Wowzers! (Sorry Matt, I hope you don't mind me borrowing that!) Now that was one intense semi-final - three tricky fabrics and three tricky challenges: a lined lace pencil skirt, neoprene wetsuit, and a leather jacket. And another double elimination!
The pencil skirt sounded simple enough to start with - back waist darts, invisible zip - but oh no, it had to be made in lace that should pattern-match at the seams, which would also need to be very fine, and fully lined in silky fabric. And within the time limit. Hmm...not that simple then. There were some beautiful fabric choices, I particularly loved Deborah's turquoise, Lorna's orange and Paul's purple, while Neil went for classic black, and Matt a paler shimmery blue. I thought everyone did really well, there were a few of the usual problems - wonky hems, patterns not quite matching, puckered seams, and linings being too full, and in the end it was Matt who got first place with Lorna second and Deborah third - Neil slipping down the rankings after last week's successes!
Next up, the alteration challenge, and the maddest starting point yet - a wetsuit to be made into a fitted dress. Paul really struggled with this one, setting in sleeves the wrong way round and then rushing to attach a skirt (which the judges actually thought was the best bit). Matt and Neil both went for a pink theme; Matt's with ruffles and flowers, and Neil's with a full length skirt and open back. Lorna went completely bonkers and cut out the boobs of her wetsuit and replaced them with Madonna-esque satin pointed inserts. Deborah came top in this round combining her wetsuit with another neoprene fabric in the most amazing digital print with inset panels in the bodice/neck and skirt. Could still be anybody's game at this point.
Round three, the made to measure, and it's a fully lined leather jacket. Holy moly! In six and a half hours! I think I'm with Claudia on this one, at least five days would be preferable! Paul had the mad fabric moment this time with a stiff patent red snakeskin print leather, Lorna went lime green, Deborah stuck with the turquoise theme, while Matt and Neil played it more traditional with grey and black. This has got to be the hardest challenge by far, but there were some useful tips on how to work with leather - no pins, sharp needle. Deborah's was going really well, the shape with a double hip peplum was gorgeous, until she cut her zip to length and then pulled the tab right off the top! Disaster! Neil once again got garment of the week, his jacket looked brilliant, and I loved the oversized roll collar.
So, two people leaving, and this week it was the turn of Paul and Deborah. I was so sad for both of them, especially Deborah, her jacket would have been incredible if not for the zip crisis! They have both been fantastic every week and it'll be strange without them on the show next week.
That leaves, Matt, Neil and Lorna in the final, and I can't wait to see what they have to make, and who will win!
Yesterday I went to the Spring Knitting & Stitching Show at Olympia and spent a small fortune, but I'll do a full run down another day. Has anyone else been this weekend? Hope you had fun!
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