The Great British Sewing Bee series 12
| The Great British Sewing Bee | |
|---|---|
| Series 12 | |
| Starring | Sophie Willan (Host) Esme Young (Judge) Patrick Grant (Judge) |
| No. of episodes | 10 |
| Release | |
| Original network | BBC One |
| Original release | 14 July 2026 – present |
| Series chronology | |
The twelfth series of The Great British Sewing Bee began on 14 July 2026.[1] This series has a new presenter, Sophie Willan, replacing Sara Pascoe from the previous series. Both Esme Young and Patrick Grant return as judges. The series consists of 12 contestants competing to be named the best sewer. The show airs on BBC One. The series was again recorded at Sunny Bank Mills (the venue used since series 8), a former textile mill located in Farsley, Leeds. The mill, which was founded in 1829, was a working textile mill until 2008.
The Sewers
| Sewer[1] | Age | Occupation | Place of Residency | Placement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adele Burn[2] | 36 | Primary school teacher | West Yorkshire | 6th |
| Angie | 63 | Retired lecturer | Warwickshire | 10th |
| Anna | 27 | Barista & waitress | North Yorkshire | |
| Beth Eames[3] | 24 | Engineering Ph.D. student | Oxfordshire | |
| Dawn | 64 | Chief Financial Officer | London | 12th |
| Emma Morwood[4] | 45 | Classical soprano | Midlothian | |
| Heather Storrod[5] | 28 | Project manager | West Midlands | |
| Lewis | 29 | Primary school teacher | East Sussex | 9th |
| Minnie | 30 | Full-time mum | Bedfordshire | 7th |
| Rebecca | 27 | Chartered actuary | London | |
| Sam | 31 | Heating engineer | West Yorkshire | 11th |
| Tim Freathy[6][7] | 60 | Care farm director | Suffolk | 8th |
Results and Eliminations
| Sewer | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anna | WIN | WIN | WIN | |||||||
| Beth | ||||||||||
| Emma | WIN | |||||||||
| Heather | WIN | |||||||||
| Rebecca | WIN | |||||||||
| Adele | WIN | ELIM | ||||||||
| Minnie | ELIM | |||||||||
| Tim | ELIM | |||||||||
| Lewis | ELIM | |||||||||
| Angie | ELIM | |||||||||
| Sam | ELIM | |||||||||
| Dawn | ELIM | |||||||||
Sewer won Garment of the Week
One of the judges' favourite sewers
Sewer was safe and got through to next round
One of the judges' least favourite sewers
Sewer was eliminated
Episodes
- Sewer eliminated Garment of the Week
Episode 1: British Summertime Week
In this episode, the Transformation Challenge was to make a bag, which has a clear functional purpose, from two barbeque aprons. The Made-to-measure Challenge involved the sewers making an outfit for themselves, suitable for a perfect Summer day.[8]
| Sewer | Pattern Challenge (Summer Shorts) |
Transformation Challenge (Functional Bag) |
Made-to-measure (Perfect Summer Day) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adele | 11 | Festival Bag | 5 | Strawberry Picking Dress |
| Angie | 8 | Travel Sewing Bag | 4 | Day-trip Dress |
| Anna | 1 | Hat Bag | 1 | Picnic Two-piece |
| Beth | 2 | Water Bottle Bag | 2 | Festival Two-piece |
| Dawn | 9 | Sewing Bag | 10 | Day-to-night Beach Dress |
| Emma | 4 | Music Bag | 7 | Swimming Twin Set |
| Heather | 10 | Gym Bag | 3 | Chelsea Day Dress |
| Lewis | 5 | Bag for a Wet Summer Walk | 11 | Smock & Shorts |
| Minnie | 6 | Knitting Bag | 8 | Heritage Dress |
| Rebecca | 3 | Rucksack | 6 | Farmer's Market Wrap Dress |
| Sam | 12 | Sports Bag | 9 | Holiday Two-piece |
| Tim | 7 | Fruit Collecting Bag | 12 | Two-piece Suit |
Episode 2: Prints and Colours Week
The Pattern Challenge was to make an adaptive shell top. For this, the judges were joined by fashion designer Victoria Jenkins, who also judged a similar challenge in series 11. The Transformation Challenge made use of purple and brown clothing. The Made-to-measure Challenge was to make an outfit using different fabrics and textures, but which had one dominent colour.[9]
| Sewer | Pattern Challenge (Adaptive Shell Top) |
Transformation Challenge (Purple and Brown Clothing) |
Made-to-measure (One Colour Outfit) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adele | 10 | Top with Shoulder Straps | 8 | Cross-back Top & Culottes |
