| Genre: | Reality Game show |
| Theme Music Composer: | Ian Livingstone |
| Country: | United Kingdom |
| Language: | English |
| Num Series: | 10 |
| Num Episodes: | 77 (plus 5 specials) |
| Executive Producer: | Anna Beattie |
| Editor: | Susanne Rock |
| Runtime: | 60 minutes |
| Company: | Love Productions |
| Channel: | BBC Two (2013–19) BBC One (2020–) |
| Related: | The Great Pottery Throw Down The Piano |
The Great British Sewing Bee is a BBC reality show that began airing on BBC Two on 2 April 2013. In the show, talented amateur sewers compete to be named "Britain's best home sewer". A spin-off of the format of The Great British Bake Off, the programme was presented by Claudia Winkleman[1] for the first four series, with judges Patrick Grant, May Martin (series 1–3), and Esme Young (since series 4). After a three-year hiatus, the series returned in 2019, with Joe Lycett taking over as presenter. The sixth series began airing on BBC One in April 2020 and the seventh began airing in April 2021. Sara Pascoe took over as presenter from series 8, which began airing in April 2022. Kiell Smith-Bynoe took over presenting series 10 in May 2024. Since 2022 Sunny Bank Mills in Farsley, West Yorkshire has served as the new filming location for series 8 onwards of The Great British Sewing Bee.[2] [3]
The show format is similar to The Great British Bake Off in that each episode features three challenges within an overall theme. The series starts with 10 amateur sewers, with the weakest eliminated each episode. In the Pattern Challenge, the judges give them the same pattern, which they must follow as accurately as possible. In the Transformation Challenge, existing garments or fabrics of a similar form, picked from a rail provided by the programme, or sourced by the contestants themselves, are reinvent by the sewers as a specified different type of garment. In the third Made-to-measure Challenge, the sewers design and create their own garments, and must adjust their patterns to fit human models.[4]
| Series | Episodes | Premiere | Finale | Winner | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 | 2 April 2013 | 23 April 2013 | Ann Rowley | |
| 2 | 8 | 18 February 2014 | 8 April 2014 | Heather Jacks | |
| 3 | 6 | 5 February 2015 | 12 March 2015 | Matt Chapple | |
| 4 | 8 | 16 May 2016 | 4 July 2016 | Charlotte Newland | |
| 5 | 8 | 12 February 2019 | 2 April 2019 | Juliet Uzor | |
| 6 | 10 | 22 April 2020 | 24 June 2020 | Clare Bradley | |
| 7 | 10 | 14 April 2021 | 16 June 2021 | Serena Baker | |
| 8 | 10 | 27 April 2022 | 29 June 2022 | Annie Phillips | |
| 9 | 10 | 24 May 2023 | 26 July 2023 | Asmaa Al-Allak | |
| 10 | 10 | 21 May 2024 | 24 July 2024 | Luke-Matthew Iveson |
See main article: The Great British Sewing Bee series 1. The first series of The Great British Sewing Bee started on 2 April and aired for four episodes, concluding on 23 April 2013. The series was hosted by Claudia Winkleman and the judges were WI tutor May Martin and Patrick Grant of Savile Row. The all-female final was won by Ann, with Sandra and Lauren as runners up.
See main article: The Great British Sewing Bee series 2. A second series of The Great British Sewing Bee began airing on 18 February 2014 on BBC Two. The series was filmed at Metropolitan Wharf in London, with Claudia Winkleman returning as host alongside May Martin and Patrick Grant as the judges. Once again it was an all-female final, which was won by Heather, with Chinelo and Tamara as the runners up.
See main article: The Great British Sewing Bee series 3. The third series of The Great British Sewing Bee began airing over six weeks from 5 February 2015 on BBC Two. It was once again filmed at Metropolitan Wharf in London, with Claudia Winkleman returning as host alongside resident judges May Martin and Patrick Grant. After six weeks of competition, the ten sewers were reduced to the three finalists - this time, there were two male and one female finalists - with Matt declared the winner, and Lorna and Neil as the runners-up.
See main article: The Great British Sewing Bee series 4. The fourth series of The Great British Sewing Bee began airing on 16 May 2016.[5] [6] May Martin was replaced by new judge Esme Young.[7] The finalists were Jade, Charlotte, and Joyce, with Charlotte the winner.
