The Great British Sewing Bee 2025: Episode 1
I have been looking forward to the return of the Great British Sewing Bee! Can you believe it is the 11th series? Episode 1 was all about adding shape to garments.
Pattern Challenge - Tie Front blouse
Tie front blouses have been very popular this year and the contestants had 3.5 hours to make one.
These blouses have a lovely shape which is created by gathers on the sleeve and peplum. Fabric choice is important, if they chose a fabric which was too flowy it would be difficult to create volume, but if it was too bulky it would be more tricky to gather tightly. The judges were looking for neat and even gathering, for the gathering stitches to be hidden and also for the ribbon ties to be attached accurately.
Gathering is a technique that gives volume on sleeves, peplums and ruffles. There are a few different methods for gathering but most sewing patterns instruct you to sew two rows of stitches that are evenly spaced along the top edge of the fabric. One row is stitched above where your seam will be, and the other is below it. Use a longer stitch length to do this, you can test the stitch length on some scraps of fabric first. Make sure you leave long tails of thread (from the bobbin and top thread) at the start and end of the stitching line and don't back tack. Once you have sewn both lines of stitches, carefully pull the bobbin threads for both lines of stitching and the fabric will start to bunch up and gather. Gather them until your piece of fabric is the correct length to fit the sleeves or bottom of your top. Once you have attached the peplum or sleeve you can remove these gathering stitches.
If you have been inspired to sew yourself a tie front blouse here are a couple of patterns that you could use:
Fleur Blouse by Fabric Godmother
This lovely pattern by Fabric Godmother has a placket that sits under the bows down the front so your bra stays completely out of sight.
Nell blouse by Tilly and the Buttons
Fabric Suggestions
If you are planning on adding gathered sleeves and a peplum you will want to use a fabric that has some body to it such as a cotton poplin, lightweight linen or chambray. Avoid anything too thick as it will make gathering difficult, if you use a fabric that is too soft and drapey it won't hold the puffy shape on the sleeves and peplum too well.
Transformation Challenge
For this challenge the contestants have to transform something old and unwanted into something lovely. This week they were given a circle skirt to transform into a wearable and distinctive garment in 90 minutes. They were only allowed to use the fabric from the skirt but they could use trims from the haberdashery. I'm always amazed by the creativity of this challenge!
Made to Measure - A Dress Involving Pleats
The made to measure challenge this week was to sew a dress with pleats. The dressmakers could use any type of pleating techniques as long as the pleats gave the dress an interesting shape but still fitted and was flattering.
If you have been inspired by the pleated dresses on this weeks episode here are some sewing patterns that have beautiful pleated details:
The FibreMood Nina Dress Sewing Pattern
Simplicity S1934
