90 minutes of chaos. It was absolutely nuts but the buzz at the end confirmed that every sewer was in some way a designer.

No two garments were the same and it was a thrill to see all our makes lined up

Which outfit did you love the most?
I loved Adam's transformation challenges as his draping was so brilliant however Serena's parachute transformation was just something to marvel. It was in a class of it's own. I didn't see that one coming. Of my own makes the Frida Kahlo  [Episode 4] was my favourite. From doing research on Frida's life and work to interpreting it into a style and garment, it was the most challenging yet satisfying piece of work I have done to date.

Say hi to Farie on Instagram and check out her latest makes now at farie_zata