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Great British Sewing Bee Series 4 - Episode 6 Active Wear

Claudia Winkleman hosts the quarter-final of the Great British Sewing Bee, where the five remaining sewers sweat it out over activewear, creating complex, hard-wearing garments from the most technical of fabrics.


Great British Sewing Bee Series 4 - Episode 4

Challenge 1 - Lycra Cycling Top
For the pattern challenge, judges Patrick Grant and Esme Young ask the sewers to make a man's lycra cycling top, which requires expert handling of a fabric that stretches in all directions and a complex zip insertion that tests their patience. Stretch fabric is both practical and comfy to wear and can be sewn with an overlocker or sewing machine.

Spandex & Lycra

Shopping List

Bicycle Print Spandex -
View
Spandex & Lycra - View
Zips - View
Rotary Cutters - View
Gutermann Thread - View
Elastic - View
Motifs - View

Challenge 2 - Ski Suit to Children's Jacket
Next, for the alteration challenge, the sewers use all their ingenuity to transform garish 1980s ski suits into children's jackets.

Waterproof Fabrics

Shopping List

Waterproof Fabric -
View
Quilted Fabric - View
Wadding - View
Bias Binding - View
Children's Sewing Patterns - View

Challenge 3 - Yoga Outfits
Finally, the made-to-measure challenge sees the sewers create the most fitted garments ever attempted on the Sewing Bee - yoga outfits - to secure one of four places in the semi-final.

Shopping List

Class; Sewing with Stretch Fabrics - Leggings - View
Overlocking Classes - View
Dance & Activewear Sewing Patterns - View
Yoga Pants: a tutorial - View
Leggings Sewing Patterns - View


The Great British Sewing Bee Essentials

Here at Abakhan, we've also put together our essential collection of Sewing Bee inspired goodies, so make sure you check them out here.


Great British Sewing Bee Series 4 - Episode 5 1960s Week

This week, the sewing room is transported back to the 1960s as the six remaining sewers revive vintage garments, take on time-honoured techniques and wrestle with antique equipment in an attempt to show Patrick and Esme they deserve a place in the quarter-finals.


Great British Sewing Bee Series 4 - Episode 4

Challenge 1 - Iconic 1960s colour Block Dress
For their first challenge, the sewers are asked to follow a pattern for an iconic 1960s colour block dress. With multiple panels and clean, crisp lines required, precision is everything. Originally created by YSL, the Mondrian Dress is one of the most iconic dresses of the 20th century.

Iconic 1960s colour Block Dress

Inspired by the YSL design, this EXCLUSIVE Vogue Mondrian (V1557) Dress Semi-fitted, is lined dress with front yoke and inset bands and is available from Tuesday 14th June at all Abakhan stores, please check in advance to ensure availability. This pattern has been especially made and is a limited edition with limited stock.


Shopping List

1. Vintage Sewing Patterns - View
2. Zips - View
3. Buttons - View
4. Crepe Fabric - View
5. Plain 100% Cotton Fabric - View
6. Tracing Wheel - View
6. Thread - View

Challenge 2 - 1960's Rainmac
For their alteration challenge, the sewers take a classic 1960s rainmac, but trying to make a wearable garment from PVC is no mean feat.

Imitation Leather, Suede & PVC


Shopping List

1. PVC Fabric - View
2. Sewing Patterns - View
3. Invisible Concealed Zips - View
4. Sewing Bee Essentials - View
5. Buttons - View


Challenge 3 - 1960s-inspired jackets
For the made-to-measure challenge, the sewing room goes from squeak to chic as the sewers try to create impeccably fitted, flawlessly finished 1960s-inspired jackets. There are only five places in the quarter-final and with such a labour-intensive, tailored item as a jacket to perfect, the stakes have never been higher and achieving the perfect sew has never been harder.


Suitings, Tweeds & Tartans


Shopping List

1. Suitings, Tweeds & Tartan Fabric - View
2. Dress Lining Fabrics - View
3. Zips - View
4. Hook & Eyes - View
5. Sewing Patterns - View
6. Sewing Bee Essentials - View
7. Buttons - View

The Great British Sewing Bee Essentials

Here at Abakhan, we've also put together our essential collection of Sewing Bee inspired goodies, so make sure you check them out here.


Great British Sewing Bee Series 4 - Episode 3 International Week

It is 'international week' as Patrick and Esme set the seven remaining sewers the challenge of tackling techniques and garment styles from other cultures and continents.


