After a nail-biting semi-final, packed with incredible makes - from hand-stitched rainbows to a dress inspired by a mountain - the judges decided that they simply couldn't send anyone home! That means that this year we have four incredible finalists - Man Yee, Annie, Debra and Brogan. But who is going to win? Today, we're finding out what makes these sewists tick and perhaps who might have the edge on their competitors.

What was it like to walk into the sewing room this year?

Man Yee: It was mesmerizing to walk into the sewing room for the first time to find that the setup that I’m so used to seeing on TV was actually right in front of my eyes - it was definitely a pinch me moment! I was fearing the pattern challenge the most because it was the first one of the day and we had no idea what to expect.

Debra: Oh my goodness it was so daunting walking in that first time. To be in such a familiar space as the bees and actually having to create something was exhilarating and incredibly scary. I felt like I needed to pinch myself!! By far the most difficult challenge for me was the Pattern Challenge. I also need time to digest instructions, and of course on the Bee we don’t have much of that.

Brogan: It was such a surreal experience to walk into the sewing room in that first week- I didn’t realise just how big it would be! And the haberdashery was like something from my dreams as there were so many beautiful fabrics to choose from. I was definitely most nervous for the transformation challenge in the first week- I had never done anything like that before and never understood how the contestants managed it in such a short space of time.

Annie: It was completely bizarre when we initially walked in and saw our boards and sewing machines, but to be honest the whole time was out of this world. Seeing something on the television and then being in it is the weirdest thing you could imagine. I was fearing the pattern challenge for sure the most and I was right to be apprehensive! It was so intense. I literally couldn’t wait to make my made to measure designs!

We all know that sewing is full of ups and downs. What have been some of your biggest triumphs and disasters with your craft?

Annie: My worst disasters are projects started that I gave up on prior to Sewing Bee and I have a lot of them! My biggest triumph has to be to get into the Sewing Bee.

Man Yee: Worst sewing disaster was when I blindly followed the instructions to cut along the grainline despite the fact that my fabric stretches in a different direction and ended up with a dress that stretches vertically instead of horizontally across the body…Biggest triumph so far is my self-drafted full length evening dress for a black-tie event. It has a fitted and fully lined bodice made from a turquoise satin with some turquoise lace layered over the top, and a full-length skirt with a thigh split. I had to make it over three evenings which sounds like a lifetime compared to the amount of time we get for the challenges on the show.

Debra: The most recent disaster was making a quilted coat for my friend Dionne. I was ironing the seam and forgot to turn down the heat of the iron…. It went through it! I had to cut about 20cm from the length to cut it out. She still loved the coat but it was a horrible lesson to keep checking the heat on your iron! My biggest triumph is my French style (Chanel) jacket that I made. It took 30 hours of machine and hand sewing to make the garment. I learned so many couture techniques which gave me great joy.

Brogan: My worst sewing disaster has been not reading the lay plan properly and running out of fabric before I have cut out all my pieces because of it. Thank goodness for next day delivery! My biggest sewing triumph has got to be when I’m wearing a garment designed and sewn by myself, and a stranger compliments me on it. It makes me feel really proud to know other people like the clothes I’ve made and they are always really surprised when I tell them it’s not from a shop.

DOWNLOAD YOUR ULTIMATE SEWING BEE COMPANION

Download our FREE magazine, packed with projects and ideas to get you started in sewing.

How would you describe your Sewing Bee experience?

Debra: Taking part in the Sewing Bee has got to go down as one of the most exhilarating (and downright petrifying) things I’ve ever done in my life. It was just wonderful to spend hours designing and sewing. Fellow Bee Angela told me just before our first Made to Measure “Just think of it as us all in our sewing rooms with a few hours of uninterrupted sewing”. It wasn’t quite like that, but it really helped to focus!

Man Yee: It’s not every day that I get to spend all my time and attention on my favourite hobby so I feel very lucky and grateful to be given this opportunity and to meet other likeminded people.

Brogan: It was such an incredible experience to be a part of this year’s series- this is the first time I’ve really put myself and my passion for sewing above everything else in my life, and it felt like a dream come true to get to sew every day.

Annie: Most definitely liberating! It’s something I couldn’t have imagined even attempting before my mum convinced me to apply but I am so glad I did.

One of the most exhilarating (and downright petrifying) things I’ve ever done in my life!

What is the relationship REALLY like between the contestants? You all seem so friendly on the show but it is a competition after all.

Debra: We decided as a group early on that we were going to help each other. That’s been the most wonderful thing. We never felt in competition with one another, we always knew that the judges would find differences in us, so we did our best to move forwards in every challenge. On the whole, this approach worked!

Brogan: Going into the show, I never expected to meet such amazing people. I honestly feel like I have made friends for life in the other bees. From week 1 there was a real team atmosphere and we would all help each other out. It was great to know that if you were struggling, there would always be someone there willing to give you a nudge in the right direction.

Man Yee: We are a family. We all keep in touch with each other and have been meeting up since we’ve finished filming.

Annie: I’d have to say some sort of sewing therapy group – we honestly just wanted us all to get through each task and make it to the end! A little sewing beehive.

And finally...we know that lots of folks are inspired to take up sewing by watching the show. Do you have any top tips for amateur sewists at home?

Brogan: When I first started sewing, I didn’t put as much time into planning my makes, and would often make garments that didn’t fit in well with the rest of my wardrobe. I would advise newbie sewers to take the time to plan their makes carefully so they can get the most wear out of them. There’s no point in spending all that time making something if you’re not in love with the end result.

Man Yee: If you’re installing a zip into stretch fabrics or spandex, make sure to iron on a bit of interfacing to the fabric where the zip will be sewn onto. This stops the fabric from stretching out of shape - a tip from Esme herself! Also, iron the seams as you go and always mark your notches!

Debra: Ooooh I guess the best tip I would give to anyone starting to sew is to press your seams. I cannot emphasise this enough! If I could sneak another in, it would be make sure you measure things twice.

Annie: Remain calm and Read. The. Instructions.

SNEAK PEEK: Sewing Bee Series 8 Grand Finale!

Catch up with the latest Sewing Bee news!