Great British Sewing Bee 2025 - Episode 2 - Activewear Week

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: 7 Panel Cap 

The first challenge was to make a 7 panel cap, which has mesh side panels, a reinforced peak and a fastening at the back. 

If you fancy sewing your own cap then you could use the Minu Cap sewing pattern from Fibre Mood

 A great fabric choice to make your own cap is our Ventana Cotton Twill fabrics which comes in 24 colours including a white that is prepared for dying so you could opt to dye the fabric to the exact colour of your choice. Our ventana cotton twill fabrics are fairly structured making them ideal for sewing something structured like a cap but they can also be used for making yourself a pair of trousers, shorts, a boilersuit or you could even use them to make a bag. 

You could also opt to use a cotton canvas fabric, which we stock in some fun print designs or even a cotton gabardine. 

Don't forget to check out our cotton bias bindings too. 

Image showing a rainbow stack of some of our Ventana Cotton Twill fabrics

TOP TIPS FOR SEWING WITH CANVAS AND COTTON TWILL

• Pre wash fabric to prevent shrinkage
•  Use a 90/14 or 100/16 denim needle for very heavy canvas or twill fabrics
• Adjust the pressure foot on your sewing machine. This will help the heavy fabric slide under the foot whilst sewing 
• Use jeans or upholstery thread 
• Use a longer stitch length (3-3.5mm)
• Use clips rather than pins due to the thickness of the fabric
• It may be easier to cut your project out on the flat rather than on the fold due to the thickness of the fabric 
• If you need to apply interfacing then only apply it up to the seam allowance this will reduce bulk in your seams 
• You can use a bulky seam aid to help you sew over those bulky seams. Don't have one of these? Then no fear - you can use a folded piece of cardboard under your sewing machine foot when sewing over thick fabric seams
• Sew slowly over bulky seams
• Grade seam allowances to help reduce bulk
• When sewing with gabardine make sure to use a press cloth and press lightly

Top Tip: If you are looking to add some top stitching then you can find all of our top stitching thread here and also our top stitching needles can be found here. When topstitching only use topstitching thread as your spool and opt to use regular thread that matches your fabric in the bobbin. Also we recommend increasing your stitch length to 3-3.5mm. Also make sure you sew with the right sides up so that the topstitch thread ends up on the outside. 

You could also use denim fabric and corduroy fabric to make a cap too, just make sure you opt for one without stretch (elastane) and when sewing with corduroy take note of the fabric nap. 

Transformation Challenge: Vintage Cycling Top - Party Outfit 

In the up-cycling challenge the contestants had to transform a vintage cycling top into a party outfit. They were allowed to use 3 jerseys each and use fastenings from the haberdashery but they weren't allowed to use any other fabric or trims for their make. It was amazing to see what ideas the contestants came up with - sleeveless tops, skirts, bikini tops, dresses and a pair of shorts. Contestants opted to plait the fabric, use pleating techniques, add frills, and add godets (triangular-shaped fabric inserts) to their makes. It was very inspiring to see how you could transform a vintage unused cycling top into a brand new garment. 

Made To Measure Challenge: Athleisure Outfit 

In the made to measure challenge the contestants had to sew an athleisure outfit that is perfect for working out in and relaxing in afterwards. An athleisure outfit is inspired by atheletics in style and fabrics but worn in a more fashion context. 

The contestants opted to use activewear fabrics to make items like sports bras, sports tops, cycling shorts and leggings. Two paper sewing patterns that we stock here at Sew Me Sunshine that would work work well is the Virginia Leggings by Megan Nielsen and the Limestone Leggings and Top by Sew Liberated. 

We have lots of printed and plain high quality activewear performance jerseys in stock here at Sew Me Sunshine. Our performance jerseys that are not deadstock are made from Econyl recycled nylon. Econyl is a trademark of the Italian plastics company Aquafil. They use pre and post consumer nylon waste such as old carpets, fishing nets, plastic components and so on which means that no fossil fuel based materials are required. The Econyl boasts the same properties as virgin nylon yarn. This type of nylon has the potential to be recycled infinitely without it ever losing its quality.

Top Tip: Check out our Activewear and Swimwear Fabric Guide for more information about Econyl Fabric and for some top sewing tips for sewing with this type of performance jersey.

Some of the contestants also opted to make jogging bottoms and hoodies. There are some great paper sewing patterns that we stock here at Sew Me Sunshine for sewing your own sweatpants and sweatshirts: 

• True Bias Hudson Pants
• Closet Core Patterns Plateau Joggers
• I AM Patterns Mowgli Sweatpants + Shorts
• Tilly and the Buttons Cece Joggers
• Megan Nielsen Jarrah Sweatshirt
• Grainline Studio Linden Sweatshirt
• Sew House Seven Toaster Sweatshirt
• Closet Core Patterns Mile End Sweatshirt
• I AM Patterns Rainbow Hoodie
• Tilly and the Buttons Drew Sweatshirt
• I AM Patterns Baloo Sweatshirt

We have lots of plain and printed sweatshirt fabrics and french terry fabrics in stock that are ideal for sewing yourself a sweatshirt or sweatpants. Don't forget to check out all of our ribbings too. 

Top Tip: Check out our Guide to Jersey and Knit Fabrics as it includes some top sewing tips for sewing with knit fabrics. 

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