Series 9 of The Great British Sewing Bee sees 12 new home sewers coming together to create beautiful garments in a bid to be crowned Britain’s best amateur sewer. Host Sara Pascoe is once again at the helm along with judges Patrick Grant and Esme Young.
The sewers range in age from 20 to 73 and are from all walks of life and spread across the nation. Turn to p22 now to meet the eclectic newbies, including a trainee solicitor, police dispatcher, teaching assistant, salesperson, nurse, teacher, video games designer, graphic designer, postman, consultant oncoplastic breast surgeon, student and a retired HR manager.
Patrick and Esme set the weekly challenges as the sewers explore clothes inspired by art, travel, fashion icons, utilitarian clothing and West Africa, as well as some old favourites such as – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Week and Children’s Week.
The Classics with a Twist theme kicks off the series, and the first Pattern Challenge is a top with a twist. The Transformation Challenge asks sewers to put their twist on a classic pencil skirt and blouse, and the made-to-measure is an on-trend cut-out dress. And, we can't wait! Each episode will air on Wednesdays at 9pm (BBC One) or you can catch up on BBC iPlayer.
MEET THE PRESENTER
SARA PASCOE
Award-winning stand-up comedian, actress and writer Sara is back to present her second series of the The Great British Sewing Bee!
What's the standard of the sewers this year?
Very, very high. Even more impressively, lots of sewers started relatively recently. We have what I think of as genius new sewers – unique individuals who started in lockdown, have really practised and are pushing the boundaries. It's really exciting. After last series, I had lots of people saying: ‘They don't really make stuff that quickly! How could they?’ They do! It's so inspiring when they're also doing things for the very first time.
It must make you think: 'I really do need to have a go at making things myself now...'?
It does. Luckily, because I have a small baby, people are a bit more: 'OK, when you've got some time on your hands!' They're more forgiving. But, if there was another lockdown, I'm definitely getting a sewing machine.
Do you wonder
