MEET THE SEWIST: Penny Lancaster
Model, photographer and presenter Penny Lancaster, 51, is best known as a Loose Women panelist and for strutting her stuff on Strictly Come Dancing 2007. She was a quarter-finalist in Celebrity MasterChef 2021. After taking part in Channel 4’s Famous and Fighting Crime in 2019, Penny trained to become a Special Constable with City of London Police. She was on duty during the Queen’s funeral. She’s married to rock singer Sir Rod Stewart and they have two sons: Alastair, 17, and Aiden, 11.
How would you describe your sewing ability before taking part in Celebrity Sewing Bee?
I couldn't even sew on a button properly. I’d never really sewn. I remember a sewing class at senior school when I was 11. It was part of the syllabus. You had to know how to do running stitch and backstitch and then it was: ‘Ok, tick. Next, we're going to do pottery.’ I remember enjoying it. It was a pity it didn't continue. If anyone needs an alteration, it goes to Auntie Mary – Rod’s sister – or the local dry cleaner’s. I let the professionals do it. But I’d thrown myself into Celebrity MasterChef and you get the opportunity to learn new skills. So, when Sewing Bee came up, I thought: ‘Well, it can’t be as hard as cooking…’
On Celebrity MasterChef, Sewing Bee judge Patrick was one of your competitors, wasn't he?
That's right! I watched Sewing Bee after that time with him and thought: ‘Oh, it’s a really cool show.’ Especially with sewers that know what they’re doing. It’s incredible, the garments they make.
As a photographer, you know what looks aesthetically pleasing…
Yes, I’m creative. I've got an eye for detail. I just need to learn the skill of sewing. They offered two hours with a sewing expert from the team beforehand. I wouldn’t even have known how to switch on the machine otherwise. I’m sure it was for health and safety reasons… so I didn’t sew my fingers to what I was making.
You got further than Patrick on Celeb MasterChef. Did you feel this might be payback time?
LAUGHS He was actually quite wonderful and applauding all our efforts. I wasn’t nervous. Being a Christmas special, it felt more about having fun and learning a skill as opposed to the intense competition that MasterChef was. I mean, it sounds serious, doesn’t it? Master Chef. The name Sewing Bee sounds light and fluffy. If it had been Spelling Bee I wouldn’t have entered.
The pattern challenge was a festive apron. How was it?
I had fun. I made it with Rod in mind. I thought: ‘I'm not going to go tartan or do red and green, I’m going to design it for Rod and make it more rock ’n’ roll.’ I found a silvery fabric, so it looked frosty and – to add a little Rod – found a leopard print material I used as a fringe.
So, you look forward to Rod wearing that in the kitchen?
Oh, absolutely. Christmas Day, he will be. I sent him a photograph because he’s on tour at the moment in America, but he said: ‘Oh, I love, love, love it!’ He was very excited. That's one of his gifts for Christmas – a stocking filler. The thing I found problematic was the time restraints and the surprise transformation challenge. ‘Create an outfit for X, Y, Z and you have 90 minutes.’ You think: ‘What? Hang on a minute. There's no pattern? Where do I start?’ For me, I realised it's essential to have a pattern.
How was the made-to-measure challenge – a fancy dress outfit inspired by a favourite pop star?
We got chance to think about the idea beforehand, but there was no time to practise. At least I had a pattern to follow. Life is so much easier with instructions, isn't it? I chose Madonna – the image from Desperately Seeking Susan. I drew from my love of her as an entertainer and actress, so I knew I was going to have joy in doing it. As the hours ticked by, I was more and more relaxed. I was thinking: ‘Wow! Look what I’ve done!’
The sense of achievement is unbelievable. I got a bit of a lump in my throat as I was trying it on the model. They said: ‘Penny, how does it feel? You created a jacket…’ and I had to give myself a minute. I’ve actually bought myself a sewing machine. It arrived yesterday. How crazy is that?
