If you have never seen "The Great British Sewing Bee" where have you been? It's just wrapped its tenth season and with new(ish) host Kiell Smith-Bynoe, is fast becoming the byword in comfort TV for these troubled times. Here's how to watch it from anywhere with a VPN — and potentially for free.
"The Great British Sewing Bee" season 10 premiered on Tuesday, May 21. All episodes are available on BBC iPlayer now.
• FREE — BBC iPlayer (U.K.)
• Watch anywhere — try NordVPN 100% risk free
As with "Bake Off", contestants faced three challenges based around a general theme. In this reality format the aim is to win Garment of the Week or, at the very least, impress the judges and avoiding leaving the show (before inevitably saying how much you have enjoyed your time on the show). It's potentially life-changing televised jeopardy with a needle and thread as opposed to a whisk.
The three challenges are: The Pattern Challenge – contestants must follow the same pattern as accurately as possible; the Transformation Challenge – reimagine an existing garment to to create a specified different type of garment; and, the Made-to-measure Challenge – sewers design and create their own garments, while adjusting their patterns to fit human models.
The tenth series of the sewing competition saw challenges based around sport and global travel, as well as themes like Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Indian textiles and children's clothes as well as lingerie, divas and design icons.
Read on and we'll reveal how to watch "The Great British Sewing Bee" online and from anywhere.
"The Great British Sewing Bee" for free
Watch 'The Great British Sewing Bee' from abroad
Thanks to the wonders of a VPN (Virtual Private Network), "The Great British Sewing Bee" should be available to Brits no matter where they are. The software allows your devices to appear to be back in your home country regardless of where in the world you find yourself. Our favorite is NordVPN.
Using a VPN is incredibly simple.
1. Install the VPN of your choice. As we've said, NordVPN is our favorite.
2. Choose the location you wish to connect to in the VPN app. For instance, if you're in the U.S. and want to view your usual U.K. service, you'd select U.K. from the list.
3. Sit back and enjoy the show. Head to BBC iPlayer and watch "The Great British Sewing Bee."
Watch around the world
Can I watch 'The Great British Sewing Bee' in the U.S.?
There are currently no plans to air "The Great British Sewing Bee" in the U.S. right now.
If you are a Brit in the States on work or vacation you can catch the show by using a VPN such as NordVPN, choosing U.K. from the list and heading to BBC iPlayer.
How to watch 'The Great British Sewing Bee' in the U.K.
In the U.K. then "The Great British Sewing Bee" season 10 aired on BBC One on Tuesdays at 9 p.m. BST (4 p.m. ET/ 1 p.m. PT).
All episodes are now available on BBC iPlayer.
If you're not in the U.K., you can still catch the show by using one of the best VPN services, such as NordVPN.
Can I watch 'The Great British Sewing Bee' in Canada?
As with the U.S. there are currently no plans to air "The Great British Sewing Bee" in Canada but if you are a Brit in the Great White North on work or vacation you can catch the show by using a VPN such as NordVPN.
Can I watch 'The Great British Sewing Bee' in Australia?
"The Great British Sewing Bee" streams on Binge in Australia, so we'd expect season 10 to show up at some point in the future. Right now, you can catch up with seasons 1-9 on Binge.
If you are a Brit down under on work or vacation you can catch the show by using a VPN such as NordVPN.
Can I watch 'The Great British Sewing Bee' in New Zealand?
"The Great British Sewing Bee" typically airs on TVNZ in New Zealand. Season 9 is currently streaming on TVNZ+. There's no word as to when season 10 might land.
If you are a Brit currently there on work or vacation you can catch the show by using a VPN such as NordVPN to unblock BBC iPlayer.
'The Great British Sewing Bee' episode schedule dates
Season 10 Episode 1 - Tuesday, May 21: Kiell Smith-Bynoe welcomes the 12 sewers to the sewing room as we kick off the tenth series celebrating Sewing turning ten. In the first week, judges Patrick Grant and Esme Young task the new sewers with challenges inspired by the very first set in our first series. For their first Pattern Challenge, it’s a denim A-line midiskirt. For the 90-minute Transformation Challenge, rather than altering the neckline of a T-shirt, they have to transform it into a completely new garment. Finally, in the Made-to-Measure, the sewers meet their models for the first time to make their interpretation of a casual day dress.
