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.
Episode 4 they celebrate Korea with sewing challenges inspired by the Jeogori, tae kwon do and Cheollik.
This week there is a special Korean judge - Eudon Choi who is a regular fixture at London Fashion Week and has won numerous accolades. Eudon Choi's 'clothes are meticulously constructed and become undeniably feminine once worn'. You can see his fashion brand here.
Images Copyright: BBC/Love Productions
Pattern Challenge: Jeogori
In the first challenge the contestants were asked to sew a traditional Jeogori. A Jeogori is upper garment of traditional Korean dress (Hanbok). Both men and women wear it, often men opt to pair it with Baji (trousers and women opt to pair it with Chima (skirts). Traditional Korean clothes (Hanbok) were introduced in the late 19th century by Koreans, in recent years a new generation of fashion designers have emerged that are reinventing Hanbok for new audiences and they are now often seen worn by K-pop groups and in K-dramas.
The Jeogori is a jacket like top with a collar that closes at the front with a wrap and a pair of ties. Traditionally the main bodice, sleeves and panel is one fabric and the collar and ties are made in a second fabric. Patrick emphasises that the make needs to be presented impeccably flat so the contestants needed to pick fabric that presses well and holds its shape. Something like a cotton poplin or linen would be a really great option.
Top tip: Check out our cotton fabric guide to learn more about cotton and for some top sewing tips.
If you fancy making your own then we have found this pattern by Sewing Therapy.
Top tip - lots of the contestants opted to use a loop turner when they were turning out their ties. We have this turning set by Prym that we recommend.
Transformation Challenge: Use Tae Kwon Do uniforms and transform them into a different garment
The contestants were asked to transform Tae Kwon Do uniforms into a different garment. Tae Kwon Do is a Korean marshal arts practice and the colours of the belts hold significances. The contestants were asked to feature the belts in their make in an eye catching way. They were allowed to take one tunic, one pair of trousers, set of 5 belts and fastenings, they weren't allowed to use trims or extra fabric.
The contestants came up with some inspiring designs and used the belts in lots of different ways - weaving them, using them as straps, creating patterns, inserting them as panels and even constructing letters out of them.
Made To Measure Challenge: Design evening wear inspired by the Cheollik
The Cheollik was first seen during the Goryeo Dynasty; it started as a military coat built for movement and authority with a flat collar, pleats and ties. It was traditionally worn by men under but more recently reimagined as women's wear. Over time it has evolved and been adopted by many fashion designers.
To ensure their outfits clearly reflect the influence of the Cheollik many of the contestants used Korean sewing patterns and opted to incorporate pleats, wrap style bodices and military inspired elements.
If you are now keen to make your own Cheollik inspired outfit then we recommend that you check out the patterns by Korean sewing pattern company PATTERNiN.
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If you have any questions or want to learn more, you can contact Team Sunshine at teamsunshine@sewmesunshine.co.uk