It’s the first episode of series 10!
In the first episode of The Great British Sewing Bee series 10, twelve brand new contestants are challenged with making a denim A-line midiskirt, upcycling a t-shirt and a made-to-measure day dress to fit a model. For episode one we have put our detective hats on to discover the sewing patterns from independent designers and commercial pattern houses used in Sewing Bee TV show. The patterns below are all matches or inspired by the designs used in the first episode of the Great British Sewing bee series 10. If you haven’t already seen our ultimate guide to the Sewing Bee do take a look.
The sewing bee is turning 10 years old and therefore the theme was inspired by the very first set of pattern challenges from series one, episode one! All twelve contestants had to make three garments. The challenges included making a denim A-line midiskirt, upcycling a t-shirt and a made-to-measure day dress to fit a model. Take a look at our sewing pattern suggestions below, we’ve tried to find the exact patterns used but where we haven’t been able to we have plenty of suggestions so that you can recreate these looks at home for your handmade wardrobe. Kate also talks through her favourite pattern options from the episode on YouTube in our special mid-week sewing bee vlog.
If you want to chat about the episode and the challenges then do join us each week in our Facebook group event.
Sewing Bee: Pattern Picks
Pattern Challenge 1: Denim A-line midiskirt
The first challenge of the first episode was to make a stylish on trend denim A-line midiskirt. The skirt pattern was made from several panels with eight buttons down the front. A contrasting topstitch was also required. Here is a similar pattern you could try at home.
Grainline Studio Reed Skirt
Reed is an A-line skirt with multiple pocket and closure options. Views A and B feature an inset pocket and a button front closure. Views C and D have patch pockets and a centre back invisible zipper. The Reed also has two length options: A and C hit just above the knee, while B and D fall mid-calf. Make with medium-weight woven fabrics such as twill, denim, corduroy, and linen.
Sizing: US 0 – 18 (approx. UK 8 – 18) or US 14 – 30 (approx. UK 16 – 30). Please check the size chart and finished garment measurements. Available in the shop: Yes, paper pattern.
Transformation Challenge 2: t-shirt
In the upcycling challenge contestants had to upcycle a t-shirt into a completely new garment. Specific patterns weren’t used for these tasks as contestants had to create a garment from existing materials in a fixed time so it’s a bit tricky for us to make sewing pattern suggestions based on these design ideas.
Made-To-Measure Challenge 3: casual day dress
In the last challenge of the first episode, all the contestants had to sew a made-to-measure casual day dress. Here are our pattern picks for the contestants and where sewing patterns have been self drafted or hacked we have suggested an alternative.
Georgie’s casual day dress
Features: scalloped crochet detail, embroidery, crochet button placket (made from a table cloth).
Pattern: ZW Birgitta Helmersson – Gather Dress. This is an oversized dress with a dropped shoulder, gathered skirt, side pockets and full length button placket with buttons and buttonholes. It can be worn as a dress or an open jacket. The skirt seam is designed to sit over the bust. The lengths of the bodice and skirt are easily adjustable to your preference. The width of the garment is variable depending on the fabric width you use. It comes with two simple hack options, one of which does not require buttons or buttonholes.
Sizing: Suitable for a bust measurement of up to 156 cm (61″). Available in the shop: Yes, PDF pattern.
Ailsa’s casual day dress
Features: gathered skirt, tactical clip and denim fabric.
Pattern: Merchant & Mills – Etta Dress. Etta is a simple wrap dress with a lined bodice and in-seam pockets. Choose between short or three quarter length sleeves or make it sleeveless.
Sizing: UK 6 – 18 or UK 18 – 28 (approx. UK 6 – 16/18 or UK 18 – 30, based on our standardised size chart). Please also check the designer’s size charts and finished garment measurements. Available in the shop: Yes, PDF, PDF and printed copy shop or paper pattern.
Marcus’s casual day dress
Features: button front, elasticated sleeves.
