FIND THAT PATTERN: ESME YOUNG

We have been eagerly anticipating news of The Great British Sewing Bee's 2025 return, as I am certain you have been too. The usual timing came and went without a peep about when we can expect series 11 to air.

It has now been confirmed that the Sewing Bee will be back on our screens on Tuesday, the 15th of July at 9 pm on BBC One. So, while we wait, we've pulled together a Find That Pattern for style icon, Esme Young to kick off the bee fever!

We've found pattern matches for recreating some of the things Esme wore for series 10 of the Bee, and for the jazzy jacket on the 2024 Christmas special. Head over to BBC iPlayer to catch up on all the episodes.

Esme image credit: BBC / Love production

Esme's Sparkly Double Print Jacket - The Great British Sewing Bee Christmas Special 2024

Esme's jazzy jacket is what every good sewing magpie needs for inspiration. Sparkle, print, and wow factor! This jacket gives the classic moto jacket a modern twist by using two on-trend animal prints. You can recreate this cracking jacket using the Cashmerette Canton Moto Jacket pattern.

Esme's Striped Signature Shirt Dress - The Great British Sewing Bee Series 10 - Episode 1

If you like Esme's style, you are going to get very well acquainted with shirt dresses. She rocks them a lot, and the subtle differences make it worth having a wardrobe full. This one has a relaxed fit with curved hems and gently voluminous sleeves. You can recreate the look with the Fibre Mood Filippa Dress pattern.

Esme's Cinched in Shift Dress - The Great British Sewing Bee Series 10 - Episode 2

Another clever little trick Esme has up her sleeve is to wear a shift dress with a twist. It usually involves light shaping at the waist, and, you guessed it, styled with a statement necklace. You could recreate the look with the endlessly versatile Merchant & Mills Trapeze Dress pattern. Pick the longer sleeve option and stitch waist ties into the seams and tie them at the front and there you have it. An Esme special!

Esme's Cool Camo Shirt Dress - The Great British Sewing Bee Series 10 - Episode 3

Esme tends to favour a relaxed fit, especially when it comes to shirt dresses, so this was a nice surprise. Featuring a closer fit at the waist and bodice, the shape of the dress turns camo print from casual to chic. Recreate the look with The Assembly Line Shirt Dress pattern and opt for the long sleeve option.

Esme's French Navy Shirt Dress - The Great British Sewing Bee Series 10 - Episode 5

This outfit is an Esme special. Classic relaxed shirt dress in an even more classic French navy hue, styled with a bold necklace whose colour perfectly accentuates the dress. It's so simple, and looks anything but. Recreate the look with The Maker's Atelier Oversized Shirt Dress pattern, using the longer sleeve option.

Esme's Cherry Red Shirt Dress - The Great British Sewing Bee Series 10 - Episode 8

For Diva week, Esme proved that an true icon only needs a pop of colour steal the show. This classic, oversized shirt shape looks striking in cherry red, paired with yet another stand-out statement necklace.Recreate the look with the Closet Core Patterns Jenna Shirt, lengthening to hit above-the-knee or longer if you prefer.

Esme's Bomber Jacket Dress- The Great British Sewing Bee Series 10 - Episode 9

Esme is rather partial to a bomber jacket, and this outfit married that love with a dress. This jacket dress is a very clever way to merge the two. Start with the Merchant & Mills TN31 Parka pattern and a fabric, like a Tencel twill, that will be more comfortable to wear as a dress. Don't forget to choose contrast ribbing for the collar and cuffs like Esme!

Esme's Jazzy Jacket - The Great British Sewing Bee Series 10 - Episode 10

Esme pulled out all the stops for the Sewing Bee final with this jazzy jacket. It had sparkles, colour and print pops, and a modern, bomber cut. The collar gives this jacket polish and the zip gives to edge. Recreate the look with The Assembly Line Cropped Jacket pattern and something sparkly.

There you have it. Pattern picks for sewing Esme inspired outfits! I enjoyed pulling this together while listening to Esme Youngs' audio book, Behind the Seams.