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The Great British Sewing Bee

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The Great British Sewing Bee
GenreReality
Game show
Presented by
Judges
Theme music composerIan Livingstone
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of series10
No. of episodes77 (plus 5 specials)
Production
Executive producerAnna Beattie
Producers
  • Susanne Rock
  • Suzanne McGairl
Production locations
EditorSusanne Rock
Running time60 minutes
Production companyLove Productions
Original release
NetworkBBC Two (2013–19)
BBC One (2020–)
Release2 April 2013 (2013-04-02) –
present (present)
Related
The Great Pottery Throw Down
The Piano

The Great British Sewing Bee is a BBC reality show that began airing on BBC Two on 2 April 2013. In the show, talented amateur sewers compete to be named "Britain's best home sewer". A spin-off of the format of The Great British Bake Off, the programme was presented by Claudia Winkleman[1] for the first four series, with judges Patrick Grant, May Martin (series 1–3), and Esme Young (since series 4).

After a three-year hiatus, the series returned in 2019, with Joe Lycett taking over as presenter. The sixth series began airing on BBC One in April 2020 and the seventh began airing in April 2021. Sara Pascoe took over as presenter from series 8, which began airing in April 2022. Kiell Smith-Bynoe took over presenting series 10 in May 2024. Since 2022 Sunny Bank Mills in Farsley, West Yorkshire has served as the new filming location for series 8 onwards of The Great British Sewing Bee.[2][3]

Series format

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The show format is similar to The Great British Bake Off in that each episode features three challenges within an overall theme. The series starts with 10 amateur sewers, with the weakest eliminated each episode. In the Pattern Challenge, the judges give them the same pattern, which they must follow as accurately as possible. In the Transformation Challenge, existing garments or fabrics of a similar form, picked from a rail provided by the programme, or sourced by the contestants themselves, are reinvent by the sewers as a specified different type of garment. In the third Made-to-measure Challenge, the sewers design and create their own garments, and must adjust their patterns to fit human models.[4]

Series overview

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Series Episodes Premiere Finale Winner
1 4 2 April 2013 23 April 2013 Ann Rowley
2 8 18 February 2014 8 April 2014 Heather Jacks
3 6 5 February 2015 12 March 2015 Matt Chapple
4 8 16 May 2016 4 July 2016 Charlotte Newland
5 8 12 February 2019 2 April 2019 Juliet Uzor
6 10 22 April 2020 24 June 2020 Clare Bradley
7 10 14 April 2021 16 June 2021 Serena Baker
8 10 27 April 2022 29 June 2022 Annie Phillips
9 10 24 May 2023 26 July 2023 Asmaa Al-Allak
10 10 21 May 2024 24 July 2024 Luke-Matthew Iveson

Series 1 (2013)

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Main article: The Great British Sewing Bee series 1

The first series of The Great British Sewing Bee started on 2 April and aired for four episodes, concluding on 23 April 2013. The series was hosted by Claudia Winkleman and the judges were WI tutor May Martin and Patrick Grant of Savile Row. The all-female final was won by Ann, with Sandra and Lauren as runners up.

Series 2 (2014)

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Main article: The Great British Sewing Bee series 2

A second series of The Great British Sewing Bee began airing on 18 February 2014 on BBC Two. The series was filmed at Metropolitan Wharf in London, with Claudia Winkleman returning as host alongside May Martin and Patrick Grant as the judges. Once again it was an all-female final, which was won by Heather, with Chinelo and Tamara as the runners up.

Series 3 (2015)

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Main article: The Great British Sewing Bee series 3

The third series of The Great British Sewing Bee began airing over six weeks from 5 February 2015 on BBC Two. It was once again filmed at Metropolitan Wharf in London, with Claudia Winkleman returning as host alongside resident judges May Martin and Patrick Grant. After six weeks of competition, the ten sewers were reduced to the three finalists - this time, there were two male and one female finalists - with Matt declared the winner, and Lorna and Neil as the runners-up.

