Being on the Sewing Bee 'a dream come true'

Competing on the BBC One programme, The Great British Sewing Bee is "a dream come true", one of the contestants has said.

The show sees amateur sewers compete to impress judges Patrick Grant and Esme Young, hoping to be crowned Britain's most sensational seamster.

Adele Burn, from Blackburn in Lancashire, said the experience "was just absolutely fantastic".

She said a particular "life highlight" was winning garment of the week on week two, which focused on print and colour, where her made-to-measure cross-back top and culottes set "was just perfection" according to Grant.

But she said the time constraints can be "absolutely terrifying".

"When they say you've got five hours, you actually do get five hours to do everything - cut it out, sew it, press it, get it on your model and then they just cut you off," she said.

"So whatever state it's in at the end, you just have to go with it."

The former Blackburn Rovers ball girl and "massive Blackburn Rovers fan" said a favourite make was a Rovers-inspired shirt

The design had to feature appliqué and free-motion embroidery - where the fabric is moved freely by hand under a sewing machine needle - allowing the sewer to "draw with thread," creating patterns and textures.

"When the brief came through and I realised you could do your favourite sports team, I thought 'oh this is brilliant'," Adele said.

"I was so pleased with it.

"I'll wear it in the pub with my dad before the match."

Adele said her love of sewing started when she was at school - St Wilfred's High School in Blackburn - where she "grew a love for textiles".

"I saved up to buy my first sewing machine and started making cushions and bunting and things like that," she said.

"It was only later on, when I had my little boy, that I discovered making clothes and I really enjoyed being able to make something that I could wear.

"Everyone would say 'that's nice where did you get it from?' and I'd say 'well actually I made it' and I got a really great sense of satisfaction making clothes.

"And then I just became obsessed.

"Everyone says it's cheaper making clothes yourself, but the amount of fabric I buy, it's definitely not," she joked.

The mum-of-two said she was "so chuffed" to get through to kids' week as it is "one of my favourites" and she loves making matching outfits for her children.

"I still can't believe I'm actually on the show," she said.

"It's one of my favourites."

The whole group of amateur sewers are "all such good friends," she added.

"We're messaging each other all the time, it's just brilliant."

The Sewing Bee is on Tuesday nights at 20:00 on BBC One.

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