You've done crazier things. After Famous and Fighting Crime, you became a Special Constable…
Trust me, I won't be becoming a seamstress! LAUGHS But I have been inspired to do more sewing. I love the store Liberty and they have one floor of fabric. I’ve never visited that floor. Why would I? Now, I’m thinking ‘In the time I don’t have, I could do homemade gifts for Christmas. I could find some tartan and make placemats and napkins and buy some beautiful napkin rings.’ LAUGHS I might only get round to doing one set – another stocking gift for Rod. ‘There you go darling. Handmade apron and napkins.’
As a model, had you learned anything that helped?
Well, as a model, you just have to show off the clothes to their best. You’re not really thinking about how they’re produced. I went to the London College of Fashion when I left school. I didn't do the fashion course, it was a modelling course because my careers teacher said, ‘You could be a model.’ It was a one-year course, so I thought it was like having a gap year before you decide what to do. Why not? Straight off the back of that, I was in an agency and the rest is history. I had a modelling career in front of me. But, on the course, when we did the end of year show, we got to work with one of the designers on the design course. The mission was for them to tailor-make an outfit we would wear in the end of the show. So, during that time, when I was 16, I did step foot in the cutting room. When you talk to people that know what they're doing, you’re like, ‘Sorry what? What does that mean? Explain in layman's terms…’ It's like another language. It’s fascinating and a useful skill to have. When the boys grow and they need their trousers hemmed, I’ll be able to do it myself now, leaving the trickier jobs for Auntie Mary, who’s 95. She has a machine at home, but she can use mine when she’s over.
Does she know you've done the show?
I did whisper to her: ‘Guess what Mary…’ She’s very excited. I spoke about her on the show and said: ‘I hope I've made Auntie Mary proud.’ But you know what? I actually made myself proud.
Tell me about your sewing rivals: Natalie, Rosie and Johannes…
We worked so well together, the four of us. There was a lot of fun. We encouraged each other and there didn't feel like a terribly competitive edge. We wanted each other to do well, although Johannes probably was the most competitive. He’d bought himself a sewing machine to practise. I thought, ‘There you go. A true professional…’ because, of course, on Strictly it's a competition all the time. You're competing to maintain your position as a professional on the show and to get that glitterball. He's got that competitive streak.
You made it to week six on Strictly. How did Sewing Bee compare?
The most stressful was Strictly because it's live. You just get that single moment and know everyone's eyes are on you and it’s absolutely terrifying. All the training in the week is fine, but that live show… oh my word, there’s nothing more daunting. What an experience, though. I wouldn't have changed it for the world. You’re surrounded by experts. Most people would pay to go on a course to learn these things and I’m lucky to be given the opportunity to be a part of incredible shows, work with amazing people and learn a skill.
Which judge scared you most: Esme or Patrick?
Esme, I guess. She’s an absolute sweetheart. She's at the top of her game and very old school. She’d just give you this look and raise her eyebrows and you’d be like ‘What? What have I done wrong?’ It was like the headmistress coming around. Patrick was like your form teacher. He’d give a few tips and a wink and a nod and point you in the right direction. With Esme, it was like: ‘Stand to attention, headmistress is coming…’
Was host Sara Pascoe a help or a hindrance?
There were times where I thought, ‘This is not a good time….’ but – because of her humour – if you were feeling quite tense, she did take your mind off it and relax you. She’d lighten the mood.
If you were an item of clothing, what would you be?
A supportive bra… the foundation to an outfit. If I see someone wearing an ill-fitting bra, I want to yank up their straps. You're thinking: ‘That outfit would look so much better if your boobs were in the right position.’
Do you have a favourite festive outfit?
It just has to be sparkle. It doesn't matter whether you're shopping during the day or out to a swanky restaurant, you can throw on the sparkle and no one's gonna say: ‘Where’s she going?’ I like a sequin.
Have you got a New Year's resolution?
No, I don’t do those because I never rise to the occasion. I try to set goals little and often throughout the year. I don't like the pressure of it having to be done now or else. I like a challenge, I’m just not very good at self-motivating. I need my trainer in the gym saying: ‘Penny, do those press ups, do this, do that.’ By myself? No. I’d rather have a cup of tea and a biscuit. I’m planning to do some sewing, though. I don't want the skills I've learned to go to waste. As basic as they are, I could be helpful. Maybe I’ll make a kilt.