Series 4 (2016)

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Main article: The Great British Sewing Bee series 4

The fourth series of The Great British Sewing Bee began airing on 16 May 2016.[5][6] May Martin was replaced by new judge Esme Young.[7] The finalists were Jade, Charlotte, and Joyce, with Charlotte the winner.

Series 5 (2019)

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Main article: The Great British Sewing Bee series 5

The fifth series began on 12 February 2019 on BBC Two. Joe Lycett took over from Claudia Winkleman as presenter, and Esme Young and Patrick Grant returned as judges. The series was shot at 47-49 Tanner Street.[8] Exterior shots are of 1 Tanner Street, Bermondsey.[9][10] The finalists were Juliet, Leah and Riccardo, with Juliet winning.

Series 6 (2020)

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Main article: The Great British Sewing Bee series 6

The sixth series began on 22 April 2020 on BBC One. Joe Lycett returned as presenter, and Esme Young and Patrick Grant also returned as judges. The finalists were Clare, Matt, and Nicole, with Clare winning.

Series 7 (2021)

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Main article: The Great British Sewing Bee series 7

The seventh series began on 14 April 2021 on BBC One.[11] As with the previous series, Joe Lycett returned as host, along with Esme Young and Patrick Grant as judges. The finalists were Raph, Rebecca and Serena, with Serena winning.

Series 8 (2022)

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Main article: The Great British Sewing Bee series 8

The eighth series began airing on 27 April 2022 on BBC One. Esme Young and Patrick Grant returned as judges, whilst Sara Pascoe took over as presenter. Production moved to Sunny Bank Mills in Farsley, Leeds. The finalists were Annie, Brogan, Debra and Man Yee, with Annie winning.

Series 9 (2023)

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Main article: The Great British Sewing Bee series 9

The ninth series began on 24 May 2023 on BBC One.[12] Sara Pascoe returned as presenter, and Esme Young and Patrick Grant also returned as judges. The finalists were Asmaa, Mia and Tony R, with Asmaa winning.

Series 10 (2024)

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Main article: The Great British Sewing Bee series 10

The tenth series began on 21 May 2024 on BBC One.[13] Esme Young and Patrick Grant returned as judges, whilst Kiell Smith-Bynoe took over as presenter. The finalists were Ailsa, Luke and Pascha, with Luke winning.

Specials

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  Winner

Christmas Special (2013)

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No.TitleOriginal release date Viewers
(millions)
1"Christmas Special"15 December 2013 (2013-12-15)1.14
Semi-finalists Lauren, Sandra, Stuart, and winner Ann return for a Christmas special. Holiday projects include a table runner, embroidered Christmas napkins, and a Christmas stocking.

The BBC Children in Need Sewing Bee (2014)

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Three special episodes were commissioned as 12 celebrities took to the sewing machines in a bid to raise money for Children in Need.[14]

Episode Sewer Pattern Challenge
(A Line Skirt)		 Alteration Challenge
(Hawaiian Shirt)		 Made-to-measure
(A Dress from their favourite era)		 Presenter Originally Aired Viewers
(millions)[15]
1 Edith Bowman 2 Cape 2 1950s Flared Dress Jenny Eclair 21 October 2014[16] 2.25
Dave Myers 4 Child's Dress 3 1960s A Line dress
Dawn Harper 1 Tunic Dress 4 1920s Flapper Dress
Wendi Peters 3 Sundress 1 1950s V-Neck Dress
Episode Sewer Pattern Challenge
(Pyjama Bottoms)		 Alteration Challenge
(Onesie-Animal Costume)		 Made-to-measure
(Childhood Story Skirt)		 Presenter Originally Aired Viewers
(millions)[15]
2 Gaby Roslin 3 Dinosaur 2 Alice in Wonderland Tea Party Sara Cox 23 October 2014[17] 1.87
Louie Spence 2 Ladybird 3 Ra-ra Skirt
Mark Watson 4 Zebrafish The Emperor's New Clothes
Pam Ferris 1 Cockerel 1 London Skyline at Night
Episode Sewer Pattern Challenge
(Jersey T-shirt)		 Alteration Challenge
(Old Prom Dress)		 Made-to-measure
(Child's Garment)		 Presenter Originally Aired Viewers
(millions)[15]
3 Gemma Cairney 4 Covered Prom Dress 4 Silk Brocade Cape Anita Rani 24 October 2014[18] 1.86
Helen Lederer 3 Camden Lock '84 3 Silk Party Dress
Kathryn Flett 2 Playsuit 2 Little Red Riding Hood Cloak
Timmy Matley 1 Gathered Skirt 1 Michael Jackson Pleather Jacket

