THE GREAT BRITISH SEWING BEE: MEET THE SEWERS FOR UPCOMING SERIES

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.

THE SEWERS

AILSA, 28 (she/her)

GLASGOW

Freelance Events Planner

Ailsa, a proud Scot, grew up in a small village in the Scottish Highlands with her Mum. Ailsa’s Mum worked as a seamstress and in the local greengrocers that was owned and run by Ailsa’s grandparents.

ALEX, 32 (she/her)

DERBYSHIRE

Copywriter/Editor

Alex was born in Manchester and moved to Cambridge when she was four with her parents and younger sister, where she lived until she went to university. Alex moved to London in 2012 after graduation and worked as a Copywriter for a fashion brand.

COMFORT, 33 (she/her)

SOMERSET (originally UGANDA)

Self-Employed Designer and Business Manager

Comfort grew up in Uganda and moved to Tanzania to study Architecture at University at 19. One of four siblings, her Mum died when she was six years old, and she was raised by her Dad and Step-Mum. Comfort met her husband Paul, whilst studying in Tanzania and they have two children together.

DON, 84 (he/him)

CHESHIRE

Retired Research Physicist

Don grew up in the small village of Leuchars in Scotland but often moved around because his father was in the RAF during the Second World War. He went on to study Physics at St Andrews and then to Imperial College London for his PhD.

GEORGIE, 40 (she/her)

ISLE OF WIGHT

Club & Festival DJ

Georgie was born in Lewisham in South London and lived there with her parents and two sisters until she was 5 years old. Deciding the London life was not for them, they moved to the beautiful Isle of Wight where Georgie still lives with her partner of 17 years and two children. In a past life, Georgie was a police officer and although an incredible experience she much prefers her current job as a Club and Festival DJ.

JANET, 75 (she/her)

DONCASTER

Retired

Janet was born and bred in Yorkshire where she raised her 3 sons. She has taken on many roles throughout her working life including; a market trader, a dog groomer, doctor’s receptionist, and she owned a private hire taxi company, she is now happily retired. Janet met her partner, Adrian, at 68 at a dance and they are both enjoying retirement together.

LAUREN, 36 (she/her)

MANCHESTER

Finance Administrator

Finance Administrator Lauren was born in Hackney but has lived in Manchester since she was 5 years old. She currently lives in a flat in South Manchester and is single, she comes from a big family and boasts 15 nephews and nieces and a few godchildren.

LUKE, 33 (they/them)

MANCHESTER

Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion Director

Luke grew up in Wilmslow, Cheshire, with their Mum Janet and sister, through whom Luke has a close relationship with their niece and nephew. Luke now lives in Salford, Manchester with fiancé Jesus, who is originally from Gran Canaria. They have been together for 5 years.

MARCUS, 30 (he/him)

LONDON

Teaching Assistant & Arts Award Coordinator

Marcus grew up in London and was raised by his parents who were both Philosophers of Music. He met his wife Juliet when he was 15 in school, and they haven’t been apart since. He is a passionate Teaching Assistant who helps children one-to-one with special educational needs. He has recently taken on the role of Arts Award Coordinator; giving children who struggle academically knowledge and insight into careers in the arts industries.

NEIL, 52 (he/him)

LEICESTER

Woodwork Instructor

Woodwork instructor Neil grew up in Sileby near Leicester with his Mum, Dad and older brother and sister. He met his partner Kathy on his 24th birthday and they had a civil partnership in 2020.

PASCHA, 20 (she/her)

GUILDFORD

Student

Pascha was born in Switzerland and then lived in Greece until the age of four, at which time she moved to the UK with her parents and younger brother where they settled in Surrey. Pascha is currently studying Psychology and Innovation at Bristol University. She also has two jobs, working as a commis chef in a gastro pub and in wine tasting events, where she plans and runs events from tastings to festivals.

SUZY, 28 (she/her)

LIVERPOOL (ORIGINALLY WIGAN)

Waitress

Suzy grew up in Wigan with her parents and two older brothers before moving to Liverpool to study Journalism at University. She met her fiancé, Christian, 7 ½ years ago, and they recently got engaged in New York. During a trip to one of many fabric shops, Suzy was approached by a shop assistant with fabric in all her favourite colours and to her surprise, Christian had designed it ahead of time and it said the words, “Suzy, will you marry me?”. 

The Great British Sewing Bee returns Tuesday 21st May at 9pm on BBC One.