The best episodes of The Great British Sewing Bee
Ranked by viewer rating, highs first. Lit marks on the season rail place this list across the run. Vote on a placement to back it or contest it.
- 01
It's the grande finale, and it's Party Week as the finalists compete for the title of Britain's best amateur sewer. They take on a trio of party-themed challenges, starting with the pattern for one of Esme's iconic Swanky Modes designs - the Amorphous dress. Made from one piece of Lycra and manipulated into shape with a connection of D-rings, this garment is all about precision and fabric handling.Then it's their final chance to show off their ability to think on their feet as they take on the Transformation Challenge. They are brought face-to-face with all their scraps from the past nine weeks and must fashion them into an outfit that they would wear to a party.Finally, they fit a red-carpet jumpsuit using sparkles and luxury fabrics to a model who is a friend or a family member. The previously eliminated sewers return for a reunion, and the judges have the difficult task of deciding who will be crowned Britain's best amateur sewer.
- 02
Claudia Winkleman hosts the grand final of the Great British Sewing Bee. 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. But first, they must create three pieces of evening wear to impress judges Patrick Grant and Esme Young.First up is the pattern challenge, in which the sewers demonstrate their precision by creating an immaculate man's pin-tucked dress shirt. Next is the alteration challenge. They must use all their sewing ingenuity and imagination by taking a classic tuxedo and transform it into a little black dress. For the final made-to-measure challenge, the sewers make floor-length evening gowns for a model of their choice. Who has the ability to handle the most delicate, luxurious of fabrics and show off their advanced technical skills under intense pressure?Across the three challenges, the judges will choose one sewer who has shown themselves to have all-round ability, attention to detail and vision for beautiful clothes. For the announcement, the other sewers return to the sewing room, joined by the finalists' friends and family to see who will be crowned the winner.
- 03
Claudia Winkleman hosts a new eight-part series of The Great British Sewing Bee.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. However, it is deceptively difficult, demanding accurate pattern matching skills, a steady hand for cutting and precision sewing.Next, the judges want their personal style and imagination to come to the fore by transforming a maternity dress in just 90 minutes. Finally, they take on the Made to Measure challenge, fitting a skirt to a real model. Who can keep their cool to produce a flattering waistline and perfectly level hem, and who will falter and be the first to leave the sewing room?
- 04
Nine amateur sewers return hoping to show judges Patrick Grant and Esme Young that they can make beautiful clothes on a miniature scale. First, the sewers must carefully follow a pattern to make a babygrow from stretch cotton jersey - but who will get the gusset and poppers in the right place and who will end up going off-piste?Next, the sewers must show they can handle slippery satin and chiffon, by totally transforming an adult bridesmaid dress into a wearable garment for a boy or a girl. For the final challenge, real children replace the mannequins as the sewers strive to create perfectly fitted woollen capes, knowing the judges will scrutinise every cut and stitch before deciding who deserves to stay and who must bid farewell to the Sewing Bee.
- 05
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. Next the sewers get their hands on some charity shop silk scarves which they have to transform into a piece of lingerie. Finally the sewers make luxury robes for their male and female models. It is a challenge that requires a delicate touch, an exacting eye for detail and a fastidious feel for fit.
- 06
It is 'international week' as 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.After battling with brocade, things don't get any easier on the fabric front as, for their alteration challenge, they are tasked with transforming saris. By repurposing yards and yards of beautifully draped, embroidered georgette, the sewers have just 90 minutes to create totally new, wearable items of clothing with a distinctly eastern flavour.Finally, for the 'made to measure' challenge, the judges take the sewers to an entirely new continent - Africa. Using vividly patterned wax print fabric, they attempt to create West African inspired dresses. Figure hugging garments that demand impeccable fitting skills and an understanding of how this robust printed cotton can be used to create a dramatic, accentuated silhouette.
- 07
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.For their first challenge, the sewers are asked to follow a pattern for an iconic 60s colour block dress. With multiple panels and clean, crisp lines required, precision is everything. For their alteration challenge, the sewers take a classic 1960s rainmac, but trying to make a wearable garment from PVC is no mean feat. For the made to measure challenge, the sewing room goes from squeak to chic as the sewers try to create impeccably fitted, flawlessly finished 1960s-inspired jackets. There are only five places in the quarter-final and with such a labour-intensive, tailored item as a jacket to perfect, the stakes have never been higher and achieving the perfect sew has never been harder.
