TV review: The Great British Sewing Bee

Armed with their trusty sewing machines, countless needles and reels of thread they tackle a range of crafty projects aimed to show off their dressmaking and tailoring talents.

The show, which began its run last night, is a spin-off from The Great British Bake Off.

And it has big shoes to fill as it follows in the footsteps of a programme, which has more than proved it has a recipe for success.

After capturing the hearts of the nation, partly thanks to the combination of judges Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood, now countries around the globe are signing up to buy the rights to the popular show.

The Great British Sewing Bee, hosted by Claudia Winkleman, is hoping to tap into a revival of interest in sewing that has grown in recent years as more people try their hand at making their own clothes to save money.

It follows a similar format to that of its sister show with three challenges set and judged by one of the Women's Institute's leading ladies, May Martin, and designer and director of Savile Row Patrick Grant.

And it had a mix of contestants all from different backgrounds ranging from 81-year-old grandmother Ann, who has been sewing for 75 years, to long- haired HGV mechanic Mark, 41, who enjoys making elaborate Victorian costumes for 'steam punk' events.

The Midlands was well represented last night with hospital cleaner and mother of three Sandra flying the flag for Wolverhampton and renovation project manager Lauren, 27, from Birmingham also out to impress.

Retired school photographer Jane, 57, from Kent, film festival manager Tilly, 32, sales manager Stuart, 41, from North Yorkshire and charity manager Michelle,38, Their first task was to make an A line skirt using a simple pattern which aimed to test their basic sewing skills.

They had three and a half hours to make their garment from their chosen fabric, which ranged from a brightly colored car pattern to pretty floral prints. The results received a fair amount of praise from the judges, untidy stitching and baggy pockets coming in for criticism.

Wolverhampton's Sandra finished in first place for her pretty floral skirt and needlework. She said she had "never known time go so quick" as she finished her work ahead of it being scrutinised by the judges.

For their next challenge, the group were all given simple white tops and were ask to transform the necklines.

They were all praised for showing " incredible creativity" as they busily got to work, but the end results received mixed opinions.

Sandra struggled with hers having sewn part of her new neckline on the wrong way but she laughed it away saying she had "given everyone something to smile about."

While Jane's shaggy neckline received a scathing remark from Grant who described it as "ragged" before adding it was "good from afar but far from good".

Finally they had to create a made to measure casual in seven hours with the judges saying it needed to have "an excellent fit and an excellent finish."

Their dresses ranged from a red silk gown to an element blue shift dress.

Puckering in the fabric and not enough darts, which are sewn into the material to shape it to the contours of the body were among some of errors pointed out.

But it was Michelle who failed to impress with her reversible dress after the silk stretched and it didn't fit her model properly. She was sent home by the judges.

Next week will see the remaining contestants tackle trousers and a blouse.

Overall the show is fairly easy viewing – albeit slightly confusing for people who do not sew and may not be familiar with the lingo. It's hard for an untrained eye to spot all of the mistakes – if a contestant in the Great British Bake Off burns their meringue to a crisp or a wannabe performer on X Factor sounds more like a drunk karaoke singer than a pop star – then even an amateur knows they aren't going to go far in the competition.

But last night the many of the creations looked like they could easily pass for items on the racks at Next or Marks &Spencer.

Only time will tell if the show can replicate the magic of The Great British Bake Off.

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