5 years ago I applied to be a contestant in the GBSB. I wrote a diary, and ahead of the first episode of series 10 I thought I’d share it with you to give you an insight of what it’s like to be on the Bee.

Thursday 29th August 2019

An early start to get ready for my 9:45 train out of Leeds. It all went smoothly except when I got on the train I realised I’d forgotten my extension table for the sewing machine. Oh well, I shouldn’t miss it for this episode as I don’t think I’ll be sewing anything too big.

Anyway, I left home at 8:20am to catch the 283 bus down to Birkenshaw bar. Only 5 minutes wait before the Leeds bus arrived and by 9am I was at Leeds Train Station – easy peasy. On my walk to the station from the bus I did my good deed for today and gave my bus ticket to a lady who was waiting at the bus stop, at least it saved her a fiver!

I found a little stow away in my bag, cheeky Henry – he goes everywhere with me!

I thought there was a bit of a mix up when I collected my tickets from the machine as it only said a single one! I emailed Hannah but once I was on the train the ticket man had a look through my tickets and showed me the one which was my return journey. Panic over!

I soon got settled on the train. I didn’t sit in my reserved seat as there were a family of 3 on the same table to I picked an available one nearby and connected to the wifi.

Here’s my super excited face!!

I got some lovely messages on the the way down….

Mum:

Good luck. We’re with you, you clever sausage for getting this far means you’re a winner. And we’re so proud & pleased for you!!! xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Dad:

Good luck Ali

🥰 xx just bee you and you will sail through xx🐝

Bex:

Eeeeek london time!!!! Wishing my super talented, lovely mate a huge good luck ☘ keep me updated on how u get on won’t u 😘😘😘😘

Sue:

🤞🏽🤞🏽 Good Luck 🤞🏽🤞🏽x

Henry got me a Good luck card and some lovely earrings, and H even got up early to wish me luck before I set out.

LETS HAVE A LOOK AT MY ITINERARY FOR THE NEXT 3 DAYS……

THURSDAY 29TH AUGUST – First Interviews and Welcome Dinner

• We’ll need you to arrive at the Hotel for 1:00pm in East London – Hannah will be sending all details of the Hotel and your travel itinerary etc over to you in the next few days.

• You’ll be able to check in at 1:00pm and this will also be your opportunity to meet your fellow sewers for the first time.

• I’ll then need everybody ready in reception for 2:00pm and you’ll be taken to do your first Vox Pops (these are short on-camera interviews – getting to know you and hear about how you’re feeling about the big day!). This is when you’ll meet your producers who’ll be with you in the sewing room. You’ll know some of them already from auditions.

• For this we will need you to change into what you intend to wear on Friday and Saturday.

• Once all the interviews are done you’ll have a couple of hours to chill out and then a big dinner for everyone is scheduled for 6:30pm with myself and the producers.

• Everyone will be staying overnight for an early start on Friday morning.

FRIDAY 30TH AUGUST – Day One

**Please note- This will be an early start and we’ll finish late **

This day will include:

• Breakfast first thing, lunch and a multitude of snacks will be available in the sewing room.

• The first two challenges – Pattern and Transformation

• Dinner- you will be given a cash allowance for dinners and there are lots of places in the area which I’m happy to take you out to, but room service will also be available. If you would like to head out for dinner together, I will book a place to eat each night, so all options are there for whatever you prefer.

•

SATURDAY 31ST AUGUST- Day Two

 **Please note- This will be a long day too**

• You will bring your luggage with you to the sewing room.

• AM – First thing you’ll have your photos taken in the morning, which will be used in the press. Just a heads up to make sure you’re looking all pretty and pampered!

• We will then head to the café, where you’ll be filmed having a morning coffee.

• The Made to Measure Challenge.

• At the end of the day someone will win garment of the week and someone will go home.

Whilst I’m thinking about it I’ll make a note of the clothes I’m planning to wear whilst down here, it might be useful when I’m wondering what to wear if, hopefully when, I get through to filming other episodes. I’m travelling down in my grey Lander pants with my green ogden cami and favourite flat shoes. For tonight’s dinner I have my dark jeans and white shirt with the cut out.

