Whenever I receive a new non-fiction book, I always turn straight to the back. Is there an index? For me, this is a basic check of publisher care and investment. If they scrimp on an index, warning bells start ringing.
Good news, people! The Great British Sewing Bee book has an index.
That’s not all it has. There are patterns galore for a tunic, tea dress, prom dress, camisole, a boyfriend shirt not dissimilair to the Grainline Archer shirt, curtains, roman blinds, bags, cushion – even a classic tweed hacking jacket. (If you know what a ‘hacking’ jacket is, do let me know!) There’s a pattern for a little girl’s dress (though, sadly, little boys aren’t addressed) and adult male fashion is addressed with … a bow tie and a basic waistcoat. Oh. Two male contestants in the show and the book gives male readers two projects out of 29? That’s what I call a shame, and that’s me being polite!
How are the patterns supplied? There’s a paper pattern for a tunic in the back of the book – good-oh. Other patterns are printed in miniature on a grid paper background and readers are asked to enlarge these pieces by 500% on a photocopier. Have you ever bothered doing that? I haven’t. There’s an alternative of downloading the patterns to tape together, but when I went to the link the patterns wouldn’t download – though that may be my computer/Internet issues.
Personally, I think these patterns were a multi-media opportunity crying out to be exploited, but that would have taken time and investment and I don’t doubt that the publisher was working to an horrendous deadline, getting this book out in time for the launch of the TV series.
Our by now deeply loved contestants are all featured, without overwhelming (and thereby dating) the book. I smiled to see Stuart’s lantern dress featured on page 116. I’m guessing the dress was made up again for the book’s photo shoot. Guess what? Those lanterns still aren’t lining up properly. (You’ll have to buy the book to see for yourself.) Maybe the judges should have been a bit kinder to Stuart, but that’s whole other debate for a whole other blog post!
There are also tutorials on inserting zips, darts, gathers, making now infamous bias binding, buttonholes. (Not bound buttonholes. You can find a tutorial for those here!) You get the picture – this book would be a great resource for someone new to sewing or someone old to sewing who wants to drool over gorgeous photos and illustration.
It’s a beautiful book, gorgeously produced. The type of beautiful book that publishers have been producing for decades – they can do this with their eyes shut and with all the freelancers at the end of an email, ready to leap into action. Everyone doing exactly what they’ve been doing for a long time now. I think that’s my slight gripe. It’s all a tiny bit obvious. Personally, I think we’re in the midst of a sewing and a publishing revolution and I would have really loved to see a little more creative thinking around a tie-in book to a TV series. But that’s okay – we’re all busy people.
Fancy owning this beautiful book? I’m putting my copy out there for a giveaway. Hmmm. I’m just not sure that’s enough. *twirls finger around ringlet, what more can I offer?* I know!
Anyone remember the red dress Tilly and the Buttons made? She used a raw silk that just glowed. Very inspiring. Plus, the ever so slight stiffness of the silk made for a great silhouette.
Would you like to make a dress that glows and has a great silhouette?
I have three metres of (dry clean only) silk taffeta gingham, pink and white. It’s fabulous stuff, bought from Stone Fabrics. I’ve never used it. Sadly, I think my pink gingham days are behind me. So, I’m putting it out there, too.
One book and three metres of silk. Retail value of both combined – ooh, about £70. I think that makes for a great giveaway, don’t you?!
To enter, leave a comment below. You can apply to win a book and silk combo, just the book, or just the silk. Three options – you need to choose one and tell me which it is in your comment. The giveaway is open worldwide and the deadline is midnight GMT on Friday 19 April.
Good luck, my friends! May the Power Of The Bee be with you. Remember, tell me which option you want:
Combo
Silk
Book
This blog post was written as part of a blog tour kindly organised by Crafty magazine, who also supplied copies of the book. Tomorrow the tour heads over to My Happy Sewing Place and then it parks up at House of Pinheiro! Other blog posts featured on the tour can be found here:
Thursday – Handmade Jane
Wednesday – Peas and Needles
Tuesday – Teasemade
I think a ‘hacking jacket’ is probably for riding; from memory I think ‘hacking’ is a horsey term.
Combo please.
I’m in for the combo!;-)
I would love the book please, it’s currently on my ‘wish list’ 😊 x
I am starting to sew clothes again after many years & love the inspiration of the sewing blog land. The GBSB is great fun & it’s lovely to “meet” people like Tilly & Lauren.
Jocelyn
Combo, please. God bless you for taking your generosity the extra mile.
Oh the Combo please, if not too greedy
I would love to have the book! And since I’m attacking my fabric stash I’m going for the book only. Otherwise I wouldn’t be true to myself.
I would love to win the book. Loving the show too.
A hack is an informal horse ride – not a race or a hunt – and a hacking jacket is the ‘casual’ (at least in horse world) jacket that you wear.
Combo please!
Oooh that silk is just gorgeous! If I’m not lucky enough to win I might just have to make a purchase 🙂
I would love the Combo. Ooooh! I’m loving the Sewing Bee and the thought of using some silk. Wonderful.
Karen you are too much! The amazing bound buttonhole book for the amazing price of £2 and now this?! You are spoiling us, completely and utterly.
Please could I put my hat in the ring for the fabric? It’s just beautiful.
I’d love a closer at the book!
Hi Karen, I would like the Book please if I am lucky.
Susan x
I’m really new to this sewing malarkey but am hooked! I am currently devouring lots of blogs (including yours, thank you!), books and trying my hand at a range of simple projects. The Great British Sewing Bee couldn’t have come at a better time for me and I’m eager to get my sticky mitts on the book to try some of the projects out. I haven’t got my head around this idea of blowing mini patterns up to be a usable size though… That could be interesting! Would love to enter the book giveaway please 🙂
The combo please… Would love to get my hands on both!
Bundana x
http://www.bundana.blogspot.co.uk
It is a real shame that boys and men are so underprovided for (if that’s a word) one of the reasons I started to sew was because most boys clothes in the shops are really boring! Combo please!
I’ve slowly been getting more and more interested in sewing over the last year and love it! The challenge and enjoyment of making products by hand in such a traditional manner is incredible. Unfortunately when I was a wee laddie at school, no boys were taught any “home economics” – much to my dismay looking back now. However, with programmes like the Sewing Bee on TV I’m really glad this craft is getting the publicity it rightly deserves.
Oh and I’ve jsut made the cushion from the book and I’m VERY impressed!
Yay, brilliant – well done!
Hi, count me in for the book. Fabirc looks nice but dont see myself trying to match the plaids. Already have some, and i am afraid to touch it, i might have tongive it away.
Wow, I would love both. Book for me and fabric for my wee girl. Thanks x
Book please. It’s the librarian in me…
Count me in for the book!
I’m loving the Sewing Bee and am full of admiration for all the contestants sewing under such pressure. Even my husband’s hooked but it hasn’t tempted him to mend the hole in his trouser pocket himself yet! Would love to win the combo and thanks for your generosity.
Oh wow, I never knew something like silk gingham existed! How pretty! I’d really love to win both the fabric and the book, which, judging by other reviews, has a pretty good basic skills section that this beginner could really use!
Hi, I would love to get my hands on the fabric only please, my reason for this is it’s my birthday on the 22nd April and I ACCIDENTALLY found one of my presents my husband has for me its the book 🙂
I have the book on my wish list, so count me in for that please!
Combo please!
Count me in for the combo! 🙂
The combo! And I think I had a hacking jacket when I was little…
Hacking is a horsey term, its the type of jacket that folk wear when riding. Please put me down for the silk, I LOVE it 🙂 The colour is gorgeous and I’m definitely partial to a bit of gingham. I’ve already bought the book, love it but do wish they had supplied some more paper patterns.
Leanne
A hacking jacket is similar to a suit jacket, but some nice countryside fabric is used instead of suiting. Also, there are no matching trousers with it (probably why there is the jacket pattern only in the book). I would love to win the combo.
