New Barkby W.I

President of New Barkby W.I., Shirley Franklin, welcomed members to the institute’s March Meeting. ‘Jerusalem’ was sung, followed by the minutes of the previous meeting which was read and signed as a records, the on to a brief time for business matters over financial affairs.
The Speaker, Mitchell Bridgewater accompanied by his mother, Vicki, also a W.I. member from another institute. Originally from Earl Shilton, he now lives near Carlisle. ’My Sewing Bee Experience’, Mitchell call himself ‘Britain’s Worst Best Amateur Sewer of 2022’, when he entered the Great British Sewing Bee programme on BBC TV.
Mitchell’s experiences had been influenced by his parents, who both created sewing and crocheting, on metalwork. He had been an arts theatre manager, but decided, after Covid, to apply for the BBC programme after his wife had persuaded him to do so, as she had taught him to sew. There were several preliminary rounds before actually being on the show, after thousands of applications were whittled down to 400 and then less.
Mitchell had to make a face mask because of Covid 19 and the first garment he made was a mini skirt, with patch pockets. For every episode, contestants had to write a two page essay on the current garments to be made, including sport, couture, or from ‘junk’ material. He has continued his creativity in making shirts for himself and dresses for his wife, and he is now speaking to various groups and does a podcast.
Members saw several still items on a screen, garments on display and there were sewing books and a scrap album following his TV appearance even though he didn’t reach the final.
There was a question and answer period following this enlightening and entertaining talk.
The vote of thanks was given by Angela Montague. The competition for ‘A sewn item’ was won by Gillian Weston with a jacket she made. The raffle was won by Maria Edgley.
The next meeting will take place on Wednesday 2nd April at 7.30pm in the Syston Community Centre. The talk title is Silver Swans and visitors are welcome to attend.