The Great British Sewing Bee

Last updated

The Great British Sewing Bee
Genre Reality
Game show
Presented by
Judges
Theme music composer Ian Livingstone
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of series9
No. of episodes54 (plus 6 specials)
Production
Executive producerAnna Beattie
Producers
  • Susanne Rock
  • Suzanne McGairl
Production locations
EditorSusanne Rock
Running time60 minutes
Production company Love Productions
Original release
Network BBC 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.

Contents

Series format

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, each sewer is given an identical existing garment to reinvent 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. [2]

Series overview

SeriesEpisodesPremiereFinaleWinner
1 52 April 201323 April 2013Ann Rowley
2 818 February 20148 April 2014Heather Jacks
3 65 February 201512 March 2015Matt Chapple
4 816 May 20164 July 2016Charlotte Newland
5 812 February 20192 April 2019Juliet Uzor
6 1022 April 202024 June 2020Clare Bradley
7 1014 April 202116 June 2021Serena Baker
8 1027 April 202229 June 2022Annie Phillips
9 1024 May 202326 July 2023Asmaa Al-Allak
10 1021 May 20242024TBA

Series 1 (2013)

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)

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)

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)

The fourth series of The Great British Sewing Bee began airing on 16 May 2016. [3] [4] May Martin was replaced by new judge Esme Young. [5] The finalists were Jade, Charlotte, and Joyce, with Charlotte the winner.

Series 5 (2019)

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. [6] Exterior shots are of 1 Tanner Street, Bermondsey. [7] [8] The finalists were Juliet, Leah and Riccardo, with Juliet winning.

Series 6 (2020)

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)

The seventh series began on 14 April 2021 on BBC One. [9] As with the previous season, 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)

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)

The ninth series began on 24 May 2023 on BBC One. [10] 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)

The tenth series will begin on 21 May 2024 on BBC One.

Specials

  Winner

Christmas Special (2013)

SewerPattern ChallengeAlteration ChallengeMade-to-measureOriginally AiredViewers
(millions) [11]
15 December 2013 [12] 1.14

The BBC Children in Need Sewing Bee (2014)

Three special episodes were commissioned as 12 celebrities took to the sewing machines in a bid to raise money for Children in Need. [13]

EpisodeSewerPattern Challenge
(A Line Skirt)		Alteration Challenge
(Hawaiian Shirt)		Made-to-measure
(A Dress from their favourite era)		PresenterOriginally AiredViewers
(millions) [11]
1 Edith Bowman 2Cape21950s Flared Dress Jenny Eclair 21 October 2014 [14] 2.25
Dave Myers 4Child's Dress31960s A Line dress
Dawn Harper 1Tunic Dress41920s Flapper Dress
Wendi Peters 3Sundress11950s V-Neck Dress
EpisodeSewerPattern Challenge
(Pyjama Bottoms)		Alteration Challenge
(Onesie-Animal Costume)		Made-to-measure
(Childhood Story Skirt)		PresenterOriginally AiredViewers
(millions) [11]
2 Gaby Roslin 3Dinosaur2Alice in Wonderland Tea Party Sara Cox 23 October 2014 [15] 1.87
Louie Spence 2Ladybird3Ra-ra Skirt
Mark Watson 4ZebrafishThe Emperor's New Clothes
Pam Ferris 1Cockerel1London Skyline at Night
EpisodeSewerPattern Challenge
(Jersey T-shirt)		Alteration Challenge
(Old Prom Dress)		Made-to-measure
(Child's Garment)		PresenterOriginally AiredViewers
(millions) [11]
3 Gemma Cairney 4Covered Prom Dress4Silk Brocade Cape Anita Rani 24 October 2014 [16] 1.86
Helen Lederer 3Camden Lock '843Silk Party Dress
Kathryn Flett 2Playsuit2Little Red Riding Hood Cloak
Timmy Matley 1Gathered Skirt1Michael Jackson Pleather Jacket

Celebrity Christmas Special (2020)

SewerPattern ChallengeAlteration ChallengeMade-to-measureOriginally AiredViewers
(millions) [11]
26 December 2020 [17] 5.93

Celebrity New Year Special (2020)

SewerPattern ChallengeAlteration ChallengeMade-to-measureOriginally AiredViewers
(millions) [11]
31 December 2020 [18]

Celebrity Christmas Special (2021)

SewerPattern ChallengeAlteration ChallengeMade-to-measureOriginally AiredViewers
(millions) [11]
22 December 2021 [19] 4.28

Celebrity New Year Special (2021)

SewerPattern ChallengeAlteration ChallengeMade-to-measureOriginally AiredViewers
(millions) [11]
30 December 2021 [20]