I was curious to know what the book consisted off. It sounds good! I.d like to throw my hat in for the combo please. Because well its silk and tho the ability to sew with it may not be in my immediate future i.d like to think i could at some point. Thanks for the great giveaway Karen
I would agree that hacking is a riding term – if I remember correctly a hack is a cross country ride.
I would love the book, I am definitely not a pink or a silk person. I was just thinking this morning I should see if I could find anyone coming over from the UK who could bring me a copy.
Hi there, I’d be interested for the combo – as a novice, I’d like to get all the support I can get!
Love the fabric! I challenge myself to use more colours and patterns. This fabric woud certainly take me out of my comfort zone!
I’d love the combo – huge fan of the show, and have also never worked with that type of fabric!
Please can I enter for the silk.
I have already ordered the book but would love to win the silk.
I have to say I am loving the programme and can’t wait for next week’s episode.
Thank you for the chance to win.
Clare
That fabric is gorgeous!
And I believe you never have enough sewing books… 🙂
I’m in for the combo!
I have enough books but never enough fabric, so I would love a chance to win the fabric and let someone else enjoy the book!
Eleanor
eleanorkrause87 at gmail dot com
yes! I rarely enter giveaways, but I would love to see that book and I am totally a pink gingham kind of girl 🙂 so… I guess that’s the combo!
Combo for me please! I love The Great British Sewing Bee, the high street makes section of the show is very inspiring and makes me think I could actually give this a go!
http://knitstitchsew.wordpress.com
I’m new to your blog….enjoying it. Book please…must get going on a project rather than spending hours reading about other people’s.
Great book review Karen, you’re so right about publishers pushed for time, always the way! Even so, I’d love to own it, so please put me down for the book, thank you!
I really enjoy your ‘sewing bee’-serie, though I have to wait a week to read them in orden not to spoil the surprice (I have to wait for the show to get on youtube 😉 )
I’d be scared to ruin that wonderful silk – so I’d go for the book only
Thanks for the great review of the book Karen. I was just looking at it on Amazon this morning and have added it to my wishlist for payday! I’d love to win the book, I don’t think pink silk gingham is really my fabric.
I would absolutely love the combo! I need a good excuse to actually start making things and this would be perfect! x
Would love a copy of the book and haven’t used silk before so would love to experiment with that so I’ll go for the combo! Counting down until the next episode, me and my two children will be glued to the telly! (even if it is past their bedtime!!)
The combo…who doesn’t love a combo of anything! Good luck everyone!
My pink gingham days probably should be over too, but I think I’d be happy to ignore that – I’d be in for the combo!
Book only please!
Hacking jackets were huge in the 80’s – very Ralph Lauren, pop on a pony sort of thing 😉
Ooh – combo please! That pink silk gingham is amazing – though it properly belongs on Dolly Clackett!
I missed the 80s revival, but was a (very young, unbelievably young) teenager in the 60s when hacking jackets were also very popular. Didn’t have one myself – having to wear a uniform blazer at school lessened the attraction somewhat – but EVERYONE else (well, the girls at least) seemed to have one!
Enjoying the GBSB – I get it here on cable. Pity there’s only 4 episodes!
Ha ha, yeah that fabric appealed to me too! Put me down for just the fabric please Karen!
Ooh what a fab giveaway! How generous! I’d love to win either!
I haven’t read through the rest of the comments, so someone else has probably already said, but just incase not, a hacking jacket is basically a tweed equestrian jacket (tweed is the less formal, distinct from a hunting or show jacket). I still have my hacking jacket from when I was 10 – it is a thing of beauty.
I’d love to be in for the combination.
I would love to win the combo!
In for a penny, in for a pound, I’d love to win the combo! Thanks for being so generous!
Just the book for me please – I’d never wear anything in the fabric – so I’ll leave that for a more worthy winner.
As someone who works in IT I want the hacking jacket to be something you write code in, but I suspect that’s not the case… Combo please!
How generous! I’d love the book please, I also don’t think I’m up to wearing pink gingham. I’m so glad this book is full of things to do, most of the time similar books are useless, practically.
Freya May
I’d like to enter for the book please, partly as a souvenir of the show (who knows if it’ll be recommissioned), partly because I’m now desirous of a hacking jacket.
Hi, I would love the silk. Just a thought – there is another item for men in the book – the pyjama bottoms!
I’d love the combo, a bit greedy I know, but its hard to find fancy fabrics in deepest Devon! 😉
As the sewing Bee has brought found memories of my late mum and all her wonderful sewing back into my life. I wonder if I could take up sewing? The book and material would be a good start don’t you think?
Combo please. Both drool worthy. And thank you!
What a generous giveaway, the cloth is really gorgeous and would make a lovely top, or gathered skirt. Would love to win the combo.
I would like to attempt to win the book please. Not that I wouldn’t appreciate the fabric, but pink isn’t really my colour and I’m sure it would be better off in the hands of a more competent sewer!
I’d love to win the combo – a prom dress out of the pink silk gingham sounds lovely! Fab giveaway! (I also still have a hacking jacket from when I was 10 somewhere!)
Wow -you are pushing the boat out with the giveaway and that silk Gingham is to die for! I love it. I know what you mean about the styling of the book, from the little I’ve seen it looks lke may book tie in’s. I’d love to win the fabric, but i’m not too bothered about the book. I had Gerties book for Chirtsmas and i’m still planning what to make – that silk could be just the thing!
Love to see !! Combo please !
I love love love the silk gingham! I didn’t even know fabric like that existed. But the book also looks useful (and I’m so enjoying watching the programme), so I’ll go for the Combo, please. Very generous of you!
Who can’t resist a new sewing book or gorgeous fabric?! Please put me down for combo too. I’ve yet to see a full episode yet, iPlayer keeps crashing on me :/
oooh I will go for the book please. the silk scares me! ha ha
The book would be great. I already have enough fabric so I will restrain myself! Thanks for this giveaway
As I live in Germany, and no TV channel has up to now come up with a great idea like this, I was extremely happy that the episodes are accessible via Youtube. And since I’m a greedy kind of person, I’d like the complete combo, please. Not that I’d expect to win it – never won anything yet in my life ;o)
I would love the fabric, it looks just amazing – I can see a peony dress out of it! My fingers are crossed te color is amazing and the exact color of some shoes I just bought!
Combo please Thank you for the giveaway and off to investigate what bound buttonholes are – intrigued
I’m in, I’d love to win the book.
you can never have enough sewing books! just the book for me please – i’m not a pink enough person for the fabric 9and would be far too scared to cut into the silk!)
Ooh, that silk is gorgeous! I probably wouldn’t make much use of the book, but the pink gingham silk is so so beautiful!
I am loving The Sewing Bee, so would love to have the book please. Thank you for the chance of winning it!
I would love the book! The fabric is gorgeous but I too think my gingham wearing days are behind me! I’m a new follower of your blog – I’ve taken up sewing again after a long absence and find your posts inspirational. I also can’t believe my luck that a sewing programme is launched at the same time as my renewed interest – I just wish it was more than 4 episodes!
Combo please 🙂
I’m loving the Great British Sewing Bee, it’s really rekindled my fire for my sewing machine, though I’m not sure my husband is as keen on the depleted bank balance as I buy more fabric. Hey ho! The book would be lovely to have and that fabric, wowsers!!! To be perfectly honest, I’d be very very happy with either. You choose 🙂 Actually – scratch that, just give me the silk! *can imagine just sitting there stroking it and sniffing it*
Combo pretty please. I am loving the series and the inspiration.
The book would be great– I’ve just bought a copy but I’d gift an extra copy.
That silk is stunning! I would love to win it and the book together.
Oh and that comment – will link to the wrong blog. That one is dead – the one that’s living and breathing is http://www.dreamyspires.wordpress.com 🙂
Thant gingham is delicious!
Hacking jackets were all the rage when I was a teenager in the 1970’s. They were tweed blazers. I had a lovely pink and grey one with suede patches on the elbows and I thought I was really something in it.
