How to sew the looks you've seen on The Great British Sewing Bee

We've seen wriggle dresses, pussy bow blouses, marvellous maxis and kids fancy dress... if you're itching to stitch the garments you've seen on screen during the Great British Sewing Bee season 5, read on...

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Published: June 15, 2019 at 8:06 pm

We've rounded up our favourite ways to sew the looks you've seen on screen throughout The Great British Sewing Bee 2019. For a monthly dose of sewing inspo now the Bee is going off air, try these sewing patterns and projects to try the garments from your favourite episodes at home..

1

Make a maxi dress

When the sewists tackled seventies fashions in week 3, their maxi dresses were next-level and conjured up all the vintage vibes. For a modern twist on this timeless garment, try Portia Lawrie's patternless walkthrough for how to sew a maxi dress sewing pattern.

Beginner Maxi Dress Pattern

2

Sew a wriggle dress

Watch Charlotte Newland, who won the last season of the Sewing Bee, demo how to sew a Wriggle Dress in the Sewing Quarter How To Series on Youtube.

The wriggle dress from week 1 of this series has been one of its most talked about patterns but the sewists were actually sewing along with a vintage pattern. To sew the look you'll need a pattern with maximum wriggle factor... you can't go wrong with the Etta Dress from Tilly and the Buttons.

the Etta Dress sewing pattern

It's got it all, sculpted shape to accentuate the body's curves, shaped with darts at the bust and closed with an invisible zip at the back. You can switch it up with 2 options for the back and sleeves or add an optional collar so there's plenty of room to sew this to suit your style.

3

Love the alteration challenge? Try this easy refashion

If you're new to dressmaking but feeling inspired to give making your own clothes a go by the Sewing Bee, try this jeans to skirt denim refashion from Jessica Entwistle from our archive. It's a great beginner's project to build your confidence.

How to make a denim skirt from an old pair of jeans

4

Free Great British Sewing Bee jumpsuit pattern

We are STILL daydreaming of Juliet's stunning jumpsuit that stole the show in week 1. If you want to try making a jumpsuit, we featured this free cami top and jumpsuit pattern back when series 1 of the Bee aired on our TV screens. You can still download it for free here: Jumpsuit Sewing Pattern.

Free Jumpsuit Sewing Pattern

5

Sew a child's fancy dress costume

In week 2 the sewists tackled miniature makes for children. We loved the Transformation challenge to refashion faux fur into fancy dress outfits. Give fancy dress sewing a go with our free DIY Dragon cape and mask tutorial from Kirsty Hartley.

How to make a dragon costume

6

Sewing with elastic workshop

In week 4 the sewists grappled with technical fabrics in what might have been the most terrifying theme of the series (with perhaps the most bonkers Transformation Challenge - the tent to dog coat refashion).

If you'd like to start stretching your skills with handling trickier materials, get started with our Sewing With Elastic Workshop. We'll talk you through the different types and how you can use them to create different effects on your handmade clothes.

How to sew elastic to fabric

7

Sew a bow blouse

One thing we've learned from this year's series of 'The Bee is that Esme Young loves a bow. The bigger the better. Sew the look with our Bea Blouse sewing pattern in our Etsy store

Bow Blouse sewing pattern

Or if you prefer to sew from a paper pattern, how about this from Sew Over It... Also featured in reuse, recycle week... we loved seeing the contestants sew a classic pussy bow blouse. Sew Over It have the perfect pattern for you to try this look – find their Pussy Bow Blouse here.

Sew Over It Bow Blouse sewing pattern

8

Make a tweed circle cape

In week 6 the Bees got stuck in with British and Irish fabrics. Practise sewing with wool-weight fabrics with this project inspired by the Sewing Bee – Portia Lawrie's circle cape tutorial.

Free cape sewing pattern

9

Whip up a bento bag

International week saw the sewists go global and sew looks inspired by World styles. We might not quite be ready to try constructing origami tops yet, but we can still have fun with the theme. This How to sew a Bento Bag project has been one of our most popular posts ever since the last season featured International Week.

How to sew a Bento Bag

10

Make a wax print circle skirt

Also in week 7 the sewists turned to Africa for their Transformation challenge. If you're inspired by those bold prints, why not try sewing with wax print fabric? There are some stunning patterns and colours out there. Give it a go with Portia Lawrie's Wax Print Circle Skirt tutorial.

How to sew a wax print skirt

11

Sew for a special occasion: DIY party dress

Wow those evening wear dresses from the final took our breath away! Go glam and sew your own party dress with this step-by-step guide to sewing a Wrap Dress. Twist it, drape it, tie it… the beauty of this patternless dress is there are countless ways to wear it.

Infinity Dress Tutorial step by step

12

Turn a plain tee into a peplum top

Inspired by the Bees' creativity in the Transformation Challenges this season? Juliet isn't the only sewist to have create a sculpted peplum detail in the Show's history. This is a great look for updating a plain top in your wardrobe. Jennie Jones shows you how to pep up a classic striped tee with a simple-sew peplum detail in this step-by-step guide. This quick and easy refashion is great for beginners as you don’t need to follow a sewing pattern.

How to sew a peplum top

13

Start dressmaking today

Did we mention we're sharing our Essential Guide to Dressmaking for free? Download your copy today to learn the ropes of making your own clothes! Inside you'll find advice on...

  • measuring
  • fitting
  • markings
  • using sewing patterns
  • zips
  • seams
  • hemming
  • pockets
  • sleeves
  • and more!
Free beginners guide to dressmaking