# Here comes Santa Claus,
here comes Santa Claus
# Right down Santa Claus
Lane...#
What we want for Christmas
is a presenter.
We lost our old one.
I'll do it!
BOTH: It's a Christmas
miracle.
Welcome to the Great Festive
Sewing Bee!
It's our celebrity Christmas
special...
Aaaaagh!
..with four stars of our screens
needing all the help they can get...
Oh boy! ..to make it through three
fearsome festive challenges.
Sparkle just fell off. I think it's
probably they don't trust any
celebrities with strong glue.
A pattern challenge that's a
blockbuster...
OFF-SCREEN: This summer, one man,
one jumper...
..a transformation that requires
some out-of-the-box thinking...
It's like you're a massive hamster
making yourself a comfy bed.
..and in the made-to-measure all is
revealed.
OFF-SCREEN: I think I would
totally wear this.
So, who will get to the best
presents...
It is stunning! ..and who'll throw
their toys out off the pram?
Naff off!
Well, that's not very festive!
Christmas has arrived at our
brand-new sewing room near Leeds...
# Sleigh bells ring, are you
listening? #
..in an old woollen mill which was
once at the heart of
Britain's historic textile industry.
Getting into the holiday spirit are
actor and star of comedy Ghosts,
Kiell Smith-Bynoe...
I've got no experience in sewing
or making anything. So...
HE CHUCKLES
Beginner's luck? Maybe?
..Actor and Corrie favourite Antony
Cotton...
It's time to confess, my mum was an
haute couture dressmaker,
so I do feel a little bit of
pressure because, you know,
I don't want to let her down.
Wow.
ANNEKA AND KATE GASP
..television and radio presenter
Anneka Rice
always ready for a challenge...
When I think of Christmas garments,
I think of something quite
practical. I always get up in the
morning and put on a tool belt,
got a few condiments in it,
your batteries.
It's just got everything ready for
Christmas Day!
..and hoping for some
divine intervention,
vicar and television
personality Reverend Kate Bottley.
I will be say my extra prayers today
to hope that somehow somewhere,
the Christmas sewing God looks down
on me.
# Walking in
a winter wonderland...#
KATE: Oh, my goodness.
# Walking in a winter wonderland. #
Happy happy Christmas!
Come forward, sewers!
KATE: Oh, beyond excited.
Welcome to the Sewing Bee Workshop.
I hope you're ready to become busy
little elves, and make some
lovely things to entertain the boys
and girls at home.
In the spirit of festive
togetherness,
we've all had our Covid tests,
and isolated in order to make this
a safe and Covid free snow bubble.
Hooray! ALL: Yay!
And now Esme is going to tell you
what is top of her Christmas list.
First of all, you get the patterns.
Thank you.
Oh, it's a Christmas sweatshirt.
What we want you to make is
a Christmas themed sweatshirt.
We've got rib at the neck,
but what we really want you to do is
a Christmas applique design.
We've given you a selection
of sweatshirt jerseys and rib,
and there's plenty of other trim
in the haberdashery to
enhance your applique.
You have two hours for this
challenge, and your time starts now.
KATE: Get me shoes off.
OFF-SCREEN: Oh, these are thick
patterns.
I'm going to spend two hours here
thinking baby blue or red.
Oh, it's a red carpet, everyone!
As well as their fleece-backed
jersey fabric...
What's that? Is that the fluffy
stuff? It's called maroon, Anneka.
..the sewers have been given an
array of dazzling festive
decorations to applique, meaning
applied in French,
to their cosy Christmas sweatshirts.
Fast and tacky. That's me.
SHE CHUCKLES
Oh, well, I've no idea
what I'm doing.
It's a Christmas tree of Christmas
trees.
While it's down I'm going to pin it
there.
Whatever I find is going on it.
That, whatever that is
from Crystal Maze,
that's going on there.
I know exactly what I'm doing.
I'm going to do a picture of Jesus
in a party hat with birthday boy
on it, and it's going to be the
perfect thing for me to wear
in the pulpit on Christmas Day.
I love Christmas jumpers so much
that I wear mine all year round.
Some of the local kids point
and laugh,
but my mum just says to ignore them.
Why have you chosen this challenge?
Christmas jumpers have become
a really big part of the way
we celebrate Christmas,
and by appliqueing, this is a nice
way of making
a Christmas jumper yourself. Is
there any chance you could
go overboard, or that's not possible
with a Christmas jumper?
I don't think it is possible,
but they have to make
something with impact.
And it's much, much easier to put
the applique on
when that front panel... Is flat.
..is flat.
So, before they do any of the
construction.
And the other thing
that's very important is
the rib round the neck.
If they stretch one bit more
it will look an absolute mess.
I hope that the celebrities
love their Christmas jumpers so much
that they decide that they're going
to wear them all year round as well,
and we could make like a cool
Christmas kid g*ng.
That'll show everyone.
So, instructions. This is the bit
I'm really bad at.
Cut out your front and back pieces
on single fabric and do not panic.
The last time I cut out anything
from a pattern was for my GCSE art,
but my mum used to do this all the
time. So I'm used to it.
Just want once it to look neat so
that nobody picks me up on anything.
It's very hard to cut out
when your hands are shaking.
I can make an apron.
I can make a peg bag.
It's patterns I can't follow.
Kate, happy Christmas!
Do you like Christmas, Kate?
I love Christmas! Do you, yeah?
I don't like this. No.
But I love Christmas.
Maybe this is a really good
analogy for Christmas,
and sometimes it could be
a lot of work in the lead-up,
but eventually it makes you
really happy.
The Christmas sweatshirt pattern
is comprised of five
pieces of fabric.
To start, the front and back pieces
are joined at the shoulders
using the overlocker.
The sleeves are inserted,
and the sweatshirt is sewn
together along the side seams.
A ribbing collar is attached,
and sleeves and waistband are
hemmed,
and the whole piece is brought to
life with some fun festive applique.
Hello. Morning. All right? All
right with this challenge?
Yeah. Yeah. I mean, you know a
sweatshirt, do you?
I've heard of them.
PATRICK CHUCKLES
I've never made one. Have you made
anything clothes wise?
No.
OK. You haven't marked
the notches.