Thanks for such a great book review. I’m loving the programme. At last something on television for us sewing folk.
Combo please.
What a great review. We’ve not had the full saga over here, so please count me in for the book. Like you, I think my days of pink gingham are over, as beautiful as the fabric is.
Ooohh combo please.
How wonderful it is to have sewing on the telly, AND on the night that the other half is out.
Whoop-whoop!
I wonder how many people (especially beginner sewers) would actually photocopy the patterns. Seems like they’ve missed a trick there. That silk is absolutely gorgeous – so count me in for that please! I would love to win it…. x
Karen you are too kind- what a fab giveaway!
Please count me in for the combo- one can never have too many sewing books and that pink gingham is too cute!
Karen
The GBSB is an addictive show, there are so many other inspiring people also in blogland and i look to these for help and advice or the latest tutorial such as your bound buttonholes.
Hacking jacket is a casual riding jacket, im sure mine was made of tweed and had patches at the elbows back in the day.
Thanks for the generous giveaway count me in for the SILK please.
Thanks for genrous giveaway
Oh my goodness! What a fabulous give away! I would love to win the book and let someone else have the chance to bag the fabric!
Im loving the show too and it’s great to know there’s a whole cyber community of us who do also! I had a Hacking Jacket in the 70’s, it was a lightweight wool checked jacket with velvet elbow patches – oh blimey doesnt it sound horrendous now, how could I have done it?!
Thank you for your generosity, I would love the book if I am lucky enough!
Thanks for the chance to win!
Keryn 🙂
Hi Karen, I would love to have the book… What a nice give-away, thanks for your effort,
Claudia
Sadly I also think my pink gingham days are over.
Book please.
i just found your blog and would love to be in for the combo…now I must go and check out your stories … good luck everyone!
I would like to win the book!
Karen, as an indexer I appreciated your comment about the value of an index to a book. Let’s hope publishers take note. Sadly I didn’t get to work on this book! If I am lucky enough to win I’d love the book, and please pass the fabric on to someone else.
Hacking is the equine equivalent of going for a stroll, so a hacking jacket is a less formal riding jacket, often made from tweed. I would absolutely love to win the silk please, it matches my hair!
ooh lovely! Combo please, I’ve had silk taffeta gingham on my wishlist ever since seeing Gertie’s gathered skirt tutorial… x
Thank you, what a fabulous giveaway! I would love the book, it looks great for a beginner sewer. Have enjoyed the show… Although always feel a little behind while I wait for it to posted on you tube to view here in Melbourne. Incidentally my husband works in publishing, he agreed with your take on indexes! Karen x
Book
Booooookbookbook oh bugger I’ve started doing a chicken impression….
I’ve been sewing for a few years but have only recently discovered blogs. Where have I been!? I’m currently making the Archer shirt which I would never have known about if it wasn’t for all you lovely bloggers, so thanks!
I’d love the combo please x
What a generous giveaway! I would love to win the book to add to my collection! Thanks!
I had a hacking jacket when I was about 12, made for me by my dear Grandma, after much large-eyed hinting that my life would be so much better if I owned one; what a 12 year old who had never been on a horse wanted with a tweed equestrian jacket I do not know, especially as I am sure the rest of my wardrobe was ra-ra skirts and leg warmers at the time…
Anyway – I would love to win the book. Having had a ra-ra skirt at the age of 12 I think my pink gingham days are behind me, too – and I never get ANYTHING dry-cleaned!
Great giveaway, Karen! Thank you.
Please enter me for the combo! I’d love to have the book and I can already imagine something lovely in the silk! Stone Fabrics is my nearest fabric shop( depths of sleepy Devon!) and it is a lovely place to wander among the rolls of fabric!
I would love to be in for the combo, I can just see that in a wiggle dress
Oooh, I’d love to be in the draw for the combo, please! Both look gorgeous, and I’m already imagining that fabric made up, so pretty! 🙂
I would love the combo! I am glad someone put the show on youtube so I can watch from Germany. Thanks!
I have been watching the show on YouTube, too, and it’s great fun. I’d love to win the combo. Thanks for such a generous giveaway!
Silk. I love pink silk gingham. And your blog. And good luck with your e-book. If I needed bound buttonhole tutorials I would have a copy!
Ooo yes please! That silk is scrumptious! I’m going for the combo!
Combo! The gingham is to die for and who can say no to a book?
A hack was a rented horse, for riding in the park. So maybe a hacking jacket is for riding in the city, as opposed to the country.
As for the contest… I wouldn’t be able to do much with the silk yet, but one day, right? So, both! Why not?
What a lovely giveaway. I would love to have both the fabric and the book. Greedy sheesh haha I’d also just go for the book.
It does feel greedy to ask, but the combo please.
Firm believer in never-enough-fabric-in-the-house, here. So, please count me in….
The book looks really cute, and I love the taffeta! Thanks for doing this 🙂
Both
What a fabulous giveaway!! I’d love to be entered to win the combo!!
A hacking jacket is a tweed jacket worn for showing or hunting horses – still very much worn today.
S x
Loving the Great British Sewing Bee and just stumbled upon your rather fabulous blog.
I’d be a nightmare with the silk so just the book draw please.
Fingers crossed x
I hope I win!!!!
Thanks so much for the chance 🙂
Sorry, I forgot to write down “book” please …
I have been following the Sewing Bee on YouTube! I love it, hope the USA gets on the band wagon with a show like this! I’d love the combo! Thanks
Well, I’d be crazy not to want both! So, combo please! Thanks so much for the giveaway 🙂
Oh, I would love to read that book and what’s not to love about that gorgeous fabric?! So, combo please! Thanks for a lovely giveaway.
While I love the silk I just can’t think of anything I would use it for, even though it is pink! So can I enter for just the book please? I’m sure someone else will have a fantastic idea for the silk.
What a wonderfully generous giveaway! I would like to throw my hat in the ring for just the book, please – I have enough silk fabric of my own that I’m nervous about cutting into, and it doesn’t even have checks to match up! It is beautiful, though… I love your blog, by the way – very inspirational!
I would love the book please! The GBSB has ignited my passion to start sewing my own clothes, but being a beginner I wouldn’t know where to start with that lovely fabric and it would be a tragedy for me to ruin it!
I am vying for the book. If I don’t win it somewhere, I’ll need to find out how to purchase in the States. Please toss my name into the hat.
Had the opportunity to see both Sewing Bees episodes on Youtube and loved it! Gladly in for the combo, please! 🙂
I could take that off you hands and into my new but growing book and fab fabric stash. 🙂
Such a shame to see Tilly go, but go team Patrick! – cout me in for the giveaway!
How kind of you! I’d like the book please. It looks like a fantastic book to add to my collection. I’ve been enjoying the show.
Ooh. Pink gingham silk. Fabric for me please! Thanks for being so generous!
I just “discovered” your blog the other day (through Tilly, I think) and I love it!! I sewed quite a bit in my early 20s, but only sporadically in my 30s. Now in my early 40s I’m getting back into it and am so excited! I too am past pink gingham, although it’s lovely. I would love to get my hands on a copy of that book, but am happy to buy a copy. I just wanted to say hi!
I’d love to win the book! Thank you for the giveaway. I’m enjoying GBSB and all the associated blog posts so much!
The book, please. I believe my pink gingham days have passed as well.
I’ve watched the show on YouTube as it isn’t on here in Canada.
Great show!
I would love to win both. The book looks really interesting and I’m really keen to get my hands on a copy. The fabric would be useful because I’m intending to sew some summery clothes for myself in pinks and reds so that I co-ordinate no matter what I pack to take away on holiday.
What a generous giveaway!
I was able to watch the first two episodes just last night on YouTube, and I’m just in love with everyone on the show. So I would love to have a copy of the book, and who could pass up silk taffeta gingham? Combo, please!
What lovely lovely fabric! Combo please!
