Basic Construction

Claudia Winkleman hosts the eight-part series of The Great British Sewing Bee.

Under the scrutiny of Savile Row's Patrick Grant and Central St Martin's Esme Young, ten fresh-faced home sewers face three challenges designed to test their skill and understanding of basic garment construction. First, the sewers follow a pattern for a woman's top made up of four pieces. However, it is deceptively difficult, demanding accurate pattern-matching skills, a steady hand for cutting and precision sewing.

Next, the judges want their personal style and imagination to come to the fore by transforming a maternity dress in just 90 minutes. Finally, they take on the made-to-measure challenge, fitting a skirt to a real model. Who can keep their cool to produce a flattering waistline and perfectly level hem, and who will falter and be the first to leave the sewing room?