The WORST episodes of The Great British Sewing Bee
Every episode of The Great British Sewing Bee ever, ranked from worst to best by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The worst episodes of The Great British Sewing Bee!
Amateur sewers take on challenges as they compete to be named Britain's best home sewer.
#1 - Episode 1
Season 11 - Episode 1 - Aired 7/15/2025
The Great British Sewing Bee returns as 12 new sewers tackle shape with tie-front blouses, transform circle skirts, and use pleats in a dramatic Made-to-Measure challenge.
#2 - Episode 3
Season 11 - Episode 3 - Aired 7/29/2025
It’s week 3, and we’re celebrating design icons: Diane von Furstenberg, Vivienne Westwood and Versace.
#3 - Episode 8
Season 9 - Episode 8 - Aired 7/12/2023
It’s Week 8, and the remaining sewers celebrate fashion icons with little black dresses, a shower curtain transformation and smoking jackets.
#4 - Episode 3
Season 8 - Episode 3 - Aired 5/11/2022
It’s summer week, and the sewers make light and airy outfits, including a summer dress, a creation from old hammocks and a two-piece trouser co-ord for a man or a woman.
#5 - Episode 2
Season 8 - Episode 2 - Aired 5/4/2022
Sara Pascoe presents a trio of sports-themed sewing challenges, including a Sewing Bee first - a pair of trainers, which includes unfamiliar techniques such as punching eyelets and stitching soles. That's followed by transforming an old netball kit into a garment to be worn off the court and a made-to-measure jacket inspired by their sporting hero
#6 - Episode 2
Season 11 - Episode 2 - Aired 7/22/2025
It’s Week 2 as sewers tackle activewear: a seven-panel cap, a cycling kit transformation and stylish athleisure to take you from gym to coffee shop.
#7 - Episode 1
Season 10 - Episode 1 - Aired 5/21/2024
The Great British Sewing Bee turns ten as 12 brand new sewers follow the pattern for an A-line skirt, transform T-shirts and put their take on day dresses in the Made-to-Measure.
#8 - Episode 9
Season 7 - Episode 9 - Aired 6/9/2021
It’s the semi-final, and the sewers go back to the 1940s. They create a pair of Oxford bags, dresses from parachutes and a Dior New Look outfit.
#9 - Episode 1
Season 9 - Episode 1 - Aired 5/24/2023
Twelve brand new sewers follow the pattern for a twist top, transform office wear and create cut-out, made-to-measure dresses.
#10 - Episode 4
Season 9 - Episode 4 - Aired 6/14/2023
It’s Week 4, and the remaining sewers create zero-waste trousers, upcycle tote bags and repurpose crochet blankets in Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. week.
#11 - Episode 1
Season 1 - Episode 1 - Aired 4/2/2013
Claudia Winkleman presents a series from the makers of The Great British Bake Off in which eight hopefuls are tested on their sewing and dressmaking skills as they compete to be crowned Britain's best amateur sewer. Over three challenges, they must follow a simple pattern for an A-line skirt, transform a high street top by altering the neckline and produce a made-to-measure dress for a model under intense time pressure. The judges, May Martin from the Women's Institute and Savile Row's Patrick Grant, scrutinise every stitch as they look out for puckering seam lines and perfect top stitching. One sewer is awarded garment of the week whilst two leave the Sewing Bee.
#12 - Episode 1
Season 7 - Episode 1 - Aired 4/14/2021
Week One sees judges Patrick Grant and Esme Young settling the contestants in with a trio of challenges based on everyday wardrobe staples.
#13 - Episode 3
Season 9 - Episode 3 - Aired 6/7/2023
The sewers celebrate west Africa over three challenges with batakari, adire fabric and boubous.
