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The series returned with new host Sara Pascoe and 12 talented sewers
The Great British Sewing Bee returned to BBC One tonight (Wednesday, 27 April), with Sara Pascoe welcoming 12 talented home sewers to the bucolic location of an historic woollen mill on the outskirts of Leeds.
Sara Pascoe made her debut as the new host, while Esme Young and Patrick Grant were back as judges. As for the 12 ambitious contestants taking part, they are: Man Yee, Annie, Cristian, Brogan, Mitch, Marni, Steve, Debora, Richy, Gill, Chichi, and Angela.
The show kicked off with the Pattern Challenge, for which the sewers were tasked with making a mini skirt complete with two patch pockets with piping around the edge. They had to create the skirt out of Yorkshire wool which was piled high in the haberdashery, and they could either make their own piping or chose from a ready-made selection.
The contestants had 2 hours and 45 minutes to make their creations, with Esme dispensing the warning: "The pockets will need to be symmetrical because if they're not, we'll really notice."
Esme is known for her uncanny ability to spot a wonky seam, after all.
Angela's standout blue skirt, for which she had created her own floral print piping, went down extremely well with the judges.
Sadly it didn't go as well for Mitch, whose skirt pockets were visibly uneven, seeing him place last in the challenge. Steve followed in 11th place, while Chichi came 1oth.
The top three contestants were Brogan in third, Marni coming in second, and Angela coming first.
Congratulations Angela on your perfectly piped wool skirt. #SewingBee pic.twitter.com/FPxupXtrX6
We have to admit we were fans of Annie's chic green number, which Patrick remarked looked "quite Chanel". She came in eighth place as the top part was "wobbly", Esme observed.
Esme congratulated NHS health visiter and school nurse Angela: "It was very well sewn and the colours went well together."
The second challenge was the Transformation Challenge, in which the sewers had to transform loungewear into a glamorous going out top. They weren't issued with instructions for this task, as they were encouraged to be creative and use their imagination.
After an hour and a half, the sewers were told to arrange their tops on their mannequins and jumble them around so Esme and Patrick could judge without knowing which top belonged to which sewer.
Man Yee impressed the judges with her fringed creation which Esme and Patrick thought looked like something straight out of Studio 54, but it was Marnie's '80s style top that won them over.
After placing 1st, Marnie said: "I am surprised, I am a child of the '80s! Sometimes I feel like I'm not terribly inventive but I've done OK so far."
Sadly, it was theatre worker Mitch who came last again after his red and black top drew less than complimentary comparisons to Dennis the Menace. Luckily, he saw the funny side.
"At least you'd stand out!" he joked.
Finally, the contestants were tasked with the Made to Measure challenge, which saw them meeting their models for the first time, having previously planned their creation in advance.
The sewers had to showcase their very own wrap dresses, with Esme sharing more words of wisdom and expertise: "It's important how it fits over the bust, we don't want it bagging and their [the models] bosoms to show."
It was a tense last challenge, with the pressure getting to running coach Steve who was unable to finish his frock.
However, there were some beautiful creations hitting the catwalk – with Annie receiving praise for her vibrant dress which had Ghanian influences, and Gill being complimented for her dress that Patrick said he could envision on the Duchess of Cambridge.
Fancy making your own wrap dress? Order our Prima wrap dress sewing pattern here
"It's the epitome of elegance," he added.
Man Yee also impressed with her pretty organza creation, as organza is notoriously hard to sew, and although Chichi's green dress looked great from afar, up close Esme spotted that the hem was slightly askew.
Winning Garment of the Week was Debra, whose dress was described as "stunning" by the judges who also loved the material's intricate watercolour detail.
"The other guys are incredibly strong, a lot better than me!" Debra said after her win. "I was really impressed with what everybody else had put together, it was really inspiring to see the creativity in the room."
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Unfortunately, Mitch was the sewer to be sent home, which he took on the chin as he announced to his counterparts: "It's the right decision."
"Coming into the sewing room is such a magical experience but there were 11 other sewing bees that are now my little surrogate family," he added.