I’m not sure I’ve ever been a pink gingham girl but I would love the book ! Fingers crossed you can send it to Australia ?
I would love the book. Being new to sewing I don’t feel I would do the material justice.
I have loved the Great British Sewing Bee that I have watched here in Sydney via you tube. Between being inspired by Tilly and her amazing skills in such a short time frame and your wonderful blog I am well and truly into this sewing thing .
You are very generous, madam! I’ve never made anything out of gingham before let alone silk so this would be like a whole new, slightly scary experience for me. Definitely the combo please!
I would LOVE the silk…
A Hacking Jacket is worn with your normal jodphurs when “hacking” across country. Other types of jacket are worn when doing dressage, show jumping, hunting etc etc. No trousers to match as you will be wear jodphurs 🙂
I have 3 boys and have come to the conclusion and for most sewing companies boys and men either don’t exist or only need one pair or trousers and one shirt!! It is really hard to find interesting patterns – Ottobre design magazine is the best source for the boys. Kwik Sew or the odd vintage pattern for men…. poor things bow ties really??? I have never been asked to make those for my menfolk.. but T-shirts, trousers, shirts, jackets, jumpers and even a waistcoat (for a Christening)…YES! (oh and lots of fancy dress costumes!)
The lack of paper patterns totally puts me off the book 🙁
I’d love the silk! I’m crushing on gingham at the moment.
I’d love the Combo please. What a generous giveaway!
I want the book too. Hope I can still win even though I’m from Canada.
Sorry the combo, I want the combo!!!
Awesome fabric and book.
Combo please!
I’ve never tried sewing my own clothes, but the Sewing Bee and your blog have inspired me to start! 🙂
Hi i would love the combo! i sound like a kfc order! I am a very very very new sewer, and i am just starting my sew-career. The book would be sew lovely haha for me to experiment with. i would of course take great care of the silk and only practice on lowly pieces of plain cotton, but after a few tries i will then use the silk and make the darn tootingest best dress/skirt/item you shall ever see* (*this may be exaggerated) i will then post a picture of it for all to see on this very blog* (*i will then email it to you and you will decide if its good enough?) with fries. please! x
I would love to add the book to my sewing library! Thank you!
I’d love the book, please
I’ve dusted down the machine and am raring to start so the combo please
Ooh, only just found there’s a book out! Love the series. So book for me please ;o)
Good afternoon. I will leave the Sewing Bee Book to be bestowed on someone new to sewing, hopefully. I will leave the delicious gingham silk to someone with the skill and imagination to tame that wonderful fabric. Can I have Ella instead? If not for keeps, can I have her for a day?. Or an hour if she happens to be in the vicinity of Manchester? Oh alright then, I’ll settle for a photo. Good luck to all entrants!
you are so awesome! throw my name in for the fabric! 🙂
On second thoughts, the silk is gorgeous – id like to enter for the combo too please!!
OMG! What a smashing offer! I’d so love to win both the book & the fabric, as I’ve a young niece who’d just fall in love with anything soooooooooooo pretty, while I get the pleasure of making for her & having a great book to drool over & inspire me…
I’d love the combo!!
I’m in for the combo, too! Thank you and best wishes from Germany 🙂
I would love a copy of the book. It would take pride of place in my sewing room, propped up on a shelf in full view from my sewing machine. Just for inspirational purposes of course, nothing to do with Patrick on the cover!
I’d love the book. Although I love gingham, I wouldn’t know what to do with gingham silk taffetta. Thanks!
I’d adore to make some of the clothing options in the book. No pink silk for me though.
I’m so sad that I can’t watch the Sewing Bee here in the USA. Still, I’m enjoying all the blogger coverage for sure!! Thanks, Margaret
Margaret,
Some kinds souls have put both episodes up on Youtube. Just go to youtube and search for Great British Sewing Bee by episode and you’ll be quite happy with the results! I’m assuming that they’ll continue to be posted!
thank you!
The book please!
Wow, would love the combo! Have just watched the first 2 eps here in Oz, and love it!
I’d love either! And it never occurred to me that silk taffeta could exist in something as fabulous as pink gingham. A whole new world has just opened up to me…
I’m in for the combo. The book is great, but the gingham – amazing! I recently love everything pink, so this fabric is perfect.
Thank you for this generous offer! The combo please.
Please enter me for the book, i really really really need it, I am a complete newbie to the world of sewing and need to swot up!
I’d love to win both (but if I had to choose one it’d be that divine fabric)!
That silk is making me drool. Why am I seeing a light as air maxi dress? Could it be my fierce spring fever? I wouldn’t mind the book either. Especially if there are pictures of Patrick I can drool over.
Book and silk, please. I know a couple of new sewists who could use the book (after I’ve read it and left crumbs and tea stains on the pages first) and I am not afraid of color or pattern. Hacking is casual horseback riding, so a hacking jacket is comfortable wear for the rider. Ralph Lauren made them very popular in the late 1970s in the US, for any and all to wear, whether or not you ride to horse.
“Ride to horse”? Or is it “ride to hounds”? Obviously I do neither, judging from my confused phraseology. “Ride horses.”
Hi, would love to win the book. Deffo don’t think my skills are anywhere near good enough to cut in to lovely silk so will let someone else do justice to that. Loving the Bee. Not a perfect programme but it’s a start – here’s hoping for more and a longer run. And oh oh if they ever want beginners to teach who will hilariously drool on telly due to concentrating tongue-sticking-outage, I’m there!
The fabric is just gorgeous, and pink is my most favorite of favorite colors. Please put me in the running for the fabric.
my fingers are crossed for the combo. pretty please!!
I would love to win the silk. It is so beautiful!
COMBO please….the book looks awesome and that fabric is delicious!!!!
In for a penny and all that….sign me up for the combo!! 🙂
I’d love to win both please! I love that fabric!!!!
awesome giveaway… combo, please! Thanks, Karen!
my pink and white gingham days should probably be behind me, but screw that! combo please!!
Combo please – was drooling over the book in smiths earlier until hubby forced me to leave – who needs to shop for food? And that checked silk is amazing!
I also love the Great British Sewing Bee! The silk is STUNNING! I would like to enter for the combo please 🙂 Thank you so much for this giveaway! 🙂 xoxox
GOOD GOD KAREN, I WANT THAT SILK. Me me me pick meee!! I’ll leave the book open for someone else to win… I have enough sewing books as it is 🙂 But that silk gingham! Be still, my heart!
Karen, you’re so generous.
The combo please – I was trying to persuade hubby to let me buy it earlier today and he wouldn’t – who needs food, eh?
And that silk is totally stunning.
Combo please. 🙂 I am new to sewing and have been inspired by the programme!
I would love the book! I have come back to sewing after a long absence and I need all the help I can get. I am so happy you blogged about the show it is wonderful and the people seem so nice and genuine.
Oh definitely the combo….just to make me a little less homesick 🙂
I would like to enter to win the silk!
Um, combo please! And I don’t think your pink gingham days are behind you!
I would love to with the combo!
And, I agree with you, Patrick is amazing!
Sarah
Love the fabric, but judging from the pictures the colors wouldn’t suit me, so count me in for the book and let someone else make a lovely silk dress!
Put me in for the combo please!!
I am in for the book, thanks! I am totally addicted to the GBSB. Love it.
Since I’ve won a lovely giveaway in the past, I’m not entering to win either but to ask: Is there an age limit on silk gingham????? If so, then my limits are way past up but I was just wondering if gingham is considered a younger person’s game…..karen?
Gingham is everyone’s game! I think it’s the pink – I’m just not in a pink zone right now. (I retain the right to change my mind tomorrow/next week/next year!)
Good to hear!
🙂
Love your blog and although I haven’t yet done much sewing would love the book
Thanks for the best giveaway i’ve seen in the sewing blogosphere. I’d love to win the combo of course!