Pattern: Megan Nielsen – Darling Ranges. Darling Ranges is an easily adaptable modern shirt dress with a deep v-neck, button front, high waistline, multiple sleeve lengths, large pockets and ties at the back to allow it to be worn in a fitted or loose style. View A includes waist darts and a gathered skirt. View B is a dartless blouse, and View C is a dartless dress or tunic with a bonus fabric belt.
Sizing: 0 – 20 (approx. UK 6 – 20, based on our standardised size chart). Please also check the designer’s size chart and finished garment measurements. Available in the shop: Yes, paper pattern.
Alex’s casual day dress
Features: darts at the neckline, gathered dropped waist and patch pockets.
Pattern: Merchant and Mills – Hattie and Ellis Dress. The perfect dress for any mood – if Ellis is a gentlewoman, then Hattie is a blithe bachelorette. Both dresses feature four delicate neck darts. Ellis, with more shaping from bust darts, is waisted and has set-in sleeves and in-seam side pockets. Hattie is sleeveless and has a lined bodice, dropped waist and bold patch pockets.
Sizing: UK 8 – 18 or UK 18 – 28 (approx. UK 8 – 16/18 or UK 18 – 30, based on our standardised size chart). Please also check the designer’s size chart and finished garment measurements. Available in the shop: Yes, PDF, PDF plus printed copy shop or paper pattern.
Comfort’s casual day dress
Features: cocoon shape, v-neck, in-seam pockets.
Pattern: Simple Sew – Cocoon Dress.
Available in the shop: Unfortunately not.
Don’s casual day dress
Features: princess seams, contrast godets, invisible zip.
Pattern: Butterick B6850. Dresses (fitted through bust) have neckline variations, princess seams, stitched hems & invisible back zip.
Sizing: A (6-8-10-12-14-16-18-20-22), which is approx. UK sizes A (4/6-18/20) based on our standardised size chart. Please also check the designer’s size chart and finished garment measurements. Available in the shop: Yes, paper pattern.
Suzy’s casual day dress
Features: straps, bust darts, ruffle.
Pattern: Frolic Frock – Gracie Steele.
Available in the shop: Unfortunately not.
Janet’s casual day dress
Features: bust gathers, high neckline.
Pattern: self-drafted.
Available in the shop: Unfortunately not.
Neil’s casual day dress
Features: 1970s style, collar, invisible zipper.
Pattern: Maudella 5977.
Available in the shop: Out of print, try reselling sites such as Ebay and Etsy.
Lauren’s casual day dress
Features: princess seams, spaghetti straps and leg slit.
Pattern: Know Me ME2032. Dress with lined bodice has low neckline and deep V back to show a peek-a-boo halter bra look. The short dress has two front slits while the long dress has a high slit on one side at princess seam.
Sizing: K5 (8-10-12-14-16), Y5 (18-20-22-24-26), which is approx. UK sizes K5 (6 – 12), Y5 (14– 24) based on our standardised size chart. Please also check the designer’s size chart and finished garment measurements. Available in the shop: Yes, paper pattern.
Luke’s casual day dress
Features: collar, patch pockets, cuffs, yoke, belt.
Pattern: Vikisews – Eleonora Dress.
Available in the shop: Unfortunately not.
Pascha’s casual day dress
Features: milkmaid style, thin tie, puffy sleeves, shirring back panel.
Pattern: Vikisews – Nola Dress. Nola is a close-fitting dress with a trapeze silhouette. The front features a yoke gathered on the bottom, and finished with a channel for ties on the top. The back has side panels as well as a shirred centre panel. The skirt has a slight A-line shape. Nola has a short, voluminous sleeve with gathers along the shoulder and a channel for elastic at the hem. The front and back necklines are quite deep, and the dress is above knee length.
Sizing: 34 – 46 (approx. UK 6 – 14/16, based on our standardised size chart). Please also check the designer’s size chart and finished garment measurements. This pattern only includes up to size 46 (even though additional sizes appear on the size chart). Available in the shop: Yes, PDF pattern.
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