Great British Sewing Bee

The Great British Sewing Bee

Original version

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Amateur sewers compete to be crowned Britain’s most sensational seamster.

Amateur sewers compete to impress judges Patrick Grant and Esme Young, hoping to be crowned Britain’s most sensational seamster.

Series 6

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Joe Lycett

Justin Lennox-Bradley

James Hedge

Catherine Lewendon

Sara Ramsden

Euan McRae

The Great British Sewing Bee: Series 6: Episode 1

Episode 1

BBC One - The Great British Sewing Bee, Series 6, Episode 1

Twelve amateur sewers compete over ten weeks.

Joe Lycett kicks off ten weeks of the most perplexing patterns, eye-popping transformations and stunning made-to-measure garments yet. 

The Great British Sewing Bee is back, with 12 sewers competing this time. Joe Lycett kicks off ten weeks of the most perplexing patterns, eye-popping transformations and stunning made-to-measure garments yet. Scrutinising every stitch are Saville Row’s Patrick Grant and Central Saint Martins’s Esme Young, testing the sewers across a huge range of garments from rugby shirts to children’s dungarees, flamenco skirts to a boned basque, via food fancy dress.

In their first week, the sewers are eased in gently with wardrobe staples that might look familiar but aren’t necessarily straightforward to make. For their pattern challenge, the judges ask for a wrap skirt, a garment whose clean crisp lines can only be achieved through precise cutting, accurate stitching and a judicious choice of fabric. 

Next, the contestants' ability to make the ordinary extraordinary is put to the test in the transformation challenge, as they transform two plain men’s office shirts into a stylish new garment to fit a female mannequin. 

For the week's final challenge, the mannequins are replaced with human models as the sewers attempt to make their first made-to-measure garment - a tea dress. This classic below-the-knee and above-the-ankle dress allows for interpretation, letting the contestants' personalities shine through whether they opt for a vintage or contemporary style. It also proves to be a benchmark test of their ability to achieve a flawless fit and to impress the judges with the finer details.

Battling against the clock to showcase their skill and creativity, who will stitch their way to Garment of the Week, and who will unravel at this early stage, becoming the first to leave the Great British Sewing Bee?

The Great British Sewing Bee: Series 6

BBC One

Joe Lycett hosts as 12 talented home sewers create beautiful garments.

Joe Lycett hosts as 12 talented home sewers create beautiful garments under the scrutiny of judges Esme Young and Patrick Grant.

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