Right. Basically, these are little
guides, and those you line up
together when you sow them so that
you get the right bit
in the right place. But do it on the
inside.
Oh, that's the inside? I just
thought this feels nicer than that.
It does, which is why you typically
put that next to your skin.
I'm talking about when people are
like, "That's...that's nice." Yes.
ESME CHUCKLES
Right, "With your front and back
pieces,
"place the right sides together
at the shoulders.
"Pin in place." I'm already thinking
I can't be arsed to pin all this.
Patrick said it should be the
inside, however...
HE CHUCKLES
..I'm going to go against what he
said.
You picked a nice dark green.
You into it?
That was my school uniform colour.
Really? So, unfortunately...
Flashbacks? ..I can't look at
it without feeling really sad.
Right. Sure, sure, sure. What kind
of stuff do you like to eat
at Christmas? Everything. Chicken,
beef, turkey, salmon.
Do you have a nice nap after dinner?
I don't. I'm not really a napping
guy, but my mum falls asleep
in front of the TV, wakes up every
sort of 25 minutes pretending that
she's watching the film, and she
knows exactly what's going on.
That's the lovely thing about
Christmas,
knowing just the
beginning and endings of things.
THEY LAUGH
Yeah.
I'm an only child and I lived
with my mum until I was 31.
You lived in her house
until you were over 30?
Yes. No wonder she's
pretending to be asleep.
She's trying to get away from you,
mate.
I know need to do a spool.
The sewers must
decide for themselves
when to attach their applique
designs.
I'm sorry to show off,
but we've got a job to do.
Channelling his mum's skills,
Antony has chosen to tackle
his first.
I've put the applique on now because
if you do it afterwards,
you have to turn the sweater inside
out, and it's complicated.
Are you giving
top tips over there?
Naff off! No, I'm not.
Well, that's not very festive!
Unfortunately for Antony,
his secret is out.
I'm doing the applique first.
The good thing is that
Antony's really good at sewing.
he's just in front of me,
so I'm just hoping to crib off him,
basically.
While Antony and Anneka are getting
a head start with their applique...
Did I do my notches?
Didn't do my notches in that.
Kate's still struggling
with her cutting out.
Hello, Kate? Hello, my lovely.
How are you getting on?
Those are very big notches
you've cut there
Have I gone into my seam allowance?
There's your pattern.
ESME: You've gone over your seam
allowance? KATE: Have I?
Yeah. Start again?
Well, yes, I think it's best not to
have a hole
in the front of your sweatshirt.
I'm so glad you're here.
I mean, I only thought there was one
saviour at Christmas.
OK. Now what do I do?
"Use the overlocker to join the
shoulders together."
OK, I'm going in.
To create the comfiest of Christmas
jumpers...
Just got to do it. Just got to
do it.
Are you ready?
..the celebs are using an overlocker
to sew a stretchy stitch along
their seams.
This summer - The Overlocker.
Oh, my God. What is this machine
doing?
One man...one jumper...
I love this machine!
Anneka? Hello. So, I thought what I
might do, while you're busy
sewing... Yes, OK. ..is ask you some
quick fire questions.
Oh, God. Thrilling.
Mulled wine or eggnog?
Ooh! I think I'd like one of each.
Do you wash up as you go, or
do you leave it until Boxing Day?
Wash up as you go. Right, OK. God,
you're so practical.
Do you do your presents
in the morning, or after lunch?
Well, because I'm always working on
Christmas morning,
by the time I get
back from work at about 12,
everyone's completely out of it.
No-one's remembered to put the
turkey in the fridge. Wow.
What an ungrateful family!
So, presents in the afternoon,
although it doesn't
sound like they deserve any.
O...K.
Gently.
Using an overlocker is more
challenging than it first appears.
I don't know whether I've made a
mess of that.
The celebs must precisely sew
along their seams.
I just like to get it as close as
possible, you know?
Live on the edge!
Go off track, and they won't catch
all the fabric in the machine...
Cannot believe how my heart is
beating.
..leaving a gaping hole
in their garment.
I'm not leaving a hole.
So, I don't want to mess this up.
MACHINE GROANS TO A STOP
OK, that's not good. Oh, boy.
Ignore that bit.
Is this the most fun I've ever
had at Christmas?
No.
# Oh, Mr Kringle is soon gonna
jingle
# The bells that'll tingle all your
troubles away
# Everybody's waiting for the man
with the bag
# Waiting for the man
with the bag... #
Oh. You're halfway through.
# ..Better watch out. #
I'm going in. it's getting to the
stage of just sew it now.
As Kate finally begins sewing...
That overlocker is terrifying.
..the rest of the celebs have
attached the front and back
panels...
I feel 100% less confident.
..and can begin inserting
the sleeves.
"With your sleeves place them right
sides to your front and back panels
"matching the notches."
I haven't done any notches anywhere.
I've got nothing to go on, really.
That is the centre notch,
so that marries to that.
Oh, no. That's not right.
I'm so stuck with my sleeve,
so I'm just going to go for it.
And we don't be shy with the
overlocking.
We just go in and we do it.
God, I love this machine. Oh...
..love this machine.
Oh, it's a sleeve.
OK. I've seen worse.
Look, I've put a sleeve in.
Oh, God, that's not very good.
Now I need to do the next sleeve.
Right we're almost there.
I seem to have missed out a bit of
the top.
I hate this machine now.
I hate this machine.
Oh, God, I think I kissed it. Yuck.
So, this is the sweater.
Look at you!
I've not got the neck in.
So, now I'm going to iron.
Oh! It looks brilliant!
You've done your applique. You did
it early. Did that first.
I did that first. I don't know who
this pattern was designed for.
SpongeBob SquarePants is literally
the perfect size.
That's who we're thinking of.
Sewers, you have half an hour.
ANNEKA: Half an hour? Oh, God.
Right, it's getting gung h* now,
kids. It's a jumper.
OK, we're nearly there, lads.
But before the sweatshirts are
complete...
Now I need to put the neck on.
The neck's the hardest bit.
..the sewers face their most
challenging stage yet.
"Pin the ribbing around the
neck edge."
So, like this.
The ribbing needs to be stretched,
so it lays flat along the
neckline...
Stretch it.
And all the pins fall out.