S10 E02 - Tuesday, May 28: Judges Patrick and Esme have set three challenges inspired by the wide world of sport. In the first challenge, the sewers are presented with a pattern for a sportswear staple perfect for the winter months, the half zip fleece. In the Transformation Challenge, the sewers face a sticky wicket as they are tasked with creating a whole new outfit from cricket whites and protection. And, in honour of 2024 being an Olympic year, in the Made-to-Measure, the sewers nominate a country and make an outfit for a specific sport fit for an international sporting event.
S10 E03 - Tuesday, June 4: It’s not exactly a holiday for the sewers in Week 3 as Patrick Grant and Esme Young task them with creating garments based around travel. In the Pattern Challenge, the judges channel holidays as the sewers are challenged to make a summer blouse using old tablecloths. Then they set sail in the Transformation Challenge and make bags using nautical paraphernalia. In the Made-to-Measure, The Sewing Bee heads to the coast with outfits inspired by the French Riviera. Who will make a fashion faux pas and who will turn heads with some je ne sais quoi?
S10 E04 - Tuesday, June 11: Taking on the fast fashion industry, the second most polluting industry in the world, Kiell Smith-Bynoe welcomes back Reduce Reuse Recycle week. First, the sewers attempt a quilted bag using scraps sandwiched between sheets of organza. In the Transformation Challenge, the sewers come face to face with the idea of the mountains of discarded clothes created every day by the fashion industry. In 90 minutes they are tasked with cherry-picking items from textile waste to create a brand new item in a colour palette of their choosing. Finally, in a Sewing Bee first, the sewers take wedding dresses and repurpose them in to an outfit fit for a party. They cut, dye and even paint the dress and produce a range of ingenuous garments
S10 E05 - Tuesday, June 18: The ten remaining sewers celebrate fashion and textiles from India. Kiell Smith-Bynoe and judges Patrick Grant and Esme Young are joined by a special guest judge, Priya Khanchandani. The Pattern Challenge takes inspiration from the jacket popularised by the first prime minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru. In the Transformation, the sewers are challenged to make an outfit from two fabrics originating in India, calico and Madras cotton. Finally, for the Made to Measure the sewers create evening wear taking inspiration from elements of the sari.
S10 E06 - Tuesday, June 25: It’s Children’s Week, and Kiell Smith-Bynoe invites the seven remaining sewers to follow the pattern for a child’s sequined bomber jacket. With sequins proving tricky to tackle and ribbing around the cuffs and neck, the sewers' skills will once again be under the microscope. For the Transformation Challenge, the sewers are asked to make animal-themed fancy dress for a toddler from beach towels, with eye-catching results. Finally, the Sewing Bee welcomes mini models for the Made-to-Measure. The sewers' challenge is to unearth a childhood photo and use it as inspiration to create a brand new outfit to fit their mini models. Who will breeze through it like child’s play, and who will be on the naughty step?
S10 E07 - Tuesday, July 2: A place in the quarter-final is at stake, and this week the sewers must face three technically taxing challenges from the world of lingerie. First up, in the Pattern Challenge, it is time for bed as the sewers are asked to make a pyjama blouse. Piping is an intricate undertaking, and it should cover the cuffs and front. For the Transformation Challenge, the sewers take shapewear and lace and, using their unique structure and form, create new outfits. Finally, it’s ‘boom or bustier’ as the sewers tackle boning and make bustier dresses in the Made-to-Measure. Their ability to fit a model is put to the test - there is nowhere to hide if a bustier dress is not fitted well
S10 E08 - Tuesday, July 9: The quarter-final sees the five remaining sewers make garments inspired by divas past and present. From Elton to Mariah, this week’s theme is most definitely fabulous. For the Pattern Challenge, judges Patrick Grant and Esme Young take Tina Turner’s iconic fringed dress as inspiration and challenge the sewers to create their own versions with multiple layers of fringing. The Transformation Challenge envisages the diva on their day off, still fabulous but this time slipping into something more comfortable in animal print. Finally, in the Made to Measure, the sewers get to choose a stage outfit for their favourite diva. From Beyoncé to Lady Gaga, the sewers have all bases covered when it comes to stage presence
S10 E09 - Tuesday, July 16
Kiell Smith-Bynoe welcomes the four semi-finalists into the sewing room as the judges set three challenges inspired by design icons. First up, master pattern cutter Cristobal Balenciaga is the inspiration for the Pattern Challenge, as the sewers recreate a version of one of his dresses. In the Transformation Challenge, taking the lead from the iconic Jean Paul Gaultier, the sewers are given a pile of neck ties and tasked with using them to create a brand new garment. Finally, in the Made to Measure, Coco Chanel is in the spotlight as the sewers get the chance to scour her long career to find a style to make an outfit inspired by her work.
