GREAT BRITISH SEWING BEE 2025 – SEWING PATTERNS S11 EP9
Images Copyright: BBC/Love Productions
It’s the ninth episode of series 11 and it's 1920s week!
In the ninth episode of The Great British Sewing Bee series 11, four remaining contestants are challenged with recreate iconic plus fours, a staple of 1920s outdoor pursuits, in the transformation challenge contestants take inspiration from tennis legend Rene Lacoste, and are given polo shirts to turn into modern, colour-blocked garments, and in the Made-to-Measure challenge the sewers are tasked with creating an outfit for a 1920s party. For episode nine 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 ninth 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: plus fours
The first challenge of the ninth episode was to make iconic plus fours.
Pattern: 1920s Plus Fours - EvaDress.
Transformation Challenge 2: upcycling polo shirts into a colour block garment
In the upcycling challenge contestants had to upcycle polo shirts into a colour block garment. 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: 1920s party dress
In the last challenge of the ninth episode, all the contestants had to design a made-to-measure outfit for a 1920s party. 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 Sailor Dress for a Lesbian Club Night
Pattern: 1940s two-piece Middy Dress no. 3156 - MrsDepew or
Pattern: Folkwear 211 Unisex Two Middies.
The middy has been a fashion classic for over a hundred years, although it has been a part of naval tradition since the days of sailing ships. Its popularity peaked in the 1920s when newly-liberated women wore middies for active sports and with skirts for more dressy occasions.
View A is the very simple garment worn by British seamen in tropical climes. Traditionally made of a white cotton twill with blue binding around a square neck, the shirt featured short sleeves and a self-patch in the back. In the 1920s, View B was worn for school, office and sports, paired with a pleated skirt. Comfortable and practical, it has been popular fishing and camping wear for decades. A square middy collar, short set-in sleeves, band cuffs and a side buttoned hip band detail this popular shirt. A tab below the V-neck opening catches the contrasting scarf or tie often worn with this middy. Instructions for a neck tie are included.
Sizing: Women's XS - 2XL (approx. UK 6 - 24) and Men's S - 2XL. Please check and size charts and finished garment measurements. Available in the online shop: Yes, PDF or PDF + printed copy shop.
Kit's Miss Eldorado Dress
Pattern: Folkwear 264 Monte Carlo Dress.
A popular 1920s fashion among the young, adventurous "flapper" girls was the straight-sided drop-waist dress with handkerchief hem, worn with tunic tops made out of revealingly sheer fabrics.
Folkwear's Monte Carlo Dress, from 1924, is inspired by the captivating styles of Paul Poiret and Jacques Doucet. This sheath dress features the drop waist and cylindrical silhouette so popular at the time. It is finished off with a bias-cut handkerchief hem that swishes seductively around nylon-stockinged legs and shows off a bit of ankle. Fanciful decoration was all the rage, in beads, sumptuous embroidery, and bejewelled ornaments. Embellish the dress according to the occasion, using the vintage design motifs included in the pattern.
Sizing: XS – 2XL (approx. UK 4/6 – 24/26, based on our standardised size chart). Please also check the designer's size chart. Available in the shop: Yes, PDF or PDF + printed copy shop.
Caz's Release Day Party Dress
Pattern: Vintage Revival Pictorial Pattern No. 4998 circa 1926 - 1928.
Orla's Flapper Vote Dress
Pattern: 1929 Tulle Party Frock - My Vintage Wish.
