GREAT BRITISH SEWING BEE 2025 – SEWING PATTERNS S11 EP8

Images Copyright: BBC/Love Productions

It’s the eighth episode of series 11 and it's movies week!

In the eighth episode of The Great British Sewing Bee series 11, five remaining contestants are challenged with making a jacket inspired by Edith Head, in the transformation challenge upcycling red cinema curtains, and in the Made-to-Measure challenge the sewers are tasked with creating an outfit for a horror film. For episode eight we have put our detective hats on to discover the sewing patterns from independent designers and commercial pattern houses used in Sewing Bee TV show. The patterns below are all matches or inspired by the designs used in the eigth episode of the Great British Sewing bee series 11.

All five contestants had to make three garments. 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.

Sewing Bee: Pattern Picks

Pattern Challenge 1: jacket inspired by Edith Head

The first challenge of the eighth episode was to make a jacket inspired by Edith Head. 

Bella Loves Patterns - Kaia Coat

Kaia is a mid-season short coat, designed exclusively for double faced coating fabrics. The oversized silhouette is slightly tapered towards the hem. Kaia features a dropped shoulder line, bal collar with a collar stand, welt pockets, and a single breasted closure at the centre front. The bust darts are positioned at the neckline to create a visual feature. The sleeve has a gently curved outer seam that matches the shoulder line. There are two buttons and a wrist strap at the sleeve hem that can be used to adjust the width of the sleeve opening. The front hem is curved up higher than the back and sits above the hip-line.

Sizing: UK 6 – 22 (approx. UK 6/8 – 18/20, based on our standardised size chart). Please also check the designer’s size chart and finished garment measurements. Available in the shop: Yes, PDF or PDF + printed copy shop. 

Transformation Challenge 2: upcycling cinema curtains

In the upcycling challenge contestants had to re-imagine cinema curtains. Specific patterns weren’t used for these tasks as contestants had to create a garment from existing materials 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: outfit inspired by a horror film

In the last challenge of the eighth episode, all the contestants had to design a made-to-measure outfit for a horror film. Here are our pattern picks for the contestants and where sewing patterns have been self drafted or hacked we have suggested an alternative.

Yasmin's La Diablesse Costume

Pattern: McCalls M8503. On or off shoulder dress has circle flounce around the neckline, basque-inspired pointed waist, boned bodice, lace up back with cording and grommets, zipper closure and side slit at skirt. 

Sizing: H5 (6-8-10-12-14), U5 (16-18-20-22-24), which is approx. UK sizes H5 (4/6 – 10), U5 (12 – 20/22) based on our standardised size chart. Please also check the designer's size chart and finished garment measurements. Available in the online shop: Yes, paper pattern. 

Kit's Scarecrow costume

Pattern: Simplicity S4133.

Gaynor's Mari-Morgan Costume

Pattern: Simplicity 5840. 

Orla's Horror Doll Costume

Pattern: Maridah vintage walking dress.

Caz's High Priestess Costume

Pattern: Vogue Patterns V1982. Fitted, lined cape dress has jewel neckline, front waist and bust darts, back princess seams, back slit and invisible back zipper. Attached unlined cape (wrong side will show) also has an invisible back zipper and baby hem. View A has 3/4 length sleeves. View B is sleeveless.

Sizing: B5 (8-10-12-14-16), Y5 (18-20-22-24-26), approx. UK sizes B5 (6 – 12), Y5 (14 – 22/24). based on our standardised size chart . Please also check the designer's size chart and finished garment measurements. Available in the shop: Yes, paper pattern.