The Great British Sewing Bee Series 10: Episode Eight

While there was some sort of football on the other side, we were engrossed in this week’s Sewing Bee (OK, we might have used catch-up). It was the quarter finals and that meant Diva Week. The five remaining sewers were set three challenges inspired by some of the most flamboyant characters of the world of music.

The pattern challenge was presented by someone who Kiell claimed was the ultimate diva – Esme! And what a fabulous challenge it was. You could say, it was Simply the Best. The sewists had four hours to make a dress inspired by Tina Turner’s incredible 1970s fringed mini dress. It featured a simple base dress with tiers of fringing, straps and an invisible zip.

There was a positive mood in the air - Suzy was full of confidence and Ailsa was eager to give the challenge a go. But the sewers soon found out that fringing is a tricky thing to sew and there were quite a few tangles, with the fringing getting caught up in the machine. Luke used tweezers to handle their fringing, which is a great tip.

Whilst inserting the zip, it was important to match the layers of fringing, again, without getting in a tangle. Not an easy task but we loved the colours chosen and thought the finished dresses were all A-listers!

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While we got distracted singing along to Born to Be Wild, the sewers were tasked with turning three pieces of animal print clothing into loungewear for their diva to wear on their day off. It had to be comfortable but have impact.

It was a challenge for the sewists to mix colour, prints and patterns, and we’re not sure if all the outfits ticked the comfort box. Nonetheless, we think they all looked absolutely fabulous (dahling!)

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Last up was the made to measure and the challenge was to make an outfit for a diva to wear on stage. Traditionally, stagewear is flamboyant and exaggerated and we were right to expect some wonderfully outrageous creations. The time set was five hours but the designs chosen by the sewers were very ambitious.

Luke felt like their drag experience would give them an advantage in creating a stage-worthy outfit and their chosen diva was Lady Gaga. Their design included a variety of black fabrics, a tasselled motorbike handlebar and even a push-light.

Suzy also opted for Lady Gaga, but her candy pink opera coat and hot pants duo promised a very different look. Suzy declared Lady Gaga was her fashion idol and someone who had given her the confidence to dress in her own way. Yes!

Pascha created an unusual cage structure in her outfit for Beyonce, while Aisla embraced even more leopard print with her costume for Shania Twain. Inspired by the You Don’t Impress Me Much video, her hooded coat also had incorporated gloves!

Alex took a slightly different approach, choosing to make a Canadian Tuxedo for country singer, Orville Peck.

There was some serious hardware across the board including stirrups, fringing and even a whip!

We don’t think we could carry off most of these looks, but all five outfits definitely deserved a standing ovation!

Images: BBC/Love Productions

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Divas like sequins! If you do too, take a look at Amanda Walker’s stunning jacket. This pattern is available to buy at the Sew HQ Shop