Competition is stitched up

Fan of BBC One’s The Great British Sewing Bee Ellen Hopkin tells Claire Brine why faith inspires her work with fabric

THEY’VE snipped and stitched, pinned and patched. Now,

accompanied by the quips of presenter Joe Lycett, the amateur sewers are about to find out who will be crowned the winner of The Great British Sewing Bee. The final of the BBC One show is scheduled to be aired next Wednesday (24 June).

So far in the series, judges Patrick Grant and Esme Young have asked the contestants to create a variety of clothing including sleepwear, sportswear, children’s wear and even clothing made out of heavy-duty plastic One sewer who can’t bags. After weeks of trimming down the wait to watch the final 12 competitors by assessing their skills unfold is Ellen Hopkin, through a series of pattern, transformation a self-described fabric and made-to-measure challenges, there addict. She has been a are just three hopefuls remaining. At fan of The Great British this stage of the game, all three need something very special up their sleeves. Sewing Bee since its launch in 2013. Ellen Hopkin It’s lovely to watch people being creative ‘What I love about it is that there’s never any drama,’ she says. ‘It’s lovely to watch people being creative for an hour a cheery one. Plus, I make clothes for my own kids, so that kind of sewing is what and know that they’re not going to be I know. I loved the dungaree challenge in slammed by the judges if they make particular, because I could see the sewers a mistake. using a pattern that I was familiar with.’ ‘My favourite episode so far has been While Ellen enjoys watching the series children’s week, because it was such from the comfort of her own home, she also faces a recurring question: Could I do that? ‘Every year I toy with the idea of applying for the programme,’ she says. ‘But while I’m an amateur expert in some things, there are other areas that would terrify me. If I had to make something out of leather, I wouldn’t have a clue. But then again, that’s why the challenges are designed Se wing seams to be so different. Maybe in a few years I’ll give 4 • War Cry • 20 June 2020 special Ellen uses free motion embroidery in her work Holly Booth Studio it a go.’ For the past five years Ellen has been running her own business called Faith in Fabric, creating pieces of art using free motion embroidery. ‘Basically I’m using a

sewing machine to draw with thread,’ she explains, ‘so I can be in control of where the thread and fabric go. I also do a lot

The contestants of ‘The Great British Sewing Bee’, hosted by Joe Lycett (centre), take on challenges set by judges

Patrick and Esme (left)

of mixed media work, using things like The Christian faith is important to Ellen watercolours, ink stamping and crochet. not just in her business but in all areas ‘People often ask me to make of life. She believes her creativity is a christening hoops, memory pillows out of gift from God that helps her to cope in old clothing and banners with pictures and stressful times. sewn words for hanging up at home. I also ‘I’m blessed with a wonderful family, but use free motion embroidery to recreate we also have our challenges,’ she says. ‘I old photographs or childhood drawings. have three children and our middle child So if a five-year-old drew a funny picture has a heart condition. She has had four of their dad, I can open-heart surgeries. put that picture in a frame on some fabric as a template, then add their handwriting underneath. It’s quite a sweet keepsake.’ Bible art also forms a big part of Ellen’s work. ‘I’ve created designs of families’ welly boots pictured alongside Bible verses,’ she says. ‘When I’m stitching a Bible verse, I can’t help but acknowledge the wing seams ‘When I find myself getting a bit stressed with everything, my family know that I just need to shut myself away for half an hour and do some crochet or drawing. Having the chance to focus on something completely different helps me to feel better. Being creative is what I do, and God knew that I would need an outlet for that creativity.’ God knew I would need an outlet for my creativity words in front of me. So it’s a project that While the challenges for the contestants is good for my spirit. Last Christmas, on The Great British Sewing Bee are I made lots of cake topper flags that drawing to a close, Ellen intends to press said “Prince of Peace” and “Wonderful on with Faith in Fabric and hopes to Counsellor” – the names given to Jesus undertake some new projects. in the Book of Isaiah. Doing that over and ‘I make a lot of small, delicate pieces, over again was like a meditation. so next I’d like to make something big for ‘My work also gives me plenty of time a church,’ she says. ‘I’m sure that if there’s to pray. If I’m making an item for someone something I’m meant to be doing, God who isn’t very well, I have the opportunity will stick it front of me and say: “Hello! to think about them.’ This next!”’