| Angie | 9 | Skirt with a Purple Tie | 10 | Wrap Top & Skirt |
| Anna | 2 | Asymmetric Top | 4 | Victorian-style Dress |
| Beth | 3 | Matching Top and Skirt Set | 7 | Maxi Dress |
| Emma | 7 | Asymmetric Top with Floral Print | 1 | Waistcoat & Skirt |
| Heather | 8 | Sleeveless Dress With Cut-Outs | 5 | Peplum Top & Dress |
| Lewis | 6 | Ruffled Bando Top | 9 | Cross-back Top & Skirt |
| Minnie | 4 | Halter Top | 6 | Velvet Dress |
| Rebecca | 1 | Full-length Evening Gown | 3 | Godet Dress |
| Sam | 11 | Wrap Skirt | 11 | Kaftan Dress |
| Tim | 5 | Halterneck Top With Drape | 2 | Batik Shirt & Shorts |
Episode 3: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle Week
The Pattern Challenge was to make three knickers out of second-hand T-shirts. This was the first time in the Sewing Bee that the Pattern Challenge required making multiple copies of the same item. The Transformation Challenge was to make a garment with "drama at the back" using cloth remnants and other materials destined to go to waste. The Made-to-measure Challenge was to make an outfit that has an environmental message.[10]
Anna's winning garment — the Balsam Flower Dress — made from Indian calico stamped with balsam flowers, was described by Patrick as "extraordinarily beautiful and incredibly well thought-through" and that "it was one of the best things we've ever seen in Sewing Bee".[10]
| Sewer | Pattern Challenge (Knickers) |
Transformation Challenge (Garment with "Drama at the Back") |
Made-to-measure (Garment with an Environmental Message) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adele | 8 | Gathered and Tied Top | 8 | 'Save Our Seas' Dress |
| Angie | 7 | Coffee Bean Skirt | 10 | Patchwork Dress |
| Anna | 6 | Long Green Dress | 1 | Balsam Flower Dress |
| Beth | 4 | Striped Dress with Back Drape | 6 | Outfit for Life |
| Emma | 1 | Romeo & Juliet | 4 | Sewers vs Sewers Jumpsuit |
| Heather | 5 | Top with a Bow at the Back | 3 | Overfishing Two-piece |
| Lewis | 9 | Tabard with Hood | 9 | Organic Jumpsuit |
| Minnie | 2 | Ocean Netting Garment | 5 | Hand-stitched Outfit |
| Rebecca | 3 | Pink & Black Skirt | 2 | Tent Jumpsuit |
| Tim | 10 | Dress with Waterfall Drape | 7 | Grow Your Power Two-piece |
Episode 4: Mexico Week
For this episode, the judges were joined by Mexican fashion entrepeneur Erika Alvarez. The Pattern Challenge was to make a blouse using Oaxacan fabric and various ribbons and trims. The Transformation Challenge was to make a sculptural garment using two 'manteles de hule' (oilskin tablecloths). The Made-to-measure Challenge was to make an outfit for a Mexican festival.[11]
| Sewer | Pattern Challenge (Mexican Folkoric Top) |
Transformation Challenge (Sculptural Garment) |
Made-to-measure (Mexican Festival Outfit) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adele | 6 | Top with Puffy Sleeves | 8 | Fiesta Grande de Enero Dress |
| Anna | 2 | Dress with Detachable Segments | 4 | Mexican Independence Day Dress |
| Beth | 1 | Orange Flying Saucer Sweet Dress and Hat | 3 | Día del Charro Dress |
| Emma | 3 | Dress with Fan | 6 | Fiesta de Santa Cecilia Outfit |
| Heather | 7 | Rain Coat style Dress with Hood | 5 | Fiesta Grande de Enero Outfit |
| Lewis | 5 | Rain Jacket with Hood | 9 | Carnaval de Veracruz Outfit |
| Minnie | 8 | One Shoulder Dress with Ruffles | 2 | Mexican Independence Day Outfit |
| Rebecca | 4 | Gingham Dress with Sunray-pleated Bodice | 1 | Guelaguetza Outfit |
| Tim | 9 | Dress with Fans | 7 | Carnaval de Tlaxcala Outfit |
Episode 5: Sports Week
In this episode the pattern challenge saw sewers making swimming shorts. For the transformation challenge, the sewers - working in pairs - created a two-piece outfit using a windsurfing sail. For the made-to-measure challenge, the sewers made embroidered bowling shirts, incorporating both appliqué and embroidery.[12]
| Sewer | Pattern Challenge (Swimming Shorts) |
Transformation Challenge (Two-piece Outfit) |
Made-to-measure (Bowling Shirt) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adele | 8 | Triangle Top & Skirt | 3 | Blackburn Bowling Shirt |
