Sewing Bee series 6 episode 5 – wardrobe ideas

We’re back with a new Great British Sewing Bee update! We were really sad to see Hazel go last week and now there are only eight contestants remaining for episode 5. This week’s theme was lingerie and sleepwear. With fabrics that were difficult to handle such as silk and lace, tricky techniques such as adding boning and hooks and eyes, the contestants were faced with the toughest challenges so far on the show.

It all kicked off with the pattern challenge, in which the contestants were tasked with creating a tricky boned basque. Following this, they got to the real fun: transforming pyjamas and nightwear into summer outfits before designing a two-piece female sleepwear in the made-to-measure challenge.

To keep you posted on all things Great British Sewing Bee we will share our pattern picks every week here on the blog, so you can re-create the fabulous ‘Bee’ looks for your own homemade wardrobe! You can also browse the whole collection of specially curated sewing bee patterns with a special discount offer on selected patterns.

Challenge 1: Sew a boned basque.

The first challenge was to sew a boned basque to fit their mannequins. This was a challenging task for the contestants because it involved sewing together 13 small pattern pieces, and adding boning plus a hook and eye fastening at the back. The basque pattern also featured a sweetheart neckline, bra cups, and lastly bias binding was added for a beautiful finish.

Did it inspire you to make your own basque or corset? You might like the below patterns!

Pattern: Simplicity 1183.

The beautiful sweetheart neckline of Simplicity 1183 is very similar to the neckline of the basque on the Sewing Bee. This corset comes in two styles, both with lace up backs. The great thing is that the pattern includes separate pattern pieces for B,C,D, and DD cup sizes for both miss and plus sizes.

Pattern: New Look 6242.

This corset top can be made strapless or with a halter. You can also choose to add a lace overlay, a sweetheart neckline, a lace up front, and a notched band. The pattern also includes wide legged trousers and a full skirt with side zipper.

Pattern: Simplicity 8598.

This super cute top includes sizes for miss 8 – 16 and women 18W-26W. The different designs include a crop top with sheer or open back options, a corsets with front slit, or add spaghetti straps or a peplum. All versions have boning and you could add the off-shoulder ruffle to be worn as an overlay.

Pattern: Butterick 4254.

Go back in time and make Butterick 4254. This lined, close-fitting, corset has extensive boning and purchased or self made eyelets for lacing and fit adjustment. Choose from 2 different styles to suit your needs.

Pattern: Butterick 5935.

Go for a more romantic feel with the close-fitting Butterick 5935 with boning, a lining and cute ribbon details. The corset features a bias binding finish, pretty seam details, a shaped hemline, and front or back lacing.

Pattern: Butterick 6338.

The more dramatic look, Butterick 6338 will give you a close-fitting, underlined, interfaced, boned, and lined corset. It has a bra with underwire and it features a shaped hemline, self bias binding finish, a back extension, lacing, and topstitching. Choose to add one of three overlays with lots of ruffles and extra pouffiness.

 

Challenge 3: Sew a made-to-measure two-piece sleep set for a female model.

In the final and third challenge of week five, all the Sewing Bee’s had to make a two-piece sleep set that fitted their models. They got to choose to use woven fabrics and/ or knitted fabrics, but it had to feature an element of lace.

Below you can find some of the patterns the contestants used, and some other patterns that are pretty close to what they’ve used on the show. Which look is your favourite?

Matt went for Vogue 8888 which featured lace cups and a beautiful lace trim at the bottom of the panties. Everything was cut on the bias which made it drape beautifully.

Nicole made a top similar to Vogue 9255. All it needs is an added lace flounce to re-create the babydoll sleep set with the stunning square neckline.

Ali combined two different fabrics to create her wonderful leopard print sleep set with added lace details. She used Vogue 9218, which is sadly out of print.

Mark took a different approach with his vintage Style 3767 ‘Winceyette’ sleep set and he nailed it!

Peter chose to make Burda Style 7186. The crossover neckline with wide scalloped lace and the matching knickers were so lovely!

The black comfy jersey set was made by Liz who used Butterick 6031 to create it. It looked lovely on her model and the fit was spot on.

 

If you are planning on making your own lingerie set or sleepwear set, you might like to try these patterns:

Pattern: Kwik Sew 3554.

This pattern comes with two different styles of slip dresses. They feature cups with gathers under bust, narrow shoulder straps, and can be finished with lace or narrow hems. Choose from a gathered ruffle at bottom edge or a longer version with a straight hem. Kwik Sew 3554 also comes with bikini-style panties.

Pattern: Kwik Sew 3167.

Sew up Kwik Sew 3167 to create a beautiful camisole and panty set. This pattern comes with 3 different panties including boy-cut panties, thong-style panties and boy-cut panties made with wide stretch lace.

Pattern: Kwik Sew 2589.

Kwik Sew 2589 comes with a chemise and camisole pattern with narrow shoulder straps and top edge facings. The bottom edges are finished with narrow hems. The pattern also includes shorts that have a stitched elastic waist and narrow hems at the leg openings.

Pattern: Simplicity 8510.

This fabulously vintage pattern was designed in the 1930’s! The brassiere is gathered at the front, fitted with darts and fastens at the center back. The panties fastens at the sides and view B has a beautifully shaped yoke.

Pattern: Burda Style 7627.

You can create a little capsule sleepwear wardrobe with Burda Style 7627. The pattern includes a camisole top, a chemise, pyjama bottoms and a robe. Sew these up and you can sleep and lounge in style!