FILMING: black cleo, black lace tonic tee and tan colour wedges. Friday night dinner I have my best Ogden cami, or my new upcycled top worn with either my dark jeans or my Lander Pants.

I’m here! I asked a shocked lady to take my photo outside Kings Cross station!

A bit of a photo shoot in the tube station, getting even more excited!!

A bit of a long walk to the hotel from the Tube station. The streets of London are not designed to have suitcases with 4 tiny wheels pulled along them!

1:30pm and I’m checked into my room – 317. Really nice and cool. No ironing board!

I’ve met 5 other sewers, they all seem really nice. Only remember one name so far, Fiona from Glasgow. Must try harder to remember the others!!

2pm – Now heading down to the bar for sandwiches and a chat, we’ll all go off one by one for our interviews with the producers. Wearing my Cleo and Tonic T from SBCC for week 1.

4:45pm: just got back from filming my ‘vox box’ I think it’s called. We’ve all hung about in the bar and taken it in it turns and I was one of the last to go.

I think it went ok, just tried to be natural and be me, but it’s hard when you’re put on the spot and ask random questions about yourself and sewing! The cute camera man said it was good, so I’ll take his word for it!

The other sewers seem lovely. They all seem to have a their own style, and some are a bit way out and different. I’m wondering if I’ve been picked because I’m the normal one! Little do they know!!

Time to freshen up – again!! We’re meeting in the bar to go out for dinner with the producers and the rest of the sewers. My producer is called Keera, she’ll be the one who does all my interviews and follows me around the sewing room. It’s her birthday tomorrow so we might be having cake with a bit of luck!!

9:30pm – back from dinner. It’s been a long day. About 1/2 have gone to the bar for another drink, the rest of us have headed to our rooms. I could’ve had another but then thought it’d be best to head up. Gonna set my alarm for 5:30am, as brekkie is at 6:30 and we need to be ready to leave for the sewing room at 7!

Dinner has been good. Let’s see if I can remember who was there. Catherine was one of the main producers who was in charge, then there was Rosie, and another lady who I can’t remember her name. And then Murrey who’s sister plays golf. He wanted to know what to buy her for her birthday so I suggested the Bob Rotella books. Also Keera and Jen were there too.

Slowly I’m remembering the other sewers names…..

Liz – is 37, short hair and some cool tattoos. Not sure what she does for a job. But she looks at least 10 years younger than what she is!

Clare – is 37 too. A respiratory consultant in hospital. Really lovely, doesn’t do hugging and has an amazing vintage style.

Matt – maybe my age?? Makes dresses for drag queens!

Alex – youngish, is a student, I think he said something to do with criminology and secret stuff, but I’m probably wrong. Also does ballroom and some other dancing.

Terase – probably spelling her name wrong! She’s lovely, wears frocks and is a primary school teacher so no doubt will remember everyones names!!

Angillia ?? – quietish but probably isn’t! Retired school teacher but has a softer personality that I’d expect from a school teacher

Hazel – very bubbly, worked for NCS and has a 1 year old son.

Pete – runs the youth hostel in Brighton. Nice bloke. Confident.

Mark – works in a bank, said he thought I talked like the bloody crankies!! How rude!!😂

Fiona – lovely lady from Glasgow but has a soft Scottish accent.

One more…………………can’t bloody remember!!

I’ve remembered….

Nicole – a petite lady, probably late 30s early 40s with a way out style about her. Definitely unique. Had a big lions head on her top that she had made. Is from Trinidad. Love her accent.

Friday 30th August

Bloody early start! Not too bad but my standards. I set my alarm for 5:30am but woke up at 4:50. Had about 5 hours but that extra 1/2 hour would have been nice.

Glad I went out to the co-op last night and picked up some milk, at least I can have a decent cup of coffee whilst I”m getting ready.

