Great British Sewing Bee 2026

[LIZS]

Back on 14th July at 8pm

I disagree. I think that, given that the LBD was very much a Chanel thing, Beth’s interpretation hit the brief perfectly. During the judges little chat at the table, Patrick did mention that it didn’t have to be a dress. The use of the tweed was perfect and Chanel would have thoroughly approved. I thought that Heather’s dress, though wearable, showed a lack of ambition and was too close to a bog standard LBD. That wasn’t what was asked for. I agree with pp who said it looked a bit dated or Karen Millen 2005. Both Anna and Emma had also produced an LBD with a twist as it were. Anna’s was ambitious and would have been catwalk worthy if it had worked, but it was a bit of a failure from an execution perspective. Emma’s choice of fabric was bold and her sewing was good. So the judges got it right for me, much as I really liked Heather and it was sad to see her go

I think you are right it is between Beth and Anna and I think maybe Beth just has the edge as she has that attention to detail.
I think that the standard of sewing and ability has been much higher this year.

Anna needs to stop with boning everything. She's a bit samey. I find Beth much more versatile.

Given that it was all filmed months ago she can't change anything now.

Didn't really like anything from all 3 challenges that were made last night.

Heather had been more adventurous in some of her other MTMs so it was disappointing to see something that didn't 'push the envelope' from her. I didn't like Emma's dress at all but TBF it was difficult to see it properly. It didn't look like a good fit to me.

Definitely has to be between Anna and Beth for the win and as a PP has said - Beth has hit her stride at the right time.

I wish they had just asked for a “ little black dress” and not wanted a personal variation on it. That’s where it turns from clothing in to costume. It also makes them step outside their comfort zone be it boning, trousers, bright colours. I did like Beth’s but wished I could have seen it better without the veiling on top

Have contestants not been eliminated in the past for being too ambitious? I understand why they kept Anna in but did find it a bit unfair on Heather when her execution of the make was much better than Anna's.

I think it shouldn’t be one round alone that has you eliminated that near the end. It’s not Strictly where they say it’s “ this dance alone” and even then it often isn’t. I think Anna’s dress was very ugly and Heather’s much more attractive but when I saw Heather’s design I thought it was the least ambitious.

Properly constructed and finished I feel Anna’s dress would be a joy to wear.

But then, so would Beth’s ensemble.

Heather and Emma’s frocks were very standard High St offerings.

I will miss Heather, she and Beth have been my favourites.

Emma's LBD was excellent, I thought it fitted her model really well.

Anna definitely has a flair for costume design, I just don't think it always translates well to actual clothes. I mean, she could barely get under the boning to sew the hem, how is anyone meant to wear that dress in real life? Plus the top of the bodice was a terrible shape. In comparison, the bodice of her shirt dress was really imaginative and something that I could see someone wearing.

I would love for Beth to win, agree she is hitt8ng her stride now.

I think Beth is more likely to win based on her strengths - it’s just Anna takes greater risks so if things went her way she might just win.

It would be good to see a table which showed Anna v Beth in terms of wins across the challenges. I know they have both had GOTW? But maybe Anna has won more overall? That’s just a guess - I wish I had a graph (that is a very sad admission, I apologize)

The Wikipedia series page goes into great detail if you can work with that!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_British_Sewing_Bee_series_12

A bottom two of simple design with minor flaws vs ambitious design with larger flaws has come up before. iirc they almost always keep the ambitious contestant.

Every time someone says they're doing something simple-ish in the MTM chats, the judges warn them they expect it to be essentially flawless in execution.

Thank you, wow they are neck and neck aren’t they?
But Anna can do precision and ambition which is the golden combination I guess.

My thoughts are that the programme shouldn't be a stepping stone into a professional job. It's for me a programme that should focus on the excellent sewing skills of amateurs.

Heather didn't do as well in the first two challenges so if the mtm were equal, I think it's fair she went.

I really think the hardest part of sewing bee in some respects is finding your style and judging the right level of flair and ambition. That's so nebulous and we've lost some good sewers in the past because of that.

Also I’m sure the production team have some kind of points system which they can show the judges just to support their decisions. One that they can glance at if they are being partial?

From the first (ish?) series there was the launch of Tilly and the Buttons and Lauren's haberdashery Guthrie And Ghani. Plenty of Bake off contestants have had food related or media careers on the back of their performances.

If someone thrives on screen or in their chosen skill, I don't think it's a problem if they can convert that into a profession.

My favourite contestants were both from Series 2 - Chinelo and Lynda. We still sign Patrick's name the way Lynda did.

Oh, Chinelo blew me away. I'd never seen clothes being made without a pattern before. What a skill 😎

I thought the same, but TBF they didn't have terrific material to work with - hard to make something fabulous out of a load of old non- matching shirts. I like Anna's outfit but it did look like a stage costume for Les Mis!

Yes it did look 💯 Les Mis costume

Oh I remember Chinelo. She was outstanding.

She was amazing. She now makes custom wedding dresses, all one-offs.

That's good to hear @EmiliaBassano , thank you

I am not keen on dresses and I loved Beth's shorts take on the LBD. It was beautifully made and completely original. I've liked Anna's sewing throughout but last night's didn't really work. I'll be happy if either of them win.