Inverness student impresses The Great British Sewing Bee judges with a pleated gown as BBC show returns with new series
A geometric monochrome gown created by Inverness student Órla Ní Eadhra won praise from judges of The Great British Sewing Bee as the popular TV show returned.
Viewers watched as the 12 amateur sewers took on three challenges to test their skills and abilities in the first of the 10-part BBC One series as they bid to be crowned Britain’s most sensational seamster.
The Made-to-Measure challenge, which tested the contestants’ skills with pleats, saw Órla - a former Inverness Royal Academy pupil - turn to a childhood bedroom door for inspiration.
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Using unorthodox techniques, Órla created an eye-catching 3-D pleated dress which was modelled on the catwalk.
Judge Patrick Grant described her complex creation as “fantastic”.
“It’s so graphic,” he said. “It’s so bold.
“There is so much engineering gone into the different elements of this.
“I think it is one of the hardest patterns I have ever seen.”
Earlier in the programme, the pressure mounted as the contestants grappled with peplums and bodices to create a tie front blouse as the clock ticked away in the Pattern Challenge while one had an unfortunate mishap with a hot iron.
Órla, described by judge Esme Young. as having done a very good job, was awarded fifth place in that particular challenge.
Their raw creativity was then put to the test in the Transformation Challenge as they reimagined circle skirts into brand new garments.
Picking a tartan skirt, Órla declared her determination to get Scottish-ness into the first episode.
Despite a valiant effort in creating a top, unfortunately she ran out of time and did not manage to finish one of the sleeves, resulting in her being placed 11th for that task.
With the cameras on the sewers throughout, there was tension as the minutes ticked by, unexpected setbacks and also good humour.
In an surprise twist, it was announced at the end of the first episode that all the sewers would go through to the second week after one contestant was forced to miss the judging in the second challenge plus the final task due to being taken unwell.
But the pressure will be on again next week when two sewers will be sent home.
Órla - now 20 - was a 19-year-old student studying German and Scandinavian studies at the University of Edinburgh at the time filming took place.
From a close-knit family, she grew up in a creative home with music and the arts playing a big part in her life.
Her parents are musicians Brian Ó hEadhra and Fionnag NicChoinnich, and she also has a sibling, Ró, with whom she works in a cafe when back at home in Inverness.
They also perform together as a family folk band, combining traditional Irish, Gaelic and wider Celtic sounds with original compositions.
Having started sewing at 15, Órla often sews for friends and family and hopes to have a completely self-made wardrobe one day.
She is still in the process of discovering her own fashion style but sewing is helping her to explore a mix of feminine and androgynous looks.
Two years ago, she won an award in Abu Dhabi at the world finals of a global youth sustainable fashion competition, Junk Kouture, to create and model high-end couture from everyday junk.
Her ball grown made of recycled materials, including a childhood trampoline which had been damaged in a storm, an old bicycle wheel and chocolate wrappers, resulted in her being selected as one of 10 UK finalists.
After modelling her creation, she was named the London winner.
