From Ealing to Sewing Stardom: Meet Marcus, Contestant on The Great British Sewing Bee
If you're a fan of The Great British Sewing Bee on BBC1, you might be delighted to know that one of the fabulous contestants this season is a local from Ealing! Meet Marcus, a passionate Teaching Assistant, artist, and now sewing enthusiast, who has captured hearts with his unique style and dedication.
Marcus grew up in London, raised by his parents, who were both Philosophers of Music. He met his wife, Juliet, when they were just 15 years old in school, and the pair have been inseparable ever since. Professionally, Marcus dedicates his time to helping children with special educational needs, providing one-to-one support. Recently, he has taken on the role of Arts Award Coordinator, where he helps children who struggle academically gain knowledge and insight into careers in the arts industries.
A Journey Into Sewing
Marcus's journey into the world of sewing began while he was living in Canada. Seeking home comforts, he discovered The Great British Sewing Bee, which inspired him to start sewing himself. Initially, he began creating womenswear for Juliet, but soon his focus shifted to crafting clothes for himself, inspired by 90s streetwear. He enjoys adapting patterns and describes his garments as “jarring, garish, or kitsch” due to his desire to make loud, outlandish statement clothing. His creations include jackets, waistcoats, hats, and shorts, often repurposing garments into something entirely new.
Beyond sewing, Marcus has a variety of hobbies including rollerblading, writing, art, building Lego, and playing video games. He takes great pride in his aquarium, which houses frogs, large fish, and shrimp. Inspired by his parents, he is also a big lover of music, having once played in a band, and now enjoys DJing.
An Extra Special Season
This season marks the 10th birthday of The Great British Sewing Bee, making it an even more special occasion for Marcus. Reflecting on this milestone, Marcus shared, “It was an extra treat to be on Season 10. It certainly felt like a special occasion and it was great to be able to relive some of those challenges that were used on the very first series, and see that the same rules still apply.”
The Love for Sewing
Marcus’s love for sewing blossomed during the lockdown in 2020. “I started sewing during lockdown in 2020. I had been printing t-shirts for some years but had never tried my hand at sewing. When I got my first machine I knew straight away that this was the hobby for me. It combines design, construction, colour and pattern, and it’s complicated but satisfying,” he said.
His favourite garment to sew is a design he calls a Heavy Housecoat. “It’s basically a big, heavy, fully lined kimono, and I love to make it because it’s all made of rectangles so I can piece together parts of a print to create a design.”
Challenges and Triumphs
Like any artist, Marcus has his pet hates when it comes to sewing. He tries to avoid using interfacing and dislikes clipping into seams as it weakens them. Instead, he prefers using pinking shears or trimming close to the stitching. Despite these challenges, Marcus finds great joy in being able to say “thanks, I made it” when people compliment his outfits at events.
Participating in The Great British Sewing Bee was a dream come true for Marcus. “Ever since I first watched the Sewing Bee I wanted to take part in it. It was that which really inspired me to go ahead and buy my first machine, so it felt fitting to apply for it, and to actually get on was a dream come true.”
Coping with Pressure
The pressures of the show were not lost on Marcus, especially the transformation challenges. “I’ve always gone a bit blank when I watch the transformation on TV, and I say to myself ‘what would I do if I was there?’ I also had a bit of fear for the made to measure because it’s easy to put a lot of pressure on yourself and the time limit is always tough,” he explained.
Staying calm amidst the chaos was another challenge. “Staying calm in the first week was not easy! There are a lot of people bustling around doing a lot of different jobs, it’s your first time getting used to having cameras close by all the time, and getting used to the time limits.”
A Supportive Community
The camaraderie among the contestants this season was a highlight for Marcus. “I’ve never met a group of people who bonded so quickly as this year’s Bees. Within a few days we felt comfortable with each other, and because we are all going through the same thing I think we really worked through it all together. We discussed sewing techniques and gave each other tips, so it was just a lovely friendly atmosphere really. I think, more than anything, we all just loved each other's style, everyone thought everyone else was amazing.”
Sewing Tips and Aspirations
For amateur sewers, Marcus offers some valuable tips:
- It doesn’t matter how far you get, just get started.
- Use good quality thread, it makes a big difference.
- Only place the iron when you’re 100% sure how you want the fold.
- Don’t let fabric droop from the table.
- Pegs > pins. Frixion pens > chalk.
- Rules of thumb are useful, note down as many as you can.
- Measure twice, cut once.
- Unpicking is artistic. Don’t let mistakes get you down.
Marcus also hopes to design outfits for some of his favourite musicians, including Koffee, Little Simz, Yung Lean, and Obongjayar. “I really want to see them worn on stage or in music videos,” he said. Additionally, he plans to design more womenswear after gaining practice during the sewing bee.
A Bright Future Ahead
Although Marcus left the competition last week, we can't wait to see what he does with the things he learned on the programme and with his incredible talent. His journey from Ealing to national television is a testament to the power of passion, creativity, and the joy of making something with your own hands. As Marcus continues to make his mark in the sewing world, we look forward to seeing more of his eccentric and vibrant designs, both on and off the screen.