Great British Sewing Bee Series 4

Great British Sewing Bee Series 4 - 'The Final' Evening Wear

Claudia Winkleman hosts the grand final of the Great British Sewing Bee. Having made it through seven weeks of tough sewing challenges, the three finalists fight it out for the title of Britain's best amateur sewer. But first, they must create three pieces of evening wear to impress judges Patrick Grant and Esme Young.

Across the three challenges, the judges will choose one sewer who has shown themselves to have all-round ability, attention to detail and vision for beautiful clothes. For the announcement, the other sewers return to the sewing room, joined by the finalists' friends and family to see who will be crowned the winner.


Great British Sewing Bee Series 4 - Episode 4


Challenge 1 - Pin-tucked dress shirt
First up is the pattern challenge, in which the sewers demonstrate their precision by creating an immaculate man's pin-tucked dress shirt.

Shopping List

NEW Class! Essential Techniques for Shirts and Blouses - View
Class! Essential Techniques for Buttonholes & Fastenings - View
100% Plain Cotton Fabric - View
Poly Cotton Fabric - View
Linen Fabric - View

Challenge 2 - Little black dress
Next is the alteration challenge. They must use all their sewing ingenuity and imagination by taking a classic tuxedo and transform it into a little black dress.



Shopping List

Class! Take You Anywhere Dress 2 Day - View
Class! Vintage Dressmaking - View
Black Polyester Fabrics - View
Black Chiffon, Organdy & Organza Fabrics - View
Black Taffeta Fabric - View
Black Satin Fabric - View

Challenge 3 - Evening gowns
For the final made-to-measure challenge, the sewers make floor-length evening gowns for a model of their choice. Who has the ability to handle the most delicate, luxurious of fabrics and show off their advanced technical skills under intense pressure?

Spandex & Lycra

Shopping List

Sequin & Sparkle Fabrics - View
Velvet & Velour Fabrics (Joyce) - View
Plain Satin Backed Crepe (Charlotte) - View
Satin Fabrics - View


The Great British Sewing Bee Essentials

Here at Abakhan, we've also put together our essential collection of Sewing Bee inspired goodies, so make sure you check them out here.


Great British Sewing Bee Series 4 - Episode 7 Puzzling Patterns and Pattern Cutting

Claudia Winkleman hosts the semi-final of the Great British Sewing Bee, where just four sewers are left to battle it out to for a place in the final.


Great British Sewing Bee Series 4 - Episode 4


Challenge 1 - Asymmetric yoked skirt
All that stands in the way are three challenges designed by judges Patrick Grant and Esme Young. This week, they want to test the sewers' knowledge of complex patterns and pattern cutting. For the pattern challenge, the sewers are tasked with making an asymmetric yoked skirt inspired by modern Japanese pattern cutting. This brain-teasing pattern requires the sewers to stitch one of the most technically difficult and curved seams ever seen in the sewing room.



Shopping List

Scuba Bodycon Fabric - View
Melton Polyester Viscose Fabric - View
Skirt & Trouser Sewing Patterns - View
Janome Sewing Machines & Accessories - View
Interfacing - View
Concealed Zipz - View
Rotary Cutters, Mats & Rulers - View
Sewing Thread - View
Rotary Cutters, Mats & Rulers - View
Sewing Essentials - View

Challenge 2 - Transform a duvet cover
Next, it is the alteration challenge and the sewers are asked to transform a duvet cover into a female garment. To add to the difficulty level, the judges declare it is a no-waste challenge so every scrap of fabric needs to be used by draping and sculpting it around the mannequin. How will the sewers cope with this radical approach to creating clothes?

Spandex & Lycra



Shopping List

Poly Cotton & Cotton Mix Fabric - View
Cotton Lawn Fabric - View
Hemline Sewing Accessories - View
Ribbon - View
Dress Trimmings - View
Scissors - View
Bindings, Cords & Tapes - View
Boning - View
Poppas- View

Challenge 3 - Draft and create Patterns
For their made-to-measure challenge, their ability to draft and create patterns is put to the test as the judges seek to draw out the sewers' inner designer. Creating their own patterns in the sewing room, as well as constructing and fitting their dresses is the sternest test yet of their all-round sewing skill and their ability to imagine clothes, but who will flourish and who will fail to make the grade so tantalisingly close to that place in the grand final?

