Great British Sewing Bee start time, contestants and judges for 2025 series

The Great British Sewing Bee is set to return to BBC One, with the competition series kicking off tonight, July 15.

Sara Pascoe will be at the helm as 12 new sewing enthusiasts display their talents, starting with a pattern challenge to create a tie-front blouse.

Their skills will be further tested in the subsequent made-to-measure round, where they'll be tasked with crafting a perfectly shaped dress featuring pleats.

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The contestants will then face the transformation challenge, where they're asked by the judges to transform a circle skirt into a completely new garment.

Here's everything you need to know about the series, including the start time, participants and judges.

When does The Great British Sewing Bee begin?

The hour-long episode is the first of 10, which will air weekly on Tuesday evenings at 9pm.

Fans can catch up on missed episodes via BBC iPlayer.

Who are the new Great British Sewing Bee contestants?

Caz - 59

Caz, hailing from Nottingham, managed her family's print business for over three decades before recently retiring.

She began sewing at the age of 11 and even crafted her own wedding gown.

Kit - 24

Kit, originally from Surrey but now residing and working in Manchester, embarked on his sewing journey during primary school.

During his university years, he would create a new garment every week and has a passion for exploring haberdasheries.

Gaynor - 72

This Welsh grandmother has been sewing since the 1950s and currently teaches her 12 year old granddaughter the craft.

Jess - 33

Jess, from Berkshire, started her sewing journey at the age of 11, using leftover fabric scraps to make items for her sister.

During lockdown, she rediscovered her passion for sewing and hasn't looked back since.

Órla - 19

Órla, a German and Scandinavian student at the University of Edinburgh, began sewing when she was just 15. She enjoys creating items for her loved ones and aspires to have a completely self-made wardrobe one day.

Peter

Peter, a senior construction manager, developed an interest in sewing while watching the Great British Sewing Bee with his two daughters. Since then, the entire family has been crafting their own clothes.

Glendora

Bus driver Glendora inherited her love for sewing and quilting from her mother. Since June 2021, she has crafted an impressive 36 quilts.

Yasmin - 30

Yasmin hails from Gateshead and works as a research and development scientist. Her family prefers to make and mend rather than buy new, and it was her father who taught her how to create her own clothes from scratch.

Novello - 66

Novello was inspired by Blue Peter to start sewing at the tender age of five. The Welsh-born contestant has maintained this interest throughout his life.

Dan - 37

Dan is a performer from Durham who has been sewing since he was 10 years old. He even creates his own costumes for his performances.

Saffie - 32

Saffie, a lecturer in Product & Industrial Design from Haggerston, learned to knit from her great aunt when she was eight. Since then, she has created numerous practical yet fashionable pieces.

Stuart - 53

Stuart is a premises manager who frequently mends his family's clothes. His sewing journey began in 2020 when he started making hats.

Who are the judges on the Great British Sewing Bee?

The resident judges are Esme Young and Patrick Grant.

Esme, aged 74, joined the programme in 2016 and has an impressive portfolio of costume design for major films such as Trainspotting and Bridget Jones's Diary.

After launching her own shop in London, she has had the privilege of dressing celebrities like Grace Jones, Siouxsie Sioux, and Cher.

Patrick, who is 51, has been a part of the show since its inception in 2013.

He serves as a designer and creative director for bespoke tailors Norton & Sons of Savile Row, and was awarded Menswear Designer of the Year at the British Fashion Awards in 2010.

The Great British Sewing Bee is broadcast on BBC One at 9pm.