..but stretch too much... Oh, God.
..and it will pucker.
This is like bloody origami.
It is hard, isn't it?
Try it one way, turn it inside out
and if it's wrong,
do it the other way. I remember you
on this show last year.
Don't take my advice. OK.
THEY CHUCKLE
Good luck. Thank you, darling.
God knows what that's going to look
like.
I don't think I've stretched it
enough while I've been sewing it in.
# I've got a hole
There's a hole in my neckline. #
I've just got to iron this neck
to make sure that it looks right.
Ten minutes left!
You having a laugh? What should I do
about the bottom down here?
Nothing, actually. I'm not going to
do anything about that.
So, I'm going to hem this next.
I just want it to look neat.
OK, embellishment, embellishment,
embellishment. Right, baby Jesus.
We're getting in there.
Oh, reindeer. That's nice,
and I could put a red nose on him.
My hands can't cut straight cos
they're shaking so much.
I'm now in nursery class. It doesn't
look very sexy for Christmas.
I'm putting baby Jesus' face on.
It is his birthday after all.
I've threaded you a needle.
I've never loved anyone more than
I love you right now.
Well, don't say that in front of
Jesus! Come on!
If that nose stays on, I'll be
happy.
Kiell, what's happening?
I feel like if I put
this in the corner here,
it kind of looks like I work
at a reindeer sanctuary.
The middle's less corporate.
Christmas shouldn't be corporate.
No!
I've done it. One minute left.
Ah! What do you need?
Just something to stuff in a pocket
Oh, there's a tiny present.
Oh, that's so sweet.
Happy.
Oh! Oh, no. Nose fell off.
Ah, need a new one.
Pine needles up, sewers.
Done. I'm happy with that.
Bring your mannequins to
under the mistletoe.
Oh! These are really heavy.
Kate, hurry up. I'm coming, I'm
coming, I'm coming.
I'm going to drag it.
I'm chopping threads off as we go!
I'm not running with
scissors.
# I'm driving home for Christmas
# I can't wait to see
those faces... #
Four festive appliqued
sweatshirts made in only two hours.
# ..Well, I'm moving down that line
# Driving home for Christmas...#
I love it. I think the applique is
absolutely fantastic.
Baby Jesus,
as a sort of slightly pink egg.
He's like a fried egg, Jesus.
The whole thing is just really
jolly, and slightly...
..deranged. It makes me smile a lot.
Bless you. The sweatshirt isn't
quite as great, but...
SHE LAUGHS
We have got a little kink here,
and it's a big shame you didn't
get the hem done... KATE: Yeah.
ESME: ..and we have a few little
holes.
It's holy. It's holy. It's
Christmas. It's Jesus.
Well, there we go. It's the holiest
Christmas jumper we've ever had.
# It's very near
# Almost right here
# We're in that
extra special time of year... #
It's almost complete.
You haven't had time to hem
the bottom and hem the sleeves.
There are a couple of holes.
You've missed the edge when you put
it through the overlocker, but I
really like the decoration.
I think it works really nicely.
The rib isn't flat.
It's back to front.
But, honestly, considering you've
never sewn before,
I think you've done pretty good.
Thank you.
# Oh, Santa, Santa,
Santa is coming tonight
# Hooray! Hooray! Hooray! #
You have finished
all of the processes.
You've seamed it together reasonably
well. You've hemmed it all
the way round, and you've given us
a little pocket on the front
like a kangaroo's pouch,
all of which you've done very neatly
and nicely.
You've stretched the neck rib
out of shape a little bit
when you've been putting it in,
so it isn't sitting flat.
Did you follow the notches?
To be honest,
now you've mentioned notches.
I am wondering what a notch is.
THEY ALL LAUGH
# Well, I made a wish when I met
you last Christmas
# When I kissed you underneath that
mistletoe. #
I think you've done a fantastic job.
I'm really very, very impressed
with the quality of the sewing
throughout.
Under the arm you've lined up the
sleeves really well.
Have I? Oh, good. Yes.
The rib has worked really well.
It's very flat.
I really like the applique
on the front. I love that you've
made a Christmas tree out of lots of
little Christmas trees.
You did this first... Yes.
..when the pieces were flat
because it makes it easier to sew.
It looks very neat.
I think it's fantastic.
I think you should be really,
really pleased with it.
I saw that you took a picture of it
to send your mum.
Antony: I sent it to my mum.
PATRICK: I think she'd be very proud
of this. - Thank you very much.
Patrick and Esme will now rank
the appliqued sweaters from Bah
Humbug! to Hallelujah!
In joint third place...
..Anneka and Kiell.
Both fantastic renditions of the
Christmas sweatshirt,
both with one or two flaws.
So, we thought in the spirit
of Christmas, we're having a tie.
KIELL: Aw.
ANNEKA: Take that.
In second place is...
..Kate!
We just loved your happy birthday
fried egg Jesus.
Which means in first place is
Antony!
That is incredibly impressive and
beautifully embellished.
It's a work of art. Well done.
Thank you very much, but I'm voting
for fried egg Jesus.
Well, deck the halls, sewers, you've
smashed your first challenge.
Go and take a mince pie break,
and we'll see you back
here for the transformation.
# I love the winter weather
# So the two of us
can get together... #
Is that mulled wine? No, it's tea.
So, winner. Winner winner -
chicken dinner.
Well, it went all right, didn't it?
I'm thrilled. I found Enid at home,
Enid's my mum, and Enid's very
pleased that I won.
I cannot believe I came second.
Patrick said it was jolly but
slightly deranged
I think that about sums me up,
don't you?
I think it's a miracle we all got
through it. Honestly, I'm so proud.
I'm not sure I'm going to
give my jumper to anyone
because I have decided I don't
dislike anyone quite enough.
In fairness,
Antony had the best jumper.
Maybe he's peaked too soon
because he was working really hard.
He might have exhausted himself,
so the next one might be mine.
The sewers are leaving their cosy
Christmas jumpers under the tree.
For the next challenge, there's a
little surprise present
of their own waiting for them
in the sewing room.
Many happy returns, sewers.
This next challenge is
transformation.
So, this is the one where you take
something disappointing
and you change
it into something you really want.
Like when people remember to leave
the receipt in with their gift.