Spandex & Lycra

Shopping List

Pattern Cutting Class - View
NEW! Introduction to the Lutterloh System Class - View
Calico for toiles - View
Linen Fabrics like Joyce used - View
Cotton Spandex fabrics like Tracy used - View
Ribbon - View

The Great British Sewing Bee Essentials

Here at Abakhan, we've also put together our essential collection of Sewing Bee inspired goodies, so make sure you check them out here.


Great British Sewing Bee Series 4 - Episode 6 Active Wear

Claudia Winkleman hosts the quarter-final of the Great British Sewing Bee, where the five remaining sewers sweat it out over activewear, creating complex, hard-wearing garments from the most technical of fabrics.


Great British Sewing Bee Series 4 - Episode 4

Challenge 1 - Lycra Cycling Top
For the pattern challenge, judges Patrick Grant and Esme Young ask the sewers to make a man's lycra cycling top, which requires expert handling of a fabric that stretches in all directions and a complex zip insertion that tests their patience. Stretch fabric is both practical and comfy to wear and can be sewn with an overlocker or sewing machine.

Spandex & Lycra

Shopping List

Bicycle Print Spandex -
View
Spandex & Lycra - View
Zips - View
Rotary Cutters - View
Gutermann Thread - View
Elastic - View
Motifs - View

Challenge 2 - Ski Suit to Children's Jacket
Next, for the alteration challenge, the sewers use all their ingenuity to transform garish 1980s ski suits into children's jackets.

Waterproof Fabrics

Shopping List

Waterproof Fabric -
View
Quilted Fabric - View
Wadding - View
Bias Binding - View
Children's Sewing Patterns - View

Challenge 3 - Yoga Outfits
Finally, the made-to-measure challenge sees the sewers create the most fitted garments ever attempted on the Sewing Bee - yoga outfits - to secure one of four places in the semi-final.

Shopping List

Class; Sewing with Stretch Fabrics - Leggings - View
Overlocking Classes - View
Dance & Activewear Sewing Patterns - View
Yoga Pants: a tutorial - View
Leggings Sewing Patterns - View


The Great British Sewing Bee Essentials

Here at Abakhan, we've also put together our essential collection of Sewing Bee inspired goodies, so make sure you check them out here.


Great British Sewing Bee Series 4 - Episode 5 1960s Week

This week, the sewing room is transported back to the 1960s as the six remaining sewers revive vintage garments, take on time-honoured techniques and wrestle with antique equipment in an attempt to show Patrick and Esme they deserve a place in the quarter-finals.


Great British Sewing Bee Series 4 - Episode 4

Challenge 1 - Iconic 1960s colour Block Dress
For their first challenge, the sewers are asked to follow a pattern for an iconic 1960s colour block dress. With multiple panels and clean, crisp lines required, precision is everything. Originally created by YSL, the Mondrian Dress is one of the most iconic dresses of the 20th century.

Iconic 1960s colour Block Dress

Inspired by the YSL design, this EXCLUSIVE Vogue Mondrian (V1557) Dress Semi-fitted, is lined dress with front yoke and inset bands and is available from Tuesday 14th June at all Abakhan stores, please check in advance to ensure availability. This pattern has been especially made and is a limited edition with limited stock.


Shopping List

1. Vintage Sewing Patterns - View
2. Zips - View
3. Buttons - View
4. Crepe Fabric - View
5. Plain 100% Cotton Fabric - View
6. Tracing Wheel - View
6. Thread - View

Challenge 2 - 1960's Rainmac
For their alteration challenge, the sewers take a classic 1960s rainmac, but trying to make a wearable garment from PVC is no mean feat.

Imitation Leather, Suede & PVC


Shopping List

1. PVC Fabric - View
2. Sewing Patterns - View
3. Invisible Concealed Zips - View
4. Sewing Bee Essentials - View
5. Buttons - View


Challenge 3 - 1960s-inspired jackets
For the made-to-measure challenge, the sewing room goes from squeak to chic as the sewers try to create impeccably fitted, flawlessly finished 1960s-inspired jackets. There are only five places in the quarter-final and with such a labour-intensive, tailored item as a jacket to perfect, the stakes have never been higher and achieving the perfect sew has never been harder.


