An A&E nurse from Fife has appeared on this year’s series of The Great British Sewing Bee.
Maria Garcia went up against 11 other amateur sewers in the first episode of the hit BBC show, which aired BBC One at 9pm on Wednesday.
And the 34-year-old managed to impress judges Patrick Grant and Esme Young enough to get through to the second round.
The programme, now in its ninth season, sees participants compete to be crowned the country’s top seamster.
It was a tough first week for Maria, who came in eighth place in the show’s first skills-based challenge, and last place in the second.
But she gained some momentum during the third challenge – dubbed ‘Made to Measure’ – where she made a dress that was fitted to a real life model.
It was her fellow contestant Catherine who was sent home at the end of the night, meaning Maria is set to appear on screen again next week.
Originally from Costa Rica, Maria moved to Scotland when she was eight.
Working as a nurse at Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy, she took up sewing as a way to unwind from the stresses of her job.
Although her mum taught her how to use a sewing machine, Maria is mostly self-taught, her Sewing Bee profile says.
NHS Fife’s support for Sewing Bee contestant
She uses her skills to make her own clothes, as well as design bags and purses.
Maria lives in Fife with her partner Tony and their rescue dog Gaia.
The pair enjoy gardening together, with Maria now venturing into making waterproof cushions for her outdoor furniture.
NHS Fife has shown its support for Maria ahead of her Sewing Bee debut.
A post on Facebook said: “Good luck to our staff nurse, Maria Garcia, in the new series of Sewing Bee.”
Comedian Sara Pascoe was announced as the new host of the Sewing Bee in September 2021, replacing fellow comedy act Joe Lycett.
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