Patrick will now explain more.
Are those reindeer we hear on the
sewing room roof?
Yes, that's right. Sewing Bee Santa
has been, and he's left
four Mystery Christmas parcels, but
he did tell me
that each of them contains
a selection of second hand clothes.
We want you to use the items
in the box to create a fun,
Christmas themed fancy dress outfit.
Ooh!
Because this is Secret Santa,
Patrick and Esme won't know who has
made what.
They're going to head back
to their grotto. Go on, then, guys.
See you. Bye.
You have 90 minutes for this
challenge, and your time starts now.
I'm going to go this one, I think.
Until they're opened,
the contents of each present will be
a complete surprise.
This is as big as me, this!
What's in the box,
what's in the bo-box?
as well as second hand clothes,
each box contains festive
decorations, and accessories...
It's definitely gone fairy,
I'd say.
There's a bit of Lurex.
It's all green and red.
..but it's up to the sewers to
interpret the contents how they wish
to create a fancy dress outfit.
I don't really like fancy
dress. Ta-da!
It's done.
I adore fancy dress, but I might not
be any good at this because my fancy
dress begins and ends with a glue
g*n.
I think I'll sit this one out.
So, festive season, obviously a big
time for parties, some of which I'm
sure will be fancy dress, and what
better way to do that sustainably
than to make your fancy dress outfit
from bits and pieces that you've got
already in your home? Lying around
the house. Yeah.
Whatever they make, I want it to be
instantly identifiable.
Reindeer, snowball, snowman.
Actually, fairy on top of
the Christmas tree.
It has to have all the elements that
bring that character or theme to
life.
But usual rules also apply.
They need to fit the mannequin,
and they need to be robust enough
that you can actually wear them
for more than five minutes without
bits falling off.
And it has to be a proper
transformation,
not just a dress with
a bit of bauble on.
They just have to be really
imaginative and fun.
Yes.
OK.
OK. Don't panic. I am panicking.
I've got a sweat on. I don't
know what to do.
Kiell! SP!
Oh, you're using the box like a
genius. Yeah!
It's for someone who turns up to a
party empty-handed and their
presence is a present. I understand.
I'm onto something.
It's like you're a massive hamster
making yourself a comfy bed.
THEY LAUGH
I have got a lot of brown
fabric in my box.
So the obvious thing is a Rudolph
the Red-Nosed Reindeer.
It's definitely a bit of a fairy
vibe.
I cannot think what else to do?
Do I start with something like this?
Then am I going to...
I don't know what I'm going to do.
Hello. Hi. How's it going?
Well, I hate fancy dress. Like, I
won't go to a fancy dress party.
I'll pretend that I'm going to go,
"Yeah, yeah, can't wait. Got it all
planned." But I hate it.
I think all you do is you do
a dress that's fancy.
So, that material already. Looks...
If you said to me, "It's a fancy
elf.
It's a fancy elf. These are
very elfy. These are very...
Aren't they elfy? Yeah,
that's what I'm going to do.
And you know what they say as long
as you've got your "elf".
Thanks, Kate.
Excuse me.
Are you measuring things?
I'm so impressed.
Right, breathe. You know how to
thread a machine.
Is someone doing some sewing?
Crikey.
I'm going to try and construct the
top first,
then I'm going to do some trousers.
Once I've done that,
I'm going to do antlers.
Best thing to do with this
challenge is just to crack on.
Get doing it.
I literally have brain freeze.
I'm so not a sparkly,
girlie, fairy, angely person.
You see, I like all black PVC
things, so I'm going for punk angel.
I can make a skirt.
How do you do that?
KIELL: What I will do is take these
sleeves off.
I'm going to decorate the box
with the sleeve...yes.
But first, I'll put some tinsel
round it.
Is this elf like if I make a bow of
some sort out of corduroy jeans?
So, I'm going to cut out this leg,
then I'm going to sew this
all together,
and that's the way I see it.
She's got a bit of a bin liner
vibe going.
She's decided to go round the house
recycling, which is
why she's wearing the black
bin liner.
Are you buying that?
Oh, is that sleigh bells
I hear? You're halfway through.
Thank you.
I'll come back later.
This is not the neatest sewing I
have ever done.
We're not going to
worry too much about it.
OK, let's make antlers.
It's all about these antlers.
Huge! I've watched enough episodes
of Sewing Bee
to know you go big or
you go home.
So I'm creating a little
cuff. That's not doing anything.
Do you know why that is?
There's no thread in it.
I need to make her some sort of
angel wings.
SHE GIGGLES
What do angel wings look like?
Do you know the biggest challenge
for me is doing things without my
tongue stuck out. Like that.
Right...
Oh, my goodness, they are huge.
I don't know whether that's a
garment making method.
It feels like I'm
making a draught excluder.
Oh, it's working.
Oh, my gosh. That's on.
That's not coming off.
My goodness, I've done it.
Hello. Hello, Sara. Oh, God, I'm
so pleased to see you.
Does that mean it's nearly over?
No. Oh. So, you've got a dress
underneath, haven't you?
Yeah. So, you could make a top,
attach it to the skirt,
some beautiful wings.
What? I've nearly finished now.
You haven't finished!
HE LAUGHS
I thought you were coming to say,
"Well done, it's an hour and a
"half's gone." Is it not looking
finished?
Well, OK, look, it's not sewn is
the first thing. I'm no Esme.
She's going to want some sewing.
Yeah, please.
You have half an hour left.
Keep calm.
This is what I came on Sewing Bee to
do - to make antlers.
Who don't want to get
stuffing at Christmas?
I'm going to sew the wings on.
Sara did remind me
it was a sewing programme.
I know that Esme likes pockets
and a bow, so I'm doing pockets.
Your boy's got two sleeves. Now, how
do I attach them to my box?
Give us a stapler, someone.
If we don't go to sleep, they'll
never come,
and they're due in 15 minutes.
I'm going to sew some buttons.
Button, button, button.
Cute.
The wings aren't working.
The wings are coming off.
Yes! It is as easy as that, lads.
Is that a staple g*n, I can hear?
No. Who's asking? They want to see
something different.
I've made a story. It's for somebody
like me who hates fancy dress.
I love fancy dress.
I think it's going to be
a bit of a tipsy reindeer.
