THE GREAT BRITISH SEWING BEE 2022 – SEWING PATTERNS – SERIES 8 EPISODE 7
It’s the seventh episode of series 8…
In the seventh episode of The Great British Sewing Bee series 8 the contestants are challenged with Lingerie 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 Sewing Bee TV show. The patterns below are all matches or inspired by the designs used in the sixth episode of the Great British Sewing bee series 8. If you haven’t already seen our ultimate guide to the Sewing Bee do take a look.
The seventh theme was Lingerie Week and all contestants had to make three garments. The challenges included making a underwired bra and matching knicker set, upcycling thermal underwear into daywear, and in the Made-to-Measure challenge making a fitted pair of luxury pyjamas. 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 is away on holiday this week so Rachel 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: Underwired bra and matching knicker set
The first challenge of the seventh episode was to make an underwired bra and matching knicker set. The pattern pieces are small and the margin for error even less, any mistakes will be impossible to hide! We have three pattern options for you below inspired by the show. The bra cup is created from three panels and two of the lace panels are backed with power mesh to give them more support.
Underwired Bra
The Cosmo Bra can be sewn with or without underwires! This bra has a three-part cup (composed of a top cup, bottom cup and side cup), which creates a beautiful curve and provides good support. Tested and approved from A cup to H cup! Version A can be made in stretchable or rigid fabrics – yes, it is possible to use offcuts of your favourite fabric – while Version B is made in lace. For an extra touch of glamour, why not add the Angel fancy lace back?
This pattern promises endless beautiful creations! So what will your versions of Cosmo look like?
Sizing: XS (approx. UK 30A / FR 80A / EU 65A / US 30AA) – 5XL (approx. UK 46H / FR 120H / EU 105H / US 46G). Available in the shop: Yes, PDF and PDF + printed copy shop.
Knickers
Trixie Briefs – Jennifer Lauren Handmade
Based on the popular Nixie Briefs silhouette, Trixie is like a warm, comforting (and comfortable!) hug for your bum. Your new all-day, every day brief. The Trixie Briefs have a higher rise at the back and full bum coverage – they’re star jump proof and the ultimate in everyday comfort, all while being a quick and satisfying make. With classic or panelled options, you can make Trixie in your choice of a modern hipster brief or a 50s-inspired true high-waisted style (sitting above your belly button, at your natural waist).
The high-waist style is perfect for pairing with fit-and-flare dresses and high-waisted skirts and pants. As they sit at the true waist, they would also make the perfect 50s bikini bottom when made up in a swim lycra, as well as the perfect lounge pant paired with a cropped lacy dressing gown. It’s time to get adventurous with those knit fabric scraps, mixing and matching to your heart’s content. Instructions are included for finishing with fold over elastic (FOE) as well as lingerie elastic, making for a total of 8 different variations all within one pattern.
Sizing: UK 6 – 24 . Available in the shop: Yes, PDF or PDF + printed copy shop.
Iris Knickers – Tilly and the Buttons
Learn to sew your own undies with this multi-style knickers pattern, created in collaboration with lingerie designer Evie La Lùve. The step-by-step photo instructions and helpful tips make this a great project for lingerie novices.
Incredibly versatile, this mix-and-match sewing pattern includes a choice of low, midi and high legs and waistlines. Iris can be finished with fold over elastic and/or narrow stretch lace, depending on your style, making a total of 36 combinations! A pleasure to sew, and a perfect scrap busting project, you can whip them up on a regular sewing machine. Once you’ve made your first pair, you’ll be hooked!
Sizing: UK 6 – 24 or UK 16 – 34. Available in the shop: Yes, paper, PDF or PDF + printed copy shop.
Transformation Challenge 2: thermal underwear into daywear
In the upcycling challenge contestants had to upcycle thermal underwear into daywear. 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: Luxury pyjamas
In the last challenge of episode seven, all the contestants had to make a luxury pair of pyjamas to fit their male model. Here are our pattern picks for the contestants and where sewing patterns have been self drafted or hacked we have suggested an alternative.
Annie’s ASAP Rocky inspired pyjamas
Features: Black piping and button front shirt with collar and shorts.
Pattern: Burda 2691. Vintage pyjamas for men and women, cuddly, made of cotton flannel or stylish, made of silk. A feel-good piece of garment year-round.
Sizing: A (12-14/16-18/20-22 // 34-36/38-40/42-44), approx. UK sizes A (10/12- 14/16-18/20 // 34-44), 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.
Debra’s Noel Coward inspired pyjamas
Features: Rounded collar with red piping made in Duchess satin.
Pattern: Simplicity S1504. Get cozy with the whole family in these Easy to Sew loungewear shirts in two lengths and trousers. Button down collared shirts, have chest pocket and can be personalized with piping and embroidered initials.
Sizing: A (XS-L / XS-XL) approx. UK sizes A (4-16yrs / 4 -20). Please check the size chart and finished garment measurements.. Available in the shop: Yes, paper pattern.
Man Yee’s Dad inspired pyjamas
Features: contrast collar with appliqué bee on shirt pocket and contract cuff on shirt and trousers.
Pattern: Simplicity S8802. Parent and child classic loungewear set. The pattern includes pants and a top with front pockets and contrasting collar options.
Sizing: A (S-L / XS-XL). Please check the size chart and finished garment measurements.. Available in the shop: Yes, paper pattern.
Gill’s Goldfish pyjamas
Features: collarless shirt with buttons and ankle length trousers.
Pattern: Simplicity S9218. Lounge in style with loose-fitting pullover tunic with back pleat into yoke, forward shoulder seams & shaped hem plus pull-on pant. Sized for the whole family.
Sizing: AA (S-M-L-XL) BB (S-M-L-XL), approx. UK sizes AA (6/8 – 28/30) BB (7/8 – 16yrs). Please check the size chart and finished garment measurements. Available in the shop: Yes, paper pattern.
Cristian’s Satin pyjamas
Features: Silk satin fabric with contrast pocket and collar.
Pattern: McCalls M8262. Loungewear set includes pajama shirts, pants and shorts. Tops A and B have collar with piping, patch pockets, and short and long sleeves with binding. Shorts and full length sleepwear pants have drawstring casing, side pockets and bias tape.
Sizing: XM (S-M-L), XN (XL-XXL-XXXL), which is approx. UK sizes XM (34 – 44), XN (46– 56) based on our standardised size chart. Please check the size chart and finished garment measurements. Available in the shop: Yes, paper pattern.
Brogan’s Cheese plant fabric pyjamas
Features: Orange piping with short sleeve shirts and shorts.
Pattern: Vogue Patterns V8964. The lined wrap robe has front extending into collar, extended shoulders, loops and self belt. A, B, C: Sleeve and pocket bands. B and C: Bias piping. Top has collar. The shorts or straight-legged pants, slightly below waist (front) have bias drawstring with elastic and button fly.
Sizing: MUU (34-36-38-40), MXX (40-42-44-46).Please check the size chart and finished garment measurements. Available in the shop: Yes, paper pattern.