| Anna | 5 | Criss-cross Trouser Suit | 1 | Cookery Bowling Shirt |
| Beth | 2 | Turquoise Stripe Dress | 2 | Barbell Club Bowling Shirt |
| Emma | 3 | Bustier Two-piece | 4 | Diving Bowling Shirt |
| Heather | 1 | Bustier Two-piece | 4 | Paragliding Bowling Shirt |
| Minnie | 7 | Turquoise Stripe Dress | 2 | Ice Hockey Bowling Shirt |
| Rebecca | 4 | Criss-cross Trouser Suit | 1 | Badgers Bowling Shirt |
| Tim | 6 | Triangle Top & Skirt | 3 | Early Morning Work Out Bowling Shirt |
Episode 6: Kids Week
The pattern challenge required the sewers to make a girl's tutu. For the transformation challenge, the sewers had to make a stuffed toy animal, using a child's fleece top. The made-to-measure challenge required sewers to make an original superhero costume for nine-year-olds to wear.[13]
| Sewer | Pattern Challenge (Tutu) |
Transformation Challenge (Stuffed Toy Animal) |
Made-to-measure (Superhero Costume) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adele | 7 | Pig | 4 | Super Bee |
| Anna | 2 | Octopus | 1 | Rocket Boy |
| Beth | 1 | Monkey | 3 | Electra |
| Emma | 6 | Stegosaurus | 2 | Zip Kid |
| Heather | 4 | Elephant | 6 | Shapeshifter |
| Minnie | 5 | Teddy Bear | 5 | Cat Girl |
| Rebecca | 3 | Turtle | 7 | Treblemaker |
Episode 7: Music Week
The pattern challenge required the sewers to make a conical bra with a mesh bodice, such as that worn by Madonna. For the transformation challenge, the sewers had to create individual outfits for two different girl bands using bedroom furnishings (eg duvets, blankets, curtains, etc). The made-to-measure challenge required sewers to make a disco outfit.[14]
| Sewer | Pattern Challenge (Madonna Inspired Cone Bra) |
Transformation Challenge (Girl Band Outfits) |
Made-to-measure (Disco Inspired Outfit) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adele | 6 | Halter Top with Skirt and Hat | 6 | Abba Inspired Two-piece |
| Anna | 5 | Two-piece with Cowl Neck and Suspended Skirt | 1 | All Silver Dance Outfit |
| Beth | 3 | Shorts with Studs | 2 | Pan's People-esque Two-piece |
| Emma | 4 | Crop-top and Skirt | 3 | Sparkly Mini Kaftan |
| Heather | 1 | Dress with Gingham Top | 5 | Disco Diva Stage Outfit |
| Rebecca | 2 | Costume using Gathered Curtains | 4 | Halston Inspired Two-piece |
Ratings
| Episode no. | Airdate | Total viewers (millions) | Weekly ranking all channels[15] |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 14 July 2026 | 3.639 | 8 |
| 2 | 21 July 2026 | 4.118 | 2 |
| 3 | 28 July 2026 | 4.249 | 2 |
| 4 | 4 August 2026 | 4.356 | 2 |
| 5 | 11 August 2026 | ||
| 6 | 18 August 2026 | ||
| 7 | 25 August 2026 | ||
| 8 | 1 September 2026 | ||
| 9 | 8 September 2026 | ||
| 10 | 15 September 2026 |
References
- 1 2 Pearse, Tilly (7 July 2026). "The Great British Sewing Bee unveils 2026 return and confirms line-up for new episodes". Radio Times. RadioTimes.com. Retrieved 8 July 2026.
- ↑ https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cr7kdpeekmko
- ↑ https://www.minerva.com/profile/145170/Beth+Eames?srsltid=AfmBOooTmQJGyFAvlISMErQWQ7qW1wQ1opSnkyAbayHtfh1CnXrGTEss
- ↑ https://www.instagram.com/emma_sewprano/
- ↑ https://www.instagram.com/herehsews
- ↑ https://www.instagram.com/timmybluechicken/
- ↑ "Tim Freathy". Depden Care Farm. Depden.com. Retrieved 16 July 2026.
- ↑ "Great British Sewing Bee 2026 episode 1". HDclump. 14 July 2026. Retrieved 15 July 2026.
- ↑ "Great British Sewing Bee 2026 episode 2". HDclump. 21 July 2026. Retrieved 22 July 2026.
- 1 2 "Great British Sewing Bee 2026 episode 3". HDclump. 28 July 2026. Retrieved 29 July 2026.
- ↑ "Great British Sewing Bee 2026 episode 4". HDclump. 4 August 2026. Retrieved 5 August 2026.
- ↑ "Great British Sewing Bee 2026 episode 5". HDclump. 11 August 2026. Retrieved 22 August 2026.
- ↑ "Great British Sewing Bee 2026 episode 6". HDclump. 18 August 2026. Retrieved 23 August 2026.
- ↑ "Great British Sewing Bee 2026 episode 7". HDclump. 25 August 2026. Retrieved 26 August 2026.
- ↑ "Most viewed programmes". Barb. Retrieved 25 August 2026.