In April of this year BBC2 aired the show Great British Sewing Bee. This show features eight amateur sewers who are tested on their sewing and dressmaking skills as they compete to be crowned Britain’s best home sewer.
The judges, May Martin from the Women’s Institute and Savile Row’s Patrick Grant, scrutinise every stitch as they look out for puckering seam lines and perfect top stitching. Every week, one sewer is awarded garment of the week whilst one leaves the Sewing Bee.
The show hasn’t aired yet in the US, but you can watch it on Youtube. Click the episode links to watch.
Episode 1 (Duration: 1 hour)
Contestants make an A-line dress, alter a top and create a made-to-measure dress.
Episode 2 (Duration: 1 hour)
Contestants follow a men’s trouser pattern and create a made-to-measure silk blouse.
Episode 3 (Duration: 1 hour)
It is the semi-final and the sewers compete in three more challenges.
Episode 4 (Duration: 1 hour)
In the final, the three finalists must create a luxury, made-to-measure evening dress.
