In conversation with Patrick Grant

This week we are talking with Sewing Bee judge and Author Patrick Grant. Find out behind-the-scenes intel about the show, the realities of running a tailors on Savile Row, and what you can expect to find in his new book...The Savile Row Suit
You can buy the book here: uk.gestalten.com/products/the...
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[@LG-11]

That was so interesting to hear Patrick talk about Saville Row - I hope they make another programme about it. Nothing like seeing makers who excel in their field at work! Thank you Kate - see if you can get Patrick (or Esme!) back in for more chat!

[@TheFoldLine]

I hope so!

[@paulawilliams9645]

What a treat. Thank you Kate and Patrick

[@primate416]

What a fabulous surprise. Patrick talks with such passion, it's a joy to listen to him. Also, you did a great job interviewing, Kate . Well done.

[@sallydingle321]

My thoughts exactly 👌😉

[@TheFoldLine]

Thank you! He made it very easy ☺️

[@BridgetEscolme]

Really enjoyed that, what a nice surprise! Love hearing Patrick talk about Saville Row. But grrrr, no proper answer to your question of how the challenges are given less time in Sewing Bee these days. Just look back at early series, Patrick, and you will see 7 hours given for the Made to Measure (I randomly picked an episode from series 2 to have a look, I was beginning to think I must have made it up). 'It would be lovely' to have loads of time he says...but the production company managed to edit a whole day for the Made to Measure before, why not now? Because the sewers are too good now, he says, and the judges need a way of differentiating between them. Well just try harder, judges! You must be used to judging garment quality where you work and teach. Really sad about all the botched and unfinished makes on this year's show. Sorry, rant over, am obviously a bit over-invested...

[@karendiesner5008]

It’s because we relate to the poor contestants! We want them to do their best and they can’t

[@BridgetEscolme]

@@karendiesner5008 absolutely - especially when they make things out of garments that mean a lot to them like family wedding dresses!

[@pipskilou]

I thought he did give a very comprehensive reply. I agree it’s frustrating to watch as a sewist knowing how crazy difficult it would be to complete the challenges in the time given. However it just shows how amazing the sewers on there are - even those that go out in the first few episodes.

[@mcculloch29]

Finally, we get an insight into why some contestants struggle to finish on Sewing Bee. Some spend fifteen minutes choosing their fabric, and some may spend a lot of time chatting to the other contestants. Possibly they may be helping each other, but it all takes up time on a very tight timescale. It was interesting hearing Patrick say that the challenges are thoroughly tested by a panel of former contestants, and adjusted to make them easier where necessary. We all know that in their haste, contestants do make poor choices over fabric. Spend two minutes reading the instructions first, and then choose would seem to be good advice. (But would it make for good TV?)

[@BridgetEscolme]

@@mcculloch29 Hmmm...I still think a four hour Made to Measure where it used to be 6.5 or 7 is the real problem!

[@janebrettell1737]

What a lovely surprise, so interesting thank you both.

[@TheAlixCat]

What a wonderful surprise! Great interview Kate, and thanks for ferreting out details on how the challenges and times are chosen. Knowing that a panel of former bees (with various skill levels) test the challenges and provide feedback to the producers helps me be less indignant when only a few people finish their makes in the time allotted. Also, it will be fascinating to see if any contestants in S11 follow Patrick’s advice and read the pattern first, before choosing their fabric. I always thought it must not be allowed and that was why so many people chose poorly!

[@india1422]

Patrick is very interesting to listen to. Kate is a great interviewer. She actually lets her subject talk.

[@didaburrell1882]

What a fascinating insight into Saville Row!! Such a charming man

[@annebishop4976]

Well that was fascinating. Thanks so much Kate and Patrick. X

[@PracticalStitches]

Well done Kate. A great interview truly enjoyed this❤

[@shellyscott8275]

Wow. What an interesting interview Kate. I really, really enjoyed it. Thankyou 😊 Have a good week x

[@renejohnson37]

Thanks so much Kate for posting this. Patrick is certainly enthusiastic about his subject. So interesting to hear that the various houses are a community.

