We're passionate about sewing and dressmaking at Sew Me Sunshine, and we love watching the Great British Sewing Bee every year. Every week we will break down the episode and sign post you to some sewing patterns and fabric.
The Great British Sewing Bee is back for 2025 and this year marks it's 11th season! We wish all the contestants the best of luck and know they will make some incredible garments.
Images Copyright: BBC/Love Productions/Neil Sherwood
Pattern Challenge: Tie Front Blouse
The first challenge was to make a tie front blouse using gathers to add extra volume. There are lots of great sewing patterns available for this on-trend blouse. At Sew Me Sunshine we have two printed paper patterns that you could use to make your own - the Nell Blouse by Tilly and the Buttons and the Porter by Style Arc.
The contestants opted for a variety of different fabrics - viscose lawn, seersucker, linen blends, cotton poplin. We stock all of these types of fabrics here at Sew Me Sunshine and you might even be able to see some that the contestants actually used in the show!
Transformation Challenge: Circle Skirt
In the up-cycling challenge the contestants had to transform a circle skirt into a brand new garment. It was amazing to see what ideas the contestants came up with - sculptured tops, shorts, two piece sets, dresses...
Has this challenge got you excited to check out some skirt sewing patterns? If you answered yes then make sure you check out our range of paper sewing patterns from indie designers.
Made To Measure Challenge: Dress With Pleated Detail
In the made to measure challenge the contestants had to sew a dress with pleats and were allowed to use any type of pleating technique. The contestants used a huge range of different sewing patterns for their makes and some self-drafted their dresses.
Pleating is a way of folding fabric in order to create fullness and texture in a garment. The type of pleat and it's placement can impact on the shape and style of your garment.
There are different types of stitched pleats, please see the image from Makyla Creates below, and refer to her resource on pleats if you want to learn more.
