Who Was The Winner Of The Great British Sewing Bee 2020?
The Great British Sewing Bee 2020 has been a source of comfort for us all during these turbulent times, but how much do we really know about the finalists?
Image Source/ The Mirror
Who was in the final of The Great British Sewing Bee 2020?
Contestants Clare Bradley, Nicole Akong and Matt Gage made up the final three sewers of the competition. As always the finalists were joined by sewing bee judges Patrick Grant and Esme Young as well as host, comedian Joe Lycett.
This is the sixth series of the Love Productions show and had, to date, the most competitors ever to take part.
The final challenges were definitely some of the most complex of the series, and with it being the final, the pressure was on!
As usual, the first up was the Pattern Challenge which saw contestants create a boys kilt.
This Scottish classic requires tricky maths and lots of folding! #SewingBee pic.twitter.com/U0htIdqVqK
— Sewing Bee (@sewingbee) June 24, 2020
Image Source/ Twitter
Esme Young and Patrick Grant set this pattern as they were challenging the sewers ability to pattern match to the utmost degree.
Unfortunately, Matt was in last place and Nicole came second, meaning Clare was the winner of the final pattern challenge of the series.
The transformation challenge
Arguably the most exciting challenge on the Sewing Bee, this time the top three were asked to create a carnival outfit from a swimming garment and a prom dress!
Feathers, sequins and bright colours, it’s Matt’s carnival Transformation. #SewingBee pic.twitter.com/M6D13WM10t
— Sewing Bee (@sewingbee) June 24, 2020
Image Source/ Twitter
Ready to take flight, it’s Clare’s carnival Transformation – complete with wings! #SewingBee pic.twitter.com/V03HGdddzg
— Sewing Bee (@sewingbee) June 24, 2020
Image Source/ Twitter
What a showstopper – it’s Nicole’s carnival Transformation. #SewingBee pic.twitter.com/BrKwdhmoxU
— Sewing Bee (@sewingbee) June 24, 2020
Image Source/ Twitter
Over the course of the series, Matt was not the best at this challenge, and it appears that history had repeated itself again. Matt was in last place, Clare came in second and jewellery designer Nicole was the winner.
The made-to-measure challenge
The very final challenge of the series saw the contestants create a red carpet gown with some cutaway features. As can be imagined, the finalists went for very different styles.
Early 1900s enthusiast Clare was aiming to make an elegant 1930’s style dress with a low back and mini cutaway design under the breast.
Clare chose one of her hospital co-workers to be her very last model.
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Image Source/ Instagram
In typical Nicole style, her dress was brightly coloured, flamboyant and embellished. Judge Esme Young was concerned that her dress sounded more like a party dress than one suitable for the red carpet.
However, she proved that her design was suitable for a celebrity to wear to a premiere which her friend from the school run modelled for her.
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Nicole’s bright and feathered gown, modelled by her friend for The Final. #SewingBee
Image Source/ Instagram
Perhaps the most daring dresses of all belonged to Matt. He decided to juxtapose a faux leather extreme cutaway top with a billowing brocade skirt.
The last male sewing bee contestant designed his dress for his boyfriend Greg’s drag act, Miss Martini.
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Matt’s dramatic leather and gold dress, modelled by his partner Greg/Miss Martini. #SewingBee
Image Source/ Instagram
Who won the contest?
After an extremely close competition, the judges decided that Clare was the winner of The Great British Sewing Bee 2020.
Image Source/ BBC
Her face at hearing her name was one of pure shock and people took to social media to congratulate the doctor on winning:
Please tell me someone else had a wee cry at Clare’s reaction to winning? Her mum face 🤣
Really chuffed it was Clare. She deserved that#SewingBee— Kat Clayton (@KatClayton3) June 24, 2020
Image Source/ Twitter
Clare herself said:
‘I feel really surprised. Crikey!
‘I do hold myself to high standards and because other things I have gone in for are things I have trained for like exams and more exams – this was something I did for fun.
‘I signed up just to have some fun and to do interesting things. Well I have definitely done that!’
Obviously with the corona virus outbreak, lung doctor Clare has not had much time to indulge in her passion for sewing. However, she is posting on her Instagram account, encouraging people to start sewing as well as to keep washing their hands!
Image Source/ Instagram