Hello,
A hacking jacket is suppose to be a kind of casual jacket for horse riding. I like this style of jacket because it tends to be a bit more fitted through the torso that your average blazer. Sometimes a hacking jacket will have nice details like slanted single welt pockets.
Great giveaway! I’m applying for the book as I think my pink gingham days are perhaps past as well. Thank you!
~Jen
Oh my! I love the show and would like to enter for both please.
This. is. awesome. Combo please!! Thanks for sharing 🙂
I’d love the combo personally. I love that fabric, and although my beginner sewist days are over, I have recently started teaching a ‘fashions’ class to 13-14 year olds in the school I work at. I’ve started showing them episodes of TGBSB and this book would be a great bit of additional inspiration.
I’d love the combo. The book seems like fun and that gingham is to die for! Thanks for the awesome giveaway!
Wow, what a generous giveaway! I’d love the book, as I am loving the series, but know my skills wouldn’t allow me to use the beautiful silk! 🙂
That combo would really make my day. The silk is glorious and I love the show and would love the book!
I love the pink gingham!! I would like the combo please. Thank you for the giveaway.
The combo would be great!!
My birthday was this week, and that silk would make an EXCELLENT birthday present! 🙂
Thank you for the generous giveaway! I would love to go into the draw for the book.
I’m relegated to watching what I can on YouTube so I’d love to have the book. It’d be nice for 2 of us to win something. Thanks so much for your generosity!
Put me in for the combo, please. I saw a gingham dress in a shop yesterday that I would love to copy with that gorgeous silk!
Ooooh that fabric. I think I can do without the book, but that fabric looks downright delicious!
I would love to win the combo. The fabric is gorgeous and the book would be interesting. I love any and all sewing books.
Oh, combo for me please. It’s my 40th on Friday,it would be a super fab treat.
The book would be amazing!
I loved the lantern fabric that Stuart used for his dress – does anyone know where it was from?
Ah a hacking jacket – a tweed jacket used for riding, see the link: I used to have a tweed hacking jacket, but as a fashion item, not being a horse rider. I hope this doesn’t age me!! I have contemplated buying the book, but I like to have full patterns, can’t be having with photocopying etc. But I must admnit I would like to read it. That fabric is fabulous. I am certain it will fit very well into my stash. So for these reasons I would love the combo. http://www.tweedmansvintage.co.uk/pages/hacking-jacket
Combo! Who could pass up pretty pictures AND pretty fabric?
I would love the book to give to my 9 year old grand daughter – a budding sewer! After watching the first GBSB with her she insisted that we made her a skirt, which we duly did that day, as I was looking after her during her Easter holiday break. Apart from help with the invisible zip, and lining (yes we lined the “yoke” and skirt also adding a layer of net between fabric and lining) she completed the whole project herself! Is now asking if there may be a Junior GBSB. If so she will be first in the queue! Maybe I should also ask to be put in the “jar” for the fabric also for her next project.
I love the silk – it would make an amazing Cambie I think, but I also have a Vogue pattern for which it would be perfect… Daydreaming. Please enter me into the silk draw? 🙂
please enter me in the drawing to win the book please.
Love love love GBSB! Combo please.
I am really enjoying this show, and all of the blog posts that go along with it! The conversation over at the Stitcher’s Guild about it is my guilty addiction! I’d love to be even more inspired. Throw my name in the hat for the combo!
Woah you already have a million comments so it’s a long shot, but i would love them both! Combo! I just got on the laptop computer the other night and watched the first 2 episodes of the sewing bee on youtube because i don’t have the channel, and i really enjoyed the show. can’t wait for the next one. I would love to make the most adorable dress out of the silk.
I would love the book, but I think my gingham days are long gone as well! I’m sure I’m a decade (at least) older than you. I’m happy to buy the book, and love your blg – more dog photos please!
OMG WHAT?! This is so cool. I would love to win the silk! I’m plus size, so clothing patterns in books like this have a near-zero chance of fitting me, but I could make some beautiful things with that silk!
Silk!
Combo please. Thanks!
Wow what a very generous give away. Please put me in the running for just the book (pink isn’t for me regardless of how luxurious the fabric is).
Fabulous giveaway. Can I be entered for the fabric please? I love your ebooks v detailed indeed. It’s a great idea, glad you did it!
You have a fab blog, thank you! Really fresh! I’m in for the combo please xx
Wow just found your blog via Tilly’s, I’m going to struggle to get much sewing done with all this extra reading to do!
Please can I enter for the book? The fabric is delish but I know it would take me an age to make something from it and my fabric stash is too large already
Thankyiu
Oooooh, fabulous giveaway! I didn’t even know they had a Great British Sewing Bee book! I’d like to enter for the combo as I don’t have the book and that fabric is gorgeous! Thanks Karen!
I almost missed it! That gingham is to die for, I love it. Please sewing gods, let me win!
PS-Thank you Karen for such a generous giveaway. ♥
Sorry, I read your post too fast, please put my name in for the book and the fabric.
Thank you
I would love to enter for the silk, it is stunning! I have looked at the book in the shop but I am not sure it offers more than other sewing books around so I have passed it by for now.
OMG!!! I can’t believe how stonking a giveaway this is! And I can’t believe you think you’re past pink gingham.
I’m going to say Combo, because I’d be happy if I received *either* of these, and I can’t choose which I’d prefer.
The programme has inspired me to get sewing again just in time for my baby’s arrival in a couple of weeks! It’s also led me to your fabulous blog. I would love both the book and the silk. Hannah x
Oooh! What a lovely giveaway, Karen!
Please enter me for the book only. My pink gingham (actually, pink anything!) are so far behind me that I can’t even see them in the rear view mirror! *lol*
Thanks so much for this lovely opportunity and for all of your work on your blog. It’s one of my “first reads” of the day!
Ooh I’d love to be put in the mix to win the combo – currently having a love of all things pink and that fabric looks gorgeous 😀
Wow, what a giveaway! I’d love the combo! Or either of them really 🙂 And I’m so loving your blog in general 🙂
How kind and thoughtful! The book please if am lucky enough to hit the jackpot! XO
Thanks for the review… Will add the book to my wishlist!
Combo would be fab!
Ooh, I would absolutely love to win the combo. These look amazing!
My “OOoooh yes please” to either or both, is #248. Now that’s a lot of appreciators of you, and the Sewing Bee! xoxo
I’d love to be adventurous and win the combo, but I’m not sure I’d be able to do the fabric justice!! So the book please, it looks like it’d be quite handy for a beginner like me!
Combo! Hope I am lucky!
Combo! Fingers crossed x
Worldwide….such generosity! I have been over the moon to catch the power of the bee through some other generous souls posting on youtube—we Americans love our British blogger buddies. The combo would be delightful if my number comes up. Thanks so much!
I would love to win the combo! The fabric is just the inspiration needed for a Spring project, and I would love to take a peek at the book before passing it along to a new sewer. Thanks!
Wow! What a fab giveaway! I’d like to enter for the combo, please!
I would be able to use both. I have four granddaughters to sew for!
Combo for me please!
THE SILK!!! That silk makes my knees tremble and my heart flutter and my breath catch in my throat. It makes me laugh with delight and weep with yearning and sigh with pleasure. It demands sonnets and odes and haiku.
So um yeah, I’d like to be entered for the silk please!
Please do enter me into the book+fabric giveaway!
Combo por moi! A “hacking jacket” is what you wear out riding, usually in tweed. Think of the Thewell cartoons.
I’d love the combo!
I don’t mind which the silk, the book or both. I rather like that the patterns in the book are little, they’re on squared paper and they have the scale so I could go old school and size them up on graph paper – maybe thats a bit wired. I thought I’d hate both the book and the series but its actually very good.
That fabric is crying to become a circle skirt. Count me in!
I’d love to enter for the combo please! I am absolutely loving the show, and can imagine making my 5 year old daughter a very special dress with the silk.
Thanks!
combo please! thanks for the chance to win!