5:15am – operation – look amazing and perky for the telly!! Eeeeeek!! I can’t believe in a couple of hours I’ll be in the The Great British Sewing Bee sewing room!!

11:10pm – finally in bed. What a long bloody day. Breakfast was lovely, I started well, had no stodge, and ate well. It went down hill after then, except for lunch when I had curry and rice and left my naan bread.

Here’s a pic Fiona took walking to the sewing room this morning, can’t believe I wasn’t ’t even aware what was going on!!

When we arrived we had to walk in a couple of times all together whilst they filmed us, note sure who took this pic but I wasn’t aware of this one either!

My sewing station was at the front with Liz so we walked at the start of everyone! My sewing station is fab – everything except a clapper!

There was a bit of hanging about but we started out 1st sewing challenge – the pattern challenge before 8:30am.

We had to sew a wrap skirt. Fairly simple and I was really pleased with my sew. A few minor things which to be honest I didn’t really notice until Esme and Patrick had a close look with their eagle eyes.

I came 3rd, out of 12. So I was really pleased and I think it was a fair decision, although there really wasn’t much in it in the top 3. Felt really sorry for Nicole as she came last. She chose some amazing shiny gold fabric but it really wasn’t the right fabric choice as it didn’t press well. I chose a mid weight denim with a slight stretch and huge red flowers on it. I’d definitely wear it myself – if it was bigger!!

Pete came first. He admitted that there were a few flaws that the judges missed and Terese came 2nd. Ange came last, hers really just needed a good press.

Then the rest of the day seemed to drag for ages and ages. We had an hour for lunch, were able to have out phones during that time and just after half 2 we went in for judging. That took over 2 hours. My ankles looked like I’d just done a long haul flights.. Maybe I should wear flight socks for week 2 if I make it!!

This after for the transformation challenge we could choose 2 mens shirts and anything from the haberdashery and come up with something amazing.

I think maybe I was playing it a bit too safe. I measured my mannequin and made a version of the Yasmin yoke skirt. I divided the front and back into 3 and alternated the colour – adding a matching ribbon to the seam lines on the back and front.

I came 7th. TBH I thought mine was better than a couple of those who beat me, but it wasn’t just the sewing the judges were critiquing. And mine wasn’t the most exciting thing on the mannequins. Pete won the transformation challenge, and Nicole came 2nd, which was really good as she had come last in the technical challenge.

Then we hung about some more. And then a. Bit more. Before finally getting back to the hotel about 9:30 pm. Really not sure how these guys mustered up some smiles and enthusiasm for these photos!

I just about managed a smile when I got back to my room.

I quickly washed my top through, hung it to dry, got changed then headed to the bar for a large red wine. Boy was I ready for it!!

Now I’m bloody knackered. It’s taken my about 20 minutes to write this up, maybe I should try to have more sleep but It’s so easy to forget what’s going on.

Before I go, just to mention, Pete won both challenges toady. Nicole came last in the first one but 2nd this afternoon. Ange didn’t do very well in either but she might make up for it tomorrow.

~Night night xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Saturday 31st August

Another early start, but no so early as yesterday. Meeting at 6:45am, but need to be all packed as we’re checking out today and going home straight after todays’ filming, expected to finish by 8.

We need to be all glammed up as they’re taking the press photos before this mornings challenge – eeeek!! Think I need to frame myself and get in the shower, hoping the coffee kicks in soon!

22:00 and the train is pulling out of King Cross Station. What a day!! Or should I say what a bloody long day! Even longer than yesterday, and it’s not over yet.

So, where do I even begin!?

This morning seems so long ago but I’ll do my best to remember everything.

We had to pack our suitcases before breakfast as we wouldn’t be coming back to the hotel after filming. All except Fiona and Liz who live further north than me so they are staying over and travelling home in the morning.

Monty said we would be done for 8pm at the latest. But this is TV and nothing runs to time, so it was about 9:15pm when I left in a cab for the station. Obviously I would have left in a taxi if I’d have been home, but I’m picking up the London lingo and there’s only cabs here, no taxis.

