MEET THE SEWIST: Natalie Cassidy
Actress Natalie Cassidy, 39, is best known as Sonia Fowler in EastEnders – a role she’s played on and off since 1993. She’s also appeared in The Catherine Tate Show, Psychoville and Motherland. On stage, she’s starred in Alan Ayckbourn’s Bedroom Farce, Anton Chekhov’s The Cherry Orchard and Eve Ensler’s The Vagina Monologues. Natalie came fifth in Strictly Come Dancing in 2009. She lives in Hertforshire with her daughters Eliza, 12, and Joanie, six, and her fiancé Marc Humphreys.
Were you a fan of Sewing Bee?
Yeah, I'm a fan of all of those feel-good shows starting with Bake Off and MasterChef. I just like people learning something new or giving it a go. They're very watchable and have such characters – you end up really falling in love as you watch your favourites’ stories unfold.
How would you describe your sewing ability?
I haven't done much at all. I'm left-handed and was always told: ‘You can’t do this, you can’t do that…’ But, once I was asked to do the show, I thought: ‘I'm going to have a go.’ I really enjoyed it and picked it up quite well. Don't get me wrong, I won't be making myself a dress anytime soon. But when it comes to sewing labels in my daughters’ things or sewing on a button, I can do that now. I have increased confidence.
What did your daughters think of you doing Sewing Bee?
Eliza has watched the show before and was very proud. It's always nice for mummy to do something new. Her nan bought her a sewing machine, but she’s barely picked it up yet. It’s like all those things in life you get. I've got a box with cross stitch stuff I started and a bag with wool, knitting needles and half a scarf. When you've got a young family, a full-time job, a home to keep and a fiancé to have fun with, it's hard to find time. I'll be very busy in retirement, I'm sure. I’ll be finishing all these things.
Are you quite crafty then?
I loved design and technology at school. And, when the girls want to do crafting, I've always sat with them and painted, made Play-Doh models or art from Hama Beads or Aquabeads. We’re an old-fashioned family. I pride myself on playing board games, doing puzzles and making things. Eliza loves to watch telly and chill out, which is understandable, but my children don't watch YouTube and never aimlessly scroll. Eliza doesn’t own a mobile phone. I keep it simple. Their minds don't need it all.
Were you nervous?
Not at all… just because it's a Christmas special. Christmas is my favourite time. I love it. I'm putting Christmas music on from… well, after fireworks night, it's Christmas for me.
How was the festive apron pattern challenge?
They eased us in gently. I saw the apron and thought: ‘OK, we're cutting out a shape, tidying the edges and sewing on a pocket and straps, I can do this.’ The trouble is choosing the right material. The haberdashery is so wonderful with everything in there, I could have spent hours and the time was going.
What about the transformation challenge?
It was hilarious. I got a bit of a bum deal because there were four sacks of clothes under the tree to upcycle into something else. It was my fault – I picked the poo-y brown bag when there was green, red and white. I really enjoyed it, but it wasn't my best work.
How was the made-to-measure?
I kept thinking, ‘A day ago, I couldn’t sew on a button. Now, I'm trying to make a parka.’ I wanted to do a jazzy parka in the style of Liam Gallagher – my idol growing up. Four hours really does feel like 10 minutes. It’s unbelievable how quickly time goes because you’re concentrating so much. It’s quite meditative. It’d be even more meditative, if there wasn't a clock ticking. The sense of achievement when you finish is enormous. And when somebody's wearing it down a catwalk, you think: ‘I made that!’
Tell us about your sewing rivals…
Oh, it was a lovely bunch. You had lovely Rosie, wonderful Penny and Johannes, who’s an absolute perfectionist in everything he does and a really warm and kind human being. We laughed a lot.
Did you have a spin around the sewing room with Johannes?
I did. I said, ‘Come on, let’s do a Viennese Waltz.’ I was a bit rusty, but I feel proud I can say I've been whizzed around the sewing room floor. I'm a big fan of his after last year on Strictly with John Whaite.
Which judge scared you most: Esme or Patrick?
Oh, they’re not scary, are they? They're lovely. Esme says it how it is – she’s strict – but I ironed out my seams well and she was pretty impressed. Patrick was impressed with the lining of my coat. And being the Christmas special, we had a fantastic moment at the end where we had a dance. Patrick was dressed as Cher and Esme was Sonny with a moustache. It was absolutely fantastic. Sara Pascoe was dressed as Freddie Mercury. It was all very bizarre. I thought ‘This is a bit like, I would imagine, an acid trip in the 1960s.’
Was Sara a help or hinderance?
I just loved the conversation with Sara – her wit is very dry. We did have fun, but there were points where I said: ‘Right, I’ve got to stop talking. I’ve got lots to do.’
How does this compare to other stressful things you've done?
It was one of my favourite jobs. We're very lucky. As people off the telly, we get to do this sort of celebrity special and have a go. It's a privilege to be in a room with people as talented as Esme and Patrick and learn.
So, if they’re short-staffed in the EastEnders wardrobe department, you can give them a hand now?
Yeah, I could, couldn’t I? I could hem a few trousers legs. I can certainly sew on a few buttons. I did think I could buy myself one of the sewing machines we used. I'd love to make everyone an apron for Christmas. Wouldn’t it be lovely? Whether I’ll buy one, whether I’ll get time, I don't know, but I did enjoy it.
Any crafters at EastEnders?
The main person who loves her crafting is Kellie Bright, who plays Linda Carter. You always see her with a bag of knitting or something. She should definitely be on Sewing Bee. She'd be a great.
What lessons have you learned from doing the show?
Always try your hand at something. Even if you think you’ll be rubbish, you just need a little patience, a little time. Pick sensible fabrics that are easy to sew; I'm not going to be using anything woolly anytime soon. That was an absolute nightmare. You get a greater appreciation for how things are made, too.
What did you love most?
Oh, meeting the people… and the sewing room itself. It is like Aladdin's cave in there.
And the worst bit?
Sewing circles. It was hard to not get it ruffled. There was lots of cursing under my breath. You may even see some. There might be a few beeps. I’m hoping to bring you some laughter over Christmas, that's for sure.
If you were an item of clothing, what would you be?
A sparkly jumpsuit. It can be glam, but it's also very practical.
Do you have a favourite festive outfit?
I always wear a sparkly glitter hairband and usually a glittery jumper. From the middle of November, I'm donning the sparkles. In my wardrobe, there’s sequins, black velvet, reindeer jumpers that play music…
What are your festive traditions?
Well, one of them was to watch the Queen's Speech. It’s going to be extremely sad this year. We're all about a very large roast dinner, board games, crackers, charades and always a Buck’s Fizz first thing in the morning. It’s the only day of the year where you can get up and have an alcoholic beverage, I’d say. It's all about the family being together. I like the run-up to Christmas, more than Christmas itself. That’s the magical time.
Will you make any New Year's resolutions?
I don't think I will. I’m pretty pleased with everything I'm doing. Maybe I’ll do some sewing with Eliza.