She's an angel that's lost her way,
cos she had too many of those
eggnogs.
Now she's decided to come down from
the tree. Go out with the lads.
Let me just clean up
in here a little bit.
My head's too big.
You've got five minutes left!
Panic stations.
So, enough time to make
a tail and a nose.
The nose, the nose. Oh, no.
I don't know. That's not working.
I just don't know what to do.
That goes on there. Gorgeous!
Needs to stretch, doesn't it?
So, there.
Maybe a suspender vibe.
Little skirty number.
Oh, there's a lot of this.
One minute!
Yeah!
Breathe.
Never been as stressed.
I just can't sew anything.
That's Rudolph's red nose.
That'll go around there.
Oh, God.
Oh!
Sewers, please bring your
transformations forward, and we'll
find out if the judges think they're
naughty or nice.
I think Patrick and Esme won't get
this.
They won't get the sheer simplicity.
Come on, you crazy crew.
Amazing. Well done, everyone.
# Time for parties and celebrations
# People dancing... #
Four festive fancy dress outfits
transformed from second-hand
clothes in just 90 minutes.
Let's welcome back the judges.
The judges have no idea which
garment belongs to who.
Hello, friends. Hello. Hello.
What do you make of our
transformations?
Somebody's been having fun.
# ..Snow is falling all around me
# Children playing, having fun... #
It's very recognisably Rudolph
the Red-Nosed Reindeer.
I think it's fantastic.
I love that they've built these
fantastic antlers out of felt.
I think it's great. Yeah, love it.
Recognisable, wearable.
I think you should put it on,
Patrick. OK.
Well, I think
I need to put the nose on first.
Yeah.
ESME LAUGHS
It looks incredible.
I bet it does.
And really it suits you.
# We wish you a merry Christmas,
we wish you a merry Christmas
# We wish you a merry Christmas,
and a happy new year! #
What are we looking at?
It's some sort of punk angel.
Yes. And we've got garters.
A saucy Christmas punk angel.
I'm not quite sure what sort of
Christmas party this punky angel is
going to.
Well... It's probably going to
be a lot of fun.
Just what I was going to say.
How do we get into it?
I think you have to be lashed
into it by a significant other.
Even more fun.
# Christmas is a'comin', my feet are
in the blocks
# Got my motor runnin',
# Baby, gonna have a rockin'
little Christmas time. #
I'm getting very strong elf vibes.
We've got a sparkly dress that has
been embellished with a huge
corduroy bow,
a couple of corduroy pockets
in an obvious bid to curry favour
from you.
Just wanted to work out if this
bow was made. Well, who knows?
Do you think it feels like
a fancy dress costume?
It feels Christmassy,
but it doesn't really look to me
like much of a transformation.
# I can't wait to unwrap you
at Christmas
# You're the gift for me... #
What we have is a Christmas present
fancy dress. Have we got...?
I mean, I was hoping that...
So was I.
I was hoping there would be
a hole in the side,
so I could get my arms out. Me too.
It's very Christmassy.
It's very amusing.
Even though I can't actually
see the evidence of terribly much
sewing going on anywhere,
I could see myself going to
a fancy dress party dressed
as a giant Christmas present.
Patrick and Esme will now decide
which transformation has slayed them
and which has given them resting
Grinch face.
In fourth place is the punk angel.
That's Anneka.
That's a surprise to me!
Well, it does look very punk.
I'll knock one up for you, Esme,
for New Year.
OK! Cos I see that you were
quite up for that.
Yeah, yeah, definitely.
Thank you very much.
In third place is the green
and red bow fronted dress.
That's Anthony. That's mine!
Anthony, there's some lovely sewing.
We just didn't get an instant hit
of Christmas fancy dress.
I made it all myself,
I made the bow. I thought I was
at a sewing bee!
Turns out it's not a sewing bee!
I needn't have bothered. Fuming!
In second place is...
..the box.
That's Kiell.
I mean, it just made us laugh.
Which is, you know,
a good thing at this time of year.
Thank you. Thanks.
So the winner, by a nose..
is Rudolph!
Well done, Kate.
It really is fantastic.
Thank you so much.
It was so much fun to do.
I really enjoyed that.
I could see you wearing it.
Well, I'd be delighted to.
You invite me around to yours,
Esme, and I'm there. All right?
Just so you know, she'll be
dressed in Anneka's outfit! Yes!
Well done.
# It's beginning to look a lot
like Christmas... #
SHE SCREAMS
I am so thrilled.
I opened that box
and it was just full of fairy stuff.
I'm really better building
a community centre or something
in a pair of dungarees.
The judges have praised my sewing
and yet I came third.
Is the prize money?
No. I don't care.
# Ring-a-ling,
everybody's having a ball... #
One last challenge remains...
Hello! ..before we find out
who will be top
of the sewing Christmas tree.
Hello again, sewers,
and merry Christmas, models!
For this made-to-measure,
the judges want you to make
an outfit from Christmas past.
I must stress this is Christmas
past, not Christmas regrets.
Because it's made-to-measure,
the outfit you make should fit
your model as snugly as a satsuma
at the bottom of a stocking.
You have four hours, and your time
starts now.
Right. Right.
'Tis the season to be giving,
so Santa's little helpers have
already cut out the celebs'
pattern pieces...
That's how big your waist is.
..ready to be made-to-measure
into fabulously festive frocks.
I'm presuming your arms
are the same length.
More or less, yeah!
Where do I get the thread from?
Step out of it. It's obviously
a very technical process!
Over there? Is it over there?
I don't know why I'm asking you!
I guess the Christmas past
that haunts you two is me!
Whoohoo hoo! Why didn't you let me
win last year? Don't answer that.
So tell me,
why have you chosen this challenge?
Well, I think Christmas is a time,
obviously,
when families get together,
it's a very nostalgic time of year,
and this challenge allows them
to tell us a little bit
about the story of some great
Christmas memories for themselves.
So where might they go wrong?
We know that they're
inexperienced sewers,
which probably means they haven't
fitted clothes to a model.
So the fabrics that they choose
could work in their favour.
If you've got a fabric which has
a bit of stretch in it,
it might be slightly easier to fit.
It will be easier to fit, but
could be much more difficult to sew.