Celebrity Christmas Special (2020)

[edit]
Sewer Pattern Challenge
(Pyjama Bottoms)		 Transformation Challenge
(Dog Coats)		 Made-to-measure
(Christmas Day Dress)		 Originally Aired Viewers
(millions)[19]
Sara Pascoe 4 Sleigh Outfit 2 Tartan Dress 26 December 2020[20] 5.93
Ranj Singh 3 Snow Angel 4 Christmas Party Dress
Denise Van Outen 1 Superhero Cloak 3 Christmas Pudding Dress
Shirley Ballas 2 Sleigh Bells Outfit 1 Wrap Dress

Celebrity New Year Special (2020)

[edit]
Sewer Pattern Challenge
(Children's Party Skirt)		 Transformation Challenge
(Old Clothes)		 Made-to-measure
(New Year's Memories Party Dress)		 Originally Aired Viewers
(millions)[19]
Lesley Joseph 2 Ugly Sister Costume 4 Cinderella Evening Dress 31 December 2020[21]
The Vivienne 1 Cinderella Costume 2 Fishtail Dress
Sabrina Grant 4 Jasmine Costume 3 Cocktail Dress
Sally Phillips 3 Pantomime Horse Costume 1 Dog-print Dress

Celebrity Christmas Special (2021)

[edit]
Sewer Pattern Challenge
(Christmas Sweatshirt)		 Transformation Challenge
(Second-hand Clothes)		 Made-to-measure
(An outfit from Christmas Past)		 Originally Aired Viewers
(millions)[19]
Kate Bottley 2 Reindeer Outfit 1 Festive Kaftan 22 December 2021[22] 4.28
Kiell Smith-Bynoe 3 Christmas Present Outfit 2 Mrs Claus Dress
Antony Cotton 1 Green and Red Bow Dress 3 Christmas Present Dress
Anneka Rice 3 Punk Angel Dress 4 Festive Jumpsuit

Celebrity New Year Special (2021)

[edit]
Sewer Pattern Challenge
(Festive Waistcoat)		 Transformation Challenge
(Party Dress)		 Made-to-measure
(Party Food Fancy Dress)		 Originally Aired Viewers
(millions)[19]
Lawrence Chaney 1 Silver Dress 1 'Pigs in Blankets' Dress 30 December 2021[23]
Kirsty Wark 4 Black and Purple Dress 3 'Hogmanay Buffet' Dress
Claire Richards 2 Pink Dress 4 'Ice Cream Sundae' Dress
Rose Matafeo 3 Gold Dress 2 'Fondue Set' Dress

Celebrity Christmas Special (2022)

[edit]
Sewer Pattern Challenge
(Festive apron)		 Transformation Challenge
(Baby outfit)		 Made-to-measure
(Pop inspired outfit)		 Originally Aired Viewers
(millions)[19]
Johannes Radebe Harry Styles inspired jumpsuit 22 December 2022[24] 3.73
Natalie Cassidy Liam Gallagher inspired Parka
Rosie Ramsey Dolly Parton inspired dress
Penny Lancaster Madonna inspired dress

Celebrity Christmas Special (2023)

[edit]
Sewer Pattern Challenge
(Christmas Stocking)		 Transformation Challenge
(Puffer Jacket)		 Made-to-measure
(Christmas Day Garment)		 Originally Aired Viewers
(millions)[19]
Kerry Godliman 4 Brussels sprout 1 Glamorous two-piece 21 December 2023[25] 3.02
Toyah Willcox 2 Carrot 2 "Snow Queen" outfit
Jessica Knappett 1 Brussels sprout 4 Christmas tree dress
Hammed Animashaun 3 Purple Quality Street 3 Christmas tunic