[@TheFoldLine]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@mariGentle]

What an absolute pleasure ❤ I would love to see the sewing Bee in Winter

[@annerankin1191]

This was such a joy to watch! Thanks Kate!!!

[@pesahson]

I did not expect that to see on my main youtube site! Lovely surprise and great conversation to listen to drinking my first coffee of the morning.

[@TheFoldLine]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@lovesredsews]

Loved this, it was so fascinating listening to Patrick talking about Saville Row 😊

[@marathorne6821]

This was fascinating and I really enjoyed listening 👏 As a home sewist, I was particularly interested to hear about the process for working out the timings on the GBSB. I still maintain that they are now too short, and quality has suffered greatly as a result. One recent "garment of the week" didn't actually fit properly, it gaped badly around a cutout. It distresses me to the degree that I'm losing my enthusiasm for the programme 😢 Maybe in the first series the allotted times were too long, but the pendulum has now swung too far in my opinion.

[@christinem281]

What a nice Sunday morning surprise….were you a bit starstruck ? It’s not so easy to do a zoom interview with the time delays etc. Yes choice of fabric is so important, but on Sewing Bee you can see the contestants are just keep to get on …as time is tight! I’m terrible for not reading a pattern through from start to finish before I start! And somehow I sometimes miss important steps! I’m the same with recipes, even when I’ve made something before 😮. Thanks Kate!

[@TheFoldLine]

It was fun. Patrick made it very easy as he is so passionate about what he does ☺️

[@ladyjusticesusan]

What a terrific interview. Thank you for posting this.

[@lesleybaker29]

So enjoyed that! Thank you.

[@alisonpickard-is7oc]

Amazing . Such an interesting interview. Thanks to you both

[@kimsharpe9504]

I loved hearing some behind-the-scenes of GBSB and have an even greater appreciation for Patrick's expertise. I can't wait to get the book! Thank you for lining up this interview.

[@redaleta]

This is so cool. Really enjoyed the conversation.

[@theresacasteel5567]

Fascinating. Thank you.

[@shereewilliamson9559]

That was a terrific video. Thanks for capturing Patrick in a very relaxed mood. So interesting.

[@susan571]

Thank you, this was great. I wasn't even aware of the book.

[@mariannepastuch9197]

OMG OMG OmG. How fabulous. Great Job Kate. I’m going to have to watch this again. Thank you 🙏 🎉

[@TheFoldLine]

Yay! Thank you!

[@janicek6399]

Great interview skills Rachael! Well done.

[@helganeufeld230]

Brilliant. Loved this interview.

[@tracyfrost]

This is a wonderful interview, just got Patrick’s book.

[@rosiejones4589]

What a great interview and so interesting. I watch the Great British Sewing Bee and. I have so much respect for the contestants. I am a very novice sewer but the one thing which I would love is to have a pattern made for me that I know when I cut the garment out it will FIT!. I wish Patrick would do a programme filmed in his shop and the people who work there. Showing the process of making a garment and all the work that goes into it.

[@cathmckeever2728]

I loved this Kate. Thank-you much. Fascinating hearing about Saville Row & how it all works. 😊❤

[@TheFoldLine]

You are so welcome!

[@greenquiltsgalore1326]

An informative interview; thank you.

[@amybennett62]

Thoroughly enjoyed watching this! So interesting to hear about the industry and how it works. Thank you so much for making this for us to enjoy! It really makes me want to sew! ❤

[@TheFoldLine]

You're so welcome!

[@yamilethretanach8560]

Thank you very much for this wonderful conversation! I am from Costa Rica, I love sewing cloth, fabrics and everything related with it.

[@TheFoldLine]

Wonderful!

[@janetcollinson4587]

That was so interesting. Love how saville row a community. Need to get his book. ❤ Thank you.

[@TheFoldLine]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@RhianJD]

Lovely interview to watch, thank you.

[@TheFoldLine]

Our pleasure!