Suitings, Tweeds & Tartans


Shopping List

1. Suitings, Tweeds & Tartan Fabric - View
2. Dress Lining Fabrics - View
3. Zips - View
4. Hook & Eyes - View
5. Sewing Patterns - View
6. Sewing Bee Essentials - View
7. Buttons - View

The Great British Sewing Bee Essentials

Here at Abakhan, we've also put together our essential collection of Sewing Bee inspired goodies, so make sure you check them out here.


Great British Sewing Bee Series 4 - Episode 3 International Week

It is 'international week' as Patrick and Esme set the seven remaining sewers the challenge of tackling techniques and garment styles from other cultures and continents.


Great British Sewing Bee Series 4 - Episode 4

Challenge 1 - Chinese Qipao-style top
First up, they face a fiendishly hard-to-follow pattern for a Chinese Qipao-style top. This complex garment has an asymmetrical neckline, fiddly zip insertion and is made in a fabric that frays - not a challenge for the faint-hearted.

Follow a pattern for a Bra


Shopping List

1. Jersey Fabrics - View
2. Interfacing - View
3. Gold Print Fabrics - View
4. Bias Binding - View
5. Lace - View
6. Invisible Concealed Zips - View
7. Frog Fasteners - View
8. Snap Fasteners - View
9. Hook & Eyes - View
10. Liberty Lifestyle Cotton Fabrics - View
11. Sewing Bee Essentials - View

Challenge 2 - Transforming Saris
After battling with brocade, things don't get any easier on the fabric front as, for their alteration challenge, they are tasked with transforming saris. By re-purposing yards and yards of beautifully draped, embroidered Georgette, the sewers have just 90 minutes to create totally new, wearable items of clothing with a distinctly eastern flavour.

Follow a pattern for a Bra


Shopping List

1. Liberty Mayfair Silk Fabrics - View
2. Dress Lining Fabrics - View
3. Zips - View
4. Hook & Eyes - View
5. Sewing Patterns - View
6. Sewing Bee Essentials - View

Challenge 3 - Peplum Dress
Finally, for the 'made to measure' challenge, the judges take the sewers to an entirely new continent - Africa. Using vividly patterned wax print fabric, they attempt to create West African inspired dresses. Figure hugging garments that demand impeccable fitting skills and an understanding of how this robust printed cotton can be used to create a dramatic, accentuated silhouette. Behind The Seams: Learn How to draft a peplum

Shopping List

1. Dressmaking Cottons - View
2. Interfacing - View
3. Invisible Concealed Zips - View
4. Sewing Bee Essentials - View

The Great British Sewing Bee Essentials

Here at Abakhan, we've also put together our essential collection of Sewing Bee inspired goodies, so make sure you check them out here.


Find out what is happening next week and meet the contestants here

Great British Sewing Bee Series 4 - Episode 3

Claudia Winkleman welcomes the eight remaining contestants back to the sewing room to take on three demanding challenges related to lingerie. First they follow a pattern for a bra, which proves testing for even the most dexterous of sewers, before transforming charity shop silk scarves into pieces of lingerie and finish off by making luxury robes for their male and female models. Judges Patrick Grant and Esme Young then decide who leaves the competition.


Top Tips - Five easy ways to Sew with Lace by Celia Banks

Great British Sewing Bee Series 4 - Episode 1

Challenge 1 - Follow a pattern for a Bra
Making your own bra can be the ideal way to get that perfect fit at the fraction of the cost you'd pay on the high street. We've got a great selection of materials and accessories to help you on your quest for the perfect bra.

