Recap of the Sewing Bee 2024: Creativity, Style & Summer Sewing Buzz

There’s something so comforting, so quietly joyful about The Great British Sewing Bee. Maybe it’s the gentle hum of sewing machines, the rustle of fabric, or the way it makes you want to drop everything and start cutting into your favourite print. Whatever it is, Series 10, Sewing Bee 2024, gave us all of that and more.

2024 year marked a special milestone: the 10th anniversary of the show that’s inspired thousands of people to pick up a needle and thread. And what a season it was: new faces, nostalgic nods to the early days, fresh challenges, and a whole lot of style inspiration.

A New Host, a Familiar Warmth

Taking over presenting duties this year was actor and comedian Kiell Smith-Bynoe, who brought a new energy and a genuine love for creativity. He joined much-loved judges Esme Young and Patrick Grant, whose on-screen chemistry and thoughtful critiques continue to set the tone, encouraging but never sugar-coated, passionate but always practical.

Filmed at the historic Sunny Bank Mills in Leeds, the setting itself felt like a love letter to the British textile industry. And if that wasn’t enough to stir the hearts of fabric lovers everywhere, the challenges certainly did.

Standout Moments from the Sewing Room

One of the most heartwarming moments came in Episode 1, when the contestants were asked to recreate the very first challenge from Season 1: a classic A-line skirt with contrast topstitching. It was a subtle reminder of how far the show (and home sewing!) has come. What began as a gentle BBC Two programme for a niche audience has blossomed into a prime-time celebration of making, mending, and self-expression.

From there, the challenges only got more exciting. Week after week, the contestants were tested on skills like tailoring, pattern matching, fitting, and transformation—­all while navigating themed weeks like:

• Fashion Icons – where contestants paid tribute to personal style heroes through thoughtful, wearable garments.

• Travel Week – full of lightweight, holiday-ready pieces (perfect inspiration as we head into summer!).

• Reduce, Reuse, Recycle – a theme that’s becoming a Bee staple, and one we absolutely love for championing sustainable sewing.

Italian Deadstock Denim :  Remnants  :  Mixed Bundles 

The finale, as always, pulled out all the stops with red carpet-worthy outfits that showed just how skilled, creative, and passionate this year’s cohort truly were.

The Winner: A Worthy Champion

After weeks of stitch-perfect drama, it was Luke-Matthew Iveson who took home the crown. Hailing from Manchester, Luke brought flair, attention to detail, and a beautifully fluid design sensibility to everything he made. Blending traditionally masculine tailoring with soft, flowing silhouettes, his final looks were bold, modern, and deeply personal, a reminder that sewing is as much about self-expression as it is about construction.

Luke’s journey felt especially inspiring because of his clear love for the craft and his willingness to take risks with fabric and form. We’ll be watching his next sewing adventures closely on his instagram account! 

Get the Look: Croft Mill Fabric Picks

If you’ve been watching this season and itching to recreate the looks, we’ve got you covered. Here at Croft Mill, we’re constantly sourcing fabrics that blend style, sustainability, and sewing joy—and many of our current favourites would be right at home in the Bee workroom.

• Linen-blend prints and plains for crisp summer trousers and holiday shirts à la Travel Week

• Abstract viscose prints for a nod to the show’s more vibrant, expressive makes

• Denims and cotton twills perfect for reimagining the first challenge’s topstitched A-line skirt

• Soft tencels and silks for glamorous finale pieces that still feel wearable

And of course, if you’re trying to sew more sustainably, our remnants, bundles and deadstock designer fabrics are a brilliant way to keep your projects planet-friendly without sacrificing style.

Looking Ahead to Season 11…

With the 2024 series wrapped up, we’re already looking forward to what Season 11 might bring. More unexpected themes? More vintage revival? Perhaps a behind-the-scenes look at textile production or historical fashion? Whatever it is, we know it’ll be another chance to celebrate the creativity of makers across the UK.

Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned stitcher, the beauty of the Bee is that it reminds us: sewing is for everyone!