Week 3: Icons Week
This week, the spotlight is on fashion’s most influential figures as judges Patrick Grant and Esme Young set three creative challenges inspired by legendary designers.
In the Pattern Challenge, the sewers put their own twist on a classic — the iconic Diane von Furstenberg wrap dress. Next, the Transformation Challenge takes a rebellious turn, with contestants upcycling home furnishings into punk-inspired outfits in homage to Vivienne Westwood.
For the Made to Measure, it’s all about high fashion and luxury as the sewers create glamorous garments influenced by the bold, unmistakable style of Versace.
The Pattern Challenge - The Wrap Dress
"That's a wrap!"
This week's sewing bee saw the contestants tackle jersey fabrics and were set the challenge of creating a classic wrap dress as first designed in the ‘70s by Diane Von Furstenberg. This fashion staple is adored by the masses and worn by fashion Divas from Madonna to Princesses and Duchesses like Kate Middleton.
Figure Flattering Jersey Fabrics
This jersey classic gave the sewists some new challenges from cutting a stretch fabric to sewing using a cover stitch machine. You may have already created your own classic wrap dress from jersey but not all of us own cover stitch machines. You could use an overlocker or zig-zag stitch to create a similar finish to a cover stitch machine and topstitch your overlocking down, this method gives you more control over the finish and "catches" all overlocked edges, an easier method for less confident or beginner sewists.
Prefer more structure to stretch?
If you don’t want a case of the "wibbly wobblies" or "lumpy bumpies" as Patrick and Esme so elegantly described, why not try a woven fabric. Jersey wrap dresses can be super elegant, comfortable and easy to wear but they aren’t for everyone. If you don’t like the fit of jersey against your body then like us you may prefer woven fabrics, they're more forgiving, body skimming, easier to sew with for beginners and perfect for our Elodie Dress sewing pattern.
The Elodie Dress sewing pattern can be made in a wide range of stable woven fabrics and easily customised with embroidered top stitching, trims and unique fabric designs, whilst giving a flattering finish. Be your own personal fashion icon and create a masterpiece with our help.
It's all in the fabric choice, be it relaxed and casual or bold and eclectic like the designers.
Transformation Challenge
Furnishings to Fashion
"Think like Vivienne..."
Wow what a transformation indeed who knew an old cushion cover could grace the catwalk in such rebellious style! It's sent us into over drive exploring our fabric collections ready to plan our next makes! Vivienne Westwood is a style icon through, from her stand out fabric choices to her historic pattern influences there's no one who can compare.
How Fabworks Transforms Fabrics
Sustainability at the forefront of our Fabworks Ethos
Like Vivienne Westwood we are passionate about salvaging and repurposing fabric waste. Our fabric expert Dawn is also an expert at finding the use in everything! Dawn has transformed a stunning Donegal Tweed scarf into a waistcoat here, on many a garment she likes to embroider and patchwork fabrics together to create unique pieces inspired by the Yorkshire countryside.
Punk Skirt
Made by Fabworks creative team
Colour Coordinated Remants
Use any leftover scraps & off-cuts for your own uniquely curated colour palettes to repurpose into punk inspired garments
Multipurpose Fabrics
Furnishing fabrics aren't exclusive to furnishing projects only.
Style Icons
Caz absolutely stole the show this week in true iconic style. She took a unique approach during the made-to-measure challenge, not taking inspiration from the designs themselves but from the designer's mentality, and the judges loved it!
"Well, I'm not a huge Versace fan, but when I read up, they said that Donatella gets inspiration from anywhere and everywhere. I watch a lot of films, so this is inspired by the Dorothy dress in The Wizard of Oz." - Caz
Let us know in the blogs comment section below, where you get your inspiration from!
GBSB Week 3 - Icons Week
We'd love to know your style icons and where your inspiration comes from! Let's discuss!
Images courtesy of BBC1 The Great British Sewing Bee