The ninth season of The Great British Sewing Bee has begun, and the first seamstress has already been eliminated.
The 12 amateur seamstresses had a busy first week demonstrating their aptitude through three tasks with a “classics with a twist” theme.
First, they had to adhere to the pattern for a twist-top, and then they had to transform outmoded office attire into something thrilling. Finally, they were required to construct cut-out custom costumes for models.
The contestants were all attempting to impress the judges, fashion designers Esme Young and Patrick Grant, with their interpretations of the challenges. Unfortunately, Catherine did not do enough to convince the judges and had to gather up her sewing kit and exit the competition.
During the final challenge, the senior games designer from West Sussex, age 34, ran out of time and therefore presented her garment with safety pins.
When Catherine began to weep from tension, her fellow competitors consoled her and attempted to assist her in completing the garment.
Catherine spoke after her elimination saying: ‘I loved the experience and met great people.
‘Even though I got super emotional I wouldn’t want to have not done this.’
Catherine appeared to appreciate Esme’s affectionate embrace following the announcement that she was the weakest candidate in that week’s challenges.
Catherine, who attempts to dress sustainably every day and repurposes costumes into knickers, is unlikely to stop crafting.
Tony W, a star student who won garment of the week, represented the opposite extreme of the spectrum.
The remaining eleven competitors will now compete in weekly challenges for the next nine weeks, until the victor is announced.
The series marked Sara Pascoe’s second turn at the leadership.
The 42-year-old replaced Joe Lycett, who has hosted the programme since 2019 when he succeeded Claudia Winkleman.
Sara reported that Joe was the first person to offer her congratulations.
‘He was the first person to text because he knew before it was publicised. He also knows what a lovely job I’m walking into.’
She added: ‘I think Joe was such a huge part of that popularity in the most recent season. So I was very aware that everyone’s lost their special boy.
Once we started, obviously, it felt like it was mine.’
Annie, a Surrey-based 32-year-old fashion buyer, won her first series.
‘I just wasn’t prepared for it at all, it was definitely a shock, but a nice one, absolutely,’ Annie said of her win.
