We're so pleased The Great British Sewing Bee is back on our screens this year. But if you're new to the show or simply want to find out more about the tenth series, here's what you need to know...
The premise of the show is simple: 12 home sewers are challenged to create gorgeous garments, under the scrutiny of judges Esme Young and Patrick Grant, for the title of Britain’s Best Amateur Sewer.
Each week, the sewers undertake three different challenges. First in a test of sewing skill, it’s the pattern challenge where they chose fabric from the haberdashery to all make the same pattern.
Next, a test of creativity and imagination in the transformation challenge, where they get just 90 minutes to turn items of old clothing into something new and exciting.
Finally, the ultimate fashion test of the Made to Measure, fitting to a real-life model, a challenge they’ve had time to plan in advance.
When does series 10 of The Great British Sewing Bee start?
The 2024 series of The Great British Sewing Bee starts on Tuesday 21 May at 9pm on BBC One. You can also catch up on BBC iPlayer.
What channel is the Great British Sewing Bee on?
Although it was originally on BBC Two, The Great British Sewing Bee moved to BBC One for series 6 and has remained there ever since.
The judges on The Great British Sewing Bee
Esme Young
Esme Young joined the show as a judge in 2016. Esme, along with four passionate women about fashion, opened a London based shop called ‘Swanky Modes’ in the 70s. Their clothes appeared in magazines and newspapers including Vogue, Nova, Honey, 19, ID, The Face, Boulevard, Interview, The Sunday Times, Express, Mail, and the V&A Little Black Dress Book.
Patrick Grant
Patrick is a regular on television and radio as a commentator on the British fashion, clothing and textile industries. He has been a contributor to several major television documentaries including Savile Row, Harris Tweed, and The Perfect Suit, but is best known for his role in the The Great British Sewing Bee, for which he earned a 2017 National Television Awards nomination.
Patrick’s career in fashion has spanned over a decade. In 2005, after leaving a career in engineering, he took over as Director at Savile Row tailor Norton & Sons. He won much praise for his work there including being named Retailer of the Year at the 2008 Scottish Fashion Awards.
The Great British Sewing Bee presenter
Kiell Smith-Bynoe is the new presenter of The Great British Sewing Bee, standing in for Sara Pascoe who was on maternity leave at the time of filming. He is also an actor who has appeared on Stath Lets Flats, Ghosts and Taskmaster.
Previous presenters of the show include comedian and actor, Sara Pascoe, who is best known for her role as Coco Lomax in the BBC comedies W1A and Twenty Twelve and appearances on 8 Out Of 10 Cats, Live at the Apollo and QI.
She also hosts the panel show Guessable on Comedy Central. Sara has appeared in The Thick Of It, Free Agents and Being Human, wrote and starred in the BBC Two comedy Out of Her Mind and has written two books.
Sara stood in for the Christmas 2021 special for fellow comedian and previous Sewing Bee host Joe Lycett and was back for the 2022 series of the show.
Joe Lycett presented The Great British Sewing Bee from 2019-2021. He took over from Claudia Winkleman who presented the first four series which started in 2013.
Who were the contestants in The Great British Sewing Bee 2023?
Asmaa
Age: 46
Occupation: Consultant breast surgeon
From: Cardiff
Instagram: @sewgical_endeavours
During the Iraq and Iran War, Asmaa would spend her time watching and learning from her grandmother who was a seamstress. She would hand sew the wardrobe for her dolls, using any scraps and remnants she could find. Now working as a consultant breast surgeon, Asmaa specialises in making underwear and has even created post-op bras for her breast cancer patients.
Catherine
Age: 34
Occupation: Senior games designer
From: West Sussex
Instagram: @catmoomie
A BAFTA Award-winning video games designer, West Sussex-based Catherine invested in a sewing machine when she bought her first home and has been sewing ever since. She tries to dress sustainably and repurposes day dresses into underwear or other garments.
