Meet the winner of The Great British Sewing Bee - JULIET

We're delighted to bring you this exclusive interview with the winner of The Great British Sewing Bee series 5, Juliet!! We've watched her create gorgeous garments in the pattern challenge, survive some difficult refashions, and produce stunning made to measure pieces including winning the coveted "garment of the week"!

THE GREAT BRITISH SEWING BEE : THE WINNER! Tonight in the final episode of The Great British Sewing Bee, the judges had made their decision, and Juliet, 34 a London primary school teacher emerged triumphant as the winner of this years series.

Congratulations to Juliet! Winner of The Great British Sewing Bee 2019! #SewingBee pic.twitter.com/6ptFoFDuvd— Sewing Bee (@sewingbee) April 2, 2019

Originally from Nigeria, Juliet moved to London in 2006 where she now lives with her husband, Ken and their 5 year old daughter. As well as being a primary school teacher, Juliet has a degree in human nutrition and works as a weight loss consultant.  Juliet made it through eight weeks of tough sewing challenges and 147 garments, and became Britain's Best Amateur Sewer of 2019. Throughout the series 10 talented home sewers [Alexei, Ben, Janet, Jen, Mercedes, Sheila and Tom, together with the other two finalists Leah and Riccardo] created beautiful garments under the scrutiny of judges Esme Young and Patrick Grant, but it was Juliet who won the coveted title. Here she talks about her experience on the show.

How does it feel to be the winner?

I was in total shock and I really couldn't believe it. I was really emotional as I just didn't think it would happen, I had very little confidence in myself, and I didn't ever think that something that big would happen to me ever.

What about your fellow Finalists?

Riccardo is so creative and has great designer ideas, and Leah was so instinctive throughout and always created such great transformation challenges  much better than me. I am more of a follow the pattern sewer, so I felt under great pressure. I really admire them both, they were great finalists, and we all supported each other all the way and to the end.

Did you ever imagine you could get to this stage?

From the very first week listening to how long people had been sewing [and the fact that I had taught myself to sew] I made a plan to get past week 1, but I didn't think I would get to week 2. When I won Garment of the Week in Episode 1 it really boosted my confidence and made me feel that actually I might be ok at this.

What went wrong in the Final and what were the best bits?

The transformation challenge was a total nightmare for me, we had lace curtains and we had to make a wearable garment, and I don't even want to think about it now. Disaster. I really enjoyed making the men's waistcoat and I really enjoyed making my strapless evening gown, that was my highlight, as I really wanted to create a show-stopping evening gown for my cousin, Maxine.

Anyone you want to thank?

I would like to thank my family for supporting me and making me believe in myself, they really did and I will always be grateful for that, and that they have been part of the experience.  Everyone was so happy for me, they were so so supportive and the kindness was completely overwhelming, their congratulations made me feel really warm inside.  Keeping it a secret from friends and family has been a complete torture to keep hush. As the show was airing I wanted to shout it out from the top of my voice, but of course I couldn't talk. My immediate family were the only ones that knew. So it has been hard to keep the best secret of my life to myself!

How did you watch the Final?

For the first three episodes we had mini parties at home, and I did a lot of crying and felt really embarrassed. So for the final I wanted to have just my nearest and dearest with me, and have them altogether at home with me. We had a few tears, but a great evening all round.

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

I started sewing in 2013 and I love it so much because for me, sewing is an escape and my happy place. I also love sewing because of the opportunity it gives me to create the sorts of clothing I love to wear which aren't readily accessible on the high street in my favourite fabrics.

Who was your mentor?

My mentor is Nicky Cook, a pattern cutter, who ran sewing groups locally a few years ago. She even encouraged me to go ahead and apply for the Sewing Bee. I've also been encouraged by my husband whose feedback after seeing every sewing project I've shown him has always been constructive and I'm glad I took his feedback on board in order to improve on my sewing ability.

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

I love sewing occasion wear - I guess I'm a bit of a show off when it comes to the things I sew. Id rather spend time on gorgeous outerwear and occasion garments rather than on clothes like activewear, loungewear, sleepwear or inner wears.

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 Joe a welcome ally?

I wanted to be in the Sewing Bee because I wanted a challenge. I wanted to have a go at different types of sewing challenges that would throw me out of my comfort zone. I really wanted to meet both Patrick and Esme but thank God for Joe, whose overall presence in the sewing room made me feel chilled.

Describe your experience on first walking into the sewing room on this years Sewing Bee, and which challenge were you fearing the most?

First walking into the sewing room was quite daunting because I felt slightly out of place. I was only used to sewing in my little sewing room and had never really sewn in the presence of unfamiliar people. Also, the last episode of the Sewing Bee which I had watched was a total blur! I had forgotten the format of the series as it had been ages since I watched season 4. The entire process was completely daunting in fact!

Do you have a special attachment to a sewing tool?

I love scissors and have tons of them in my stash. I'm not attached to them the way I am attached to my tape measure though. Once, I had mine around my neck and accidentally wore it out to the mall. It was only when I got home that I realised that I did - no wonder I had lots of stares from people.

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

I've had so many sewing disasters but the most annoying and recurrent one which I just cant avoid is sewing along a long seam with no bobbin thread. I'm sure that even the most experienced sewers do it. My biggest triumph was meeting Patrick and Esme and actually have them comment on my sewing. Its a dream come true!

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

My style involves a lot of bright, bold and colourful print and most of the out-going clothes I own, I've made by myself.

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

My sewing tip for amateur sewers is to practise practice practice! There's so much resource out there and the sewing online community is a very supportive one. Seek support and apply whatever tip you learn immediately!

What is the best way to describe the relationship between this years Bees?

We connected in a way that I didn't expect and I can proudly say that I now have 9 friends who love sewing like I do.

What's next for you?

I really don't know, but my ultimate goal is to give something back. I would like to share my sewing knowledge, but I am leaving my options open and lets see what happens. Everybody and anyone should be able to sew, its not age or gender specific, and you don't have to have previous knowledge. So I just want to get people sewing!  I don't have huge self esteem and confidence, but this win has made me believe in myself a bit more. I am thrilled beyond words.  On winning the trophy, Juliet said: Its really surreal, so so unbelievable, I have never won anything ever. I have had to fight for a lot of things and really really work hard and I cant believe it!  I am the youngest winner, and it shows that anyone can sew, it doesn't matter how old you are, or if you have been learning to sew from when you were little, just get out there and have a go!

Juliets inventive ideas and stylish sewing have seen her through to the final! ? #SewingBee pic.twitter.com/68DcpmolR3 Sewing Bee (@sewingbee) 26 March 2019

Congratulations to Juliet for her beautiful, elegant creation. ? #GarmentOfTheWeek. #SewingBee pic.twitter.com/BfYv92sIkN Sewing Bee (@sewingbee) March 12, 2019

Ladies and gentlemen, lets give Juliet a round of applause for our very first #GarmentOfTheWeek! ??? #SewingBee pic.twitter.com/peBbBnCPNc Sewing Bee (@sewingbee) February 12, 2019