I would love the combo!! On the basis that you’re only as old as you feel, and I feel positively chick like (albeit in a 3 children fast approaching forty boobs heading south way), I think you can wear whatever you like at whatever age you like. The trick is not to care what others think! Pink gingham, bring it on!
I want the combo, but oh me, however will I win amongst over 250 comments! And that’s in the first day! And I am ABSOLUTELY DYING over that silk gingham. First of all I didn’t even know that silk gingham existed, secondly those colors are to GORGEOUS. I would wear it everyday! Oh boy, if I don’t win, I may just have to splurge on half a meter or something just to have some.
Ooooh Okay, I think I’m calm now…
I would happily take the combo. I am loving both the British Sewing Bee and Project Runway. Thanks for hosting!
I would love the combo!
I move from the UK and then they bring out a sewing show. Typical! Have managed to watch it online though. Count me in for the book. Cheers.
I love to win the combo!! Thanks..
That pink silk would make the best full-skirted bombshell dress! Summery, and wearing it would inspire musical-esque song and dance numbers. I’ve always wanted a soundtrack and choreography! Count me in for the silk, please, and thank you for the sunny daydream!
(loving GSB on YouTube…everyone seems so genuinely nice!)
Great giveaway, and helpful comments – I’d love a copy of the book, please!
I would love both! The silk to make for a wedding this june and the book for help making the silk into something fabulous!
Oh man – you know me and gingham! I’d totally make something Oklahoma inspired and wear it. With BOOTS!
Love the sound of this book. If I don’t win it I may just have to purchase it. But I’m really hoping I win it. GINGHAM!
Oh yeah. combo please .
Thanks!
I would like to be in for the combo
GBSB is my newest obsession! I want more! If I win the book, I’ll even make the hacking jacket.
Oh good gravy! COMBO! COMBO ME PLEASE! What a great giveaway!
A hacking jacket – in case I missed it in that very large number of comments – is a riding jacket, with tight waist, slanted pockets with flaps, and vents at the sides or back (and, I imagine, worn when hacking – that is, horseriding for pleasure). Thank you for the generous giveaway, but please don’t include me in it. I’d love both the book and the fabric, of course, but I’m trying desperately to make my house more livable and I simply cannot add any more fabric, yarns or books to it. The walls will burst!
Ooh combo please! That looks like a great boook will probably buy it if I don’t win
Combo please! That fabric is awesome. L x
The book would be great. Thanks.
I’d love the book, please – am too old for pink gingham! Love the Great British Sewing Bee and am so glad I can watch it on YouTube.
I’ll put my name in the hat for the combo please! I am on a fabric/book ban at the moment (due to saving every penny for my up coming May wedding) this would give me a little boost as I am having withdrawls 🙂 Loving the Great British Sewing Bee, so excited to see sewing brought into the mainstream! Thanks for the chance of winning!.
I would love the book please. The sewing bee is brilliant, I wish it was on for longer than four weeks!
I would love to sink my needle in that gingham is you ship to France.
Gorgeous giveaway – Please put my name in the Combo hat!
Really want to make that tea dress, and wouldn’t it look great in that fabric too! But, I’m going to share the happiness and just go for the book so, if I am lucky enough to win someone else can have a happy day too!
oooh, how generous, would love to win the book:)
Wow! What a list of comments! I think it’s sad too that the men have not been addressed properly in this book. Beginner or not they could have included a T-shirt, a simple shirt, pyjama bottoms….It sounds to me like the thought just wasn’t there. The actual production of a book is the easy bit. The content requires thought though, as we well know!
So with that in mind, I’d very much like to be in the pot for a chance to win some of that lovely fabric please! Its stunning!
Oh the combo please. Am loving the show – just wish it was longer than 4 episodes.
Greetings from Sydney Australia & a keen sewist of many years. I would love the Combo, please please. I loved the show which sadly is not being screen in Oz, thank goodness for Youtube. Sewing is a lifelong journey of learning pleasure. I agree that sewing for men could do with a major boost. Best wishes to all sewists around the world – my machine will be packed into my coffin when my sewing days are over!!!
As an Aussie fairly novice sewist, I have been hunting down each episode of the sewing bee! I am loving the series, it’s really showing me new and wonderful things about the world of sewing… And how I aspire to first gain Tilly’s skills, and then to be like Ann one day!
I would love the combo please, if I am lucky enough to win the giveaway!
I think my pink gingham days are behind me too, so I’ll just go for the book.
Would love the combo if I were lucky enough to ever win a giveaway 🙂 pink gingham days behind you?! I can see it being a lovely dress for me, ready to attend my friend’s wedding in August. Now I’m off to read about bound buttonholes… Sarah x
OMG, that silk looks wonderful! I’d love to transform this georgeous fabric into a dress. So, I’d like only the silk, please.
Combo please, Karen! I am due to have another baby (start of July) and could do with something inspiring to make myself a dress to fit my post baby shape. (I promise not to use that beautiful silk on the baby! Okay, maybe a hair bow or something out of scraps if she is lucky and I have the time…) Please pick me! 🙂 Janet
A Combo please, Karen, I am a beginner and both the book and silk would be something great for me I think.. what do you think??? Thanks, Purvi
I would love the silk. I have an 11 yr old who would look fabulous in something made from this. Thanks for giveaway
Thank you so much for the generous giveaway! I would choose the book.
Oooooh loveley jubbeley! Count me in!
Sorry, forgot to say, count me in for the combo!
Oh, both are lovely and of course I want the “combo”. Thanks for the review. The show has been very educational and inspirational!
I would love the combo thanks Karen 🙂
I’d love to have the book, Karen! I’m glued to the series, although not without reservations. Still, it’s great to see some sewing on mainstream TV, I guess.
I’m a great devotee of your blog – although how you have time to work, blog, sew and everything else is completely beyond me…..
Book and silk please, I have a 12 year old niece who would look delightful in it!
I’d adore a chance at the book (pink’s not really my color).
What a fabulous give away, I’d love to join in please… beautiful fabric but it would be wasted on me and I don’t want to be greedy… I would, however, LOVE a chance to win the book please…. just started on the sewing adventure… smiles Cass
Beautiful silk! Yes, a hacking jacket is a riding jacket, a nice short tweed one.
It really is a shame that they haven’t included full size patterns, but at least people will be able to work out how to make the ‘how too’s, without blinking and missing it.
combo please :0)
Wow, thanks for such a super exciting giveaway! I’d love to enter for the combo – I’m currently working for free for a charity so don’t ever get to buy fabric anymore and both of these prizes look great!
Great giveaway! I’m in for the combo please!
I would love the combo! As a beginner sewist, I need all the advice I can have, and that fabric looks great, too! Thank you!
Wow! Congratulations on your massive readership! I love your blog though I haven’t commented very often. I’d love the book. I hope this time you aren’t going to write out all our names!
Combo please, what a lovely book and fabric
Wow! Great giveaway, thanks! I will say BOOK! The fabric is beautiful, but I just wouldn’t use it, and it would just lie in my stash instead! But having overused the book in John Lewis today, I would love to own it!
Hey, I’d like the book, then.
Cheers, A.
I would love to win both please as I’m riveted to the show as a novice dress maker who is a very non standard size.
Book please.I’m not a gingham type of girl! Thanks!
Your blog has given me inspiration and confidence to revisit crafts that I’d forgotten I could do. My enthusiasm has rubbed off on my 16 year old daughter who has begun to take an interest in making clothes for herself and as a bonus, now sees me as quite clever instead of ‘weird’, Sewing Bee is a great bonding time for us and winning the book would be fantastic. I would love to win the fabric, the pink gingham probably would be a little too youthful for me, but would make a fabulous dress for Izzy and we could make it together.
I would love the combo please! Thank you.
Hi the combo would be great (if not a bit greedy!
In for Combo! 😉
That fabric is soo pretty and the book could give me a new project to try it out on so it’s the combo for me. Thank you for the giveaway
Combo if i win please.