Great British Sewing Bee Series 4 - Episode 4

Challenge 1 - Chinese Qipao-style top
First up, they face a fiendishly hard-to-follow pattern for a Chinese Qipao-style top. This complex garment has an asymmetrical neckline, fiddly zip insertion and is made in a fabric that frays - not a challenge for the faint-hearted.

Follow a pattern for a Bra


Shopping List

1. Jersey Fabrics - View
2. Interfacing - View
3. Gold Print Fabrics - View
4. Bias Binding - View
5. Lace - View
6. Invisible Concealed Zips - View
7. Frog Fasteners - View
8. Snap Fasteners - View
9. Hook & Eyes - View
10. Liberty Lifestyle Cotton Fabrics - View
11. Sewing Bee Essentials - View

Challenge 2 - Transforming Saris
After battling with brocade, things don't get any easier on the fabric front as, for their alteration challenge, they are tasked with transforming saris. By re-purposing yards and yards of beautifully draped, embroidered Georgette, the sewers have just 90 minutes to create totally new, wearable items of clothing with a distinctly eastern flavour.

Follow a pattern for a Bra


Shopping List

1. Liberty Mayfair Silk Fabrics - View
2. Dress Lining Fabrics - View
3. Zips - View
4. Hook & Eyes - View
5. Sewing Patterns - View
6. Sewing Bee Essentials - View

Challenge 3 - Peplum Dress
Finally, for the 'made to measure' challenge, the judges take the sewers to an entirely new continent - Africa. Using vividly patterned wax print fabric, they attempt to create West African inspired dresses. Figure hugging garments that demand impeccable fitting skills and an understanding of how this robust printed cotton can be used to create a dramatic, accentuated silhouette. Behind The Seams: Learn How to draft a peplum

Shopping List

1. Dressmaking Cottons - View
2. Interfacing - View
3. Invisible Concealed Zips - View
4. Sewing Bee Essentials - View

The Great British Sewing Bee Essentials

Here at Abakhan, we've also put together our essential collection of Sewing Bee inspired goodies, so make sure you check them out here.


Find out what is happening next week and meet the contestants here

Great British Sewing Bee Series 4 - Episode 3

Claudia Winkleman welcomes the eight remaining contestants back to the sewing room to take on three demanding challenges related to lingerie. First they follow a pattern for a bra, which proves testing for even the most dexterous of sewers, before transforming charity shop silk scarves into pieces of lingerie and finish off by making luxury robes for their male and female models. Judges Patrick Grant and Esme Young then decide who leaves the competition.


Top Tips - Five easy ways to Sew with Lace by Celia Banks

Great British Sewing Bee Series 4 - Episode 1

Challenge 1 - Follow a pattern for a Bra
Making your own bra can be the ideal way to get that perfect fit at the fraction of the cost you'd pay on the high street. We've got a great selection of materials and accessories to help you on your quest for the perfect bra.

Follow a pattern for a Bra


Shopping List

1. Lace - View
2. Bra Cups, Straps, Extenders, Elastic & more - View
3. Flat Lace - View
4. Hooks & Eyes - View
5. Lingerie Patterns - View
6. Make Your Own Knickers Class - View
7. Stretch Lace Fabric - View
8. Gutermann Sewing Thread - View

If you've ever wanted to make a 'Backless Bra' then take a look at the YouTube Video



Challenge 2 - Transform a Silk Scarf into Lingerie
Wearing lingerie-style garments, such as a Camisole Top, as fashion wear is all the rage now & it's easy to pull off with a little bit of creativity and inspiration. Whatever you decide on, choosing a fabric that is soft and luxurious is essential.

Transform a Silk Scarf into Lingerie


Shopping List

1. Silky & Liquid Satin Fabric - View
2. Cotton Lawn Fabric - View
3. Lace Trimming - View
4. Elastic - View
5. Motifs - View
6. Embellishments - View
6. LIBERTY Tana Lawns - View

Challenge 3 - Luxury Robes
For as long as we can remember, Kimono's have been used as lougewear. Both easy to make and fashionable, these robes are ideal if you're looking to make a gift for someone special.

Check out this YouTube Video - DIY: Easy Kimono


Shopping List

1. Kimono Sewing Patterns - View
2. Interfacing - View
3. Silky & Liquid Satin Fabric - View
4. Cotton Lawn Fabric - View
5. Ribbon - View
6. Pattern Weights - View
6. Piping Cord - View

The Great British Sewing Bee Essentials

Here at Abakhan, we've also put together our essential collection of Sewing Bee inspired goodies, so make sure you check them out here.


Find out what is happening next week and meet the contestants here

The new series of The Great British Sewing Bee is back!