[@rebeccasenko6956]

I got the book! Always been intimidated to make men’s clothes. This will help me jump in and try. Thank you 😊

[@juliadroy1179]

What a brilliant interview well don Kate so interesting even my husband enjoyed it xx

[@TheFoldLine]

So glad! It was wonderful to have so much of his time too ☺️

[@user-vf3qt1vr1y]

I’ve just finished reading the book. Very compelling and thought provoking. Definitely worth a read.

[@TheFoldLine]

It really is!

[@suethomas402]

Fantastic! Thank you so much.🎉🥳👏

[@TheFoldLine]

You are so welcome!

[@portiasew9847]

First time commenting on your channel. Thank you Kate, really interesting and insightful intervie w. Well done! 👏👏

[@TheFoldLine]

Yay, thank you!

[@tracycharalambous5223]

That was so interesting thank you. Always been fascinated with how bespoke clothing is made. The nearest thing I got to bespoke clothing was my wedding dress, I was more interested on all the beautiful finishing on the inside than the outside. Still got it after 28 yrs. Love sewing bee but couldn't go on it I would never finish a challenge in time 😁 but there's always something fascinating about fabric I can't explain to non sewists.

[@TheFoldLine]

Thanks for sharing!

[@doriscook4337]

Don’t buy it that speed is necessary as the only measure that the contestants can be measured on! The show is much poorer when we can’t see and enjoy beautifully finished garments. It now fits the fast fashion scene rather that the sustainable fashion Patric advocates.

[@Lazydaisy646]

I agree 💯

[@robynjury4403]

This is great, I found the stuff about the moulding and shaping of clothes very interesting. I have made coats and a blazer and can understand - to my very limited non tailor degree, that joy of manipulating wool. I think there needs to be a documentary about the tailoring process (or is there one already??). Anyway, great interview both of you!

[@trishington]

Thanks for such a fun interview! I'm looking forward to receiving my copy of Patrick's book. I can't wait to read every word. I'm especially looking forward to diving into the shirt construction techniques as I'm currently on a shirt-making bender and am always looking for new and exciting ways to improve my skills. And at some point I plan to make a suit for my husband - I did make him one many years ago (in the late 1980s) from a Vogue Patterns Calvin Klein pattern using traditional tailoring techniques but I'm pretty rusty these days and could really use some Savile Row tips! ;-)

[@TheFoldLine]

Sounds like a great plan. It is such a beautiful book ☺️

[@marieeaton-smith5168]

What an absolute treat. Patrick - you need to look at the times given in the previous series, to the times now, and the fact that no one finishes, or presents a finished garment. The garments in the previous series were so much better. Please look at the previous series to reacquaint yourself and Esme with the previous series. Good to hear that the contestants 'should follow the pattern'; 'read the pattern' etc

[@india1422]

Why don't you write to the producers instead of making comments on KZbin? Patrick won't be reading these comments.

[@india1422]

I have to admit you hadn't confidence to tell Patrick and Esme to reacquaint themselves with previous series.

[@elizarock655]

Wonderful interview. I wonder if Patrick has watched the Mark Rylance film ‘The Outfit’.

[@jennetthamilton971]

Wow that was fascinating! It was interesting to hear about getting the correct person to produce the instructions. As an experienced sewist, I've had people come to be about learned to sew. I always say no, not that I don't want that person to learn how to sew, but because I wouldn't have the patience. Parts of the process that are obvious to me but are not to that person would probably just frustrate me and them. I would love to be able to observe one jacket made at a Saville Row shop from start to finish. I have so many questions for Patrick! I would love to know what happens to the scraps of fabric left over. To work in the industry in any part would be amazing. Now I need to know, when are you going to interview Esme! I like that you asked a question and just let Patrick run with it, with no interruptions from you. Great job Kate. I'm sitting here in my me made pajamas and thinking how satisfying it is to make and wear something that fits me and has the small details I want even if it is just pj's. Now I need to buy the book and use what I learn from it to finally make a tailored blazer. I've only had the fabric, and Vogue pattern for ever.

[@TheFoldLine]

We can dream! Maybe we should ask Esme if she would be up for it? 😆

[@SamanthaMadison197]

This was a fascinating interview and such a pleasure to listen to. I would have loved to hear more about Community Clothing, but perhaps that could be the topic of a follow-up interview?

