Meet the 12 Contestants of The Great British Sewing Bee 2025!

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Here comes another season of “The Great British Sewing Bee”! Once again, our host Sara Pascoe is in charge, joined by judges Patrick Grant and Esme Young. They’ll be guiding 12 exceptional home sewers from across the country through a series of imaginative and skill-testing tasks.

Over a span of ten weeks, participants will face various tests based on themes ranging from art and films to the 1920s and Korea. The goal is to crown Britain’s most skilled home seamstress or tailor in this competition.

This week, I find myself diving headfirst into a whirlwind of creativity as a sewer! In the pattern challenge, I’ll be showcasing my skills by crafting a trendy tie-front blouse. The transformation challenge then pushes me to reimagine circle skirts and breathe new life into them, transforming them into entirely fresh garments. It’s an exhilarating journey of design and innovation!

At the end of the episode, the contestants’ sewing abilities were put to the test in the Made to Measure challenge, which involved crafting a flawlessly designed dress complete with elegant pleats.

And while one sewer will earn garment of the week, it’s the end of the road for another.

So, who is in this year’s cast of The Great British Sewing Bee? Read on to find out!

The Great British Sewing Bee 2025 cast

  • Caz
  • Kit
  • Gaynor
  • Jess
  • Órla
  • Peter
  • Glendora
  • Yasmin
  • Novello
  • Dan
  • Saffie
  • Stuart

Read on to learn more about the cast members.

Caz

Age: 59

Lives: Staffordshire

Job: Retired

Lately, Caz has stepped down from managing the family printing business following three decades of dedicated service, a role she deeply cherished. Although there’s a possibility she might return to work in the near future, Caz is relishing the additional leisure she now has for her hobby of sewing.

At age 11, she started sewing and developed an instant affection for it. Before long, she found herself sewing frequently, and by the time she turned 16, it had become a regular part of her life.

Caz loves technical sewing and is a big fan of topstitching and French seams.

Kit

Age: 24

Lives: Manchester

Job: Digital marketer

Kit resides and carries out work in Manchester, but was raised in Surrey with their parents, brother, and sister. Once their mother began instructing their sister on how to sew sock puppets, Kit learned the craft independently and then attempted to market their homemade items at school, leading to a minor predicament.

Ever since that time, they resumed their pastime of crafting garments during their university years, consistently creating one piece per week. They frequently delve into various types of trims and materials, with a special affection for those deemed “unattractive”. Their aim is to transform these seemingly ordinary fabrics into something truly captivating.

Gaynor

Age: 72

Lives: Port Talbot, Wales

Job: Retired office manager

As a seasoned film critic, I’ve always admired the art of storytelling woven into fabric, and no one does it better than Gaynor. Despite barely passing her needlework class back in school, this talented seamstress has transformed her humble beginnings into a beautiful tapestry of skill and creativity.

Nowadays, Gaynor teaches her granddaughter how to sew.

Gaynor characterizes her approach as both elegant and intelligent, planning to infuse a sense of classic designs in the sewing studio.

Jess

Age: 33

Lives: London

Job: Head of communications

As I grew up, I discovered that sewing served as a powerful bond between me and my dear family members – my mom, aunts, and grandmother. At the tender age of 11, I embarked on this creative journey, using remnants of fabric to craft items together with my sister, using those moments to weave even stronger connections with her.

In secondary school, Jess started creating her unique fashion sense, even crafting her own garments during her high school years. This hobby reemerged during the lockdown period and has continued to be a constant activity for her ever since.

Órla

Age: 19

Lives: Inverness

Job: Café worker/student

Amongst this year’s Sewing Bee contestants, Orla is the youngest and is currently on a journey to define her unique fashion aesthetic. Through the art of sewing, she is experimenting with a blend of traditionally feminine and androgynous styles.

Four years ago, she started sewing, frequently creating clothes for her friends and relatives. Her dream is to eventually assemble an entire wardrobe made entirely by herself.

Peter

Age: 45

Lives: Devon

Job: Senior pre-construction manager

After watching the Sewing Bee together with his daughters, Peter took up sewing, igniting a passion in them as well. Ever since then, they’ve been teaching themselves how to create their own garments.

Initially, Peter honed his sewing skills by working alongside his mom, assisting her in creating dance outfits for his siblings. Peter appreciates functional and stylish garments and takes pleasure in upcycling items such as his son’s former ski jacket into a reusable bag!

Glendora

Age: 59

Lives: Luton

Job: Bus driver

At the tender age of eight, Glendora started embarking on her sewing journey, which she’s continually refined over the years. Notably, she’s crafted a remarkable 36 quilts since June 2021.

Her approach to sewing emphasizes timeless elegance by creating durable, high-quality clothing pieces that also prove economical in the long run.

Yasmin

Age: 30

Lives: Gateshead

Job: Research and development scientist

Yasmin hails from a household that values repairing, patching, and crafting items instead of constantly purchasing new ones. It’s her father who passed on the skill of creating her clothing from the very beginning.

Every now and then, they used to joke about entering The Great British Sewing Bee together as a father-daughter team, but sadly, he passed away in 2023. Moved by this, Yasmin chose to apply for the show in honor of her late father.

Reflecting on our shared past, one of our final creations was a vibrant pink zebra dress – a piece I proudly donned at his radiant farewell ceremony. To this very moment, he remains my foremost source of inspiration.

Novello

Age: 66

Lives: London

Job: Family business owner and magistrate

At five years old, Novello found inspiration from Blue Peter and started sewing. On her seventh birthday, she received a sewing machine as a gift, and since then, she’s been dedicated to the craft without looking back.

Currently, Novello channels her unlimited creativity and affection for distinct, custom-made items through her sewing projects.

Dan

Age: 37

Lives: Durham

Job: Performer

From an early age, Dan found himself captivated by the stage, which fueled his ardor for entertainment and ultimately shaped him into a multitalented performer. In the midst of his performances, sewing emerged as Dan’s artistic haven.

At the age of ten, Dan started learning to sew, focusing on hand-sewing techniques and reworking clothing items. Sixteen years on, he now creates costumes not only for his own performances but also beyond that.

Saffie

Age: 32

Lives: London

Job: Lecturer in Product & Industrial Design

At the tender age of eight, Saffie picked up the skill of knitting from her venerable great aunt, igniting a passion for stitching that has lasted throughout her life.

Recently, Saffie has discovered delight in crafting her unique wardrobe, incorporating designs from independent fashion creators. Her personal style is heavily influenced by practicality, as she gravitates towards items that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

Stuart

Age: 53

Lives: Herefordshire

Job: Premises manager

In the year 2020, Stuart embarked on a sewing adventure that started as a casual endeavor to create hats. However, what initially seemed like a casual pastime quickly evolved into something more substantial.

In Stuart’s sewing area, both practical needs and creative flair harmoniously blend, creating an enjoyable fusion of utility and artistry.

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2025-07-15 11:36