Great British Sewing Bee 2023: Winner Interview

Why did you want to be a Great British Sewing Bee and who did you want to most impress of the Judges, or both? And when the sewing got tough, was Sara a welcome ally?
I have always been a huge fan of the Sewing Bee and have watched it religiously over the last 8 years. Being an actual Bee was a dream come true. What really pushed me in the end to apply were the comments I had from friends at work who kept saying ‘you should go on the sewing bee’!

I really wanted to impress both Patrick and Esme with my makes equally. There were times when the going got tough and Sara was the perfect person to make us laugh, relax and encourage us to keep going.

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 - Pattern challenge; transformation challenge, or Made to Measure challenge?
I have faced many challenges in my life but I can honestly say that first morning of filming was probably the most nervous I had ever been. I was ready to get back in my car and drive home!

I’m so glad I didn’t! Clutching my sewing box nervously and walking into that sewing room for the first time was the most surreal experience. I wanted to keep pinching myself to make sure it was real and when Sara and the Judges walked in for the first time, I kept thinking I can’t believe this is real. For me the transformation challenge was the main one I feared mainly because I wasn’t sure I would be able to channel my creativity in such a short period of time.

How does it feel to be the winner?
Watching it tonight brought back all the memories and it was as if I was reliving the moment in the Sewing Room hearing my name announced. It feels unreal, exciting and wonderful, and very emotional. I couldn’t really remember what happened at the time, but I remember I froze when they called my name out. I could hear people in the background but it was a fuzzy memory, and I do remember hugging Esme!

Have you made Wales proud?
I have always counted myself as adopted Welsh, my children were born in Wales and I have lived most of my life in Wales so I do feel a sense of home and belonging. I really hope I have made them proud, because I am proud of Wales.

Your Garment of the Week in Episode 8 was the red-hot smoking jacket – will you keep that?
The model who wore it said he loved it and would love it for one of his portfolio shoots; I am going to send that to him, so that has already found a home. And the Breakfast at Tiffany’s dress for the pattern challenge, I would definitely wear for a special occasion!

It took until Episode 7 for you to win Garment of the Week – Patrick said you had always been the bridesmaid but never the bride until that stage
That was a very good and fair comment and pretty much summed up everything. I knew that I was always trying to do far too much and never quite made the mark. I never felt at any point that I should have won Garment of the Week before that, but Episode 7 was a turning point for me.

Winning Garment of the week three times in a row, for 7, 8 and 9, did you get a glimmer that you might be in the running to be Great British Sewing Bee winner for 2023?
When I won three weeks running, I couldn’t quite believe it, but I didn’t take it as a guarantee that I would win as it was still there for any of the finalists to win. I never took it for granted that I would win the final.

What about your fellow finalists – Mia and Tony R?
Mia and Tony R are and have always been amazing, we supported each other, particularly during the final. There was lots of talking between us about the challenges and helping each other. We are very different as people but have such a common passion for sewing, it was a wonderful journey to share.

Was the final scary at time for you and what were your best bits?
I went into the Final with a lot of nerves and I felt them through the pattern challenge and then my nerves peaked at the transformation challenge. I stopped at one stage, took a deep breath and carried on. What kept me grounded in the final was having my friend Pritti there with me as a model.

How tense was the atmosphere at the final?
The atmosphere was more tense in the first day of the final, by the second day the nerves were still there but I think that was because it was our final challenge. It was that sense of knowing it would be our last ever challenge ever together, and as we were nearing the end, strangely it did become quite calm.

What is the best way to describe the relationship between this year’s Bees?
Family is the first thing that comes to mind when describing this year’s group of Bees.

Best and worst moment overall for you during the series, can be during filming or away from the set with the other Bees?
Best moment was the final made to measure and the reveal of the second dress. I have no idea how I pulled that one off. I had spent a lot of time planning it and practicing it but there was no guarantee that it would work on the day. I was so pleased that it came out so well. My worst moment was during children’s week when Fauve left the Bee!

Overall favourite challenge and least liked challenge?
Overall favourite challenge was making the Audrey Hepburn inspired pattern challenge in Fashion Icons week. Least liked was the Made to Measure challenge in Reduce Reuse Recyle Week using crocheted blankets!

Would you encourage other amateur sewers out there to have a go on the series and why?
I would encourage other amateur sewers to go for it! It is a once in a lifetime experience that surpasses all expectations.

Anyone you want to thank?
My husband for all his support and looking after the children when I was away and my mum for all her help, support and advice. My manager at work and my team were incredibly supportive and helped to sort out all my leave so I could go on the show.

How did you watch the series and the final?
I watched the series with the family and then the final was a wonderful family affair, we had a great night.

Not giving the day job up yet?
I love my job I have an incredibly fulfilling job with a mindful hobby so it is great to have the two in my life, and after a busy day at work I do like to unwind with my sewing. I still make clothes for my kids but they are growing up now, so it’s only when they allow me. They were all so proud when I won and my youngest still hasn’t quite grasped it!

We noticed your love of heels on the show.
Red soled heels have been my shoes for work since I became a consultant. I got my first pair then, and then for birthdays - they are my luxury to myself. And in theatre, I wear my pink crocs with butterflies on.

What has it been like at work and getting recognised?
Work have been absolutely amazing and incredibly supportive. They have been watching it avidly and I have been recognised a few times which is a bit strange but nice. My patients have all been watching it too, so that’s been lovely. One lady who I treated last year sent me a gift – her husband does woodwork and he made me my own unpicker. I thought that was amazing, incredibly sweet and thoughtful.

Next for you in the sewing world as far as you know?
I would love to make sewing more than a hobby in my life but will have to wait and see where this wild ride takes me. I would really like to create a range of bras for mastectomy patients and I am working on ideas for that now.

What will you take away from your experience of being on The Great British Sewing Bee?
I will take away a lifetime of friends that I wouldn’t have met without the Bee. My eyes were opened to a whole new world that I didn’t know existed beyond the NHS and hope to be a part of in the future.

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