After weeks of tough challenges, The Great British Sewing Bee 2024 has announced its winner.
Kiell has been watching over the 12 competitor stitchers from across the country who took on tough challenges set by judges Esme Young and Patrick Grant and now we know who has been crowned Britain’s most sensational seamster and taken the title from the 2023 champion Asmaa.
"I’d never presented before, I didn’t realise how hard it is!" says Kiell, who took part in the celebrity festive edition of the hit BBC1 sewing contest in 2021 and now takes on hosting duties while regular presenter, comedian Sara Pascoe, is on maternity leave. "I really enjoyed being in the sewing room so to come back in this capacity is great!"
Patrick Grant and Esme Young returned as judges for this 10th series to put 12 sewers - who this year ranged in age from 20-84 and included an office manager, DJ and a retired research physicist - through their paces with tricky pattern, transformation and made-to-measure challenges.
Here's everything you need to know about The Great British Sewing Bee 2024...
The Great British Sewing Bee 2024 release date
The Great British Sewing Bee 2024 started on BBC1 on Tuesday, May 21 2024 and the final aired on Wednesday, July 24 at 9pm on BBC One.
All episodes are now available on BBCiPlayer.
How to watch The Great British Sewing Bee 2024 online or on TV
Patrick Grant and Esme Young on what happens in The Great British Sewing Bee 2024?
There are all sorts of challenges for this series of The Great British Sewing Bee, some of which will reflect the summer of sport in 2024. Each week, they must take part in three challenges: a Pattern Challenge to test their basic dressmaking skills, a Transformation Challenge to assess their creativity, plus a Made To Measure Challenge to create a bespoke garment. One contestant's creation is awarded Garment Of The Week by the judges, and another is sent home from the competition. The grand final sees the remaining three sewers battle it out to be crowned winner.
"I can’t believe it!" smiles Patrick Grant, who’s sat in judgement since the competition began in 2013, first alongside May Martin and then, since 2016, Esme Young. "Over the past decade, I’ve gone from having a nice brown beard to a slightly elderly-looking grey moustache, but I still love making this show! I’m super-proud of it."
Patrick says: "It's pretty special to make 10 series. Milestones give you pause to reflect, and I’m absolutely delighted that the show is still popular. It’s one of the warmest and kindest shows on the telly.
Esme adds: "There’s definitely a celebratory air in the Sewing Room this series. Let’s hope it goes on for another 10!"
The Great British Sewing Bee 2024 contestants
Here's a brief rundown of the 12 contestants for The Great British Sewing Bee 2024, so we can see who left the competition and who made it to the final...
AILSA - runner-up
Events planner, 28
Proud Scot Ailsa was taught to sew by her late seamstress mum and enjoys upcycling second-hand clothes.
ALEX - Eliminated week 8
Copywriter, 32
Ultramarathon runner Alex enjoyed making stuffed toys as a child and now likes sewing oversized garments.
COMFORT - Eliminated week 2
Design and business manager, 33
Trained architect Comfort hopes to showcase her East African heritage and passion for vibrant colours.
DON - Eliminated week 4
Retired research physicist, 84
The show’s oldest-ever competitor, dad-of-eight Don was taught to sew over 70 years ago by his mum.
GEORGIE - Eliminated week 6
Club and festival DJ, 40
Passionate about sustainability, former police officer Georgie often makes her clothes out of tablecloths and quilted blankets!
JANET - Eliminated week 3
Retired, 75
Having been sewing since she was 12, mum-of-three Janet loves making glamorous dresses for her dancing classes.
LAUREN - Eliminated week 5
Finance Administrator, 36
Talented singer Lauren is inspired by 1980s fashion and likes adding pops of colour to the fun outfits she creates.
LUKE - WINNER
Diversity, equality and inclusion director, 33
Classically-trained musician Luke – who is non-binary and uses the they/them pronouns – hopes to break gender stereotypes through their designs.
MARCUS - Eliminated week 7
Teaching assistant, 30
Watching Sewing Bee inspired Marcus to make clothes for his wife, until he switched to making 90s-style streetwear for himself.
NEIL - Eliminated week 1
Woodwork instructor, 52
Neil, who began sewing so he could make vintage outfits for his 1940s swing dancing hobby, has his own ventriloquist doll called Terry.
