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This week, the eight remaining home sewers return to the nation’s most famous sewing room for children’s week. The garments may be tiny, but their fiddliness makes them a mammoth challenge to sew!

Patrick Grant and Esme Young kicked things off with the Pattern Challenge, asking the sewists to make a toddler's romper suit, including tricky techniques like crossover straps and those fiddly snap fastenings!

The Transformation Challenge encouraged the contestants to get creative and turn adult wetsuits into fun fancy dress options for little ones.

And, finally, the Sewing Bee welcomes mini-models for the Made to Measure challenge, as they each made a child’s raincoat. The jackets had to be fully waterproof, fitted well and also comfortable enough for kids to move in - especially when it comes to jumping in puddles!

Sadly, Adam failed to impress the judges this week and was the fifth Sewing Bee to leave the Sewing Room. We caught up with Adam to discover all about his sewing and his highs and lows of this year's series!

Was it liberating to be filming this series?

It was really special to appear on this series of the Sewing Bee, and in many ways I felt very lucky. In a time where the world was standing still, I had the opportunity and time to develop one of my biggest passions. I’m very humble about my sewing work, so just to get on the show was a major achievement. Sewing definitely got me through the lockdown, initially just by keeping busy and sewing scrubs for the NHS. This led to me applying and getting on the show. I know it was very different perhaps from how things normally would be done, but it made it a unique experience and one that I will definitely not forget.

When did you first start sewing and why do you love it so much?

I started sewing as at a young age with my Nan when I used to stay there at the weekends! In fact she taught me to knit before I could sew. It was a creative way to keep us entertained. I remember I’d make a Halloween costume out of an old pair of curtains, rummage around in her button tin, and be fascinated by costumes from the musicals! I particularly loved the costumes from ‘My Fair Lady’, ‘The King & I’, and you could say I had the bug for sewing when Julie Andrews gave me the idea of sewing up old curtains! I’m told my grandad was very good at needlework too, especially embroidery whilst recovering in hospital from the war. It wasn’t until I got to secondary school that I actually bought my first sewing machine, and on my wish list for that Christmas at 14 years of age was an overlocker! My Mum hadn’t got a clue what one was, but she supported me and sure enough I was lucky enough to get one. It was from that point I really got intrigued! I love sewing because it allows me to express my creativity. I love the process of animating a piece of fabric through design and stitches!

Who was your mentor?

My mentor for sewing really is my teacher from school, Heena. She’s been fabulous during lockdown and really encouraged me. It started by me getting in contact to help her makes Scrubs for the NHS. We made a fair few to say the least, and it really felt like we were doing our bit, and actively doing something to help. I wouldn’t normally have the chance to sew so much, as I’d be ordinarily working away on cruise ships [that’s my job]. Heena saw that applications were open for The Great British Sewing Bee, and she encouraged me to apply. I remember sending the online application just one hour before the closing deadline, and messaging Heena saying...’right, I’ve done it, probably won’t hear anything now, how many more scrubs do we have left to sew?’. Well, you can imagine I was flabbergasted the next day when I got a call from the production.

What is your favourite garment to sew/or your speciality?

I’ve always loved making dresses, mainly evening dresses, but there’s not much call for people wearing them, especially at the moment. Being from a theatrical background, I’ve always loved the musicals so am very much influenced by them. I particularly love draping fabric on a mannequin to see what effects you can get, I’m definitely more of a creative sewer than a mathematical one.

Why did you want to be a Great British Sewing Bee and who did you want to most impress of the judges?

Like many amateur sewers, I’ve always enjoyed the show, and it was always a dream to go on it! The time factor and working under pressure is always the part that puts many people off I think, but that is the challenge! I plucked up the courage, put the application in an hour before the deadline, and in times where the world is a bit topsy turvy at the moment, I thought ‘what have I got to lose?’ I wanted, of course, to impress the judges and prove that I deserved to be there. I think predominantly I wanted to show both Patrick and Esme my creative flair, and had told myself, any constructive criticism I get, take it and use it - after all it’s not every day you get your work judged by two top people in the sewing world! It really was a huge learning curve for me. Aside from the judges, I learnt a lot from my fellow Bees.  A huge reason I wanted to do the show was the fact that historically, everyone helps each other out - it’s a nice competition - and it was no different this year. I learnt so much from the other Bees individual sewing experience, and felt very privileged to be among such talented sewers! Joe was a real comfort and his banter really got me through some of the challenges! He was always on hand to help, and as we know from previous series, there were times when he was more helpful than others ha ha!

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?

Walking into the sewing room for the first time made everything very real! It was so exciting to have my very own dedicated workstation and equipment (at home I usually just set up my sewing machine anywhere I can!). There was so much space to work in and I really felt at that moment a sense of ‘wow, this is really happening!’. I think the challenge I was most apprehensive about was the pattern challenge. It’s the ‘fear of the unknown’, and it being the first ever thing you sew on the show, wanting to make a good first impression!

What was your best and worst moment that first week?

My best moment in that first week would have to be the transformation challenge. I realised I’m not too bad at chucking stuff on a mannequin and turning it into something else...in fact, if Cinderella’s Fairy Godmother ever wants a holiday, I’d be quite happy turning rags into ball gowns! The worst moment for me in the first week was cutting my finger on my rotary cutter. I think it was a combination of excitement and nerves, and a ‘sharp’ reminder to always be careful with your sewing tools!