Fauve
Age: 26
Occupation: Trainee solicitor
From: Swansea
Instagram: @sew_fauve
A trainee solicitor based in Swansea, Fauve is also a top golfer who has represented Wales in the Home Nationals. The sewing bug bit five years ago when she went along to a sewing class and made a peg bag. Now, she sews in the evenings and likes creating puff-sleeved feminine dresses.
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Gillie
Age: 73
Occupation: Retired secretary and HR manager
From: Nottingham
Nottingham-based Gillie started sewing at the age of seven after her mother taught her how to thread a needle. She takes inspiration from French fashion, especially Coco Chanel and adores elegant designer clothing.
Lauren
Age: 30
Occupation: Sales assistant, home furnishings company
From: Walsall
Instagram: @madebylaurentedstone
Initially training to be a barrister, Lauren now works as a sales assistant at a local home furnishings company in the Midlands so she can devote more time to her children. She first started to sew when she decided to make a quilted memory blanket using her children's baby clothes, and now sews for herself having learnt from online tutorials.
Lizzie
Age: 49
Occupation: Creative Director, graphic design
From: Bristol
Instagram: @thebettysilk
A creative director of her own graphics company, Bristol-based Lizzie was taught to sew by her mum, who passed away when she was young. Lizzie now sews as a way of staying connected to her and likes making clothes for her active lifestyle and for work.
Maria
Age: 34
Occupation: A&E Nurse
From: Fife
Instagram: @marzi_the_amble_stitcher
Costa Rica-born Maria works as an A&E nurse in Fife and uses sewing as the ultimate unwind after a stressful shift. Her mother taught her the basics but she's largely self-taught and enjoys making clothes, as well as handbags and purses which has led her to dabble in leatherwork.
Matthew
Age: 30
Occupation: Dancer and teaching assistant
From: Peterborough
Instagram: @matthew_jrd91
Peterborough-based Matthew trained to be a dancer and has performed at the opening ceremonies of the London 2012 Olympics, UEFA Champions League Final and the Queen's Platinum Jubilee Pageant. When he's not sewing, Matthew works at a primary school as a teaching assistant and is influenced in his style by the drag scene, Vivienne Westwood and Alexander McQueen.
Mia
Age: 20
Occupation: Student
From: Surrey
Instagram: @miasartyfarty
Mia is this year's youngest sewer at age 20 and started sewing during lockdown after her mum bought a sewing machine. She was meant to go to university but deferred for two years and fell in love with sewing in that time. She now hopes to sew professionally and has applied to study costume design, which she is due to start after the show.
Tony R
Age: 53
Occupation: Postman
From: Cornwall
Instagram: @tonyr.maker
Previously having worked as a high-flying manager in a manufacturing firm, Tony would often keep himself busy on long-haul flights to the Far East where he lived with crocheting and knitting. After changing careers three years ago, he pulled out his wife’s old sewing machine and has since made himself cycling gear and his own wardrobe influenced by '90s skater fashion.
Tony W
Age: 33
Occupation: Teacher
From: Essex
Instagram: @house_of_tony_makes
A primary school teacher in Essex, Tony was actually influenced to take up sewing after watching the show's first season. He has run a sewing club for children and mainly sews for himself, often opting for big bold fabric patterns for his shirts and tailored waistcoats.
Vicki
Age: 30
Occupation: Police dispatcher
From: Lincolnshire
Instagram: @whatvickimade
Working as a police dispatcher, Vicki often uses sewing as a release for what can be a stressful job. Her love of sewing began as a child when her grandmother taught her to sew a straight line and she went on to sew her children's handmade outfits. Now, she sews to be able to dress how she likes and believes sewing has enabled her to express that one size does not fit all.
Features & Reviews Editor Emily Gilbert has been a journalist since 2015 and has worked across a variety of specialist and lifestyle brands both in print and online. Specialising in travel content and product reviews, Emily is the first to know about all the exciting new releases, her favourite being gadgets for the home.