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 3 is design icon's week focusing on the jersey wrap dress by Diane von Furstenberg and Vivienne Westwood and Versace's iconic fashion style.
Pattern Challenge: Jersey Wrap Dress Inspired by Diane von Furstenberg
Diane von Furstenberg launched her famous wrap dress in America in Spring 1974. In a BBC article Von Furstenberg is quoted saying that the stretchy jersey fabric and wrap design “moulds your body and makes you look ‘proper’ but at the same time sexy”. The wrap dress became a symbol of independence and empowerment. By 1976 she had sold over a million dresses and cemented her status as a fashion icon.
The dress was inspired by the wraparound tops that ballerinas wore and was first introduced as a top with a matching skirt in her first collection, but when she saw a customer wearing them together she converted the style into a dress. She designed it as an alternative to a suit for women and this became highly popular with working women in the 1970s.
This iconic dress remains a fashion staple and has been worn by countless celebrities including the Princess of Wales, Michelle Obama and Madonna.
Images + line drawing of the Named Clothing Olivia Wrap Dress.
Image of our Deadstock Stretch Velvet - Rainbow Sparkle.
Tips For Sewing with Jersey Fabric:
- Look at the fabric requirements on the dressmaking pattern you wish to make. Make sure you check whether you need a structured or drapey knit fabric, what sort of weight it needs to be and how much stretch is required
- Pre wash your knit fabric as they can shrink during the first wash
- Make sure your fabric is lying flat when you are cutting it out
- Take your time cutting out your knit fabric, some people find it easier to use a rotary cutter rather than scissors. Use pattern weights or clips as pins may snag your fabric
- Knit fabrics need to be sewn with either a ballpoint or stretch sewing machine needle. A ballpoint needle pushes the fibres away whilst sewing rather than piercing them. The size of the needle depends on the weight of the fabric you are going to be sewing with. You can also choose to finish your waist and neckbands using a jersey twin needle for a professional finish
- You can sew knit fabrics using an overlocker, but you can also sew them with a regular sewing machine. Some regular sewing machines will have an overlock stitch which mimics an overlock stitch produced by an overlocker. On a basic sewing machine all you need is a simple zig zag stitch - make sure you change the settings on your machine so that it is narrow and short
- Use knit interfacing for your project and stabilise the seams with stay tape
- You can use StretchFix for finishing hems and neckbands easily
Transformation Challenge: Use soft furnishings and turn them into a Vivienne Westwood inspired outfit
Vivienne Westwood was an iconic English fashion designer. She enjoyed playing with historical styles and was inspired by the punk era. Her fashion style was very rebellious. To learn more about this iconic designer head on over to the Vivienne Westwood website here.
The contestants opted to use lots of tartan and leather which was used a lot by Vivienne Westwood, they also opted to add volume to their makes as a nod to Vivienne Westwood's fashion that was inspired by historical and regal fashion, additionally lots of hardware was used due to her rebellious punk fashion style.
If you want to sew some garments that are Vivienne Westwood inspired then check out this article in the Guardian that lists some of her best looks in pictures.
Autumn/winter 1994-95, Paris | Naomi Campbell in checks and diamond-printed leggings | Photograph: PL Gould/Images Press/Getty Images.
Made To Measure Challenge: Create an outfit inspired by Versace
Italian fashion house Versace was founded by Gianni Versace in 1978. Gianni was inspired by classical art and mythology, particularly the figure of Medusa which became the brand's logo. In 1997 Gianni died and the brand was taken over by his sister Donatella Versace. The brand is known for their bold designs, vibrant colours, use of opulent fabrics. Versace is synonymous with sensuality, sexuality and bondage. If you want to see some more iconic Versace fashion then head on over to this Vogue article.
Versace greatest moments Photo: Marcus Tondo / InDigital | GoRunway | Naomi Campbell for Fall 2013.
The contestants opted to use black and gold fabrics that Versace is known for, as well as bright tropical printed fabrics which they are also known for. The contestants used various hardware and opted for fitted garments with bold cutouts and slits.
Top Tip: You can filter all of our fabrics by colour, so if you are looking for black fabrics then head on over to the colour filter and select black to see them all!
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If you have any questions or want to learn more, you can contact Team Sunshine at teamsunshine@sewmesunshine.co.uk