Claudia Winkleman welcomes 10 more hopefuls as the amateur sewing competition returns, with Patrick Grant being joined on the judging team by Esme Young, co-founder of fashion label Swanky Modes and tutor in pattern-cutting at Central Saint Martins art school in London. Series 4 - starts on Monday 16th May 9pm - 10pm (BBC2)

RumanaJamieJoyceCharlotte
RumanaJamieJoyceCharlotte
AngelineGhislaineTraceyJosh
AngelineGhislaineTraceyJosh
JadeDuncan
JadeDuncan


Sewing Bee Essentials

The Great British Sewing Bee Essentials

Here at Abakhan, we've also put together our essential collection of Sewing Bee inspired goodies, so make sure you check them out here.

Episode 1 Summary

The first challenge sees the contestants follow a deceptively difficult pattern for a woman's top made up of four pieces, before they have to transform a maternity dress in just 90 mins and fit a skirt to a real model in the final task.

Episode 2 Summary

Claudia Winkleman sets the remaining contestants three challenges designed to test different fabric handling skills on children's clothing. Firstly, they must carefully follow a pattern to make baby grows from stretch cotton jersey and then show they can handle slippery satin and chiffon by transforming an adult bridesmaid's dress into a garment for a boy or a girl. Finally, they have to create perfectly fitted woollen capes, before judges Patrick Grant and Esme Young decide who leaves the competition.

Episode 3 Summary

Claudia Winkleman welcomes the eight remaining contestants back to the sewing room to take on three demanding challenges related to lingerie. First they follow a pattern for a bra, which proves testing for even the most dexterous of sewers, before transforming charity shop silk scarves into pieces of lingerie and finish off by making luxury robes for their male and female models. Judges Patrick Grant and Esme Young then decide who leaves the competition.

Episode 4 Summary

Patrick Grant and Esme Young set the seven remaining contestants the challenge of tackling techniques and garment styles from other cultures and continents. They begin with a hard-to-follow pattern for a Chinese qipao-style top that has an asymmetrical neckline, fiddly zip insertion and is made with a fabric that frays, then they are given the task of transforming saris into items of clothing with a distinctly Eastern flavour and by creating West Africa-inspired dresses. Claudia Winkleman presents.

Rewind to Series 3

Here's our guide to the last series of The Great British Sewing Bee - take a look.



Great British Sewing Bee 2016

'Teach a Child to Knit/ Crochet' day at Mostyn

Hi, I attended the Craft Class 'Teach a Child to Knit/ Crochet' day at Mostyn with my daughter. Please can you pass on my thanks to the lady would was staffing the crochet workshop in the morning. She was very good at teaching my daughter to crochet and Laura has completed some more crochet work at home since attending. Laura has some problems with her vision and the member of staff quickly made adjustments to make sure that Laura was working with some brightly coloured yarn that was easier for her to see. Thanks again. Cath N, 25 May 2016.

Great British Sewing Bee Series 4 - Episode 2

Claudia Winkleman sets the remaining contestants three challenges designed to test different fabric handling skills on children's clothing. Firstly, they must carefully follow a pattern to make baby grows from stretch cotton jersey and then show they can handle slippery satin and chiffon by transforming an adult bridesmaid's dress into a garment for a boy or a girl. Finally, they have to create perfectly fitted woollen capes, before judges Patrick Grant and Esme Young decide who leaves the competition.


Great British Sewing Bee Series 4 - Episode 1

Challenge 1 - Follow a pattern to make a Baby Grow with Stretch Cotton Jersey

The Great British Sewing Bee Essentials


Shopping List

1. Check out our range of Jersey Fabrics (15% OFF with coupon code GBSB2 until midnight on Tuesday 24th May) - View
2. Matching Sewing Thread - View
3. Pliers (optional) - View
4. Sewing Machine Needles - View
5. Snap Fasteners - View
6. Sewing Patterns - View
7. Sewing Bee Essentials - View
8. Seam & Bias Binding - View
9. Janome Sewing Machines & Accessories - View
10. Snap & Eyelet Pliers - View

Look no further than this YouTube Video on How To Make A Baby-Gro.



Challenge 2 - Transform an adult bridesmaid's dress into a garment for a boy or a girl

Have you seen our lovely range of Chiffon, Organdy & Organza Fabrics

The Great British Sewing Bee Essentials

We've also got a huge range of stunning Satin Fabrics

The Great British Sewing Bee Essentials

Take a look at the Taffeta Fabric that Josh used - along with our Tulle, Net & Veiling Fabrics.

Make sure you check out our best selling Dressmaking Class - Hobby to Professional.