Steve said he was relieved to have kept his place in the competition.
The Great British Sewing Bee continues on Wednesdays at 10pm on BBC One.
Quiet and stable in use, our top-scorer sews neatly across every fabric, from cotton to denim to jersey. The machine comes with a wide array of stitches, including six different buttonhole styles that are easy to sew. Plus, with decorative and quilting stitches too, it should suit all creative home sewers.
There’s much more to get to grips with than a traditional mechanical machine. But extensive instructions make threading simple and helpful computerised functions – including running without a foot pedal, automatic reverse stitching, error codes for easy troubleshooting and on-screen advice about foot choice and stitch sizing – mean it’s beginner-friendly at every step.
Its accompanying hard case will protect it when stored away so if you’ve got the budget, it’s a machine that should last for years.
Key specifications Type: Computerised Weight: 6.5kg No. of stitches: 60 Included feet: Zigzag, zipper, button, buttonhole, overedge, blind hem Drop feed dogs: Yes Cover: Hard
If you want to keep things classic, consider this trusty mechanical design. It’s packed with handy functionalities, from easy-to-read seam allowance and threading markings to a one-step buttonhole and accompanying quilting guide.
It stitches neatly across an array of fabrics and was stable in use. But if you’re finishing the edges of more delicate fabrics to prevent fraying, you may need to play around with the settings, as the standard zig-zag stitch could cause slight puckering at times.
That said, its comprehensive instructions include ample detail on overcasting stitches and an overedge foot is included, offering plenty of scope to find the right combination for each project you try.
We also liked its top-loading bobbin, effective automatic needle threader, well-positioned reverse stitch lever and selection of stitches, including one for smocking. Its dials are clearly labelled too – although the tension dial was stiff to move at first – making this a reliable model for beginners or more experienced home sewers.
Key specifications Type: Mechanical Weight: 6.71kg No. of stitches: 25 Included feet: Zigzag, zipper, button, buttonhole, overedge, blind hem Drop feed dogs: Yes Cover: Hard
With its bright pink accents, this stylish machine would look great on display. Although it also comes with a hard case, should you wish to store it away.
It scored full marks for its ease of use, making it an excellent sewing machine for complete beginners. Everything from its top-loading bobbin to its easily adjustable tension dial and clear thread markings make it one of the most intuitive machines on test. Its sewing results were just as impressive, producing precise results across all our fabrics.
The one-step button-hole was also easy to use, although it wasn’t entirely clear in the instructions how to reset the stitch to sew another one (you must make sure you push the buttonhole lever away each time). And the foot marked our fabric when we used stretch stitches, so be careful when sewing with more delicate materials.
That said, this machine stood out for its comprehensive instructions, covering how to darn clothes and repair tears, making it our top choice if mending your favourite clothes is high on your to-sew list.
Key specifications Type: Mechanical Weight: 6.3kg No. of stitches: 23 Included feet: Zigzag, zipper, buttonhole, blind hem, clear view foot Drop feed dogs: Yes Cover: Hard
With quilting stitches, decorative stitches and the ability to sew every letter of the alphabet and programme them to sew words, this is the machine to go for if you want to maximise your sewing potential. We also liked the look of its darning programme.
A computerised model, it’s an investment, but Bernina is known for its impeccable quality, which shone through in the reliability of its stitching across all our fabrics. Even its buttonholes were pleasingly neat and sturdy – although its included buttonhole foot is very manual, so take your time to master it before starting on a garment.
Like our winner, you can operate the machine without using the foot pedal, which also packs away compactly for easier storage. That said, it’s better suited to bigger homes as it doesn’t have a cover for packing away and comes with a separate accessory case rather than a built-in tray.
Utilising its speed-control will come in handy too, as the machine can get wobbly at high speed. But overall, it’s a premium machine that should last and offer plenty of sewing potential.