S10 E10 - Tuesday, July 23
It’s the grand finale as the three finalists compete for the title of Britain’s best amateur sewer. Patrick Grant and Esme Young kick things off by challenging the sewers to make opera gloves. These gloves require delicate fabrics and precision sewing - a true test at this stage of the competition. Next, it’s the sewers’ last chance to show off their instinct for design in the Transformation Challenge. They attempt to turn party paraphernalia, such as napkins, paper hats and even bunting, into a complete party outfit. Finally, for the first time in ten years of Sewing Bee, the sewers create a full outfit by draping on their models within the time allowed for the challenge. They have had a chance to plan, but it is in the sewing room where all the hard work will be done. This is their final chance to show the judges why they deserve to win. Three finalists, three challenges, but only one sewer will be crowned the tenth winner of the competition.
'The Great British Sewing Bee' S10 contestants
Season 10 contestants:
Ailsa - Grew up in the Scottish Highlands and now lives in Glasgow.
Alex - Lives in Derbyshire and works as a copywriter and editor.
Comfort - Trained as an architect and now works as a self-employed designer and business manager.
Don - Taught to sew by his mum over 70 years ago, learning on a hand-cranked sewing machine.
Georgie - Festival and club DJ.
Janet - Lives in Yorkshire and is retired.
Lauren - Finance administrator living in Manchester, and is also a talented singer.
Luke - Diversity, equality and inclusion director.
Marcus - Lives in London and works as a teaching assistant and arts assistant coordinator.
Neil - Woodwork teacher living in Leicester.
Pascha - Student of psychology and innovation at university.
Suzy - Lives in Liverpool and recently left a job in corporate marketing to return to hospitality.
'The Great British Sewing Bee' FAQ
What do we know about new host Kiell Smith-Bynoe?
Actor and writer Kiell Smith-Bynoe, is best known for his role as Mike – Alison’s non-spirit-seeing husband – in the BAFTA-nominated sitcom "Ghosts" and no-nonsense estate agent Dean in BAFTA-winning comedy "Stath Lets Flats".
A contestant in the most recent series of "Taskmaster", he has also starred in crime drama "Death in Paradise" (still one of the best shows on BBC iPlayer) and the comedies "Dreamland", "Bloods" and "Murder They Hope". At this year’s Edinburgh Fringe, he co-starred in the musical comedy "String V SPITTA" and had his own late-night improv show "Kiell Smith-Bynoe and Friends: Kool Story Bro."
After competing in the 2021 Christmas special of "The Great British Sewing Bee", he stepped in for Sara Pascoe as the new host for the 2023 Christmas Special and now Season 10.
What do we know about judges Esme Young and Patrick Grant?
Esme Young: The 74 year old Joined "The Great British Sewing Bee" as a judge in 2016. A designer who’s made costumes for films from "Captain Corelli’s Mandolin" to "Trainspotting", Esme is also a tutor at Central Saint Martins art school. With three friends passionate about fashion, she opened the iconic store Swanky Modes in Camden, London, in the 1970s and dressed stars such as Grace Jones, Siouxsie Sioux and Cher. Their most famous creation, the Amorphous dress, is in The V&A Museum. She has also appeared on: "Richard Osman’s House of Games", "Would I Lie to You?" and "The Wheel".
Patrick Grant: A designer and creative director of bespoke tailors Norton & Sons of Savile Row and its subsidiary E Tautz, the 51 year old won Menswear Designer of the Year at the British Fashion Awards in 2010. In 2015 he bought ailing Blackburn clothing manufacturer Cookson & Clegg, saving the factory from closure, and launched social enterprise Community Clothing to champion UK-made quality, affordable and sustainable fashion. Earlier this year, he presented the documentary Coronation Tailors: "Fit for a King." He has judged "The Great British Sewing Bee" since its start in 2013.
What else can I watch on BBC iPlayer?
Lots – including "I Kissed a Girl", "The Assembly", "This Town", "The Space Shuttle That Fell to Earth", "The Reckoning", "Navalny" and "The Stones and Brian Jones"
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