International versions

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Broadcast

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Country Local title Host(s) Judges Channel Premiere
Argentina Corte y confección[30]
(Cut and confection)		 Andrea Politti Verónica de la Canal
Benito Fernández
Fabián Zitta[31]		 Canal 13 14 January 2019
Denmark Klar, parat, sy[32][33]
(Ready, Set, Sew)		 Lene Beier Jesper Høvring
Jette With[34]		 TV 2 14 March 2015[35]
France Cousu Main[36]
(Hand Sewn)		 Cristina Córdula Amparo Lellouche
Julien Scavini		 M6[37] 30 August 2014
Germany Geschickt eingefädelt
(Skillfully Threaded)		 Guido Maria Kretschmer Inge Szoltysik-Sparrer
Anke Müller		 VOX 3 November 2015
Italy Tailor Made – Chi ha la stoffa?[38]
(Tailor Made – Who Has What It Takes?)		 Tommaso Zorzi Elide Morelli
Cristina Tardito		 Discovery+
Real Time		 28 June 2022 (Discovery+)
14 September 2022 (Real Time)
Netherlands Door Het Oog Van De Naald
(Through the Eye of the Needle)		 Nicolette van Dam Nelleke Rimmelzwaan
Maik de Boer		 RTL 4 28 January 2015
Norway Symesterskapet[39]
(Sewing Championship)		 Christina Hope Tine Solheim (2014-2017)
Andreas Feet (2014-)[40]
Jenny Skavlan (2019-)		 NRK[37] 19 November 2014
Portugal Cosido à mão[41]
(Hand Sewn)		 Sónia Araújo Susana Agostinho
Paulo Battista
Mariama Barbosa		 RTP1 4 November 2017
Spain Maestros de la Costura[42]
(Masters of Sewing)		 Raquel Sánchez Silva Lorenzo Caprile
María Escoté
Palomo Spain		 La 1 12 February 2018
Sweden Hela Sverige Syr[43]
(The Whole of Sweden Is Sewing)		 Linda Lindorff Lisbeth Stålborg
Frederik Andersen		 Sjuan[37] 14 October 2014[44]

Etymology

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Historically the word bee has been used to describe a get-together where a specific action is being carried out, such as a spelling bee, husking bee, a quilting bee, or an apple bee. In the USA, the Scripps National Spelling Bee competition has been held annually since 1925. Its etymology is unclear, but the word possibly derives from the Old English word bēn, meaning prayer.[45]