How did you try and stay calm when things were going badly wrong or you ran out of time in the first week?

I just told myself no matter what, to keep going and finish. I think having a finished garment was the key for me, and telling myself to just breathe and do my best.

Do you have an attachment to a sewing tool, and why is it special to you?

Before going on the show, Heena had given me a lovely unpicker with a wooden handle as a ‘good luck’ gift. She did tell me ‘now I don’t expect you to have to use it’. Needless to say there were many times I had to use my trusty unpicker - after all, we’re all human and all make mistakes!

In your sewing life: What has been your worst sewing disaster - and your biggest triumph?

I think my biggest triumph in my sewing life would have to be some of the dresses I’ve made, particularly a blue evening gown I created that was inspired by a dress by Orry-Kelly from the musical Gypsy. It’s figure hugging with a huge fishtail, exaggerated with tulle and pleated details. I was proud of this because I drafted my own pattern, which I often like to do from draping. My worst sewing disaster probably was one that happened on the show - so watch this space!

Do you make for family and friends as presents?

I’ve never really made for family and friends when it comes to sewing, but when it comes to knitting I’ve done my fair share for my nephew who is now 2. I knitted a set for him when he was first born, and knit for him at birthdays and Christmas. I love seeing pictures of him in the stuff I’ve made, I get a real sense of pride.

Describe your style, and how much of your own clothes do you make?

I love period style and vintage makes, particularly if they relate to musicals! I love designers such as Edith Head and Orry Kelly, and in more recent times Vivienne Westwood. I’d say predominantly my style is quite ‘classic’. I also love anything that’s blue or navy, and particularly am drawn to fabrics that have a nautical theme or influence - it must be my cruise ship background! It’s only recently that I started making things for myself, and I’ve enjoyed tackling a pair of jeans - a wardrobe staple that is quite a challenge but very doable!

Can you give a sewing tip for amateur sewers who have been enjoying the show?

I have a few...here’s my top three... Pinning is Winning! - Always take the time to pin your seams and match your notches! This was something I didn’t always manage under time pressure, but it’s so important to ensure a great finish. Press and Press on! - Always press your seams as you go! This is known as ‘under pressing’ and will give a much more professional end result! Prevent a glitch and understitch! - take the time to understitch any pockets, necklines or anywhere that has an opening or a lining! This will make the garment ‘sit’ right and also prevent any lining from showing.

Was it hard to keep a secret that you were going to be on the show?

It’s been so hard to keep my appearance on the show a secret - I’ve got many friends and family that were asking me what I was up to at a time they knew I wasn’t cruising - and I just had to tell them I was busy sewing scrubs to keep me busy. That was true to an extent, but they’ll have a surprise when they see me on the telly!

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What is the best way to describe the relationship between this year’s Bees?

It was just fantastic! Everyone was so talented, and everyone had something different to offer. Although it is a competition, no one wants to see anybody go, so everyone helps each other out. It was so nice to be in an environment where you are amongst like minded people who share your passion for sewing.

What will you take away from your experience of being on The Great British Sewing Bee?

There are many things I will take away from my experience on The Great British Sewing Bee, least to mention all the knowledge and techniques I learnt from the judges critiques, but I think the best thing I will take away is the friends I made - it’s so nice to keep in touch with all the sewers in the show and share our ideas and makes, even if it is virtually, for now.

What’s next for you in the sewing world?

I’m really excited for what the future might hold. Being in lockdown 3.0 I have been sewing more scrubs, face masks and just enjoying being creative and making things. I’d love to create a whole range of nautical themed clothing - I definitely want to try sewing things that I’ve never sewn before - and more recently I’ve acquired a knitting machine - so I’ve been busy making baby sets for friends and family and hand knitting the accessories!

Best and worst moment for you during the whole series?

I think my highlights were the transformation challenges, they really allowed me to develop my creative flair, and I was over the moon when Esme compared the style of one of my pieces to Vivienne Westwood - huge compliment! My worst moment was dealing with snap fastenings - they’re just not my friend and I’ve never been any good with the more ‘manly’ tools! It was the downfall of my child’s raincoat, but I just had to laugh my way through it with Joe - he tried to help me and in doing so, managed to attach the snap fastening tool to the coat itself! It was a laugh or cry moment, and I chose to laugh because life’s too short!

Favourite challenge overall and why?

My favourite challenges were the transformation challenges! I particularly enjoyed turning a men’s jacket/blazer into a dress. I turned it back to front on the mannequin and added some darts and details. Joe and I affectionately named the finished garment ‘the backet’. Might be able to set a bit of a trend with this one, and if it takes off, Joe’s got his hand in with a bit of commission!

Outfit you loved the most….

I loved my summer dress - navy and white polka dots with red buttons - for me it gave a sense of my love for classic and vintage style, and the colour palette was one I loved working with. I really enjoyed the made to measure challenges - I never get the chance to fit to a model normally, and my model Linda was just amazing to work with!

We wish Adam all the best with his future sewing! To catch up with his latest makes, you can check him out on Instagram at adamjamesbrooks_

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