See main article: The Great British Sewing Bee series 5. The fifth series began on 12 February 2019 on BBC Two. Joe Lycett took over from Claudia Winkleman as presenter, and Esme Young and Patrick Grant returned as judges. The series was shot at 47-49 Tanner Street.[8] Exterior shots are of 1 Tanner Street, Bermondsey.[9] [10] The finalists were Juliet, Leah and Riccardo, with Juliet winning.
See main article: The Great British Sewing Bee series 6. The sixth series began on 22 April 2020 on BBC One. Joe Lycett returned as presenter, and Esme Young and Patrick Grant also returned as judges. The finalists were Clare, Matt, and Nicole, with Clare winning.
See main article: The Great British Sewing Bee series 7. The seventh series began on 14 April 2021 on BBC One.[11] As with the previous series, Joe Lycett returned as host, along with Esme Young and Patrick Grant as judges. The finalists were Raph, Rebecca and Serena, with Serena winning.
See main article: The Great British Sewing Bee series 8. The eighth series began airing on 27 April 2022 on BBC One. Esme Young and Patrick Grant returned as judges, whilst Sara Pascoe took over as presenter. Production moved to Sunny Bank Mills in Farsley, Leeds. The finalists were Annie, Brogan, Debra and Man Yee, with Annie winning.
See main article: The Great British Sewing Bee series 9. The ninth series began on 24 May 2023 on BBC One.[12] Sara Pascoe returned as presenter, and Esme Young and Patrick Grant also returned as judges. The finalists were Asmaa, Mia and Tony R, with Asmaa winning.
See main article: The Great British Sewing Bee series 10. The tenth series began on 21 May 2024 on BBC One.[13]
Winner
Three special episodes were commissioned as 12 celebrities took to the sewing machines in a bid to raise money for Children in Need.[14]
| Episode | Sewer | Pattern Challenge (A Line Skirt) | Alteration Challenge (Hawaiian Shirt) | Made-to-measure (A Dress from their favourite era) | Presenter | Originally Aired | Viewers (millions)[15] | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | Cape | 2 | 1950s Flared Dress | 21 October 2014[16] | 2.25 | ||
| 4 | Child's Dress | 3 | 1960s A Line dress | |||||
| 1 | Tunic Dress | 4 | 1920s Flapper Dress | |||||
| 3 | Sundress | 1 | 1950s V-Neck Dress | |||||
| Episode | Sewer | Pattern Challenge (Pyjama Bottoms) | Alteration Challenge (Onesie-Animal Costume) | Made-to-measure (Childhood Story Skirt) | Presenter | Originally Aired | Viewers (millions) | |
| 2 | 3 | Dinosaur | 2 | Alice in Wonderland Tea Party | 23 October 2014[17] | 1.87 | ||
| 2 | Ladybird | 3 | Ra-ra Skirt | |||||
| 4 | Zebrafish | The Emperor's New Clothes | ||||||
| 1 | Cockerel | 1 | London Skyline at Night | |||||
| Episode | Sewer | Pattern Challenge (Jersey T-shirt) | Alteration Challenge (Old Prom Dress) | Made-to-measure (Child's Garment) | Presenter | Originally Aired | Viewers (millions) | |
| 3 | 4 | Covered Prom Dress | 4 | Silk Brocade Cape | 24 October 2014[18] | 1.86 | ||
| 3 | Camden Lock '84 | 3 | Silk Party Dress | |||||
| 2 | Playsuit | 2 | Little Red Riding Hood Cloak | |||||
| 1 | Gathered Skirt | 1 | Michael Jackson Pleather Jacket | |||||
| Sewer | Pattern Challenge (Pyjama Bottoms) | Transformation Challenge (Dog Coats) | Made-to-measure (Christmas Day Dress) | Originally Aired | Viewers (millions)[19] | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | Sleigh Outfit | 2 | Tartan Dress | 26 December 2020[20] | 5.93 | |
| 3 | Snow Angel | 4 | Christmas Party Dress | |||
| 1 | Superhero Cloak | 3 | Christmas Pudding Dress | |||
| 2 | Sleigh Bells Outfit | 1 | Wrap Dress | |||