See also

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References

[edit]
  1. ^ Meltzer, Tom (10 April 2013). "Review: The Great British Sewing Bee". The Guardian.
  2. ^ Nisbet, Megan (11 May 2022). "BBC's Sewing Bee series has changed locations for season 8". YorkshireLive.
  3. ^ Graham, Debbie. "Where is The Great British Sewing Bee filmed?". www.countryfile.com.
  4. ^ Bussmann, Kate (18 February 2014). "Behind the scenes of Great British Sewing Bee". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 27 November 2019.
  5. ^ "The Great British Sewing Bee 2016: Everything You Need to Know - Sewing Blog".
  6. ^ "Basic Construction, Series 4, The Great British Sewing Bee - BBC Two". BBC.
  7. ^ "New Judge for The Great British Sewing Bee". The Sewing Directory. Retrieved 28 April 2016.
  8. ^ "Ugly Duck - The Loft".
  9. ^ "BBC Two - The Great British Sewing Bee, Series 5, Episode 1". BBC.
  10. ^ "BBC Two - The Great British Sewing Bee, Series 5 Trailer: The Great British Sewing Bee". BBC. 17 January 2019. Retrieved 26 January 2019.
  11. ^ "BBC One - The Great British Sewing Bee, Series 7, Episode 1". www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 30 March 2021.
  12. ^ https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001m7pk/ Retrieved 2023-05-24
  13. ^ Scarr, Amy (8 May 2024). "Great British Sewing Bee 2024 Series 10 Air Date". Sewdirect. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
  14. ^ Fletcher, Harry (13 October 2014). "Edith Bowman and Louie Spence for Children in Need Sewing Bee specials - TV News". Digital Spy. Retrieved 31 January 2015.
  15. ^ a b c "Weekly Top 30". Broadcasters Audience Research Board. Retrieved 24 November 2014.
  16. ^ "BBC Two - The BBC Children in Need Sewing Bee, Episode 1". BBC Online. Retrieved 24 December 2023.
  17. ^ "BBC Two - The BBC Children in Need Sewing Bee, Episode 2". BBC Online. Retrieved 24 December 2023.
  18. ^ "BBC Two - The BBC Children in Need Sewing Bee, Episode 3". BBC Online. Retrieved 24 December 2023.
  19. ^ a b c d e f "Most viewed programmes Barb". Retrieved 1 May 2024.
  20. ^ "BBC One - The Great British Sewing Bee, 2020 Specials, Celebrity Christmas Special". BBC Online. Retrieved 24 December 2023.
  21. ^ "BBC One - The Great British Sewing Bee, 2020 Specials, Celebrity New Year Special". BBC Online. Retrieved 24 December 2023.
  22. ^ "BBC One - The Great British Sewing Bee, 2021 Specials, Celebrity Christmas Special". BBC Online. Retrieved 24 December 2023.
  23. ^ "BBC One - The Great British Sewing Bee, 2021 Specials, Celebrity New Year Special". BBC Online. Retrieved 24 December 2023.
  24. ^ "BBC One - The Great British Sewing Bee, Celebrity Christmas Special 2022". BBC Online. Retrieved 24 December 2023.
  25. ^ "BBC One - The Great British Sewing Bee, Celebrity Christmas Special 2023". BBC Online. Retrieved 24 December 2023.
  26. ^ Higgins, D. (15 December 2014). "NEW THIS WEEK: The Newsroom finale, The Killing S3, Cordon, Test match cricket and Christmas programs". The Green Room. Foxtel. Archived from the original on 22 December 2014. Retrieved 22 December 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  27. ^ "ソーイング・ビー". NHK.
  28. ^ "ソーイング・ビー2". NHK.
  29. ^ "The Great British Sewing Bee". TVNZ. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
  30. ^ "Cómo fue el debut de "Corte y confección"". TN. 14 January 2019. Retrieved 30 March 2021.
  31. ^ Polinelli, Fabiana (15 January 2021). "Corte y Confección Famosos: la lista con los 12 confirmados, el jurado y cuándo empieza". Parati. Retrieved 30 March 2021.
  32. ^ White, Peter (18 July 2014). "Sewing Bee heads to Denmark's TV2". Broadcast. Retrieved 9 May 2015.
  33. ^ Sørensen, Sola Kruchov (21 August 2014). "Topdesigner i nyt program på TV 2 FRI". Retrieved 9 May 2015.
  34. ^ "Sewing Bee". Retrieved 9 May 2015.
  35. ^ "Ups... Vi kan ikke finde siden! - TV 2 PLAY".
  36. ^ "Cousu main en replay sur 6play : Rediffusion gratuite en streaming". 6play.
  37. ^ a b c Krewen, Nick (18 July 2014). "BBCWW sends "Sewing Bee" to Denmark". realscreen. Retrieved 9 May 2015.
  38. ^ Ramachandran, Naman. "BBC Studios Pacts With Discovery for 'This is MY House,' 'The Great Sewing Bee' Italian Versions". Variety.
  39. ^ "The Norwegian Sewing Bee - Willy Sews!". willy.foreviget.no.
  40. ^ "NRK TV - Se Det store symesterskapet". 19 November 2014.
  41. ^ "Cosido à Mão".
  42. ^ "Lorenzo Caprile, María Escoté y Palomo Spain serán el jurado de 'Maestros de la Costura', que presentará Raquel Sánchez Silva". rtve.es. 26 October 2017.
  43. ^ "Hela Sverige syr".
  44. ^ "De kämpar med nål och tråd i Hela Sverige syr (They compete with needle and thread in Whole Sweden Sews)". 11 September 2014. Retrieved 9 May 2014.
  45. ^ "noun] Merriam-Webster: bee [3".
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