Celebrity Christmas Special (2022)

SewerPattern ChallengeAlteration ChallengeMade-to-measureOriginally AiredViewers
(millions) [11]
22 December 2022 [21] 3.73

Celebrity Christmas Special (2023)

SewerPattern ChallengeAlteration ChallengeMade-to-measureOriginally AiredViewers
(millions) [11]
21 December 2023 [22]

International versions

Broadcast

CountryLocal titleHost(s)JudgesChannelPremiere
ArgentinaCorte y confección [27]
(Cut and confection)		 Andrea Politti Verónica de la Canal
Benito Fernández
Fabián Zitta [28] 		Canal 13 14 January 2019
DenmarkKlar, parat, sy [29] [30]
(Ready, Set, Sew)		Lene BeierJesper Høvring
Jette With [31] 		TV 2 14 March 2015 [32]
FranceCousu Main [33]
(Hand Sewn)		Cristina CórdulaAmparo Lellouche
Julien Scavini		 M6 [34] 30 August 2014
GermanyGeschickt eingefädelt
(Skillfully Threaded)		 Guido Maria Kretschmer Inge Szoltysik-Sparrer
Anke Müller		 VOX 3 November 2015
ItalyTailor Made – Chi ha la stoffa? [35]
(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)
NetherlandsDoor Het Oog Van De Naald
(Through the Eye of the Needle)		Nicolette van DamNelleke Rimmelzwaan
Maik de Boer		 RTL 4 28 January 2015
NorwaySymesterskapet [36]
(Sewing Championship)		Christina HopeTine Solheim (2014-2017)
Andreas Feet (2014-) [37]
Jenny Skavlan (2019-)		 NRK [34] 19 November 2014
PortugalCosido à mão [38]
(Hand Sewn)		 Sónia Araújo Susana Agostinho
Paulo Battista
Mariama Barbosa		 RTP1 4 November 2017
SpainMaestros de la Costura [39]
(Masters of Sewing)		 Raquel Sánchez Silva Lorenzo Caprile
María Escoté
Palomo Spain		 La 1 12 February 2018
SwedenHela Sverige Syr [40]
(The Whole of Sweden Is Sewing)		Linda LindorffLisbeth Stålborg
Frederik Andersen		 Sjuan [34] 14 October 2014 [41]

Etymology

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. [42]

See also

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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 May Martin and Patrick Grant of Savile Row.

The second series of The Great British Sewing Bee started on 18 February and ended after eight episodes on 8 April 2014. Claudia Winkleman returned to present as well as resident judges May Martin and Patrick Grant. The series was filmed at Metropolitan Wharf in London.

The third series of The Great British Sewing Bee began on 5 February 2015 and aired for 6 episodes. Claudia Winkleman returned to present alongside resident judges May Martin and Patrick Grant. The series was filmed at Metropolitan Wharf in London.

The fourth series of The Great British Sewing Bee began on 16 May 2016. Claudia Winkleman returned to present alongside resident judge Patrick Grant, with May Martin being replaced by new judge Esme Young.

The fifth series of The Great British Sewing Bee began on 12 February 2019 following a three-year hiatus. Joe Lycett replaced Claudia Winkleman as the presenter of the show, with both Esme Young and Patrick Grant returning as judges. The series was shot at 47-49 Tanner Street, Bermondsey, though the exterior shots are of 1 Tanner Street.

The sixth series of The Great British Sewing Bee began on 22 April 2020. Joe Lycett returned as the presenter of the show with both Esme Young and Patrick Grant returning as the judges. The series consisted of 12 contestants competing to be named the best sewer. For series six, the show moved from BBC Two to BBC One and increased from eight episodes to 10, becoming the channel's top rated show during its run.

Esme Young is an English fashion designer and television presenter. Since 2016, she has been a judge on the BBC reality series The Great British Sewing Bee.

The seventh series of The Great British Sewing Bee began on 14 April 2021. Joe Lycett returned as the presenter of the show, with both Esme Young and Patrick Grant returning as the judges. The series consisted of 12 contestants competing to be named the best sewer. The show aired on BBC One and was filmed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The series was filmed at The Chainstore on Trinity Buoy Wharf in London's Docklands, a grade II listed building, built in 1854, and connected to London's only lighthouse.

The eighth series of The Great British Sewing Bee began on 27 April 2022. Sara Pascoe replaced Joe Lycett as the presenter of the show, with both Esme Young and Patrick Grant returning as judges. This series saw the programme moving out of London, it being filmed in a former textile mill called the Sunny Bank Mills, located in Farsley, Leeds. For the first time ever, there were 4 finalists in the final.