[@lizoid88]

loved this chat! is there any info in Patrick's book about using pinstripes/checks and pattern matching methods?

[@juliabarrett4757]

Well done Kate, very interesting. How about getting Patrick to sign some copies of the book? I love to collect signed editions!

[@Marianne_C_O_Art]

Ooh goody season 11!

[@drhelenloney1426]

Well lookee there, I seemed to have ordered Patrick’s book quite by accident 😅😊

[@TheFoldLine]

Whoops!! 🤭

[@thecarjacful]

That's the thing about a sewing bee, Patrick, traditionally it was a social thing. Crafters love talking to each other 😅. Hard not to want to help people. It's our instinct.

[@howardpennpenn]

How interesting!❤ Thank you, both. Will the book be available in audio? I hope so...

[@TheFoldLine]

I'm not sure... It's definitely quite a visual guide so you might miss out if you just listened to it 🤔

[@alisonkemp1671]

So interesting 😊 Thank you for this interview 😊

[@TheFoldLine]

Any time!

[@knitknitsew5302]

I don't think anyone said the title of the book and there is no link in the show notes. I'm sure I can find it but f this was to publicise the book then not providing that info is a bit odd!

[@TheFoldLine]

Here is a link for you! uk.gestalten.com/products/the-savile-row-suit-the-art-of-hand-tailoring-savile-row-patrick-grant

[@knitknitsew5302]

@@TheFoldLine Thank you!

[@lana7422]

I know I've complained about this before, but here goes again. Isn't there some way to see at least the past episodes of Sewing Bee. It is so sad that many viewers would LOVE to see Patrick and Esme, but have to be satisfied with seeing the patterns used in the challenges, but not have the fun of seeing the contestants vying to be the best at making them. I'm just throwing my feelings out there in hopes someone who can do something hears my plea. Big thanks!!!

[@monicas2269]

I watched all the previous series earlier this year and now I'm watching them again, I've just finished watching series 3. I'm watching them through Sky.

[@lana7422]

@@monicas2269 I live in the U.S. I don't think I can get Sky.

[@monicas2269]

@@lana7422 That's a shame, it's really interesting to see how the programme has changed. KZbin may have some episodes.

[@tracyfrost]

Who stocks the book I am in Cape Town and we don’t have it here. I am traveling to England endJuly.

[@TheFoldLine]

It looks like Waterstones stocks it (they have many locations). You may need to order it into the shop to make sure the branch you visit has a copy www.waterstones.com/book/the-savile-row-suit/patrick-grant/gestalten/9783967041255

[@kiwitechnicskiwitechnics7432]

What is the name of Patrick's new book please?

[@TheFoldLine]

It's called The Savile Row Suit: The Art of Bespoke Tailoring

[@victoriaconstantine-cort3091]

xXX👍👍👍

[@karendiesner5008]

I agree, there are so many botched makes this year, and it’s not because the makers are substandard either, purely rushing. Very sad!

[@charlottemcgregor1011]

I really enjoyed this conversation , thankyou both for sharing . Tailoring sounds like a cross between a skill and an art -10 weeks to create a suit - I bet the end result is a triumph . As a fan of the sewing bee I feel the speed of the challenges this year actually devalues the sewing process , and detracts from the viewing experience . I am actually really disliking the way that lovely fabric is being ‘ bish bash boshed’ into an unfinished and unwearable garment - what an absolute waste ! Please please please before filming series 11 correct this.

[@Jess-wk5jo]

Hi i when to today with my mum to cafe shop that suzy work in poor suzy be troll by naughty people staying like she love herself and she need to leave and she is crap and all that my mum tell to her to you not make you feel crap and people need telling tell off for it i am team Suzy all the way on tv 😫😫😫☹☹☹😘💕💜❤💛

[@louiserobinson7619]

Frantic speed sewing isn't fun for the sewer or the viewer

[@hkvery3852]

I think this current series has one of the poorest level of skill amongst the contestants. Or they’re slower.