Sewing Bee episode 2 wardrobe ideas

Are you watching the new series of The Great British Sewing Bee? We were thrilled that the TV show has returned with ten new contestants battling it out to be named the best sewer in Britain. This year the show has a new judge, Joe Lycett, who joins Patrick Grant and Esme Young. If you haven’t seen all the latest news about the show, take a look at the BBC’s dedicated site about all things Bee! You will find contestant profiles, interviews with the judges and episode guides. Also take a look through our blog for other sewing bee posts.

We will be continuing our blog series about the sewing bee today and each week we will be sharing our pattern picks here and also listing them in our shop for easy browsing. All the patterns have been selected for their similar design features and styles to help you recreate these looks at home for your own handmade wardrobes.

Week two:  children’s week

Challenge 1

In the second episode of the show, contestants had three challenging tasks starting with sewing a children’s hoodie. The hoodie was a simple design with cuffs, ribbing and front pocket. Take a look at our pattern suggestions below to recreate this look at home.

Kwik Sew K3811

This pattern includes a jacket, proper and pants. The jacket has a double hood, kangaroo pocket, front zipper, full length sleeves with cuffs and a waistband. Designed for stretch knits with 25% stretch across the grain. Try making it with interlock, jersey or textured knits.

Butterick B6364

This is a children’s jacket, pants, bunting and hat pattern set. The unlined jacket has a partially elasticized hood with the wrong side showing. Version A has pockets, stitched hem and the trousers have an elastic waist.

Kwik Sew K0251

Whip up these easy going pullover tops and pants to keep any boy or girl in comfort and style. Top A has contrasting raglan sleeves and neckband. Top B has front pocket, unlined hood with drawstring and pom poms.

Burda B9407

Children’s sweater pattern set with three versions including hoodie, polo neck and sweater.

Burda B9748

Baby and toddler set suitable for 6 months to three years, includes sweater, pants, t-shirt and shorts.

Challenge 2

The second challenge was upcycling faux fur coats into children’s fancy dress costumes. We have lots of fancy dress patterns for children, take a look at our suggestions below. We have patterns for pets such as cats and dog and more exotic animals such as pandas. There are even patterns for dinosaurs! Any child who is looking for an outfit for a school play or party will find something they love here.

Simplicity 1032

These fleecy animal costumes will keep your toddler warm and happy. Pattern includes unicorn with wings, dog, cat and penguin. Andrea Schewe Designs for Simplicity.

Simplicity 1351

These fleece zip up animal costumes for toddlers are adorable, comfortable and perfect for a long day of trick-or-treating. Animals included in this pattern are a fox, hedge hog, owl and racoon. Designed by Andrea Schewe.

Simplicity 1514

Wear this warm animal hat with built in mittens out in the cold or just for fun. Dress your favorite 18″ doll up like you with a matching hat. Child’s hats in three sizes s(19″), M(20″), L(21″).

Simplicity 1765

Child’s dinosaur and dragon costumes in sizes 3 to 8 plus dog dinosaur costumes in three sizes S (13″), M(15″), L(17″).

Simplicity 8030

These adorable baby buntings will keep your baby warm through the colder months. Pattern features bunting bag with hats in two styles or hood and bunting with footed silhouette with hood in two styles.

Simplicity 8527

Cozy animal jumpsuits for Kids. Animals include unicorn, dinosaur or bear. Perfect for fleece fabrics.

Challenge 3

The final challenge was the most elaborate with contestants creating dance outfits for real models. There was a huge range of styles featured in the final challenge of children’s week and we thought we would share some of our favourite patterns that could be hacked to create the looks in the show.

Simplicity 1122

These beautiful tulle skirts for children and girls add a little something extra to make the perfect outfit. Pattern includes short, tea length, and high low skirts. Designed by Andrea Schewe for Simplicity.

Simplicity 8181

Adorable babies’ pattern features knit one piece romper with hood and double layered skirt, or ballerina romper with tulle skirt. Hooded fleece rompers can either have ears or dinosaur spikes in center back seam.

McCalls M7077

Butterick B5545

Close-fitting leotards with stitched hems with sleeve length variations.

Kwik Sew K4011

Simplicity 8062

Vintage 1950’s dress for toddler & child. Dress A has contrast collar & pockets with soutache trim, Dress B & C with contrast at collar & skirt edge, finish with delicate touches of trim. All have sash bow-tie in back.

Kwik Sew K3150

Kwik Sew K3773

McCalls M7274

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Don’t forget to share your latest makes with us on social media using the hashtags #simplicitybyme or #mccallsbyme. We can’t wait to see what you’ve been making. There are prizes to be won each month too!