Check them out on Instagram now!
It's finally upon us. The latest series of the Great British Sewing Bee is back on our screens Wed 24 May at 9pm on BBC1.
12 new amateur sewers from across the UK are joining judges Esme Young and Patrick Grant and host Sara Pascoe.
Patrick and Esme are already singing the praises of this year's contestants so it should be an exciting series.
So let's meet this year's sewers and get following them on Instagram
Asmaa, 46
CARDIFF,
CONSULTANT BREAST SURGEON
Asmaa was born in Iraq.
Her love of sewing comes from her grandmother was a seamstress.
She is a Mum-of-two and makes most of her own clothes.
Catherine, 34 @catmoomie
WEST SUSSEX,
SENIOR GAMES DESIGNER
BAFTA award-winning video games designer and teaches pole dancing!
Began sewing when she bought her first home.
She has a unique style, which has included making Edwardian-influenced outfits and repurposing dresses into underwear.
Fauve, 26
SWANSEA,
TRAINEE SOLICITOR
A top golfer, who has represented Wales in the Home Nationals.
Only started sewing five years ago when she joined a sewing class and made a peg bag.
She lives with her mum, dad, brother and nan, where she has a small ‘sewing cupboard’ where she makes
puff-sleeved feminine dresses.
Gillie, 73
NOTTINGHAM,
RETIRED SECRETARY
Grandmother Gillie is the oldest contestant in the competition.
Started sewing when she was seven and once had a Saturday job at a French fashion house while living in Paris.
Her sewing style still takes inspiration from French designers like Coco Chanel and Yves St Laurent.
Lauren, 30 @madebylaurentedstone
WALSALL,
SALES ASSISTANT
Mum of one
Started to sew with the help of online tutorials when she decided to make a quilted memory blanket using her children’s baby clothes.
She makes clothes for kids and enjoys classic styles in a neutral colour palette.
Lizzie, 49
BRISTOL,
GRAPHIC DESIGN CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Lizzie was taught to sew by her mum during family caravan holidays in Wales.
She likes making clothes for her active lifestyle, which involves paddleboarding, cycling, and working on her allotment with her partner, Mick.
Maria, 34
FIFE,
A&E NURSE
Originally from Costa Rica
Maria is a self-taught stitcher and sews to her to unwind after a stressful shift in A&E.
She dabbles in leatherwork and has a passion for making handbags and purses.
Matthew, 30
PETERBOROUGH,
DANCER AND TEACHING ASSISTANT
Danced at the opening ceremonies of the London 2012 Olympics and the Queen's Platinum Jubilee Pageant.
Matthew has been stitching since childhood.
His flamboyant style is influenced by Vivienne Westwood, Alexander McQueen and the glamour of the
drag scene.
Mia, 20
SURREY,
STUDENT
This year’s youngest stitcher
Started sewing during lockdown.
What started as a hobby has now turned into a potential career and she’s since applied to study costume design, which she’s due to start after the show.
Tony, 53
CORNWALL
POSTMAN
Changed career three years ago
Long-time knitter
Used his wife’s old sewing machine to create a bag for all his needles and wool
Made himself cycling gear and has developed his own wardrobe
influenced by 90’s skater fashion.
Tony, 33 @house_of_tony_makes
ESSEX,
PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHER
The first Sewing Bee series inspired Tony to take up sewing.
He taught himself using vintage ‘easy sew’ patterns before moving on to more complex stitches.
He mainly sews colourful shirts and tailored waistcoats for himself. He’s even made himself a three-piece suit!
Vicki, 30 @whatvickimade
LINCOLNSHIRE,
POLICE DESPATCHER
Body positivity advocate
Vicki sews as an escape from her stressful job.
She lives with her husband and two young children, and when they went to Glastonbury as a family last year she made everyone matching outfit
What to expect from Great British Sewing Bee Series 9 ....
A little bird tells us that the first episode will include:
the Pattern Challenge - a fresh take on a classic pencil skirt
the Transformation Challenge - turn office wear into a completely new garment.
the Made to Measure - design an on-trend cut-out dress.
and look out for
Utilitarian Week
1990s week
West Africa week
Art week
Made to measure smoking jacket
Made to measure trench coat
Backpack pattern challenge
transformations from
a painted canvas
cleaning items like mopheads, dusters and rubber gloves
I'm so looking forward to it already. Hoping for some great haberdashery use! Roll on Wednesday 24th !
I'm intrigued by Mia, Tony R and Matthew. What do you think?
Keep colourful.
Alison