Sewing Bee Week 10 Patterns & Techniques

That’s a wrap on series 8! The “Party Week” final was spectacular and we are very proud of the latest winner of the Great British Sewing Bee as well as all of the finalists.

To celebrate we’re offering 50% off all our Sewing Bee 2022 collections until July 3rd. Each collection has designs that were either used by the contestants or lookalikes, plus extra inspiration thrown in, so you can shop through from wrap dresses (inspired by episode 1) all the way to jumpsuits (from episode 10).

Amorphous Dress

The “Amorphous” Dress used in this week’s episode was designed by Esme Young’s Swanky Modes in 1977. For this dress, the lycra was draped on a stand and had sections of the fabric cut away to create the garment’s distinctive look. When laid flat on the floor, the dress resembles an amoeba, or single-cell animal. The resulting form-hugging sheath dress became a popular choice for young nightclub-goers throughout the 1980s.

We’ve added a few stylish designs with less revealing cuts outs to our Episode 10 collection if this dress inspired you to show a little bit of skin…

These are designed for stretch fabrics just like Esme’s dress and we’ve even put together a guide for sewing with stretch fabric to give you a little extra support.

Made to Measure Challenge

Make your own versions of the Finalist’s red-carpet-worthy jumpsuits from the Made-to-Measure challenge. As always some designs aren’t available any longer so I always offer good alternatives to try!

Don’t forget to read our guide to slippery fabrics. Or our sewing with sequins article.

Man Yee was inspired by Harley Quinn the DC comic book character with her alternating sequin panels. She added a chiffon cape for extra drama which definitely made an impact on the runway. I’m fairly sure Man Yee used M7777 which is an out of print design, BUT you can buy the PDF pattern on our US site. There are a few copies still floating around for sale if you prefer paper patterns.

OR, I’m recommending the very similar, equally lovely M7910. It has the same v front bodice plus the same trouser length and cut as M777, but the bodice slightly wraps over in a surplice finish instead of being sewn with a centre front seam.

Debra chose a beautiful abstract print crepe for her version of our Mimi G design, S9330. Esme AND Patrick even commented how nice the draped front is. Thanks guys!

It’s a classic strapless silhouette with pencil leg trousers that are slightly cropped and then finished with the dramatic asymmetrical drape. There’s a boned princess seamed bodice and side zip. You can make a dress version too in case you aren’t sold on jumpsuits just yet.

Plus there’s a video sewalong from Mimi to guide you through everything!

Annie’s beautiful design had some great features, but those with keen eyes could tell it had been put together from several different patterns. The good news is that you can do the same!

I’m recommending the S8598 princess seam top pattern and the N6544 trouser. Mixed together they have a very close silhouette to Annie’s jumpsuit and you can decide whether to attach them into a jumpsuit or wear them as separates! You could sew the assembled bodice and trousers, together at the waist line by omitting the trouser facing and not sewing the top’s hem. Both designs feature centre back zippers making it easy to install the same closure as intended in the same location once joined – it will just be a longer zipper. And you can line up your trouser darts with the princess seams for a polished finish.

Maybe you can even throw in the bow from V8729!

Brogan went short short short with a mini jumpsuit aka playsuit! She added a removable skirt made of tulle for a romantic finish. Her playsuit had a bust detail and narrow straps, and was fitted by darts. I think S9290 top and shorts set would be a great pattern to recreate the look.

It has the lovely bust detail that she had on her pattern and works well in stable fabric like jacquard. You can simply turn the halter strap into two shoulder straps with ties instead. And you can sew the two garments together at the waist line similar to how Annie’s look would come together, or keep them separate for a coordinating set.