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The Great British Sewing Bee(2013–)
April 2, 201311 Seasons · 94 Episodes
Returning Series
Reality
4.0from 16 users
Overview
Amateur sewers take on challenges as they compete to be named Britain's best home sewer.
Network BBC One, BBC Two
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Amateur sewers take on challenges as they compete to be named Britain's best home sewer.
2013
Contestants make an A-line dress, alter a top and create a made-to-measure dress.
Contestants follow a men's trouser pattern and create a made-to-measure silk blouse.
It is the semi-final and the sewers compete in three more challenges.
In the final, the three finalists must create a luxury, made-to-measure evening dress.
Patrick Grant
Self - Judge
Esme Young
Self - Judge
Sara Pascoe
Self - Presenter
2016
Under the scrutiny of Savile Row's Patrick Grant and Central St Martin's Esme Young, ten fresh-faced home sewers face three challenges designed to test their skill and understanding of basic garment construction. First the sewers follow a pattern for a woman's top made up of four pieces.
Nine amateur sewers return, ready to show judges Patrick Grant and Esme Young that they can make beautiful clothes on a miniature scale. Claudia Winkleman sets the sewers three challenges, each designed to test different fabric handling skills on children's clothing.
Eight sewers return to the sewing room to take on delicate lingerie. The three demanding challenges require the sewers to work with the fiddliest of pattern pieces and the most delicate fabric. First they follow a pattern for a bra which proves testing for even the most dextrous of sewers, requiring precision engineering and some of the smallest pattern pieces ever seen in the sewing room.
Patrick and Esme set the seven remaining sewers the challenge of tackling techniques and garment styles from other cultures and continents. First up, they face a fiendishly hard-to-follow pattern for a Chinese Qipao-style top. This complex garment has an asymmetrical neckline, fiddly zip insertion and is made in a fabric that frays - not a challenge for the faint-hearted.
This week the sewing room is transported back to the 1960s as the six remaining sewers revive vintage garments, take on time-honoured techniques and wrestle with antique equipment in an attempt to show Patrick and Esme they deserve a place in the quarter-finals.
It's the quarter-final, and the five remaining sewers sweat it out over activewear creating complex, hard-wearing garments from the most technical of fabrics. For the pattern challenge, Patrick Grant and Esme Young ask them to make a man's Lycra cycling top, which requires expert handling of a fabric that stretches in all directions and a complex zip insertion that tests their patience.
It's the semi-final with just four sewers left to battle it out to for a place in the final. All that stands in the way are three challenges designed by judges, Patrick Grant and Esme Young. This week they want to test the sewers' knowledge of complex patterns and pattern cutting. For the Pattern Challenge, the sewers are tasked with making an asymmetric yoked skirt inspired by modern Japanese pattern cutting.
It's the grand final, and having made it through seven weeks of tough sewing challenges, the three finalists fight it out for the title of Britain's best amateur sewer; First, they must create three pieces of evening wear to impress the judges.
2020
Joe Lycett kicks off ten weeks of the most perplexing patterns, eye-popping transformations and stunning made-to-measure garments yet.
The 11 remaining sewers return for holiday week and are challenged to create palazzo pants, beach cover-ups and colourful shirts.
Joe Lycett welcomes the ten remaining home sewers back to the nation’s most famous sewing room for children’s week.
It's sportswear week, and the sewers must create rugby shirts, waterproof onesies for toddlers and tennis outfits.
The eight remaining sewers return to the sewing room for lingerie and sleepwear week.
For reduce, reuse and recycle week, all the fabric in the haberdashery is replaced with charity shop clothes and soft furnishings.
The six remaining home sewers head back in time to the 1980s, attempting to revive the glamorous - and sometimes ridiculous - style of that decade.
Five sewers do battle in the quarter-final, where they must master techniques and styles from France, Spain and the Philippines.
For their semi-final challenge, the four remaining sewers go to the movies, taking on garments and techniques from the silver screen.
The competition reaches its dramatic denouement as the final three sewers tackle celebration wear challenges and the series winner is crowned.
2021
The sewing competition returns for a seventh series and in week one the judges settle the contestants in with a trio of challenges based on everyday wardrobe staples - sleeveless blouses, t-shirts and dresses.
Week two is Summer Week on the sewing competition and the contestants are asked to create paperbag shorts, transform second-hand men's swimming gear into a woman's outfit worthy of sunset cocktails and finally make sun dresses.
