PatternReview "Sewing Bee"

[Lisanne]

Hurrah to Ruthie for getting through to the second round of the PR Sewing Bee.
The judges winner and random winner are pretty good too.
https://sewing.patternreview.com/blog?s=2622842
(the thumbnails are everyone, not just the ones who got through)

The next round is on pockets, which can be so inspiring.  Part of my SWAP proposal suggests just varying my tops by using different pockets.
It could be fun to cover a garment with pockets, I even have a vest pattern that has a pocket on the back. . .

Diane Ericson has a pattern for 60 pockets !
https://dianeericson.com/collections/patterns/products/copy-of-331-just-pockets-paper-pattern
tho because there are so many, the instructions are rather minimal.

[Lisanne]

Continuing with side notes on the PR Sewing Bee :
Here's the complete gallery for the second round, on pockets :
https://sewing.patternreview.com/cgi-bin/ContestGallery.pl?ContestID=343

There are some amazing examples of creativity and technique here.  Now they've winnowed out the 'also rans' from the first round, I think it's going to be challenging for the judges to pick only half of these entries.

[Sew Ruthie Sews]

The pocket flaps are pewter ribbons woven on a small hand loom. It took longer to make them (multiple evenings) than the whole coat, or maybe about the same.
I'm not quite sure if I want to get through to round 3 as I don't really have the time. I work full time and am busy at the weekends with social activities. My piece seems quite simple compared to some of the others.

If I don't get through I'll make something that uses grey thread, probably a top with a woven front, jersey back. If I do then I'll try to do something in the SWAP colour scheme that fits the challenge.

I've got friends coming for meal/sleepover next weekend so cleaning/tidying would be a good plan, plus one friend needs to sleep in the sewing room .... and its not quite ready for that!

[Lisanne]

Notes on the PR Sewing Bee again.

Here are the results for Round 2 on pockets
https://sewing.patternreview.com/blog?s=2627433
(click on the thumbnails to access full information about all entries)
The winner shows beautiful technique and impressive creativity.
Sadly Ruthie does not move on, but at this level fewer than 1 in 5 of the starting contestants go on to Round 3, and the standard is dazzling.

Here's the intro to Round 3, which is focussed on activewear - eek !
https://sewing.patternreview.com/blog?s=2627559
"The outfit should be designed for some activity you pursue. 
In your review, specify how this outfit is appropriate for the activity you selected. "
Hmm - does being a couch potato count ?  These days my fitness 'activity' is walking round the park, and I certainly don't wear special clothes for it.

The guest Judge for this round is Melissa Fehr, and her company sells true 'activewear' patterns, which I would never think of wearing.
https://shop.fehrtrade.com
It will be interesting to see what the contestants make of this.
I found the 'pockets' round very inspiring, and run a mile from the obvious choices for Round 3  (hmm, is that an appropriate metaphor, I can't remember when I last ran, a brisk walk works wonders for the spirit).

Actually it's interesting how words get special meanings in specific contexts.  'Activewear' goes straight to form fitting lycra these days.  But sleeping is an activity - I wonder how they would judge an attractive pair of pjs. . .
And PR used to claim that, given the time constraints, the Bee could be done from stash, hmm again.

How lovely that we, with the great help of Indigotiger, have gradually reduced the constraints on what can be included in SWAP   

[Lisanne]

The Gallery for the Activewear contest is now available
https://sewing.patternreview.com/cgi-bin/ContestGallery.pl?ContestID=344
It's not so obvious from a quick look which are the 'interesting' entries - have to read the reviews and look at detailed photos to see who has used impressive levels of ideas and technique.  Looks like the prize for 'least likely activity' should be divided between sewing and fruit canning 

The results are supposed to be posted tomorrow.
Then the final challenge should be posted on Wednesday.

[warpjr1965]

Thanks for keeping us up to date on the PR sewing Bee!
I have to say I find this competition difficult to follow, or maybe its that the challenges aren't following a logical (in my mind) progression. Just seems all over the map to me, but I guess that is not so different from the GBSB.
Anyway, it is interesting to see how each contestant interprets the challenge. Glad I'm not a judge!

[Lisanne]

Here is the result of Round 3 - activewear.
https://sewing.patternreview.com/blog?s=2630655
The winner has come up with a quite astonishing amount of ingenuity about special design features and number of garments made using different specialist fabrics, and in such a short time.  The special needs of her activity do raise a number of design problems which she has obviously been thinking about for a while.

Happily the fruit canner got through to the final round, tho not the sewist.

The final challenge - 'you' outfit for a TV interview
https://sewing.patternreview.com/blog?s=2630851
goodness, to me that is an easier idea than usual
though several contestants are having difficulty because it's so open.

Has to be finished by Thursday Feb 27, then the Round 4 winner and overall winner will be announced on Monday March 2nd.

I have to say I find this competition difficult to follow, or maybe its that the challenges aren't following a logical (in my mind) progression. Just seems all over the map to me, but I guess that is not so different from the GBSB.

To my mind that's deliberate - the people who get through to the final round need to be able to display a wide range of skills and garment types !

[warpjr1965]

I have to say I find this competition difficult to follow, or maybe its that the challenges aren't following a logical (in my mind) progression. Just seems all over the map to me, but I guess that is not so different from the GBSB.

To my mind that's deliberate - the people who get through to the final round need to be able to display a wide range of skills and garment types !

Yes, I am sure that is the intent. I think there are just so many contestants, who interpret each challenge differently, that I would find it hard to choose!

[Lisanne]

Here's the Gallery for the final round of the Pattern Review Sewing Bee
https://sewing.patternreview.com/cgi-bin/ContestGallery.pl?ContestID=345
Amazing as usual.

Results expected evening of Tuesday March 3rd.

[Lisa Laree]

Amazing. Jaw dropping.  They all did a fantastic job and I'm glad I don't have to pick the winner!

[Lisanne]

Round 4 winner
https://sewing.patternreview.com/blog?s=2635601
Again, astonishing the levels of ability and imagination shown, in both sewing and writing, and in the time. . .

Grand overall Winner announcement now delayed to Thursday.

[Lisanne]

Hurrah, the right person is the overall winner, tho all the entrants were amazing.
https://sewing.patternreview.com/blog?s=2636213
I think from some of her comments that she isn't usually a member of a sewing community, so she just doesn't know how very good she is