The ninth series of The Great British Sewing Bee began on 24 May 2023 on BBC One. As with series 8, Sara Pascoe hosts, with Esme Young and Patrick Grant returning as judges. There were 12 contestants in season 9.

References

  1. ↑ Meltzer, Tom (10 April 2013). "Review: The Great British Sewing Bee". The Guardian.
  2. ↑ Bussmann, Kate (18 February 2014). "Behind the scenes of Great British Sewing Bee". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 27 November 2019.
  3. ↑ "The Great British Sewing Bee 2016: Everything You Need to Know - Sewing Blog".
  4. ↑ "Basic Construction, Series 4, The Great British Sewing Bee - BBC Two". BBC.
  5. ↑ "New Judge for The Great British Sewing Bee". The Sewing Directory. Retrieved 28 April 2016.
  6. ↑ "Ugly Duck - The Loft".
  7. ↑ "BBC Two - The Great British Sewing Bee, Series 5, Episode 1". BBC.
  8. ↑ "BBC Two - The Great British Sewing Bee, Series 5 Trailer: The Great British Sewing Bee". BBC. 17 January 2019. Retrieved 26 January 2019.
  9. ↑ "BBC One - The Great British Sewing Bee, Series 7, Episode 1". www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 30 March 2021.
  10. ↑ https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001m7pk/ Retrieved 2023-05-24
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "Weekly Top 30". Broadcasters Audience Research Board. Retrieved 24 November 2014.
  12. ↑ "BBC One - The Great British Sewing Bee, Christmas Special". BBC Online . Retrieved 24 December 2023.
  13. ↑ 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.
  14. ↑ "BBC Two - The BBC Children in Need Sewing Bee, Episode 1". BBC Online . Retrieved 24 December 2023.
  15. ↑ "BBC Two - The BBC Children in Need Sewing Bee, Episode 2". BBC Online . Retrieved 24 December 2023.
  16. ↑ "BBC Two - The BBC Children in Need Sewing Bee, Episode 3". BBC Online . Retrieved 24 December 2023.
  17. ↑ "BBC One - The Great British Sewing Bee, 2020 Specials, Celebrity Christmas Special". BBC Online . Retrieved 24 December 2023.
  18. ↑ "BBC One - The Great British Sewing Bee, 2020 Specials, Celebrity New Year Special". BBC Online . Retrieved 24 December 2023.
  19. ↑ "BBC One - The Great British Sewing Bee, 2021 Specials, Celebrity Christmas Special". BBC Online . Retrieved 24 December 2023.
  20. ↑ "BBC One - The Great British Sewing Bee, 2021 Specials, Celebrity New Year Special". BBC Online . Retrieved 24 December 2023.
  21. ↑ "BBC One - The Great British Sewing Bee, Celebrity Christmas Special 2022". BBC Online . Retrieved 24 December 2023.
  22. ↑ "BBC One - The Great British Sewing Bee, Celebrity Christmas Special 2023". BBC Online . Retrieved 24 December 2023.
  23. ↑ 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)
  24. ↑ "ソーイング・ビー". NHK.
  25. ↑ "ソーイング・ビー2". NHK.
  26. ↑ "The Great British Sewing Bee". TVNZ. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
  27. ↑ "Cómo fue el debut de "Corte y confección"". TN. 14 January 2019. Retrieved 30 March 2021.
  28. ↑ 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.
  29. ↑ White, Peter (18 July 2014). "Sewing Bee heads to Denmark's TV2". Broadcast. Retrieved 9 May 2015.
  30. ↑ Sørensen, Sola Kruchov (21 August 2014). "Topdesigner i nyt program på TV 2 FRI" . Retrieved 9 May 2015.
  31. ↑ "Sewing Bee" . Retrieved 9 May 2015.
  32. ↑ "Ups... Vi kan ikke finde siden! - TV 2 PLAY".
  33. ↑ "Cousu main en replay sur 6play : Rediffusion gratuite en streaming". 6play.
  34. 1 2 3 Krewen, Nick (18 July 2014). "BBCWW sends "Sewing Bee" to Denmark". realscreen. Retrieved 9 May 2015.
  35. ↑ Ramachandran, Naman. "BBC Studios Pacts With Discovery for 'This is MY House,' 'The Great Sewing Bee' Italian Versions". Variety.
  36. ↑ "The Norwegian Sewing Bee - Willy Sews!". willy.foreviget.no.
  37. ↑ "NRK TV - Se Det store symesterskapet". 19 November 2014.
  38. ↑ "Cosido à Mão".
  39. ↑ "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.
  40. ↑ "Hela Sverige syr".
  41. ↑ "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.
  42. ↑ "noun] Merriam-Webster: bee [3".
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