Follow a pattern for a Bra


Shopping List

1. Lace - View
2. Bra Cups, Straps, Extenders, Elastic & more - View
3. Flat Lace - View
4. Hooks & Eyes - View
5. Lingerie Patterns - View
6. Make Your Own Knickers Class - View
7. Stretch Lace Fabric - View
8. Gutermann Sewing Thread - View

If you've ever wanted to make a 'Backless Bra' then take a look at the YouTube Video



Challenge 2 - Transform a Silk Scarf into Lingerie
Wearing lingerie-style garments, such as a Camisole Top, as fashion wear is all the rage now & it's easy to pull off with a little bit of creativity and inspiration. Whatever you decide on, choosing a fabric that is soft and luxurious is essential.

Transform a Silk Scarf into Lingerie


Shopping List

1. Silky & Liquid Satin Fabric - View
2. Cotton Lawn Fabric - View
3. Lace Trimming - View
4. Elastic - View
5. Motifs - View
6. Embellishments - View
6. LIBERTY Tana Lawns - View

Challenge 3 - Luxury Robes
For as long as we can remember, Kimono's have been used as lougewear. Both easy to make and fashionable, these robes are ideal if you're looking to make a gift for someone special.

Check out this YouTube Video - DIY: Easy Kimono


Shopping List

1. Kimono Sewing Patterns - View
2. Interfacing - View
3. Silky & Liquid Satin Fabric - View
4. Cotton Lawn Fabric - View
5. Ribbon - View
6. Pattern Weights - View
6. Piping Cord - View

The Great British Sewing Bee Essentials

Here at Abakhan, we've also put together our essential collection of Sewing Bee inspired goodies, so make sure you check them out here.


Find out what is happening next week and meet the contestants here

The new series of The Great British Sewing Bee is back!



Claudia Winkleman welcomes 10 more hopefuls as the amateur sewing competition returns, with Patrick Grant being joined on the judging team by Esme Young, co-founder of fashion label Swanky Modes and tutor in pattern-cutting at Central Saint Martins art school in London. Series 4 - starts on Monday 16th May 9pm - 10pm (BBC2)

RumanaJamieJoyceCharlotte
RumanaJamieJoyceCharlotte
AngelineGhislaineTraceyJosh
AngelineGhislaineTraceyJosh
JadeDuncan
JadeDuncan


Sewing Bee Essentials

The Great British Sewing Bee Essentials

Here at Abakhan, we've also put together our essential collection of Sewing Bee inspired goodies, so make sure you check them out here.

Episode 1 Summary

The first challenge sees the contestants follow a deceptively difficult pattern for a woman's top made up of four pieces, before they have to transform a maternity dress in just 90 mins and fit a skirt to a real model in the final task.

Episode 2 Summary

Claudia Winkleman sets the remaining contestants three challenges designed to test different fabric handling skills on children's clothing. Firstly, they must carefully follow a pattern to make baby grows from stretch cotton jersey and then show they can handle slippery satin and chiffon by transforming an adult bridesmaid's dress into a garment for a boy or a girl. Finally, they have to create perfectly fitted woollen capes, before judges Patrick Grant and Esme Young decide who leaves the competition.

Episode 3 Summary

Claudia Winkleman welcomes the eight remaining contestants back to the sewing room to take on three demanding challenges related to lingerie. First they follow a pattern for a bra, which proves testing for even the most dexterous of sewers, before transforming charity shop silk scarves into pieces of lingerie and finish off by making luxury robes for their male and female models. Judges Patrick Grant and Esme Young then decide who leaves the competition.

Episode 4 Summary

Patrick Grant and Esme Young set the seven remaining contestants the challenge of tackling techniques and garment styles from other cultures and continents. They begin with a hard-to-follow pattern for a Chinese qipao-style top that has an asymmetrical neckline, fiddly zip insertion and is made with a fabric that frays, then they are given the task of transforming saris into items of clothing with a distinctly Eastern flavour and by creating West Africa-inspired dresses. Claudia Winkleman presents.

Rewind to Series 3

Here's our guide to the last series of The Great British Sewing Bee - take a look.



Great British Sewing Bee 2016

Great British Sewing Bee Series 4 - Episode 2

Claudia Winkleman sets the remaining contestants three challenges designed to test different fabric handling skills on children's clothing. Firstly, they must carefully follow a pattern to make baby grows from stretch cotton jersey and then show they can handle slippery satin and chiffon by transforming an adult bridesmaid's dress into a garment for a boy or a girl. Finally, they have to create perfectly fitted woollen capes, before judges Patrick Grant and Esme Young decide who leaves the competition.


