Sewing Bee

What a joyful, relaxed final it was – with just a few nail-biting moments in the made to measure! True to form, the Bees powered through with clever sewist problem-solving (something we’re all rather good at, aren’t we?). So let’s dive into the patterns, fabrics and tutorials to help you sew along with the Bees one last time. Continue reading →

The Great British Sewing Bee Series 10, which aired in 2024, marked a new era with Kiell Smith-Bynoe stepping in as host alongside returning judges Patrick Grant and Esme Young. Twelve amateur sewists competed across ten themed weeks, taking on challenges that ranged from lingerie and sportswear to Indian-inspired garments and upcycled creations, all designed to test both technical ability and creativity. The series was full of imaginative transformations, polished made-to-measure pieces, and the camaraderie and drama that fans love. In the grand finale, the remaining sewists tackled opera gloves, a party-themed transformation, and a draped gown, before Luke-Matthew Iveson was crowned the winner, with Ailsa Lyall and Pascha Al-Qassab as runners-up. Continue reading →

The Great British Sewing Bee is back for series 10 and we'll be seeing new presenter Kiell Smith-Bynoe rubbing shoulders with our favourite judges Esme Young and Patrick Grant once again. Kiell first stepped into the role in the 2023 Christmas special having been a contestant himself in a previous celebrity special episode. The first episode will air on BBC One on Tuesday 21st May 2024. Don't forget to sign up for our weekly newsletter to receive recommendations for the patterns and tutorials you can use to sewalong with the Bees each week. Continue reading →

The Sewing Bee Christmas special is set to go ahead again for 2023, which is a welcome distraction from the mild panicky feeling I have as we hurtle towards December at a rate of knots. To up the ante even further there's a new presenter in town... Continue reading →

The Great British Sewing Bee Series 9, which aired in 2023, continued with Sara Pascoe as host alongside judges Patrick Grant and Esme Young, welcoming a fresh group of skilled amateur sewists into the sewing room. Over ten episodes, the contestants tackled everything from underwear and asymmetrical dresses to upcycling office wear and producing striking made-to-measure garments inspired by different themes. The series showcased plenty of creativity, humour, and problem-solving under pressure, as well as the supportive camaraderie the show is known for. After weeks of testing challenges and standout sewing, Asmaa Elbadawy was crowned the winner, celebrated for her bold creativity, technical skill, and ability to bring her unique vision to life through her garments. Continue reading →

The Great British Sewing Bee Series 8, which aired in 2022, marked the first season hosted by comedian Sara Pascoe, joining judges Patrick Grant and Esme Young as twelve new contestants battled it out in the sewing room. The series featured a lively mix of challenges, from sportswear and children’s dungarees to recycling vintage curtains and creating red-carpet gowns, pushing sewists to show both technical mastery and creative flair. Each week brought tense pattern challenges, inventive transformations, and dramatic made-to-measure moments, with friendships and rivalries developing along the way. After nine weeks of sewing brilliance, Annie McGrail was crowned the winner, impressing the judges with her elegant style, consistency, and ability to combine precision with personality in her garments. Continue reading →

The Great British Sewing Bee Series 7, which aired in 2021, introduced viewers to a new line-up of talented sewists, once again hosted by Joe Lycett with judges Patrick Grant and Esme Young. Across ten weeks, contestants faced a variety of challenges including designing children’s clothing, reworking old denim, and mastering complex techniques like lingerie and outerwear construction. The series mixed technical skill with creativity, celebrating resourcefulness in transformation challenges and flair in the made-to-measure rounds. With plenty of emotional highs, imaginative sewing, and entertaining moments, it was Serena Baker who ultimately claimed the title, becoming the youngest ever winner thanks to her precision, style, and consistently polished garments. Continue reading →

The Great British Sewing Bee Series 6, which aired in 2020, returned with Joe Lycett as host alongside judges Esme Young and Patrick Grant, guiding another set of amateur sewists through a wide range of creative and technical challenges. From making shirtdresses and undergarments to upcycling household items and tackling intricate tailoring, the series tested versatility, precision, and imagination. The season was filled with memorable moments, inventive transformations, and plenty of laughs, all set against the backdrop of the first national lockdown which added a unique atmosphere to its broadcast. After weeks of sewing triumphs and tense judging, Clare Bradley was crowned the winner, impressing with her meticulous attention to detail, consistency, and stylish final creations. Continue reading →

The Great British Sewing Bee Series 5, which aired in 2019, brought together a fresh group of talented amateur sewists competing for the coveted title. Hosted by Joe Lycett, with judges Esme Young and Patrick Grant, the series featured ten episodes packed with creative challenges, from delicate lingerie and jumpsuits to recycling projects and dramatic made-to-measure outfits. Contestants were pushed to demonstrate both technical skill and flair for design, while also managing the pressure of time and precision. After weeks of inventive sewing, emotional highs, and nail-biting judging, it was Juliet Uzor who triumphed as the winner, impressing with her bold style, technical ability, and creativity throughout the competition. Continue reading →

We are less than a week away from the hotly awaited Great British Sewing Bee series 5 airing. I haven't sensed this much anticipation or excitement since surrounded by a bunch of under sevens on Christmas Eve. With a new host (Joe Lycett) and ten new contestants we are in for a real treat. Let's find out a little bit about the chosen ones and the first set of challenges they'll face... Continue reading →

Series 4 of The Great British Sewing Bee aired on BBC Two in 2016, with Claudia Winkleman returning as host and Patrick Grant joined by new judge Esme Young after May Martin’s departure. Ten amateur sewists competed across eight themed episodes, tackling the usual trio of challenges each week: the Pattern Challenge, the Transformation, and the Made-to-Measure. Themes included Children’s Week, Lingerie, International styles, the 1960s, Activewear, and Evening Wear, pushing contestants’ skills in both technical precision and creative flair. After a series of eliminations, the final saw Charlotte Newland crowned winner, with Jade Earley and Joyce Bellingham as runners-up. Continue reading →

We've all been waiting for this moment since February last year - well we at Sew Essential have anyway! The Sewing Bee is back and the first of eight episodes starts on BBC 2 on Monday the 16th of May at 9 o'clock. There's simply nothing better than sipping a cuppa glass of wine, settling down and watching the drama unfold. It never ceases to amaze me how the contestants manage to cope and sew under all that pressure and it is a joy to see the amazing creative designs that pop up along the way. Continue reading →