"I wanted to test myself to see what I could do" - Sewing Bee Steve on What He Learned in the Sewing Room
Was it liberating to be filming this series?
It was liberating in that sewing was the only thing I had to be concerned with so could really tune into it, no phone calls, no doorbells, no TV to get distracted by.
When did you first start sewing and why do you love it so much?
I started sewing in January 2020. I love it because it’s a great creative outlet and generally it’s pretty relaxing. For my day job I’m a running coach and that keeps me on my feet a lot of the day so it’s nice to come back, chill out with some music on, and make some stuff. I also love that at the end of a project I’ll have an item of clothing that is one of a kind and exactly to my specifications.
Do you have a mentor that encouraged you to get into sewing?
My girlfriend was a massive encouragement in getting me into sewing. She knew it was something I wanted to try and bought me my sewing machine as a Christmas present. She’s been incredibly supportive, despite it meaning our house is constantly covered in loose thread, it would have been less messy to get a husky.
What is your favourite garment to sew/or your speciality?
I would say about 80% of stuff I make is for myself, so I guess my specialty is menswear? But I really wouldn’t call it a speciality, I don’t think I’m good enough to have a specialty really.
I’d say my favourite garments to make are men’s shirts. I make a lot for myself and there’s a lot of minor adjustments you can make that change the shirt massively, whether it’s the fabric choice, collar size and type, buttons, sleeve lengths, body lengths etc.
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 wanted to do the show because I wanted to test myself to see what I could do when I was put to the task and moved out of my comfort zone a bit. As well as this I thought it would be cool to meet some people who are into sewing, I don’t really know too many people that sew so didn’t talk to many people about it really.
Yeah I wanted to impress both judges really, I wouldn’t say I wanted to impress one more than the other at all, they’ve both got this crazy level knowledge. That being said, I tried not to worry about subjective things they do or don’t like too much, I just wanted to make stuff that I like and hoped they liked it too.
Sara is awesome, she’s super easy to talk to and incredibly funny which definitely put me at ease. It can be really intense when you’re in there doing these challenges, so to have a few minutes away from it chatting to her was a nice reset.
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?
First walking into the sewing room was mad, I think until that point I didn’t really believe it was happening, like it was some elaborate scam or something. And then you see all these fabrics and the haberdashery, and Sara, Patrick, and Esme and you realise it’s actually happening. Then it’s like BAM straight into the first challenge, no messing about, so I didn’t really have a chance to process anything beyond that.
I was really fearing the made to measure in the first week, I’ve only really fitted stuff to myself, except one or two relatively easy pieces for my girlfriend, so fitting something on the spot, on a female model who I’ve never met, scared the life out of me.
What was your best and worst moment that first week?
My best moment was probably when I realised my made to measure garment was actually going to fit, that was my biggest worry so for that the come together was quite nice.
My worst moment was probably the pattern challenge, that was the challenge I was probably most confident about and it ended up being a bit of a state, and the judges let me know it in no uncertain terms.
How did you try and stay calm when things were going badly wrong or you ran out of time in the first week?
I just kept remembering to stay in the moment and enjoy it. I really didn’t think in a million years I’d be on the show in the first place, so every second there was a bonus, regardless of what happened.
Do you have an attachment to a sewing tool, and why is it special to you?
Not really to be honest, I’m pretty minimalist with my sewing stuff. I basically have a sewing machine and a cutting board. That being said, there’s a few things I’ve seen the other sewers use that I’m definitely going to buy.
In your sewing life: What has been your worst sewing disaster - and your biggest triumph?
One of the first things I ever made was a denim jacket, I made a bit of a mistake with the topstitching at the shoulder so started unpicking it, went a bit too rough and ended up ripping the entire right side of the jacket off. It was pretty devastating. But I managed to save it with this patch which ended up actually looking pretty cool.
Do you make for family and friends as presents? And most asked for garment?
I’ve made a couple of things for people now. I made a Hawaiian shirt for my dad for his birthday, He either really likes it or does a really good impression of someone who likes it. Either way I’ll take it. I’ve also made a few shirts for some friends for birthdays and stuff.
Describe your style, and how much of your own clothes do you make?
I like making things that are bright and loud, and like big patterns. Mostly I make things that are familiar but have a bit of a twist. The most common thing I seem to hear is “when you described it I didn’t think it would work but I really like it”, so that’s good…I guess!
Most of what I make is heavily influenced by pop culture as well, based on things I’ve seen on TV or music videos or based on on-stage outfits of musicians.
I’m trying to not buy new clothes now really and make everything that I need for day-to-day life, hopefully I’ll have a 100% homemade wardrobe in the not too distant future.
Can you give a sewing tip for amateur sewers who have been enjoying the show?
My biggest tip would be if you’re put off trying something because it looks too difficult to just try it. I’ve spoken to loads of people who want to make clothes but say they wouldn’t know where to start, or worry they’ll mess something up, but in the grand scheme of things what’s the worst that’s going to happen? If you’re worried about messing it up you can always make it out of cheap fabric or an old duvet first or something and you might surprise yourself.
Was it hard to keep a secret that you were going to be on the show?
Yeah it was a nightmare keeping the show a secret. I had a holiday booked with my mates which ended up being during the filming dates, and I had to tell them not only that I couldn’t go, but that I couldn’t explain why. Some serious love from them though, within the hour they’d rebooked the flights and hotel to a date I could do.
What is the best way to describe the relationship between this year’s Bees?
The best way to describe our relationship would be unique. It was like an intensive course in getting to know a group of people, we were together so much being in the covid bubble, and you see each other at every emotional point, highest and lowest. They’re a very special group of people and it was fantastic being in the sewing room with all of them.
What will you take away from your experience of being on The Great British Sewing Bee?
So much! The amount of knowledge I picked up from the other bees and the judges is crazy, but also just the experience itself was a real ‘once in a lifetime’ kind of thing, there’s some great memories there. But as corny as it sounds, it’s the friendships that are the best takeaway from the whole thing.
Next for you in the sewing world?
Who knows really! I try not to plan too much stuff in advance, so I don’t miss the shiny thing in the peripheries that might pop up, that’s what led me to the show in the first place. There’s a few things I’m currently thinking I’d like to do though, maybe a community interest project or something similar, it would be really nice to get more people involved in sewing and to do some good with it.