For gent's classics week, the ten remaining sewers are asked to make baker boy caps, transform secondhand men's jackets and blazers into outfits for a woman and finally must create a casual utility jacket.
It is International Week on the sewing bee and the nine remaining sewers make Breton tops. transform sarongs into a new garment and for their final challenge take inspiration from the iconic Mexican artist Frida Kahlo.
It's children's week in the sewing room and judges Patrick Grant and Esme Young's pattern challenge choice is a classic for any toddler's wardrobe - a romper suit. The transformation task sees the sewers turning an adult wetsuit into a kids' fancy dress costume, before they tackle a children's raincoat, remembering it must be fully waterproof but allow enough movement for jumping in muddy puddles.
The fashion industry is the biggest polluter of our planet next to oil, so The Great British Sewing Bee returns to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle Week, with all the usual fabric in the haberdashery being replaced with charity shop clothes and soft-furnishings. Host Joe Lycett kicks the six remaining home sewers off with a pattern for a gentleman’s waistcoat using just second-hand clothes. In the Transformation Challenge, the sewers are tasked with changing items of army surplus into a stylish and wearable garment for a woman. Finally, the sewers are asked to use old jeans to create a Made to Measure dress. Jeans are one of the most polluting garments to manufacture, so to breathe a new lease of life into them, each sewer must create a new denim dress that fits their model perfectly. At the end, someone will win Garment of the Week, and a sixth sewer will be asked to leave the Sewing Bee.
Joe Lycett hosts as temperatures drop and winter hits the sewing room, with challenges themed around keeping warm and adding sparkle to the coldest months of the year.Patrick and Esme's Pattern Challenge this week is a man's flannel shirt. The sewers must create cuffs and collars, challenging both their construction technique and precise sewing skills.The sewers wrap up warm for the Transformation, turning old scarves into a new wearable garment in a mere 90 minutes.Finally, in the Made to Measure, they are asked to make a festive winter party dress. Working with tricky-to-handle fabrics, including velvets and sequins, each must create a perfect fit for their model. Who will cheer the judges' spirits and win Garment of the Week, and who will be sent out into the cold?
Joe Lycett hosts as the five remaining sewers tackle challenges inspired by music and the movies, taking on garments and techniques from the silver screen. First, they must follow a pattern like none they’ve encountered before, as judges Patrick Grant and Esme Young ask them to make a dress inspired by Baby from Dirty Dancing. The techniques involved in creating the iconic dance dress include a tightly fitted bodice and perfect full circle skirt. Next up, it’s the Transformation Challenge, and just like Julie Andrews's Maria in The Sound of Music, the sewers are asked to adapt old curtains into play clothes for children. For their final challenge, the Made to Measure, the sewers take on the disco era with an outfit inspired by the movie Dreamgirls.
Joe Lycett hosts the semi-final, as the four remaining sewers go back in time to the 1940s. Attempting to revive both the glamorous and thrifty styles of the decade, they tackle its most elegant and innovative garments. First up, judges Patrick Grant and Esme Young challenge the sewers to make the decade’s most famous trousers, Oxford bags, perfect for dancing the jitterbug and swing, but tricky to make. For the Transformation Challenge, it’s time to take a leap of faith, as the sewers are set a wartime task to turn old parachutes into glamorous dresses. In the Made to Measure challenge, the sewers take on their final icon of 1940s fashion, Dior’s New Look. Characterised by an hourglass silhouette and involving masses of fabric, this style means each sewer must exaggerate their model’s figure to create the iconic shape.
The Great British Sewing Bee reaches its dramatic denouement, as the three finalists compete for the title of Britain’s best amateur sewer, taking on a trio of challenges for special occasions. Judges Patrick Grant and Esme Young start by challenging the sewers to make a little girl’s bridesmaid dress packed with complex elements including puff sleeves, a lined bodice and a bound buttonhole. Next, it’s the sewers’ final chance to show off their instinct for design in the Transformation Challenge. They attempt to turn homeware items such as cushions, bead curtains and table cloths into dramatic and fun outfits fit to wear at a summer festival. Lastly, for the most important Made to Measure challenge of the competition, the sewers attempt to construct and fit glamorous off-the-shoulder evening gowns for their models.
2019
Joe Lycett presents as the sewers create a 'wiggle dress' and transform three items of denim clothing, before having to fit real live models with made-to-measure jumpsuits.