Great British Sewing Bee Series 4 - Episode 1

Challenge 1 - Follow a pattern to make a Baby Grow with Stretch Cotton Jersey

The Great British Sewing Bee Essentials


Shopping List

1. Check out our range of Jersey Fabrics (15% OFF with coupon code GBSB2 until midnight on Tuesday 24th May) - View
2. Matching Sewing Thread - View
3. Pliers (optional) - View
4. Sewing Machine Needles - View
5. Snap Fasteners - View
6. Sewing Patterns - View
7. Sewing Bee Essentials - View
8. Seam & Bias Binding - View
9. Janome Sewing Machines & Accessories - View
10. Snap & Eyelet Pliers - View

Look no further than this YouTube Video on How To Make A Baby-Gro.



Challenge 2 - Transform an adult bridesmaid's dress into a garment for a boy or a girl

Have you seen our lovely range of Chiffon, Organdy & Organza Fabrics

The Great British Sewing Bee Essentials

We've also got a huge range of stunning Satin Fabrics

The Great British Sewing Bee Essentials

Take a look at the Taffeta Fabric that Josh used - along with our Tulle, Net & Veiling Fabrics.

Make sure you check out our best selling Dressmaking Class - Hobby to Professional.

Learn how to use Eyelet Pliers



Challenge 3 - Create a perfectly fitted Woollen Cape

The Great British Sewing Bee Essentials

Shopping List

1. Check out our range of Woollen Fabrics (15% OFF with coupon code GBSB2 until midnight on Tuesday 24th May) - View
2. Matching Sewing Thread - View
3. Dress Linings - View
4. Frog Fasteners - View
5. Sewing Patterns - View
6. Sewing Bee Essentials - View
7. Fun with Free Motion Embroidery Class - View
Pom Pom Trimmings - View

Check out this great YouTube tutorial on how to transform a garment into a Cape



The Great British Sewing Bee Essentials

Here at Abakhan, we've also put together our essential collection of Sewing Bee inspired goodies, so make sure you check them out here.


Find out what is happening next week and meet the contestants here

Great British Sewing Bee Series 4 - Episode 1

Claudia Winkleman is back and hosting Series 4 of The Great British Sewing Bee. We have 8 fantastic weeks ahead!! Savile Row's Patrick Grant and new judge Central St Martin's Esme Young will be joining and judging ten fresh-faced home sewers who will be facing three challenges each week designed to test their skill and understanding of basic garment construction.

Great British Sewing Bee Series 4 - Episode 1


Episode one - The sewers follow a pattern for a woman's top made up of four pieces. However, it is deceptively difficult, demanding accurate pattern matching skills, a steady hand for cutting and precision sewing.

Next, the judges want their personal style and imagination to come to the fore by transforming a maternity dress in just 90 minutes. Finally, they take on the Made to Measure challenge, fitting a skirt to a real model.

Challenge 1 - Make a Top with Four Pieces

Great British Sewing Bee Series 4 - Episode 1

Sewing tips for selvedge, bias and grain.

How to make a chevron bias top.

How to sew with sheer fabrics like Jamie.

How to sew bias binding.

Tips for matching prints along seams.

A great guide to cutting and sewing with stripes

Take a look at our pattern cutting classes

Challenge 2 - Alteration Challenge

Great British Sewing Bee Series 4 - Episode 1

Fabric Focus on viscose.



How to sew darts.

How to sew invisible zips.

Challenge 3 - Made to Measure Challenge

Great British Sewing Bee Series 4 - Episode 1



Dressmaking and how to ensure the perfect fit

Your guide to sewing sewing perfect hems perfect hems

Learn how to sew the perfect waistline and achieve perfect waistline alignment

How to insert the perfect zipper



Sewing Bee Essentials

The Great British Sewing Bee Essentials

Here at Abakhan, we've also put together our essential collection of Sewing Bee inspired goodies, so make sure you check them out here.


Find out what is happening next week and meet the contestants here