#14 - Episode 6
Season 5 - Episode 6 - Aired 3/19/2019
The quarter-finalists face British and Irish fabrics week. First up is the pattern challenge, which is a stern test of their soft tailoring skills, as judges Patrick Grant and Esme Young ask the sewers to create a `Workers Jacket' from linen. Next, it's the transformation challenge, and the sewers are asked to take inspiration from the British seaside by turning stripy deckchairs and parasols into stylish garments in just 90 minutes.
#15 - Children's Week
Season 4 - Episode 2 - Aired 5/23/2016
The Great British Sewing Bee returns for an eight-part series presented by Claudia Winkleman. Nine amateur sewers return hoping to show judges Patrick Grant and Esme Young that they can make beautiful clothes on a miniature scale. First, the sewers must carefully follow a pattern to make a babygrow from stretch cotton jersey - but who will get the gusset and poppers in the right place and who will end up going off-piste? Next, the sewers must show they can handle slippery satin and chiffon by totally transforming an adult bridesmaid dress into a wearable garment for a boy or a girl. For the final challenge, real children replace the mannequins as the sewers strive to create perfectly fitted woollen capes, knowing the judges will scrutinise every cut and stitch before deciding who deserves to stay and who must bid farewell to the Sewing Bee.
#16 - Episode 9
Season 9 - Episode 9 - Aired 7/19/2023
It’s the semi-final, and three utilitarian challenges stand in the way of a place in the final: the trench coat, cleaning products and boiler suits.
#17 - Episode 3
Season 10 - Episode 3 - Aired 6/4/2024
It’s Week 3 of The Sewing Bee, and the sewers face three challenges inspired by travel. They are asked to create summer blouses from tablecloths, nautical bags and outfits fit for the French Riviera.
#18 - Episode 6
Season 9 - Episode 6 - Aired 6/28/2023
The sewers put their twist on dinosaur dressing gowns, zhuzh up denim jackets and create pint-sized party outfits for Kids' Week.
#19 - Episode 6
Season 10 - Episode 6 - Aired 6/25/2024
It’s Children’s Week, and Kiell Smith-Bynoe invites the seven remaining sewers to follow the pattern for a child’s sequined bomber jacket.
#20 - Episode 2
Season 10 - Episode 2 - Aired 5/28/2024
It’s Week 2, and there are three challenges inspired by sport. The sewers are asked to create a half zip fleece, an outfit from cricket kit and a national strip fit for the world stage.
#21 - Episode 9
Season 10 - Episode 9 - Aired 7/17/2024
It’s the semi-final, and in the way of a place in the final stand a set of challenges inspired by three icons: Balenciaga, Gaultier and Chanel.
#22 - 1960s Week
Season 4 - Episode 5 - Aired 6/13/2016
This week, the sewing room is transported back to the 1960s as the six remaining sewers revive vintage garments, take on time-honoured techniques and wrestle with antique equipment in an attempt to show Patrick and Esme they deserve a place in the quarter-finals.
#23 - Episode 3
Season 2 - Episode 3 - Aired 3/4/2014
#24 - Episode 7
Season 9 - Episode 7 - Aired 7/5/2023
It's Week 7, and we’re going back to the 90s with cargo pants, 90s icon fancy dress and body-skimming supermodel dresses.
#25 - Basic Construction
Season 4 - Episode 1 - Aired 5/16/2016
Claudia Winkleman hosts a new eight-part series of The Great British Sewing Bee. Under the scrutiny of Savile Row's Patrick Grant and Central St Martin's Esme Young, ten fresh-faced home sewers face three challenges designed to test their skill and understanding of basic garment construction. First, the sewers follow a pattern for a woman's top made up of four pieces. However, it is deceptively difficult, demanding accurate pattern matching skills, a steady hand for cutting and precision sewing. Next, the judges want their personal style and imagination to come to the fore by transforming a maternity dress in just 90 minutes. Finally, they take on the Made to Measure challenge, fitting a skirt to a real model. Who can keep their cool to produce a flattering waistline and perfectly level hem, and who will falter and be the first to leave the sewing room?