Plot Synopsis

British dressmaker Thelma Madine creates her famous, over-the-top dresses in a small factory in Liverpool city centre, and now she's spending her own money to take on 10 travelerwomen as apprentices for a half year in a brand new, larger factory space. Six months is very little time to learn a trade as intricate as tailoring, but Thelma has never backed down from a challenge. She built her business from scratch after the collapse of her first marriage, and passionately believes women should control their own lives. As an ardent supporter of women's rights, Thelma now wants to help unconventional gypsies, young women who would rather get hired than get hitched. But manageress Pauline and head of design Leanne, along with Thelma's daughter and PA Tracey, are nervous of Thelma taking on too much -- especially all the trials and tribulations that may come with employing Gypsy and Traveller girls who are inexperienced with their new working environment. Not all goes smoothly, though, as the women have difficulty responding to authority, turn on each other -- including a pin-pricking attack on one of the apprentices -- and face suspensions that threatens the entire experiment. Thelma herself hits her limits, and nearly abandons the business. TLC aired the U.S. premiere of this series on Thursday, October 11, 2012 at 10pm ET.