Joe Lycett hosts as the nine remaining home sewers return to the sewing room for children’s week. The garments might be mini but they are a mammoth challenge being fiddly to sew.
With Joe Lycett hosting, the remaining home sewers head back in time to the 1970s, attempting to revive the glamorous, rebellious and sometimes ridiculous, style of the decade.
The fabrics in the haberdashery go technical, as the seven remaining home sewers take on man-made fabrics designed for sport and the great outdoors.
The fashion industry is the biggest polluter of our planet next to oil, so for the first time on The Great British Sewing Bee, it is Reduce, Reuse and Recycle Week.
With Joe Lycett hosting, the quarter-finalists face British and Irish fabrics week. Patrick Grant and Esme Young ask the sewers to create a ‘worker's jacket’ from linen.
Joe Lycett hosts the semi-final, as the four remaining sewers go global, taking on garments and techniques from around the world.
The three finalists take on a trio of evening wear challenges. The judges begin by asking the sewers to follow the most complex pattern yet, a double-breasted waistcoat.
2014
Amateur sewers test their sewing and dressmaking skills. The contestants are tested on the three core fabrics in a dressmaker's cupboard: cotton, wool and silk.
Amateur sewers test their sewing and dressmaking skills. The contestants are tested on their ability to match and combine patterned fabric, with a challenging pleated skirt.
Amateur sewers test their sewing and dressmaking skills. The contestants are given a surprise pattern for a pair of leggings, and must turn a T-shirt into a completely new garment.
Amateur sewers test their sewing and dressmaking skills. The contestants must make clothes on a miniature scale, from children's clothes through to fancy dress outfits.
Amateur sewers test their sewing and dressmaking skills. The six home sewers are set three challenges which require them to handle some of the most difficult fabrics to sew with.
Amateur sewers test their sewing and dressmaking skills. The five remaining sewers take on a 1930s-themed quarter-final using old-fashioned techniques and machines.
Amateur sewers test their sewing and dressmaking skills. The four remaining sewers face three challenges - none of which permit a pattern for guidance.
Amateur sewers test their sewing and dressmaking skills. The three finalists enter the sewing room for the very last time. Who will be the winner?
2015
Amateur sewers test their sewing and dressmaking skills. The contestants are tested on a core fabric found in every dressmaker's cupboard: cotton.
Amateur sewers test their sewing and dressmaking skills. The nine remaining amateur sewers are tested on their ability to make clothes on a miniature scale.
Amateur sewers test their sewing and dressmaking skills. Claudia Winkleman takes the eight sewers back in time to the 1950s, when home sewing was at its height.
Amateur sewers test their sewing and dressmaking skills. The remaining sewers take on a set of tasks designed to test their ability to add shape and structure to clothing.
Amateur sewers test their sewing and dressmaking skills. It's the semi-final, and the five remaining sewers take on a set of tasks working with tricky and technical fabrics.
The competition reaches its conclusion as the three finalists enter the sewing room for the very last time, with the judges looking for cutting-edge designs.
2023
Twelve brand new sewers follow the pattern for a twist top, transform office wear and create cut-out, made-to-measure dresses
The sewers face three challenges inspired by travel. They are asked to create a rucksack and a swimsuit, and to transform windbreakers.
The sewers celebrate west Africa over three challenges with batakari, adire fabric and boubous.
It’s Week 4, and the remaining sewers create zero-waste trousers, upcycle tote bags and repurpose crochet blankets in Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. week.
It’s Week 5 and Art Week as the sewers take on modernist skirts, transform canvasses and make surrealist, made-to-measure dresses.
The sewers put their twist on dinosaur dressing gowns, zhuzh up denim jackets and create pint-sized party outfits for Kids' Week.
It's Week 7, and we’re going back to the 90s with cargo pants, 90s icon fancy dress and body-skimming supermodel dresses.
It’s Week 8, and the remaining sewers celebrate fashion icons with little black dresses, a shower curtain transformation and smoking jackets.
It’s the semi-final, and three utilitarian challenges stand in the way of a place in the final: the trench coat, cleaning products and boiler suits.
It’s the final of The Great British Sewing Bee, and after challenges including a Victoriana dress, fabulous men’s outfits and a two-in-one dress, only one sewer will be crowned winner.