Learn how to use Eyelet Pliers



Challenge 3 - Create a perfectly fitted Woollen Cape

The Great British Sewing Bee Essentials

Shopping List

1. Check out our range of Woollen Fabrics (15% OFF with coupon code GBSB2 until midnight on Tuesday 24th May) - View
2. Matching Sewing Thread - View
3. Dress Linings - View
4. Frog Fasteners - View
5. Sewing Patterns - View
6. Sewing Bee Essentials - View
7. Fun with Free Motion Embroidery Class - View
Pom Pom Trimmings - View

Check out this great YouTube tutorial on how to transform a garment into a Cape



The Great British Sewing Bee Essentials

Here at Abakhan, we've also put together our essential collection of Sewing Bee inspired goodies, so make sure you check them out here.


Find out what is happening next week and meet the contestants here

Up-cycle your old furniture and sundries with Grand Illusions Vintage Paints from Abakhan

Up-cycle your old furniture and sundries with Abakhan

Abakhan stores at Mostyn, Bolton (& Manchester mid June) sell a fabulous range of chalk type paints called Grand Illusions Vintage Paints. These paints were developed by Grand Illusions for their Painted Furniture Company back in the 80’s – you may remember them on the television programme Changing Rooms or Change That?

Up-cycle your old furniture and sundries with Abakhan LOGO

Replicating the milk-paints of the 18th and 19th century, these water-based paints are made with natural earth pigments and have a very high chalk content (over 45%).

Our Mostyn store delivers workshops for you to have a go and build your confidence to tackle your furniture at home. We also give regular demonstrations on just how easy this paint is to use. Come along to the Interiors Department at our Mostyn Store where our staff will talk you through the processes of painting different pieces of furniture from start to finish. You can also see the many pieces of furniture which have been painted using the French-Nordic Palette of Vintage Paint colour.

From Painted or Varnished to Waxed or Stained, here at Abakhan we can show you how to create that vintage look on furniture. To book a workshop or to find out about Free Demonstrations please call our Reception team on 01745 562100 or book online here


Up-cycle your old furniture and sundries with Abakhan Instructions 1

Up-cycle your old furniture and sundries with Abakhan Instructions 2

I attended the course with Celia Banks

Hi, I attended the course with Celia Banks on 24 & 25 October at the Mostyn store. I couldn't find the feedback form at the time but really wanted to leave feedback. I rate the workshop environment, comfortable, pleasant and well resourced.

1. Course value for money is excellent. 2. Ratio of participants to tutor allows for really excellent individual attention.

I would recommend the course to anyone wishing to improve fitting and sewing techniques. Celia is a source of useful and up to date information which as a returner to sewing is proving invaluable to me.

10 out of 10 to Celia & 10 out of 10 to Abakhan for the menu of Workshops it is making available in its store. Regards, Pat H. 7 April 2016.

Join our Knit & Natter Groups

Abakhan Knitting Groups

Our Knitting themed Workshops & Courses have been running here at Abakhan for a few years now and have been steadily growing in popularity. Whether you are a beginner or would just like to learn a new technique, we like to think we have something for everyone! Take a look! Abakhan Workshops & Courses

Knit & Natter

One thing that we have wanted to get going for a long time is a weekly 'Stitch n Bitch' style meet up - where like-minded knitters can get together to learn new techniques and improve their skills and most importantly chat & have fun. So we’ve decided to host a series of free 'Knit & Natter' groups at our two of our stores.

We will have our talented knitting tutors Mary Walton (Liverpool store) & Maivena Bingham (Mostyn Store) at the ready to guide you through and help you with any techniques. All you need to do is bring along a pair of needles or a hook if you can and we’ll provide the knitting yarn.

Liverpool Knitting Group

Liverpool Knitting Group is starting on Wednesday 16th September and will then run for the following 5 weeks (23rd & 30th September & 7th, 14th & 21st October) from 10am – 11.30am

Mostyn Knitting Group

Mostyn Knitting Group is starting on Thursday 10th September and will then run for the following 5 weeks (17th & 24th September & 1st, 8th & 15th October) from 9.30am – 11.30am. These groups will be taking place in the Café.

Featured Knitting Patterns

With charity in mind and to give you some inspiration and ideas for the weekly knitting groups, we have teamed up with Glo Monro and put together some great patterns to get started on Featured patterns for Warrington Hospital will include:

  • Sensory Bands for Dementia patients
  • Easy Hooded Wraps for premature babies
  • Bed Socks
  • British Red Cross Humanity Rose patterns
If you are working on your own project and want to bring that along and have a natter then that is absolutely fine too! We hope to see you there!