Who are The Great British Sewing Bee judges?

The Great British Sewing Bee is set to return to our screens tonight, as the seventh series kicks off on BBC One.

In the grand tradition of watching creatives being wholesome and artistic and nice to each other, 12 keen sewers will do battle in a series of challenges to be crowned Sewing Bee champ.

After taking over as host from Claudia Winkleman in 2019, Joe Lycett is back for a third series to add even more whimsy to the workroom.

But Joe won’t be the one deciding whose sartorial creations are up to scratch.

Who are The Great British Sewing Bee judges?

Patrick Grant and Esme Young are back to deliver their critiques on what the sewers are able to whip up in the pattern challenge, the reinvention and the made-to-measure challenge. 

Patrick, 48, is the director of bespoke tailors Norton & Sons of Savile Row, clothing lines E. Tautz & Sons and Community Clothing, and textile manufacturer Cookson & Clegg.

He is credited with rejuvenating Norton & Sons, tripling their customers in just six years, and was named menswear designer of the year at the 2010 British Fashion Awards for his work with E. Tautz & Sons. 

Esme, 72, is an acclaimed fashion designer who, at the age of 21, co-founded the Camden shop Swanky Modes, whose signature lycra bodycon dresses were loved by celebrities including Julie Christie and Cher. 

The iconic store counted Grace Jones, Midge Ure, Toyah Wilcox and London legend Princess Julia among its customers, and its clothes appeared in magazines like Vogue and ID and were photographed by Helmut Newton and David Bailey.

Esme went on to design costumes in Hollywood – including the iconic bunny girl outfit worn by Renee Zellwegger in Bridget Jones’ Diary.

What time is The Great British Sewing Bee on?

The series kicks off at 9pm on BBC One on Wednesday night, after the postponed MasterChef final. 

The new group of sewers will compete in a pattern challenge, before the alteration challenge tasks them with reinventing an item. 

The final challenge, the made-to-measure, will see the sewers producing a piece for a model. 

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

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