Anyway, I’m digressing! Back to this morning.

Well left the hotel at 7:15am on the dot. Monty is very good at getting us all organised, which is a bit tricky. As we’re quickly getting to know each other I think we must be getting like a bunch of unruly teenagers. We do an awful lot of laughing.. Especially me and Alex. Hopefully he’s gonna teach me to dance, but that’s another story!

We hung about for a bit and got miked up (see I really am picking up the lingo) , had our press release photos taken, gifs and countdown photos. Then we went to the cafe for breakfast and lunch. Well, we’d already had breakfast, and it wasn’t even time for elevensies yet, but they wanted to film us having both in a nice cafe. So after having yoghurt and cereal already for breakfast I then had a danish pastry, swiftly followed by sandwiches and cookies!

We then walked back to the sewing room. Twice. Most things are done at least twice. Even starting the challenges start twice. A pretend one and then the real thing.

Our final challenge, the fitting one, started about 9:30.

I’d chosen this pattern and had chance to practice it, so I chose this Rose & Hubble fabric from John Lewis and made it in my size.

The version for me turned out so well. It’s really not the style I would normally choose but I love wearing it. I first added a white belt but then made a fabric one and it looks so much better.

The Fabric I chose for the actual challenge was from Fabrics For All in Leeds – I love this so much I need to go back and buy some to make myself another dress.

I met my model – Sofia. She is just sooooo lovely. Ridiculously beautiful and such a lovely person too. And a northerner. What more could I ask.

It was great to have some company whilst sewing, and someone to chat to who didn’t want to ask questions about what I was doing.

It took me longer than I thought it would to cut out all my pattern pieces. Almost 90 minutes, and then I got stuck into some block fusing and managed to interface my pressing cloth! Oops!

Everything went swimmingly – The fit was perfect, no major adjustments. That was until I got to the last 20 wish minutes. All I needed to do was hem the dress, sew 2 button holes, stitch on the buttons and hem the sleeves.

I only had a nightmare with my button holes! I forgot to switch the lower dial to button hole. I did the top dial, but not the lower one. I had 3 people trying to work out what was wrong, and even ended up sewing perched at the end of my table on a different machine whilst they worked it out! Turned out it was my fault. Oh well. It’s all a learning curve. It meant I didn’t have time for a final press but other than that I was really pleased with my dress.

Need to mention I think my work station is jinxed! First my fan started smelling of burning and then the wheel fell off my chair – when Joe was talking to me. Could have been a right you’ve been framed moment if I’d have fallen off instead of just a wobble!!

We were waiting around for what seemed like forever after we finished the dresses. Time to kill with our phones (most of the time we’re not allowed to have them) meant time for a selfie or 2.

I totally lost track of time but it I think we finished the dresses around 4/4:30, then we sat around whilst they were critiqued, which took until after 7.

I think it was about 8:30pm when we went in to find out who won garment of the week and who was going home.

Matt won GOTW with his vintage tea dress. It really was lovely and he’d done such a fab job. They didn’t rank us in order for this challenge but I’m really happy with how I did – the judges comments were really amazing, and didn’t have much negative things to say. My favourite style of them all was Alex’s – the style line were just amazing. I think he said it was 2015 Burda style magazine but I can’t remember what number.

How would I say I’m fairing up against the others? I reckon overall I’m in the middle somewhere. It’s so hard. We’ve all got our strengths and weaknesses, and have all been pushed out of our comfort zones in week one.

It ran an hour late – it was after 9 when we finally got finished, I even had to have another interview at the end. Not sure why as didn’t win GOTW and neither was I going home. Well, I was, but not for good.

Hannah booked me a cab to King Cross – I think I mentioned that earlier.

When I arrived at the station I asked a bunch of ladies to take my photo – they probably thought I was crackers, but I’m not bothered as I probably am!!

So that’s my first week of The Great British Sewing Bee. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that I’ll be writing a few more chapters in this story.