Yeah. So there's pluses and minuses.
You know, it is tricky.
Everyone has a shoulder higher than
the other, a bust that's bigger.
But you shouldn't mention it!
People don't like having it
pointed out on the bus!
Love this pattern.
The first Christmas I remember
is 1979,
and this kaftan
comes from that year.
My mum had a frock just like this,
and I remember it hanging
in her wardrobe and going
and touching the bottom of it
and just thinking it was the most
glamorous frock I had ever seen.
And in a kaftan,
you can eat what you want.
It's a brilliant big dinner dress.
Perfect for Christmas.
Kate's floaty kaftan will be made
of a lightweight, shimmering Lurex.
She's creating sleeves which form
a princess line with billowing
ruffles along the entire front
and back seams,
reminiscent
of another of her style icons.
Do you remember The Good Life?
I do remember The Good Life.
Margo Leadbetter in The Good Life.
Loved Margo.
It is quite a forgiving fit.
Yes, but it is trickier
than it looks.
I thought a Caftan would just be
two squares of fabric
with a hole cut in. Yeah.
But it's not. We've got side panels,
we've got darts.
And there's a lot of fabric.
There's six metres of fabric
in this.
Have you sewn this fabric before?
I haven't and I picked it online,
so I didn't get to feel the fabric,
so I'm surprised by how slippy
it is.
So I'm going to pin like crazy.
A lot to do. A lot to do.
Kate's not the only sewer
taking an ambitious approach.
I've had to write down my own
instructions, cos I literally
can't follow the pattern.
It's too complicated.
I mean, it just goes on for pages.
Hi, Anneka. What's going on?
What are you making?
I'm making a jumpsuit.
Are you? Funnily enough.
Oh, that's so exciting.
You're not sick of them
Not at all.
But I'm not making it for myself.
I'm making it for my childhood doll,
Cindy. Oh, my gosh.
I love her so much,
and I've had her all my life
and I now want to update her.
Anneka's figure-hugging jumpsuit
will fasten with an exposed zip
down the centre front.
She's making tapered trousers
featuring elasticated stirrups
and accessorising
with a sparkly bow tie
and a tool belt filled
with Christmas essentials.
There is a banana in there,
I just can't reach it.
What else have I got?
I've got batteries. Oh!
Interesting. Gin.
Ready for the shots.
This is serious now, Anneka. I know.
This is a competition
and there's a trophy at stake.
Has anyone seen this trophy?
No. I think they may have lied to me
to make me competitive even more.
Though he's still got his eyes
firmly on the prize...
So, I'm putting the darts in,
which shape the dress.
..Anthony's chosen to scale
back his design.
I was originally thinking like
a tulle, rah-rah thing, and then
I spoke to my mum and my mum said...
I can't say what she actually said,
but she said, "You're a bloody
idiot." And I said, "Why?" She said,
"Why are you creating all that work
for yourself? You need to do
"something really simple." And I
said, "What do you mean by simple?"
She said, "You need to get
Simplicity, 1-6-0-9." 1-6-0-9.
And my mum has used this
since the '60s,
so that's my Christmas past.
And then we've just extended
it down, so it's floor-length.
Anthony's nostalgic floor-length
column dress will be fastened
with a concealed zip and,
in a bid to impress Esme,
he's going all out with a giant
red satin bow.
And I'm talking a BOW. OK.
And it's going to be eight
metres long. Wow. Wow.
I get the sense that you're really
enjoying this. I am enjoying it,
but as my mum would say, it makes me
go all hot. Happy sewing.
I hope I do you proud.
Eight metre bow there, Esme,
eight metre bow!
Just doing the seams.
I'm just hooking it all together
now, seams everywhere.
You'd better get, get, that, that
seam on the shoulders.
Here we go, kids.
Fabric's like trying to
sew an eel.
It's what, slippery?
Really slippery, so you just have to
be really gentle with it,
otherwise it goes wayward.
Much like your parishioners.
Much like me, babes! Right.
Kiell has also chosen a wayward
fabric. Whoa!
This is stretch velvet.
But the sewing elves have given him
a top tip.
So, I've done some stay stitching.
Stay stitching the edges should
prevent the fabric from stretching
out of shape.
Hello. It's my girl, SP.
What you making?
I'm making a dress for Mrs Claus.
I just think that she
deserves more credit.
She probably does most of the work.
So, you're assuming there's
a lot behind the scenes?
Yeah. He's busy one day a year. Yes.
All the rest... Exactly.
..she's cooking and cleaning. Yeah.
And then he comes home Boxing Day,
like, "Oh, I'm knackered." "Oh,
sorry." She's like, "Oh, are you?"
Then, he's like, "What's for tea?"
And she's like,
"Are you kidding me?" "You've got to
be joking." God, you're making me
hate Father Christmas!
Kiell's bespoke design for
Mrs Claus
will feature white faux fur
at the cuffs and hem.
He'll attempt his first concealed
zip and he's accessorising
with a Santa hat made from the
same tricky red velvet.
The material... Is stretchy.
..is a bit stretchy.
Yeah. Daunted by that at all?
Yeah. It's a challenge, yeah.
I noticed you've done
a stay stitch as well. Yeah,
you've got to stay stitching.
If there's one thing I've learned
is that you've got to
stay stitching.
Right, this is where it could all go
Pete Tong, kids.
The statement sleeve is what
this gown is all about.
While Kate's baggy caftan doesn't
require any fastenings...
Right, we're going to do the zip
now. ..Anthony, Kiell and Anneka
all have the daunting task of
inserting
a zip into their garments.
I can hardly commit to this,
it's so frightening.
HE EXHALES
This is absolutely terrifying.
Right, here we go.
If the zip's not inserted evenly,
it'll create a bumpy,
wavy line down the dress.
What's happening here?
And for Kiell and Anthony,
it's crucial their invisible zips
are sewn neatly enough
to remain concealed.
I don't know whether
I've done it right.
But with Anneka's zip being
front and centre...
Because I've chosen one
that's very conspicuous,
it is the first thing Patrick
and Esme will see.
..she has nowhere to hide.
If it's not right,
I'll be quite crushed.
Zip's on. Oi-ey!
So, the moment of truth is
when you turn it over.