- 08
The Great British Sewing Bee is back, with 12 sewers competing this time. Joe Lycett kicks off ten weeks of the most perplexing patterns, eye-popping transformations and stunning made-to-measure garments yet. Scrutinising every stitch are Saville Row's Patrick Grant and Central Saint Martins's Esme Young, testing the sewers across a huge range of garments from rugby shirts to children's dungarees, flamenco skirts to a boned basque, via food fancy dress. In their first week, the sewers are eased in gently with wardrobe staples that might look familiar but aren't necessarily straightforward to make. For their pattern challenge, the judges ask for a wrap skirt, a garment whose clean crisp lines can only be achieved through precise cutting, accurate stitching and a judicious choice of fabric. Next, the contestants' ability to make the ordinary extraordinary is put to the test in the transformation challenge, as they transform two plain men's office shirts into a stylish new garment to fit a female mannequin. For the week's final challenge, the mannequins are replaced with human models as the sewers attempt to make their first made-to-measure garment - a tea dress. This classic below-the-knee and above-the-ankle dress allows for interpretation, letting the contestants' personalities shine through whether they opt for a vintage or contemporary style. It also proves to be a benchmark test of their ability to achieve a flawless fit and to impress the judges with the finer details. Battling against the clock to showcase their skill and creativity, who will stitch their way to Garment of the Week, and who will unravel at this early stage, becoming the first to leave the Great British Sewing Bee
- 09
With Joe Lycett hosting, things are hotting up in the sewing room as the 11 remaining sewers return for holiday week. First up, it is the pattern challenge, which this week is a pair of palazzo pants, perfect for keeping cool whilst abroad. The sewers are asked to insert an invisible zip and pockets, and the judges have a keen eye on how well the sewers pattern match bold prints. Next, for their transformation challenge, the sewers are asked to turn towels into stylish beach cover-ups in just 90 minutes.For the final challenge, male models arrive in the sewing room to be fitted with a made-to-measure holiday shirt, using bright and colourful fabrics. The sewers must create a perfectly relaxed fit. Whose holiday shirt will bring on the sunshine, and who will become the second person to leave the sewing room?
- 10
Sara Pascoe welcomes 12 of Britain's most talented home sewers into the sewing room, which is in an historic woollen mill on the outskirts of Leeds. Week One sees judges Patrick Grant and Esme Young ask them to create a capsule wardrobe consisting of three items.First, for the Pattern Challenge, they must produce a wool mini skirt with piped patch pockets. For the Transformation Challenge, the task is to turn lockdown loungewear into a going-out top for an adult, and in the Made to Measure, the sewers must perfectly fit a wrap dress to their model.One sewer gets off to a flying start, being awarded Garment of the Week, while another's hopes are dashed as they become the first to be sent home.
- 11
The sewers take to their marks for Sports Week as host Sara Pascoe sets three new challenges.Patrick and Esme's Pattern Challenge is a Sewing Bee first: a pair of high-top trainers. Sewing bespoke footwear means tackling a range of unfamiliar techniques, including punching eyelets and stitching soles - all of which must be done twice to create a perfect pair.The sewers need to be on the ball in the Transformation Challenge, converting old netball kits into a garment to wear off the court in just 90 minutes. For the Made to Measure Challenge, they each fit a jacket inspired by their sporting hero. As well as fit and finish, the judges will be looking to see if their hero's personality or style is evident.Who will win garment of the week, and who will be last over the finish line?
- 12
Music Week brings three different musical and sartorial genres to the Sewing Bee. Sara Pascoe kicks off the week with a pattern for the parka coat that was adopted by Mod culture in the 1960s. With its classic fishtail vent and complex zip opening and hood, this is a feat of engineering.Country music is the inspiration for the Transformation Challenge, as the sewers take old denim and turn it into stage gear worthy of Dolly Parton. Finally, the Made to Measure is an homage to David Bowie and his many incarnations. The sewers pay tribute with Bowie-inspired outfits fitted to a model.
- 13
Sara Pascoe welcomes the four semi-finalists into the Sewing Room to celebrate the influences of Japanese design and sewing. For the Pattern Challenge, Esme has collaborated with a Japanese designer to come up with a kimono-inspired dress that proves to be a brain-teaser. This is for a place in the final, after all.The Transformation Challenge is on a smaller scale than usual, as the sewers take worn-out denim and apply the Japanese techniques of sashiko and boro to mend areas of wear and tear, enhancing it with appliqué and embroidery.Finally, their Made to Measure challenge is to fit an outfit to their model which has elements of origami folds and pleats.
