Inverness Student Advances in Sewing Bee with Horror Doll Costume

In a thrilling episode of the Great British Sewing Bee, Inverness student Órla Ní Eadhra snagged a spot in the semi-final with her haunting horror doll costume. This big win came during Movie Week, where the five remaining contestants tackled three unique tasks.

Órla had a shaky start, but her creativity and grit pushed her forward. She ended up earning joint garment of the week and a ticket to the next round.

Let’s take a closer look at Órla’s journey on this popular BBC reality show.

Órla Ní Eadhra’s Journey on the Great British Sewing Bee

Órla Ní Eadhra, a 19-year-old student from Inverness, has been making quite an impression on the Great British Sewing Bee. Her time on the show has been a wild ride, full of highs and lows.

The latest episode, which aired on BBC1, brought Movie Week into the spotlight. Contestants had to face three movie-themed sewing challenges.

The Pattern Challenge: Recreating a Jacket from The Birds

The first challenge was all about replicating a jacket from Alfred Hitchcock’s *The Birds*. This wasn’t exactly a walk in the park—it called for a tricky pattern and some precise fitting of gussets under the sleeves.

Contestants also had to attach both under collars and over collars, which sounds as fiddly as it is. Órla pulled through, grabbing second place for her careful work.

Judges Esme Young and Patrick Grant called her jacket “a nice job,” though they did point out a couple of small flaws.

The Transformation Challenge: From Cinema Curtains to Glamorous Outfits

Next up was the transformation challenge. Contestants were handed red cinema curtains and tiebacks, and had to whip them into glamorous party outfits.

Órla, who usually shined in this round, hit a rough patch. The heavy fabric gave her trouble, and with just 15 minutes to go, she scrapped her first idea and started over with a new set of curtains.

Her last-minute outfit—a mini skirt and an even shorter top—was called “very risque” by the judges. It landed her in fifth place for this round.

Redemption in the Made to Measure Challenge

Órla bounced back in the final challenge: the made to measure. Contestants had to design an outfit for a horror film character.

She went all in with a sinister doll costume, complete with a creepy dress and a crooked face framed by plaited woollen hair. Patrick Grant said it was “so disturbing but in a brilliant way.”

Joint Garment of the Week

Órla’s horror doll look snagged joint garment of the week, sharing the spotlight with Kit’s Dr. Who-inspired scarecrow costume. Patrick Grant praised her for the effort and thought she poured into every detail, especially the mix of creepiness and gore.

This win locked in her place in the semi-final, where she’ll tackle three 1920s-inspired challenges.

A Glimpse into Órla’s Background

Órla’s run on the show shows off not just her sewing chops, but her resilience and imagination, too. She used to attend Inverness Royal Academy, and now she juggles studying with shifts at a local cafe.

Music runs in her family—her parents, Brian Ó hEadhra and Fionnag NicChoinnich, are well-known musicians. Órla and her sibling Ró also play together in a family folk band, blending Irish, Gaelic, and Celtic sounds with their own original songs.

Looking Ahead to the Semi-Final

The semi-final’s coming up fast, and Órla’s getting ready for the 1920s-themed challenges. Only four contestants are left, so the pressure’s on.

Still, if the last few rounds are anything to go by, she’s got what it takes. Fans are definitely eager to see what she’ll dream up next.

Conclusion

Órla Ní Eadhra’s run on the Great British Sewing Bee? Honestly, it’s been inspiring to watch. Her pattern challenge performance really stood out.

After a tough round, she bounced back in the made to measure challenge. That kind of creativity and skill is rare.

With the semi-final coming up, I can’t help but feel excited to see what she’ll come up with next. The judges and audience seem just as eager.

Curious about Órla’s journey or what she’s been up to lately? Check out the full article on the Inverness Courier.