| Sewer | Pattern Challenge (Children's Party Skirt) | Transformation Challenge (Old Clothes) | Made-to-measure (New Year's Memories Party Dress) | Originally Aired | Viewers (millions) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Ugly Sister Costume | 4 | Cinderella Evening Dress | 31 December 2020[21] | ||
| 1 | Cinderella Costume | 2 | Fishtail Dress | |||
| Sabrina Grant | 4 | Jasmine Costume | 3 | Cocktail Dress | ||
| 3 | Pantomime Horse Costume | 1 | Dog-print Dress | |||
| Sewer | Pattern Challenge (Christmas Sweatshirt) | Transformation Challenge (Second-hand Clothes) | Made-to-measure (An outfit from Christmas Past) | Originally Aired | Viewers (millions) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Reindeer Outfit | 1 | Festive Kaftan | 22 December 2021[22] | 4.28 | |
| 3 | Christmas Present Outfit | 2 | Mrs Claus Dress | |||
| 1 | Green and Red Bow Dress | 3 | Christmas Present Dress | |||
| 3 | Punk Angel Dress | 4 | Festive Jumpsuit | |||
| Sewer | Pattern Challenge (Festive Waistcoat) | Transformation Challenge (Party Dress) | Made-to-measure (Party Food Fancy Dress) | Originally Aired | Viewers (millions) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Silver Dress | 1 | 'Pigs in Blankets' Dress | 30 December 2021[23] | ||
| 4 | Black and Purple Dress | 3 | 'Hogmanay Buffet' Dress | |||
| 2 | Pink Dress | 4 | 'Ice Cream Sundae' Dress | |||
| 3 | Gold Dress | 2 | 'Fondue Set' Dress | |||
| Sewer | Pattern Challenge (Christmas Stocking) | Transformation Challenge (Puffer Jacket) | Made-to-measure (Christmas Day Garment) | Originally Aired | Viewers (millions) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | Brussels sprout | 1 | Glamorous two-piece | 21 December 2023[25] | 3.02 | |
| 2 | Carrot | 2 | "Snow Queen" outfit | |||
| 1 | Brussels sprout | 4 | Christmas tree dress | |||
| 3 | Purple Quality Street | 3 | Christmas tunic | |||
| Country | Local title | Host(s) | Judges | Channel | Premiere | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Argentina | Corte y confección[30] (Cut and confection) | Verónica de la Canal Benito Fernández Fabián Zitta[31] | 14 January 2019 | |||
| Denmark | Klar, parat, sy[32] [33] (Ready, Set, Sew) | Lene Beier | Jesper Høvring Jette With[34] | 14 March 2015[35] | ||
| France | Cousu Main[36] (Hand Sewn) | Cristina Córdula | Amparo Lellouche Julien Scavini | M6[37] | 30 August 2014 | |
| Germany | Geschickt eingefädelt (Skillfully Threaded) | Inge Szoltysik-Sparrer Anke Müller | 3 November 2015 | |||
| Italy | Tailor Made – Chi ha la stoffa?[38] (Tailor Made – Who Has What It Takes?) | Elide Morelli Cristina Tardito | 28 June 2022 (Discovery+) 14 September 2022 (Real Time) | |||
| Netherlands | Door Het Oog Van De Naald (Through the Eye of the Needle) | Nicolette van Dam | Nelleke Rimmelzwaan Maik de Boer | 28 January 2015 | ||
| Norway | Symesterskapet[39] (Sewing Championship) | Christina Hope | Tine Solheim (2014-2017) Andreas Feet (2014-)[40] Jenny Skavlan (2019-) | 19 November 2014 | ||
| Portugal | Cosido à mão[41] (Hand Sewn) | Susana Agostinho Paulo Battista Mariama Barbosa | 4 November 2017 | |||
| Spain | Maestros de la Costura[42] (Masters of Sewing) | Lorenzo Caprile María Escoté Palomo Spain | 12 February 2018 | |||
| Sweden | Hela Sverige Syr[43] (The Whole of Sweden Is Sewing) | Linda Lindorff | Lisbeth Stålborg Frederik Andersen | 14 October 2014[44] |
Historically the word bee has been used to describe a get-together where a specific action is being carried out, such as a spelling bee, husking bee, a quilting bee, or an apple bee. In the USA, the Scripps National Spelling Bee competition has been held annually since 1925. Its etymology is unclear, but the word possibly derives from the Old English word bēn, meaning prayer.[45]