The combo would be awesome 🙂
Hi I love sewing books and fabric so the combo would be great. Pretty sure I would make a dirndl skirt if I won the silk 🙂
oo, lovely! Combo please ^__^
I’m in Australia, so I’m happy to save you the cost of posting that book! Fabric please. Pink gingham is behind me too, but would look gorgeous on my 13 year old daughter, made up in a special dress for her uncle’s engagement party!
Combo for me! I don’t think that pink silk is beyond me yet, besides, I have a thing for stripes and checks. Such lovely fabric!
Pink gingham probably *should* be behind me, but I admit I don’t think I’ll ever let it go! But resizing pattern pieces on a photocopier sounds too tedious for me. So, just the fabric would suit me just fine.
Combo please! The silk is gorgeous, and the book looks really interesting, it’s the first I’ve heard of this tv show (I’m Australian) so I’ll have to hunt down the episodes.
oh my that fabric is amazing…. wouldn’t mind the book too but the fabric oh yes please, so much
I need to read more so I’m up for the challenge to win the book. The TVshow makes me wanna sew more, so I hope the book will do the same. =)
I would love a chance to win the book-silk combo…thanks for a great review and giveaway Karen!
The combo please. The Silk is just gorgeous.
Well… If it allows another name to be picked to win the lovely silk, then I’ll go with the book. I really should use the fabric I already have 🙂
I would love the book, the fabric looks gorgeous but I,m afraid of sewing silk so I’ll just stick to the book
I’m in for the book and silk combo 🙂
Combo for me too please………. just so Patrick can spot me in the crowd sailing along the street in my 50s gingham dress……..
OMG! Combo please. I love that silk and being able to treat myself to fabric that I would never buy (due to fear/cost) would be lovely.
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That is a great giveaway! I l would like the book, as I’ve got too much fabric already 🙂
Thank you for the lovely giveaway and review!
The combo would be fab. A brilliant giveaway, thank you 🙂
Combo please!!
I’m a fairly new sewer, and am quickly falling in love with it.
That material looks PERFECT for a pinafore, and I already wanted that book!
Love the show! I’ll take the combo for sure 😉
Would LOVE the book
I thought the book would be enough for me… But the fabric is really beautiful! So I ´d love the combo. Thanks for the chance to win!!!
Combo for me please, I don’t buy silk because of my fear of ruining it, maybe if I have some I’ll brave making something out of it!
Wow! Would love the combo please!
Boy, I would love to see the book’s TV show here in the USA, do you know of a way to view it on the Internet? I’m sure none of the channels I get offer it. I appreciate your honest review of the book. The historic portions of the book are especially interesting to me! Thank you for your generous giveaway! I will go whole hog and choose the combo (might as well go big). But actually, I would be thrilled with either one alone!
I would love the combo!! Thank you for the opportunity to win!
I would love the book if I were to win the giveaway!
Ooh i’d love the combo please karen!
I am really enjoying watching the GBSB and, even better, it seems to have inspired my daughter which is something I’ve not managed to do! She is home from uni next week and we are going to make her a skirt together which should be fun. Inspired by her enthusiasm, I’ve ordered a few new patterns and one is a dress which I can just imagine in that lovely gingham fabric for her. So I’d love to enter for the combo. I’m in France but can give you a U.K. address if I am lucky enough to win!
Even though I’m not horsey – I know people that are – and a hacking jacket is definitely something you would wear on a horse although, like most things, it has been interpreted by the fashion world too.
Thanks for the opportunity.
thetialys@gmail.com
I’m stunned! That’s an awsome giveaway. I would love the combo.
Tough choice! Fabric for me, please!
Hi Karen, I would love the combo.
I’d love to win the combo or the fabric only.
I’m just getting going with sewing again after dabbling on and off over the years. Thanks for the great blog, however did we manage before the twinternet? What I want to know is how do you get to be a ‘one project woman’? I’m also very good at gathering, reading , contemplating and ruminating……… Fabric would be lovely please.
Oooh – a chance for the combo please 🙂 The GBSB is (literally and honestly) the first TV programme I have watched for nearly 10 years. Amazing the power that sewing has, no? ;p
Just the book please. Not sure I could do the fabric justice! Thanks!
Oh wow, pink gingham silk how amazing, I’d love to make a dress from it, I’d also love to win the book.
Oh the silk!
Combo, please! Being in the US, I can’t get the show. Hopefully we will be able to see it someday. The book will be a treat in lieu of it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19Fq_X_xngU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5trYhyBMuI
🙂
A hacking jacket is a riding jacket with side or back vents and slanting pockets. I had one …they were big in the late 70’s …it was tweed…with leather patches on the elbows…..(or elbones as my daughter calls them). Anyway….if you ship to Vancouver Canada (could I get any further away?) I would love the book and the fabric but the book would be my most favorite. Love the show and love to sew (now Wotsybaby has taught me how)(in fact she deserves it more than me :)….Thank you!!!
I’d be glad of the combo. Or just the book.
I think I too am just a little beyond the days of pink gingham, sad as that is. But I’d love a chance to win the book. I am so totally hooked on the GBSB!
I have just started sewing clothing and home accessories. I love the GBSB in fact I’d go as far as to say I’m addicted! I found this blog and many others via Tilly and the buttons after watching the first episode. These blogs are brilliant full of inspiration ideas and helpful tutorials which have already helped me in my quest to sew.
I’d love the combo or just the book.
Both please. I havent won anything since I won a fruit cake in the ‘guess the weight of the cake’ competition age 10 at the brownies jumble sale and that was in the 1970’s. Never give up is my motto!
Like sewing – dont give up – that fabric stash will get used at some point if you follow that motto!
super blog,(I’m a regular lurker with a mug of tea on Sundays) and an extra special giveaway competition. Thank you.
Combo please 🙂
That fabric is gorgeous! And I just love the Great British Sewing Bee!
I’ve loved the show so far – even my boyfriend got into it.
What a fabulous giveaway – I’d have to go for the combo too – the tafetta is georgeous.
Oh my gosh, I’d love to win the combo! I only watched my first full episode today and I’m hooked and sorry it’s only a four part series 🙁 Can’t wait for tomorrows episode!
I’m in for the combo! I can see that fabric making an awesome dress (though I pretty much see all fabric making an awesome dress so, umm, yes). 😀
I love to win the book.
I really would like to have the book -pink is not my color…
I have seen two parts of the show on internet and I´m looking forward to the third!
Found this site just in time. Please let me be in for the combo.
I would love the book! The fabric is lovely, but I am really lusting after the book and would be happy to let someone else be a winner who wants the fabric.
Wow! I’d love to win the combo. Thanks for a wonderful giveaway.
Oh the combo please. Thanks for a wonderful, world wide giveaway!
PS I’ve a dog myself and am a “good weather” runner….I do WAAAY better dogwalking…hard to say “no” to a friendly, furry face!
(Rings bell and bangs gavel on desk) Attention. Attention. DKNY hacking jacket pattern alert:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vogue-DKNY-jacket-pattern-1655-Size-14-18-/271187733949?pt=UK_Crafts_SewingPatterns_EH&hash=item3f240c6dbd
I’d like the combo please! 🙂
Both, would be incredible. I bought my first sewing machine yesterday. Using the silk maybe a little way off, but it would be something to work towards!
I’ve watched the first episodes and I loved it, if only they made a spanish version and asked me to participate… While I dream about it, I would love to win the combo so I can read the book and make and great pink gingham Tilly dress!
I sure would like to win the combo…
combo please 🙂 It has inspired me to start sewing
Would love the combo, great programme, don’t want the series to end…….
I’d love to win the book – it looks fantastic!
(I love the fabric but just don’t think it’s for me)
Fingers crossed…
I would love to win the silk, was lucky enough to be bought the book by my husband but now need some fabric!
Oh WOW… That silk is beautiful. would love the combo… Thanks!
I would love the combo please.