PASCHA - runner-up
Student, 20
This year’s youngest sewer, Pascha, often uses her great-grandma’s old seamstress patterns to create the reversible clothing she loves.
SUZY - Eliminated week 9
Waitress, 28
A fan of big ruffles and enormous sleeves, Suzy often uses charity shop curtains and bedsheets to make her creations!
Great British Sewing Bee 2024 contestants: meet this year's sewers
Is there a trailer for The Great British Sewing Bee 2024?
No trailer for The Great British Sewing Bee 2024 has yet been released by the BBC but as soon as it is, we'll be posting here.
The Great British Sewing Bee 2024 episode guide
Here's our brief guide to the episodes in The Great British Sewing Bee 2024...
Episode 1 - Tuesday, May 21
The series kicks off with Back to Basics Week, and the stitchers must make a denim A-line skirt, change the neckline on a tunic top and produce a casual dress with a vintage or summer festival vibe. Who gets through the first hurdle?
Episode 2 - Tuesday, May 28
Patrick and Esme have set three challenges inspired by the wide world of sport. In the first challenge the sewers are presented with a pattern for a sportswear staple perfect for the winter months, the half zip fleece. In the Transformation, the sewers face a sticky wicket as they are tasked with creating a whole new outfit from cricket whites and protection. And finally, in honour of 2024 being an Olympic year, in the made-to-measure the sewers must nominate a country and then make an outfit for a specific sport fit for an international sporting event.
Episode 3 - Tuesday, June 4
It's holiday week in the sewing room and the remaining stitchers are tasked with making travel garments. In the Pattern Challenge the bees make light work of creating summer blouses out of old tablecloths, but much trickier is the Transformation Challenge as they try and make holiday bags out of a heap of nautical gear.
Episode 4 - Tuesday, June 11
Kiell Smith-Bynoe hosts as the remaining sewers compete in Reduce Reuse Recycle week. In the first challenge, the sewers must make quilted bags using fabric scraps sandwiched between sheets of organza. The Transformation challenge sees the contestants making a whole new item of clothing out of textile waste in a colour palette of their choosing before taking discarded wedding dresses and creating looks fit for a party in the Made-to-Measure challenge.
Episode 5 - Tuesday, June 18
The sewers celebrate India, beginning with a pattern challenge that takes inspiration from the jacket popularised by the first prime minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru. In the transformation, they make an outfit from calico and Madras cotton and for the made-to-measure, they create evening wear inspired by the sari.
Episode 6 - Tuesday, June 25
It’s Children’s Week, and Kiell Smith-Bynoe invites the seven remaining sewers to follow the pattern for a child’s sequined bomber jacket. With sequins proving tricky to tackle and ribbing around the cuffs and neck, the sewers' skills will once again be under the microscope. For the Transformation Challenge, the sewers are asked to make an animal-themed fancy dress for a toddler from beach towels, with eye-catching results.
Episode 7 - Tuesday, July 2
A place in the quarter-final is at stake, and this week the sewers must face three technically taxing challenges from the world of lingerie. First up, in the Pattern Challenge, it is time for bed as the sewers are asked to make a pyjama blouse. Piping is an intricate undertaking, and it should cover the cuffs and front. For the Transformation Challenge, the sewers take shapewear and lace and, using their unique structure and form, create new outfits.
Episode 8 - Wednesday, July 10
It's Diva Week on Sewing Bee - but who has got what it takes to get through to the semi-finals?
Episode 9 - Wednesday, July 17 *SEMI-FINALS*
Judges Esme Young and Patrick Grant set the four semi-finalists challenges inspired by design icons. They begin by making a version of a dress created by master pattern cutter Cristobal Balenciaga, then take the lead from Jean Paul Gaultier to transform a pile of ties into a new garment. Finally, Coco Chanel is in the spotlight as the sewers scour her long career to find a style for their made-to-measure outfits.
Episode 10 - Wednesday, July 24 *FINAL!*
The three remaining sewers begin the final by making opera gloves, a test of skill and precision sewing as they handle delicate fabrics. In the Transformation Challenge, the finalists attempt to turn party paraphernalia into a complete party outfit before they face their final Made to Measure challenge in which they must create a full outfit by draping fabric onto their models.
In the end, it was Luke who was crowned worthy winner for 2024.
