Sewing Bee Chichi's Stitching Secrets
Was it liberating to be filming this series?
It was nice to be in a room full of other people all there for the same thing. Sewing is quite a lonely hobby at times.
When did you first start sewing and why do you love it so much?
I started sewing at a young age, my great Aunt Josephine taught me how to sew at a young age, and I always enjoyed textiles lessons at school. The ability to make clothes from start to finish is really fun and allows me to be really creative.
Do you have a mentor that encouraged you to get into sewing?
My great Aunt Josephine before she passed, would call regularly, and she would always be so excited to see what I was working on. She was always the first person I would show any of my new clothes and projects to.
What is your favourite garment to sew/or your speciality?
I love to take my time sewing occasion wear as I will use any excuse to dress up. I prefer working with stretch fabrics as most things I like to wear are stretch items. I also love to rework and change clothes that I find in vintage markets and charity shops to fit me/suit my style.
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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 Sara a welcome ally?
I’ve always enjoyed the show and after encouragement from colleagues and friends I thought why not? Sara was a lovely and a very funny presenter to have in the sewing room. I also wanted to to learn something from both the judges’ sewing knowledge.
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 - Pattern challenge; transformation challenge, or Made to Measure challenge?
The haberdashery was a lot smaller than I expected and the sewers’ tables were very far apart so it was not what I’d envisioned at all. I was most apprehensive about the pattern challenge.
What was your best and worst moment that first week?
I’d say the first pattern challenge was both my best and worst moment of the first week. I
made a lot of mistakes, but I still managed to finish and was happy with the final garment.
How did you try and stay calm when things were going badly wrong or you ran out of time in the first week?
I stuck with my plan of action and kept pushing forward when something went wrong because to be honest there was nothing else to do but continue.
Do you have an attachment to a sewing tool, and why is it special to you?
I love my French curve. The tool itself isn’t very fancy but it makes pattern drafting so much easier than free hand drawing.
In your sewing life: What has been your worst sewing disaster - and your biggest triumph?
My worst sewing disaster – amongst the many – would be my first attempt at a pair of trousers. The pockets were virtually non-existent, the seams did not match up and worst of all it was way too small. After 2 years they sat in my very large pile of ‘nearly finished’ projects. I have since fixed them, but I will forever be reminded of how upset I was.
My biggest sewing triumph would be my self-drafted sequin jumpsuit I made in 2 days for a work Christmas party. It was only my second time working with sequins and boning but I was happy with the fit and had a great night too.
Do you make for family and friends as presents? And most asked for garment?
I’m a very selfish sewer and don’t often make things for others. But I think I’ll be more inclined to try things out of my comfort zone at my own pace now.
I’ve learnt a lot from the mistakes I have made along the way.
Describe your style, and how much of your own clothes do you make?
Since September 2019 I have decided to not buy new clothes so if I don’t buy items from vintage markets/charity shops/hand me downs I will try to make it myself. I would say my style is a combination of functional, edgy and a little bit sexy.
Can you give a sewing tip for amateur sewers who have been enjoying the show?
Salvage any project that you think has failed. I have had many projects sat discarded that I have revisited years later and with a little more patience and creativity they become wearable. I’ve learnt a lot from the mistakes I have made along the way.
Was it hard to keep a secret that you were going to be on the show?
During the application process it was very easy as I didn’t think I was going to be selected. I wasn’t even going to tell those close to me if they hadn’t been listed as my next of kin.
What is the best way to describe the relationship between this year’s Bees?
A really tight knit group. I don’t know if isolating together made a difference, but it was surprising to get along so well with a large group in such a short amount of time.
What will you take away from your experience of being on The Great British Sewing Bee?
I met some truly amazing people during my time on the Sewing Bee that I don’t think I would
have met had I not applied.
What’s next for you in the sewing world?
I have bought a new desk, so no more sewing on the floor! I am now able to have my sewing machine and overlocker out at all times! I’m also planning on making a dress form based on my own measurements so I can improve my draping skills.