The Great British Sewing Bee will be on BBC 1 at 9pm starting on the 24th May 2023. There will be ten episodes in total, airing weekly. In previous seasons, they have been joined by a non-sewing host - first Claudia Winkleman, and then Joe Lycett. The new host is Sara Pascoe - and we're excited to see her on this season because we know she can sew! She was one of the celebrity contestants on the 2020 Christmas Sewing Bee and she showed some great skills. Get to know the judges in this must-read interview! Gill started sewing when her husband bought her a machine three years ago. She makes clothes for herself, family and greyhound Maureen. She works as an analyst and feels that her love for numbers helps her with sewing.

In this species series of The Great British Christmas Sewing Bee, the celebrity sewers will be revealed in the next couple of weeks along with the challenges they will face. Fauve is also a top golfer, who has represented Wales in the Home Nationals. She only started sewing five years ago when she joined a sewing class and made a peg bag. At the home she shares with her mum, dad, brother and nan, she has a small ‘sewing cupboard’ where she makes puff sleeved feminine dresses.The Great British Sewing Bee first hit our screens in 2013 on BBC Two, following the same format as the popular Great British Bake Off. Each episode features three sewing challenges with an overall theme for every episode. In the pattern challenge, every contestant using the same sewing pattern and they must follow the instructions exactly. The second challenge is a Transformation challenge, where the contestants are given second hand garments and must up-cycle them into a brand new outfit. In the final sewing challenge, it tests the contestants ability to create a made-to-measure outfit for a real life model, where the fit must be perfect. The series is filmed in a historic woollen mill on the outskirts of Leeds. Where can I watch the trailer for series 8 2022 of the Sewing Bee? Episode 10 – In the seventh episode of The Great British Sewing Bee series 10 the contestants are challenged with Party Week. Find the sewing patterns used by the contestants here. The new contestants of The Great British Sewing Bee are Adam, Lawratu, Julie, Cathryn, Damien, Farie, Andrew, Rebecca, Jean, Adeena, Raph and Serena. Esme Young joined The Great British Sewing Bee as a judge in 2016. She studied at Central Saint Martins and also teaches pattern cutting there. She is co-founder of fashion label Swanky Modes and a costume designer, working on films such as Bridge Jones (the bunny outfit!) and Trainspotting. Swanky Modes gained iconic status in the 1970s and celebrities including Cher, Julie Christie, Grace Jones and Toyah Wilcox wore their designs. The designs were featured in magazines such as Vogue, The Face and Honey along with newspapers like The Sunday Times. Esme looks for good sewing skills with careful attention to detail. She also likes interesting design details and contestants expressing their personalities in their makes. She is a keen seamstress herself, making many of her own clothes. Esme wants to encourage more people to take up sewing as a skill and hopes that the sewing bee will let people see it is achievable. The new contestants of The Great British Sewing Bee are Man Yee, Annie, Cristian, Brogan, Mitch, Marni, Steve, Debra, Richy, Gill, Chichi and Angela.

Episode 4 –In the fourth episode of The Great British Sewing Bee series 8 the contestants are challenged with Reduce, Reuse, Recycle week. Find the sewing patterns used by the contestants here.Rebecca 23, Customer Assistant. She studied textiles at A-Level and now makes clothes to help her relax. Esme: "If anything it’s more emotional this year. It’s been really, really difficult to send people home, and I always think it’s particularly tough for the first person to leave. They’ve all invested so much in taking part in the show."

Sewing Bee Episode 3 Guide– Contestants will be sewing lingerie and nightwear patterns. In the first task they will make a soft cup bra, then refashion a silk scarf before fitting a luxury robe to a model. Have a read for some pattern inspiration (plus patterns used in the episode) and tutorials for how to make them.After changing career three years ago, long-time knitter Tony pulled out his wife’s old sewing machine to create a bag for all his needles and wool. He has since made himself cycling gear and has developed his own wardrobe influenced by 90’s skater fashion. Adeena 40, Student Engagement Officer. From Birmingham, she is inspired by British style and her Pakistani heritage. She has bee sewing for several years and tries out her makes on her sisters. Series 8 of the Great British Sewing Bee will start on 27th April 2022 at 8pm on BBC One. This will be the eighth series of the sewing BBC TV show and we are so excited to see what contestants and sewing challenges will be. Watch this space as we share special vlogs each week after the TV programme as sewers take on garment challenges to crowned the best home sewer in Britain. We have been eagerly awaiting series 8 since the sewing bee was last broadcast over Christmas and New Year. We will be sharing all the news about the new contestants of The Great British Sewing Bee and each week a run down of the episodes with sewing patterns featured. What can we expect from the The Great British Sewing Bee in series 8? Episode 4– In the fourth episode there are nine contestants remaining, after we sadly said goodbye to Fiona in week three. The sewing bee theme for week four is sportswear. The challenges included making a rugby shirt, transforming cagoules into miniature waterproof onesies for toddlers and making a made-to-measure tennis outfit. Take a look at our sewing pattern suggestions so you can make your own at home. Episode 1– In episode one of the Great British Sewing Bee, twelve fresh faced contestants took part in three challenges. This first week eased the contestants in with the wardrobe staples theme. The challenges included making a wrap skirt, refashioning two men’s work shirts and making a made-to-measure tea dress for a model. Take a look at our sewing pattern suggestions to recreate these looks for your handmade wardrobe.