- 14
Joe Lycett welcomes the ten remaining home sewers back to the nation's most famous sewing room for children's week. The garments might be mini, but they are a mammoth challenge because they are fiddly to sew.To test the sewers' dexterity, judges Patrick Grant and Esme Young kick off the pattern challenge with a classic for any little girl's wardrobe – a smocked dress. The task requires the sewers to combine tricky techniques, including making a bias binding and a Peter Pan collar, and, most difficult of all, creating a smocked bodice. Next, in the transformation challenge, the sewers let their imaginations run wild, turning sleeping bags into food shaped fancy dress. Finally, the Sewing Bee welcomes mini-models for the made-to-measure task, which is to make a pair of dungarees for a girl or boy. These must be perfectly fitted but allow enough freedom of movement to play in.Who will climb their way to the top and win garment of the week, and who will stumble, becoming the third sewer to leave the Great British Sewing Bee?
- 15
The ten remaining home sewers create light and airy outfits for summer week. Patrick and Esme kick off with a pattern for a high fashion shirred midi dress with puff sleeves. The sewers are put to the test sewing with elastic to create a romantic and dreamy day dress.In the Transformation Challenge, there's no hanging about as they're given just 90 minutes to turn garden hammocks into summer garments. Finally, the sewers must make a two-piece co-ordinated trousered outfit for having fun in the sun. Who will impress and win Garment of the Week, and who will become the third sewer to leave the competition?
- 16
The Great British Sewing Bee does its bit for the planet with Reduce, Reuse and Recycle week. Host Sara Pascoe invites the nine remaining home sewers to create a quilted patchwork jacket from a load of old scraps from past Sewing Bees.Next, in the Transformation Challenge, the sewers breathe new life into boring old coats by completely deconstructing them and refashioning them into brand new stylish outerwear.For the Made to Measure, the sewers fit a maxi dress to a model using only an unwanted duvet cover. Who will ace this creative brief and win Garment of the Week, and who will have to leave the sewing room?
- 17
It's Children's Week in the sewing room, and Sara Pascoe invites the sewers to make a cute sailor suit for a toddler. The task requires them to make elasticated shorts and a top with a square collar and ties.For the Transformation Challenge, the sewers turn old school clothes into a cool outfit to be seen in outside school. Then things get scary when mini-models enter the sewing room for a Halloween-themed Made to Measure. Whose costume will go down a treat and win Garment of the Week, and who will leave with a whimper?
- 18
The quarter-final takes the sewers back to the golden era of the 1930s. Esme and Patrick set them a Pattern Challenge for a pair of women's sailor-inspired trousers with a complex bib-front button opening and equally tricky pockets.Then the sewers show off their ability to think on their feet when they are given men's shirts to turn into 1930s women's blouses. Finally, it's time for a touch of Hollywood glamour when they are asked to perfectly fit a bias-cut evening gown reminiscent of outfits worn by Katharine Hepburn and Bette Davis.
- 19
A place in the quarter-final is at stake this week, and the challenges are all about lingerie. Host Sara Pascoe starts the sewers off with a fiddly pattern for a lace underwired bra and matching knicker set. With such small pattern pieces, there is no margin for error, and Patrick and Esme's eagle eyes will spot every mistake.The Transformation Challenge requires the sewers to take thermal underwear and turn it into daywear. Then male models fill the sewing room to be fitted for a pair of luxury pyjamas. One sewer wins Garment of the Week and another is asked to leave the Sewing Room.
- 20
Joe Lycett hosts as the nine remaining sewers return to the nation's most famous sewing room for sportswear week. To test the sewers' ability to create practical and stylish sportswear, judges Patrick Grant and Esme Young kick off the pattern challenge with a rugby shirt. The task requires a tricky combination of hard-to-handle stretch fabrics and a fiendishly difficult-to-construct placket. Then, in the transformation challenge, the sewers take cover and turn cagoules into miniature waterproof onesies for toddlers. Finally, the made-to-measure challenge involves tennis outfits. These must be perfectly fitted but allow enough freedom of movement to win a grand slam. Who will smash their way to the top and win garment of the week, and who will score a double fault, becoming the fourth sewer to leave the Great British Sewing Bee?