Love the way the Bee has got everyone talking about sewing.. a nice change from everyone talking about Masterchef
Thank you for your giveaway! Am loving the Great British Sewing Bee and would love to win your fantastic combo.
I would be so happy … Combo or only the book, as you wish
Hugs from France…
Love your blog. I want to enter for the combo please
I’d love both!! I can see the silk as a lovely dress for my daughter (who is not quite 2, so maybe not yet…)
Ooooh… the book please!
My 10 year old daughter and I have been watching GBSB avidly, then re-watching, then experimenting, so the book would be great!
Can i be in for the combo please. Sounds amazing! I’d love to make something with bright pink gingham!! And the book would be a perfect place for inspiration.
Loving the show and very happy to find it on youtube. I would love the book!
Book for me please! Thank you 🙂
I would love to win the combo! Thank you!
I’m in for the combo please. How exciting! Thanks for the opportunity.
Silk please, and thanks for the generous give away!
Ooooh, combo please. I am currently teaching my two daughters to sew so the book would be useful immediately and I suspect that the fabric would be used to produce some garment in the near future. Thank you for the generous offer.
Great idea! Am thrilled that sewing is being given such a boost on tv. Have long wanted to try a Roman blind so would be very interested to see that project. The fabric would be lovely (and challenging!) but I’d be happy to share and just go for the book please!
Mmmm…all lovely things in one book…and with pretty fabric to protect it on it’s journey to me hehe! Combo please – and thank you for your generosity
Hi, I would love the book. I have a new baby (10 weeks old) so have only watched the show tonight for the first time but really enjoyed it and started looking online how I can get the pattern to make that beautiful little sundress for my new baby girl xx
Hacking is like going for a stroll but on a horse, ie. not racing it or going on a hunt. I had a tweed hacking jacket in the 80s, I used to wear it with a poodle skirt…don’t ask why, I was a teenager.
Funny, I was just researching beginner sewing books…
Combo, please!
My daughter-in-law was given a sewing machine last Christmas. She is a novice so the book would give her some great direction and inspiration . The fabric is just lovely too. So I’m in for the combo please. Love your blog its a great read. Thanks for spreading the word about sewing.
Oooooh, could I have the combo please? Thanks for hosting the giveaway and thanks for putting the review up, I was wondering what this book is like…
I would adore the combo, my days of pink gingham may be passed but I am willing to throw caution to the wind
I’d love the combo – what a generous giveaway, also thank you for your great blog!
You’ve forced me to turn from long-time lurker into commenter! I’d love the lot but I’m going to go for just the book as I know I’d use it the most. Why should you choose me? Because if you do, the book should arrive in time for my birthday the following week! What a treat! xx
Loving the blog! I’d be thrilled with the combo – just getting back into sewing after too long away and I’m absolutely loving it. Thanks for the encouragement and inspiration.
Found your blog about a week ago and loving it! I saw your post and my first thought was oh! gorgeous fabric! Then I found the show on YouTube and watched the first three episodes last night/this morning. Now I’d love to have the book too, so please enter me for the combo!
Combo pretty please!
Love your blog, just found it online and plan to follow you (but not in a creepy stalker-ish way, in a more like ‘we-all-love-fabric-sewing-and-making’ kind of way)….Have a great evening!
Thank you for the giveaway!!!! I will like the COMBO please!!!
My email: carlalissa35@hotmail.com
Ooooh the combo! That fabric is awesome!
The fabric is gorgeous, i would love the combo!
I have half a mind to covet for the combo of book and silk but i don’t mind giving up the book for someone who wants to fine tune his/her sewing skill and i’ll happily accept the silk:) I love the gingham in pink so girly and some what grungy:) Thank you for your generosity!!
I love watching the sewing bee!! so clever the things they make!
Fab post, I never really go much for books that accompany series but this one looks pretty good. I would love to win both! xx
The combo would be wonderful! That silk is gorgeous and I’m always curious about a new sewing book. Maybe it could entice some of my friends into sewing…
I would love the book I am sure it probably won’t be available here is Australia, I have been following the show on youtube. the fabric is lovely but I think my ginham days are over too. love your blog
linda xxx
Book please, pink gingham is not really my thing either. Thanks!
Great to find your inspiring blog and share in the enthusiasm of the great british sewing bee show. I would be thrilled to win the book and the gorgeous fabric. Would like make the teadress with it. I might be your only Dutch contender. Kind wishes from the other side of the North Sea.
Momo
I’ll give another of your givaways a try. Never won anything, by the way. But no wonder with 400 something comments.
Anyway, count me in for the combo, please.
Oh my days that fabric is Amazing! Going in for the combo please, fingers crossed! x
I would love the combo!
Just the book would do me fine. The silk would be admired and touched and refolded in it’s tissue over and over again but I don’t need it – much better it goes to a someone with a vision of pink loveliness in mind.
Visited your blog because it had a picture of the teal and oatmeal cushions from episode 2. The demo was so fast I wasn’t confident I’d got it right!
Can’t help but wonder what the next series will feature – the outfits for an entire wedding party!!!
Great blog – will be back
Please enter me for the fabric! Its stunning and I’m having a bit of gingham moment now spring is threatening to rear it’s head!!
I would love the book!
My gingham days are a long way away but my 5 year old daughter would look fab in it! I’d be in for the combo. Thanks for the blog – got my first sewing machine 6 months ago and really enjoying finding out new stuff
Wow, I cant believe I almost missed this. what a truly wonderful piece of television and as you rightly say such lovely people. I am obsessed. just wish it was going to be on longer. Love your blog and the way you write. Will certainly be back.
The show has really sparked interest in sewing, hasn’t it?
Just the book for me, Please.
You got me super curious on the book! And my daughter would looooove a dress on five in that wonderful silk!! Combo for us, pretty please 🙂
Love the book! Great to teach my daughters how to sew!
Combo please
I haven’t really sewn since my needlework cse exam in *mumbles* nineteen-eighty-blah
The sewing bee has inspired me to have a go at using my sewing machine for more than sewing on Brownie badges! Not sure where to start though…
I would love both of them please!
Can’t believe there is only one episode left I want it to go on longer!
I’ve always heard the term ‘hacking’ in conjuction with horseback riding.
I would love to win either one of your lovely giveaways, or both if that doesn’t sound too greedy.
Thank you.
I love the tea dress in the book! I’m not sure the gingham would suit me so if I won, just the book.
Thank you! Shame about the lack of male projects, though…
Combo please. If I win this, the book will guide me through a outfit with the silk fabric.
I would love the book! The projects in there are just lovely!
Hello! I’m very pleased to have just discovered your blog! I’d love to win the book. The fabric is also gorgeous, but I think I’ll leave it for someone who knows what they’re doing!
Oooh, I’d love to check out that book!
Hi,
I would love the pink silk gingham please. It’s just asking to be made up in Vogue vintage pattern, teamed with a neat little jacket & a fab bag!
stumbled on your great blog and it’s nearly the deadline – twenty minutes to go! Addicted to Sewing Bee and am a born again dressmaker (I’ve even invested in a dummy….)having made only housey stuff for years so would just love the book to inspire and instruct me. Sadly the gingham would just move from your shelf to mine so someone else should definitely make use of it, however much I love pink silk gingham.
Thanks for the tips and ideas and please don’t stop!
I’d love the combo – my niece would look cute in a little pink summer dress (and maybe I’ll make a matching auntie white dress with some gingham accents). =o)
Combo! Love your blog 🙂
Combo!
I may be to late though. 😉 But I’ve got to try for that fabric – swoon!
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I used to watch project catwalk, and was inspired to start sewing again. But the great british sewing bee actually explains I detail the reality of garment making, an how to finish items correctly. Absolutely fantastic show, and I think this will reach a far wider audience!
I need this book!!! Love the show!!!
Got the sewing bug thanks to the show! Would love the combo please.
If it’s not too late – please will you add me to the draw for the book? Combo would be nice but the book would be invaluable and of more immediate use to me. Fingers crossed