SHE GASPS
Yes! That's OK, isn't it?
I'm very happy with my zip.
OK. The zip's got a bit stuck.
We've got a zip in! I've put a zip
in! I'm mega chuffed with it.
It looks incredible.
You should be mega chuffed.
And then, what's going to be
Christmassy?
The humongous eight-metre long bow.
And you did such a good bow
yesterday, but they were like,
"That must have come off something
else," cos you did it so well.
It's like when they tickle you and
then slap you across the face!
Do they? Yes. Well,
they're not allowed.
Sewers, you are halfway through.
Wow! That's a bit scary.
SHE GASPS
I seem to have been sewing this
sleeve since last Christmas.
I feel a bit like...
I feel like I've had one too many
eggnogs, if I'm honest.
This is the leg. I know what makes
a good jumpsuit.
In a jumpsuit, I've jumped into the
North Sea,
I've had a Harrier Jump Jet
fly alongside me,
the Red Arrows have spun behind me,
I've landed on a submarine.
There's something about a jumpsuit.
You can do anything in a jumpsuit.
This is a sleeve.
I mean, I've stitched a bit
together that's not meant to be
together but fine.
Right, the front's done.
Oh, you are joking me.
I can't cope.
ANTHONY EXHALES
You OK? I've just sewn the entire
centre front of the dress
without the needle threaded up.
And then, I've unpinned it
as I went along.
Oh, you're sweaty! Hm. Do you want
me to waft you?
You're supposed to be kind,
it's your job.
I am kind, I'm wafting you.
Thank you.
# Dashing through the snow
In a one-horse open sleigh
# O'er the fields we go
Laughing all the way... #
KNOCKING
There is no room in the sewing room.
You have an hour left.
What an idiot!
While it's back to the front
panel for Anthony...
We're nearly there, Tina.
..the rest of the sewers... Yeah!
I mean, it's OK, isn't it?
I think I would totally wear this.
..are ready to start fitting.
I can't see what your mouth is
doing, but by your eyes,
I feel like you don't trust this.
How does it feel? It feels great.
It feels fine.
Yeah. Perfect. Not too tight.
It's funny seeing someone
in my tool belt. I know!
That's a lot of material, innit?
Yeah, that is quite big.
Kiell seems to be making reasonable
progress. He's put the zip in,
but it's a little bit wobbly.
Invisible zip could be a bit more
invisible.
For someone who's never
sewn before,
he's really chosen a difficult
fabric. Yeah.
OK. That has got to be
more like that.
KATE: Do you know what?
I think I need the tiniest little
bit off the bottom.
Kate, she's got this enormous hem
that comes right up the side.
Yes. A lot. And I think it looks
really very well handled.
I'm just seeing whether it's
sort of level.
ANNEKA: It's tricky being
a seamstress. I know.
Anneka seems to be enjoying
the challenge.
She managed to get
her zip in very well.
So I'm just going to mark where
I'm going to put some stirrups.
Oh, my God, I've actually made,
like, an actual dress!
Anthony's fitting looks
very good indeed.
It looks quite Audrey Hepburn.
But my concern is that of all
of the impact in his dress
comes from that bow and he hasn't
started making it yet.
Oh, I agree with you entirely.
When I first saw he was doing black,
I thought,
hang on a minute, that's not
Christmassy.
Hold on, you're...
HE LAUGHS
Black and white snowflakes.
Oh, I see.
I think that's quite Christmassy.
It is quite Christmassy.
You are the very epitome of
Christmas.
I have brought you a present.
It is 30 minutes. You have
half an hour left.
Half an hour!
SHE GASPS
Oh, God. Better pick up the
pace a little bit, I think.
I've got side panels to put in.
Just that much on the whole outfit,
that's all that needs altering.
The fitting was large and I'm going
to make the dress less large.
And then, this has got to go on
the outside.
I think that's going to look
GORGEOUS!
It's a dress!
And now I'm making this bow.
This is the bow!
This is the bow, babe. Oh, my God.
So, it's eight metres long.
I'm going to have to lay it out here
and cut it.
You don't do things by halves,
do you? Literally got no idea how
big this is going to be.
It might be a world record.
I thought it was a red carpet,
but it seems to be just a bow.
My sad little bow. Never mind.
You know, size isn't everything.
Oh, that's tight, boi!
Her head's definitely going to be
smaller than mine. We gonna see!
We need to fix some more
crystals on,
because some of the glue's coming
off. Oh, I see. I think it's
probably they don't trust any
celebrities with strong glue.
Ten minutes, everyone!
HE LAUGHS
What on earth?
Right. We just need to do
high speed now.
For goodness' sake, stick!
Just hemming it neatly.
It's got to be nice for Cindy.
One minute left!
Right, the bow is done.
What you going to put on top?
Little bell. You hear that?
Mrs Claus a-comin'.
There she is. Right, Tina.
Are you ready for this?
Wiggle. I think we're going to get
one shot at this, aren't we?
Your gargantuan Loch Ness bow.
That's worked how I thought it was
going to work.
It's such a statement. There we go.
Oh, my God, I'm finished!
Let the bells ring out for the end
of made-to-measure!
Let's find out how Scroogey
the judges are feeling.
You look so beautiful.
Oh, Chantelle! I'm so touched.
It looks great. Up top. Well done.
Yeah.
# Simply having a wonderful
Christmas time... #
Four festive frocks made-to-measure
in just four hours.
Well, this looks very Christmassy.
And it does look like Santa Claus'
wife. What's she called?
Mrs Claus.
Of course she is!
LAUGHTER
Hello, Mrs Claus. I do like that
you've put the fur on.
You made the hat. I made the hat.
You found a bell... Yeah.
..to hang on it.
I am impressed. I mean, there are a
few little things.
Mm-hm. The end of the zip has got
a little hole in. Yeah.
And I'm not going to poke around in
the seams. I wouldn't.
Cos do you know what? You could have
chosen a much easier fabric
just so... Yeah, but then it
wouldn't have looked so fancy.
You have to be really pleased with
what you've made.
It's clearly very festive,
it completely fulfils the brief.
There are flaws here and there,
but overall, you've made a really
well-fitting festive
dress in four hours, having really
never sewn very much before.
Thank you. Well done.