Key specifications Type: Computerised Weight: 8kg No. of stitches: 97 Included feet: Zigzag, zipper, buttonhole, blind hem, overlock Drop feed dogs: Yes Cover: None
As its name suggests, this is one sturdy sewing machine. It was a consistently neat stitcher too, taking all our test fabrics in its stride. Its one-step buttonhole foot was easy to use and we liked the dial on the machine that allows you to alter the stitch density on either side of the hole for more uniform results.
There were ample threading markings – including a reminder to change your needle regularly – and the top-loading bobbin was intuitive to use. It also comes with a quilting guide and responsive pedal, making it one to turn to for almost any project.
However, the instructions are sparse, lacking information on the different stitches and their uses. For this reason, it's best suited to those looking to graduate from a basic machine to one with more functionality.
Key specifications Type: Mechanical Weight: 6.4kg No. of stitches: 23 Included feet: Zigzag, zipper, buttonhole Drop feed dogs: Yes Cover: Soft
Despite being under £200, this simple sewing machine still comes with ample features to get you started on your sewing journey. It’s easy to thread too, with an automatic needle threader and helpful markings on the machine. However, the bobbin is a slightly fiddly front-loading design and you’ll need to make sure you run ample test fabric through it before starting your first project, as it took a while for oil to stop appearing on our sewing.
When it came to sewing, it wobbled at faster speeds, but the results were neat overall. The machine has a four-step buttonhole foot that requires some practice but handily stops at the same place where you started sewing, making the process simpler – it’s important that you run the machine at the same speed for equal stitch distribution though. There’s a soft case for storage, too.
Key specifications Type: Mechanical Weight: 5.9kg No. of stitches: 15 Included feet: Zigzag, zipper, buttonhole, button, blind hem Drop feed dogs: Yes Cover: Soft
This affordable model is ideal if you’re looking to dabble in sewing and don’t want to spend big. Though not designed for heavyweight fabric (if in doubt, try a sample in the machine first), it can handle mid-weight denim, so should be suitable for most simple projects. Note you can’t change the foot pressure to suit your fabric though.
Its design and accompanying accessories are basic – it only has 14 stitches and doesn’t come with a zipper foot, automatic needle threading or an on-board thread cutter – but it sews neatly and stays stable across all but the fastest of speeds.
This is the only machine on our list where you can’t drop the feed dogs, but it comes with a darning plate, so you can mend or sew buttons. The buttonhole foot is entirely manual too, but otherwise, this frill-free machine is highly effective.
Key specifications Type: Mechanical Weight: 6kg No. of stitches: 14 Included feet: Zigzag, buttonhole, button, blind hem Drop feed dogs: No Cover: Soft
When it comes to traditional sewing machines, there are two main types for you to choose between. Here are the pros and cons of each:
When you picture a sewing machine, it’s likely a mechanical one. The conventional design allows you to select stitch settings via a range of dials. This means they offer greater control over your sewing, as you need to select all the settings manually.
Depending on the machine’s functionalities, they’re also capable of taking on most sewing tasks and are usually reasonably priced. But overall, they are more basic than computerised machines.
More technologically advanced, computerised sewing machines have stitches programmed in, and a screen where you can see your selection. They tend to automatically recommend stitch length and width (although this can be altered to suit your project) and can run without the use of a foot pedal, should you prefer.
They’re more expensive than mechanical machines, and some features – such as sewing letters or saving stitch patterns to its memory – are nice-to-haves rather than necessities. Other features, however, such as automatic stitch reinforcement, will make sewing more straightforward for beginners.
Other types of sewing machines
More experienced sewers may want to invest in additional sewing machines to broaden their skillset. The following don’t replace traditional sewing machines – and we haven’t tested them – but they are worth knowing about.
Also called long-arm sewing machines, these are designed to sew through thick wads of fabric and provide a larger surface area for you to lay your fabric over. They tend to function similarly to traditional sewing machines but with a design that’s optimised for quilting.
Of the machines we tested, the Bernina B325 would likely be the best for quilting as its extension table gives ample room for laying your quilt out flat and passing it through the machine smoothly.
