Meet the Queen Alexandra Hospital consultant in tonight's final of the BBC's The Great British Sewing Bee

A CONSULTANT, who swapped her stethoscope for a sewing machine for the chance to show her love for vintage fashion, will be in the final of a TV show this evening.
Clare Bradley from QA Hospital.
Picture: Love Productions/Mark BourdillonClare Bradley from QA Hospital.
Picture: Love Productions/Mark Bourdillon
Clare Bradley from QA Hospital. Picture: Love Productions/Mark Bourdillon

Clare Bradley, a respiratory consultant at Queen Alexandra Hospital, is one of the three finalists in this year’s Great British Sewing Bee.

The BBC One show has seen 12 competitors complete a variety of challenges to test their skills by judges Esme Young and Patrick Grant, whilst presenter Joe Lycett adds a comedic commentary.

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Clare has made the final, which airs tonight at 9pm, alongside TV supervisor Matt Gage and jewellery designer Nicole Akong, both from London.

Clare Bradley and presenter Joe Lycett.
Picture: Love ProductionsClare Bradley and presenter Joe Lycett.
Picture: Love Productions
Clare Bradley and presenter Joe Lycett. Picture: Love Productions

In the semi-final, the sewers were tasked with recreating Marliyn Monroe's iconic white dress, using junk to make a sci-fi inspired outfit and design a 1920s flapper dress.Clare, who was taught to sew by her mother and enjoys making vintage-style clothes, won garment of the week with her sci-fi dress.

The 37-year-old said: ‘I definitely owe most of my sewing knowledge to my mum, who taught me how to use a sewing machine, how to follow a pattern, and lots of techniques like inserting zips.

‘She made several party dresses or bridesmaids’ dresses for me when I was a child, and even then I enjoyed the process of going out and poring over the pattern catalogues and fabrics with her.

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‘I only started sewing regularly in the last seven or eight years. I have a particular pattern for a set of late 1930s blouses and wide-legged trousers which I have made at least four times in different fabrics.’

Group photo of the all people taking part in this year's BBC Great British Sewing Bee.
Picture: Love Productions / Mark BourdillonGroup photo of the all people taking part in this year's BBC Great British Sewing Bee.
Picture: Love Productions / Mark Bourdillon
Group photo of the all people taking part in this year's BBC Great British Sewing Bee. Picture: Love Productions / Mark Bourdillon
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Queen Alexandra Hospital consultant Clare Bradley wins The Great British Sewing ...

Clare’s collegues and fans of the show have shown their support for her on social media.

One fan said: ‘Clare is consistently brilliant, with strong design ethos.’

Anothe added: ‘Clare is so creative and she smashed that challenge love her unique style. Clare to win!!!’

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Speaking about why she went on the show, Clare added: ‘It’s easy to sit at home wincing at basic mistakes people make under time pressure on telly, but I thought - if I didn’t go for it now, I’d always wonder whether I could have done it.

‘While it was nice to get positive comments from the [judges], I was a harsher judge on myself for not living up to my own standards. Joe, on the other hand, was a hilarious distraction, with various ridiculous comments and outfits. Just don’t ask him to find a matching button for you, unless you like a gamble.’

Tune in to watch Clare in the Great British Sewing Bee tonight at 9pm on BBC1.

Good Luck Clare!

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