It’s week seven of the Sewing Bee!
This week we move on from recycling garments to Winter week. For episode seven we have put our detective hats on to discover the sewing patterns from independent designers and commercial pattern houses used in The Great British Sewing Bee TV show. The patterns below are all matches or inspired by the designs used in the seventh episode of the Great British Sewing bee series 7. If you haven’t already seen our ultimate guide to the Sewing Bee page do take a look. Unfortunately at the end of episode six we said goodbye to Adeena after three recycling challenges.
For episode seven the theme was Winter week where challenges were themed around keeping warm and adding sparkle. The challenges included making a man’s flannel shirt, a new garment from old scarves and a made-to-measure festive party dress. Take a look at our sewing pattern suggestions below, we’ve tried to find the exact patterns used but where we haven’t been able to we have plenty of suggestions so that you can recreate these looks at home for your handmade wardrobe. Kate also talks through her favourite pattern options from the episode on YouTube in our special mid-week sewing bee vlog.
If you want to chat about the episode and the challenges then do join us each week in our Facebook group event.
Sewing Bee: Pattern Picks
Pattern Challenge 1: Man’s flannel shirt
The first challenge of the seventh episode was to sew a man’s flannel shirt. Flannel shirts are comfortable and casual as the fabric they are made from is soft. Traditionally, flannel was made from carded wool or worsted yarn, today they can be made from cotton or wool. Flannel shirts were originally worn by farmers to protect themselves from bad weather, with possibly a Welsh original. The flannel shirt was popularised in the US by Hamilton Carhartt, where he made clothes for railroad workers from 1889. More recently in the 1990s, the flannel shirt was popularised as part of the grunge look and today associated with hipster culture. The contestants had to make a flannel shirt with a yoke, cuffs and a two-piece collar. The contestants had four and a half hours to sew this pattern with 17 pieces!
For our full range of men’s shirt sewing patterns, take a look here.
All Day Shirt – Liesl and Co
A wardrobe staple, this shirt is both versatile and polished. The pattern features many professional details like a separate collar and collar band, tower sleeve placket, and collar and cuff facings to help you sew great looking (and fitting!) shirts. View A includes a continuous (cut-on) placket, dress collar with pockets for collar stays (and a template for making them), and a sharp-looking chest pocket. View B features a separate (set-in) placket, button-down collar, and workshirt-style pockets with concealed button flaps.
Sizing: XS – XXL. Available in the shop: Yes, PDF or PDF + printed copy shop.
Fairfield Shirt – Thread Theory
The Fairfield is a button-up shirt with all the classic details and a modern, moderately slim fit. This design features a slim collar with collar stand, an optional chest pocket, flat felled seams and a yoke. The button band is drafted onto the shirt front to make matching plaids and stripes simple. The hem is curved so the shirt can be worn tucked in or loose. The sleeves include tower plackets and the option for a hidden tab so that they can be rolled and secured at the elbow. Choose a centre back pleat or create a more fitted look with long shaped darts.
Sizing: XS – 4XL. Available in the shop: Yes, Paper, PDF or PDF + printed copy shop.
Transformation Challenge 2: Refashioning scarves into a new garment
In the upcycling challenge contestants had to use scarves to create a completely new garment. Specific patterns weren’t used for these tasks as contestants had to create a garment from an existing one in a fixed time so it’s a bit tricky for us to make sewing pattern suggestions based on these design ideas.
Made-To-Measure Challenge 3: Winter party dress
In the final challenge of week seven, all the remaining contestants had to make a festive Winter party dress. The contestants had to navigate using difficult fabrics such as velvet. Here we have highlighted patterns used by the contestants in the TV show or made suggestions of similar patterns you could use to recreate these looks.
Damien’s ‘zip up and down’ festive Winter party dress
Features: pattern matched tweed and zip up collar.
Pattern: Butterick B6452.
Available in the shop: Unfortunately not.
Serena’s ‘she’s the boss’ festive Winter party dress
Features: shoulder darts, asymmetric cuffs and satin covered buttons.
Pattern: McCalls M7997. This loose-fitting, lined, double-breasted dress has both sleeveless and long-sleeve versions. Version C has angled hemline on right front and this was the version Serena made.
Sizing: .A5 (6-8-10-12-14), E5 (14-16-18-20-22), approx. UK sizes A5 (4/6 – 10), E5 (10 – 18/20). Available in the shop: Yes, paper pattern.
Farie’s festive ‘Stretch velvet’ Winter party dress
Features: balloon sleeves and tie around belt.
Pattern: Vogue® Patterns V8825. The pullover dress or top has front extending into back collar, fitted, front pleated bodice, raised waist, tie ends, two-piece sleeves with barrel cuffs, and stitched hem.
Sizing: B5 (8-10-12-14-16), F5 (16-18-20-22-24), approx. UK sizes B5 (6 – 12), F5 (12 – 20/22). Available in the shop: Yes, paper pattern.
Andrew’s ‘bow tie’ festive Winter party dress
Features: back darts and organza bows.
Pattern: Vogue® Patterns V9325. This fitted, lined dress has sleeve variations and back zipper.
Sizing: A5 (6-8-10-12-14), E5 (14-16-18-20-22), approx. UK sizes A5 (4/6 – 10), E5 (10 – 18/20). Available in the shop: Yes, paper pattern.
Raph’s ‘gold surprise’ festive Winter party dress
Features: square neckline, pleated front and pockets.
Pattern: New Look 6571. Dress features bow at the waist and sleeve variations. Dress has princess seams that cascade into pleats.
Available in the shop: Coming soon!
Rebecca’s ‘satin and lace’ festive Winter party dress
Features: 3/4 length lace sleeves and scalloped lace edge.
Pattern: New Look 6392. With this dress pattern you have the option to make a pleated full skirt dress with lace overlay and three quarter sleeves, dress with contrast sheer yoke, or dress in one fabric. Pattern includes tie belt.
Available in the shop: Coming soon!
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