Kate, I think this is
absolutely fantastic.
I'm instantly transported back to
the era of The Good Life.
It actually fits extremely well.
You've handled all of these
enormous hems incredibly well.
There's almost a kind of
ecclesiastical
vibe to the whole thing,
but in shocking metallic pink.
It moves so gracefully,
it looks so easy,
the result is spellbinding.
I think it looks great.
I love the colour,
I love the bit of sparkle here.
I wish it had gone to the back.
Yeah, that was the plan.
If I'd had time, I was going to
go all the way around the back.
There is another thing.
Can you see how this is rucked here?
Yeah, I can see that.
And in a funny sort of way,
if you'd done it more,
it would've looked meant.
Deliberate, yeah. Yes.
But, I mean, this is a really
difficult fabric to sew
and it does look fabulous.
You're very kind. Thank you.
Well done, Kate. Thank you so much.
# I'm a little Christmas cr*cker
hanging on a Christmas tree
# Just a little Christmas cr*cker
# A-bang, a-bang, a-bang
That's me. #
I think it's absolutely stunning.
It is stunning!
We're absolutely transported to the
era of Dior.
This beautiful, demure neckline,
the length, and just that fabulous
splash of red in that bow.
Two colours so beautifully put
together. The overall fit of it,
the construction, that zip is
an absolute blinder.
You are so meticulous in the way
you approach making clothes,
it's great to see. I think this
looks very elegant.
Your choice of red sash
and bow really works,
and it makes it really dramatic.
Looks great.
Well done, Anthony.
Well done, Anthony.
# At Christmas
I can't help but miss ya
# The memories of you and me... #
Anneka, the fit of this catsuit is
absolutely fantastic.
I mean, it really is. It's also very
utilitarian. Yep. And the zip,
if the zip hadn't been perfect,
it would have jumped out at us
from a mile away
and it's bang on. Yeah, I think it
looks great and I love the bow tie,
all lit up. The colour you've chosen
is the colour you're wearing,
but with a bit of sparkle. Yeah.
So, you've transformed yourself
into Christmas.
And, of course, this whole thing
says you. And the overall
look and fit of it are
completely first-rate.
Well done. Thank you so much.
Well done, Anneka. After yesterday,
to get positive feedback
was a new experience.
I'm just quite chuffed.
When I saw my model walk down
the catwalk,
I couldn't hide my emotion.
It was like time travel in a frock
and whatever happens in the judging,
I'm going to hold on to that.
Mrs Claus is going to be very
pleased with that and I'm going
to stay on the nice list
for at least another three years.
I'm just thrilled that it looked
the way it looked.
I kept looking at it,
thinking, I've made a dress,
because I've never made a dress
and my mum would be really chuffed.
So, Enid, that one's for you.
It was the night after sewing
and all through the house,
not a creature was stirring,
except us three,
who have to discuss how they did.
Well, I think we've had a bit of
everything that makes
Christmas Christmassy. We've been
amused and amazed.
I don't think either Esme or I
expected to see four such
fantastic-looking made to measures.
The stories behind these garments -
fantastic. Yeah. From Kiell, who,
until a couple of days ago, had
never sewn anything in his life, to
produce a dress that fitted so well,
and Anneka's jumpsuit was
fantastically well put together,
such a great fun concept. Anthony's,
it's so chic and sophisticated.
Anthony showed us in the pattern
challenge that he is
naturally very gifted at sewing.
Yes.
Kate's 1970s Good Life throwback.
She sewed it so nicely,
she sewed it with such care.
You could tell that she really was
enjoying making it.
Four great made to measures, but
there is one for me
that really stands out.
And for me, actually.
Well, all I want for Christmas
is to find out who has won.
Let's go tell them.
Our festive time has come to an end
and you have given us
so much cheer and merriment, but
it is now time to unwrap the winner.
Patrick.
Our favourite garment and the winner
of the Christmas Sewing Bee is...
Oh!
..Anthony!
Well done!
Thank you so much. Well done. Wow!
Oh, thank you.
I genuinely can't believe I've won.
I'm so chuffed.
My mum's going to mega made up,
so thank you, Enid.
And I'm just thrilled that I didn't
make a holy show of myself.
We were blown away.
It's absolutely beautiful
and you should be incredibly
proud of having made it.
It's wonderful. I'm really chuffed!
Antony's dress was
the stand-out winner
because it had so much impact.
I thought it was beautiful.
You've been absolutely fabulous all
of you, I have been so impressed.
All four made to measures -
genuinely great.
What an amazing and wonderful
festive experience.
I have learned so much,
I've made some lovely new friends,
I've got to be within sniffing
distance of Esme and Patrick,
I am a very happy girl.
Oh! Joy, joy, joy.
I mean, I've laughed so much,
I've learned so much, I've just had
the best two days.
At the beginning of this,
I was sort of, like,
what am I doing and why am I here?
But now I'm glad I did it and I'm
going home with a new skill
and, hopefully, made my mum proud.
Our sewers have delivered
a Christmas selection box full
of sewing treats.
They all gave it such gusto
and they all were just
full of the joy of Christmas.
# Sleigh bells ring
Are you listening? #
Is that carol singers?
# Snow is glistening... #
Oh!
Come inside, you'll get really cold.
Aww! Aww!
# Sleigh bells ring
Are you listening?
# In the lane
Snow is glistening
# A beautiful sight
We're happy tonight
# Walking in a winter wonderland. #
Aww! Happy Christmas!
Merry Christmas!
Next time... Oh, yeah!
..four more celebs...
Yes, yes, yes!
..bring in the new year.
LAUGHING: What have you done?!
They have armless fun
in the pattern...
It's like sexy dandruff.
..take on a teeny transformation.
No children were harmed
in the making...
..and make a meal of fancy dress...
Wee bit of parsley on top.
..in the made-to-measure.
Making our mouths water.
But when the clock strikes 12...
Bong! ..who will be left with
a bad taste in their mouth...
Urgh! ..and who will
be having a banger?
I'm a sausage, take me to the party!
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07x11 - Celebrity Christmas Special
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Amateur sewers take on challenges as they compete to be named Britain's best home sewer.
Amateur sewers take on challenges as they compete to be named Britain's best home sewer.