If you’re a serious dressmaker, then overlockers – or sergers – are worth considering as they provide a neat seam finish (just like the one used in most shop-bought clothes) for even the most fraying of fabrics.
While not ideal for sewing most garments on their own, you can use them if your project is made with stretch fabrics or to create a rolled hem. But they cut the fabric as you sew and threading is time-consuming, making them best suited to more experienced sewers.
While we love unwinding with some hand embroidery, it is lengthy and free motion machine embroidery or decorative stitches don’t always fit the bill. Enter embroidery machines...
These computerised machines tend to focus exclusively on embellishment, and often come with pre-programmed designs as well as the capability to add your own. Your fabric is put in a frame and the machine does the rest. Unsurprisingly, they’re expensive.
Once you’ve selected the style of sewing machine, it’s time to think about the features you want. We've compiled a checklist of essential things to consider before you buy. Depending on the projects you have in mind, you won't necessarily need a machine that ticks every box, but it's worth ensuring the one you invest in can do everything you need it to:
As well as the standard straight and zig-zag stitches, make sure that your machine has a buttonhole stitch and some stretch stitches, so you have the option of sewing with knit fabrics. Some decorative stitches give you the option to embellish projects, too.
We tested machines with everything from 14 stitches to 97. At the upper end, many aren’t must-haves – the 97-stitch Bernina, for example, includes the letters of the alphabet. The more stitches there are, the more you’ll pay, but if you think the more elaborate stitches are something you’d enjoy, it’s well worth the investment.
These sit above the fabric and help it move through the machine. Some also allow you to achieve different seam finishes or sew on zips and buttons.
The selection of feet varies with each machine, so you may need to buy some if they aren’t included as standard, but these are the key feet to look for:
Look to see if a sewing machine comes with any on-board storage too, as this is a great place to store feet and bobbins. Most on our list have built-in accessory trays.
Bobbins (used for the bottom thread) can sit in two places. When they’re top-loading – sitting just underneath the needle on the top of the free arm – you can drop them in. The cover also tends to be clear, giving you a better idea of when you’ll need to rethread them.
Front-loading bobbins are accessed by opening the front of the machine and tend to be covered up so you can’t see in. They’re also slightly fiddlier to load and may need oiling from time to time too.
There’s no difference in the overall stitching process, so it comes down to personal preference.
This function allows you to lower the feed dogs – the teeth that sit underneath the needle and help guide material through the machine.
You won’t need this for most sewing but if you want to do free-motion embroidery or quilt in a pattern rather than a straight line, this is a must-have.
The clue is in the name with this one – many modern machines come with built-in needle threaders. This is a real time – and eye-saver – you don’t have to squint at a tiny eye and lose precious sewing time with fiddly needle threading.
The way they operate can vary but if you think you’ll be using your sewing machine regularly, it’s a must-have.
If you’re nervous about the speed sewing machines can operate at, or would like more control, look for a machine that allows you to limit its pace.
You can set whether you want it to run at a slow, medium or fast pace, and then even if you press the pedal down to the floor, your sewing won’t run away from you.
On our list, only the Brother and Bernina have this feature.
Sewing machines can be heavy – indeed, the lightest machine on our list weighs 5.9kg with most clocking in at well over 6kg. So it’s important to consider where you’ll keep it. If you have a dedicated space, it may be worth investing in a sewing machine table.
Most come with covers; either hard plastic ones or soft canvas ones. The plastic ones add to their weight but provide better protection.
It’s also worth getting your machine serviced once a year, especially if you’re using it a lot, as it will help extend its lifespan. Many local sewing machine shops and even some fabric shops will offer this.
Sewing machines are undoubtedly an investment – good ones should last many years and bring hours of crafting joy. But, with models on the market ranging from under £100 and up into the thousands, it can be hard to identify how much to spend.
Ultimately the less you spend, the fewer stitches and functions the sewing machine will have. We'd suggest settling on your budget first, and then buying the best machine you can for that money.
The machines we’ve tested range in price from £135 to £749, so there’s one for every budget here.