She’s got stitching contest all sewn up! Serena, 21, wins sewing bee title after learning the skills by watching lessons online
- Serena Baker, 21, became the youngest winner of The Great British Sewing Bee
- The medical student won the competition with a show-stealing yellow gown
- Baker, from Glasgow, taught herself to sew aged 15 by watching YouTube videos
A medical student aged 21 has become the youngest winner of The Great British Sewing Bee after learning the craft on YouTube.
Serena Baker, who taught herself to sew aged 15, last night won the seventh series of the BBC competition after ten weeks of tasks that culminated in her creating a show-stealing yellow evening gown.
Miss Baker, from Glasgow and studying at Edinburgh University, said: ‘I hope it proves that sewing can be a hobby for everyone.’
Serena Baker, a medical student aged 21, has become the youngest winner of The Great British Sewing Bee after learning the craft on YouTube
Serena Baker (pictured with judge Esme Young), who taught herself to sew aged 15, last night won the seventh series of the BBC competition after ten weeks of tasks that culminated in her creating a show-stealing yellow evening gown
The student learnt to sew as a teenager by watching YouTube videos as she grew interested in fashion.
She vowed, with four years of medical training ahead of her, to ‘be sewing the whole time whenever I can’.
Judge Patrick Grant said of the evening gown: ‘Serena, I love it. It looks simple but it isn’t.
‘I think the bodice is incredibly neatly constructed. I think the gathering on this skirt is exceptional, it’s so even. She has delivered a gown with real impact.’
Fellow judge Esme Young said: ‘I definitely could see it on the red carpet. It looks great. Well done.’
On winning the seventh series of the show, hosted by Joe Lycett, Miss Baker said she hoped to ‘inspire’ the younger generation to take up sewing as a hobby.
On winning the seventh series of the show, hosted by Joe Lycett, Miss Baker said she hoped to ‘inspire’ the younger generation to take up sewing as a hobby
She said: ‘I’ve had a lot of support from Scotland and I feel so excited to bring the trophy home to Scotland, I hope I’ve made the country proud.
‘Also, I hope it proves sewing can be a hobby for everyone.
‘It used to be associated with older ladies, so I hope I’ve inspired younger people to start sewing.’
Regarding the future, she said: ‘I have two more years at university, then I have two foundation years training as a junior doctor, and after that I am not sure. I will still be sewing the whole time whenever I can.
She beat 11 other contestants to the title, pipping textile artist Raphael, 34, and retail assistant Rebecca Grimbleby, 23, in last night’s final.