2022
Sewing Bee kicks off with 12 sewers creating a capsule wardrobe. They begin with a mini skirt, then make a going-out top from lockdown loungewear and finish with a fitted wrap dress.
The sewers make a pair of high-top trainers for Sports Week. They also create daywear from old netball kits, and they fit a sports jacket inspired by their sporting hero.
It’s summer week, and the sewers make light and airy outfits, including a summer dress, a creation from old hammocks and a two-piece trouser co-ord for a man or a woman.
Scraps are put to use in Reduce, Reuse, Recycle week to create quilted patchwork jackets. Old coats are given a new lease of life, and second-hand duvets become maxi dresses.
The sewers follow the pattern for a toddler's sailor suit, make fancy dress Halloween outfits and create out-of-school garments from old school uniforms.
Music Week brings a pattern for a parka once loved by the Mods, old denim gets the country music treatment, and David Bowie inspires the sewers for their Made to Measure outfits.
A lace bra and knicker set tests the sewers before they turn thermals into daywear. They must then fit a pair of luxury pyjamas to their male models
The quarter-finalists go back to the 1930s to make women’s sailor trousers. They also turn men’s shirts into 1930s blouses and fit glamorous bias-cut evening gowns.
For a place in the final, the sewers follow the pattern for kimono-inspired dress, they mend old denim using Japanese techniques, and they create an outfit using folding and pleating.
It's Party Week, and the finalists must make an iconic stretchy dress, use their old scraps to make an outfit and fit red-carpet worthy jumpsuits before one is crowned the series winner.
2024
The Great British Sewing Bee turns ten as 12 brand new sewers follow the pattern for an A-line skirt, transform T-shirts and put their take on day dresses in the Made-to-Measure.
It’s Week 2, and there are three challenges inspired by sport. The sewers are asked to create a half zip fleece, an outfit from cricket kit and a national strip fit for the world stage.
It’s Week 3 of The Sewing Bee, and the sewers face three challenges inspired by travel. They are asked to create summer blouses from tablecloths, nautical bags and outfits fit for the French Riviera.
It’s Reduce, Reuse and Recycle week, and the sewers create a quilted bag, use textile waste to create a new garment and give wedding dresses a new lease of life.
It’s week five of The Great British Sewing Bee, and this time the sewers are celebrating India with Nehru jackets, calico and Madras fabrics, and garments inspired by saris.
It’s Children’s Week, and Kiell Smith-Bynoe invites the seven remaining sewers to follow the pattern for a child’s sequined bomber jacket.
It’s Week 7, and it is time for the sewers to take on lingerie with pyjama blouses, transformed shapewear and bustier dresses.
It’s Week 8, and the remaining sewers celebrate the diva with a fringed dress, animal print and a stage outfit for their favourite performer.
It’s the semi-final, and in the way of a place in the final stand a set of challenges inspired by three icons: Balenciaga, Gaultier and Chanel.
It’s the final, and after challenges including opera gloves, party paraphernalia and a draped evening outfit, one sewer will be crowned winner.
2025
The Great British Sewing Bee returns as 12 new sewers tackle shape with tie-front blouses, transform circle skirts, and use pleats in a dramatic Made-to-Measure challenge.
It’s Week 2 of The Great British Sewing Bee as sewers tackle activewear: a seven-panel cap, a cycling kit transformation, and stylish athleisure to take you from gym to coffee shop.
It’s week 3, and we’re celebrating design icons: Diane von Furstenberg, Vivienne Westwood and Versace.
It’s week 4, and we're celebrating Korea with sewing challenges inspired by the jeogori, taekwondo and cheollik.
It’s Reduce, Reuse, Recycle week, with sewers creating a zero-waste jacket, transforming discarded tents and raiding wardrobes to Make Do and Mend for new outfits.
The sewers create adaptive dungarees, repurpose maternity wear into toddler outfits and design outfits inspired by their childhood dream jobs.
It’s Art Week, and there's a baby-doll dress inspired by Grayson Perry, painter’s overalls to transform, and bold pop art influences in the challenges.
It’s week eight, and the sewers head to the movies with a jacket from The Birds, cinema curtains and a horrifying Made to Measure challenge.
It’s the semi-final of the Great British Sewing Bee, and three challenges stand between the sewers and the final: plus fours, polo shirts and 1920s-inspired party outfits.
It’s the final, and after challenges including the bias cut dress, sheer fabrics and trompe l’oeil, one sewer will be crowned winner.
