The Great British Sewing Bee

Claudia Winkleman presents a series from the makers of The Great British Bake Off in which eight hopefuls are tested on their sewing and dressmaking skills as they compete to be crowned Britain's best amateur sewer.

Over three challenges, they must follow a simple pattern for an A-line skirt, transform a high street top by altering the neckline and produce a made-to-measure dress for a model under intense time pressure. The judges, May Martin from the Women's Institute and Savile Row's Patrick Grant, scrutinise every stitch as they look out for puckering seam lines and perfect top stitching. One sewer is awarded garment of the week whilst two leave the Sewing Bee.

Claudia Winkleman hosts a series in which some of the country's best home sewers are tested on their sewing and dressmaking skills in order to be crowned best amateur sewer by judges May Martin of the Women's Institute and Savile Row's Patrick Grant. In this edition, the six remaining contestants face three more challenges, including following a pattern for a pair of men's trousers. Tackling a fly fastening leaves most of the sewers baffled, but the second challenge - to add patch pockets to a high street skirt - produces some imaginative results. Finally the sewers create a made-to-measure silk blouse for their model. The slippery fabric is too much for two competitors, and they are eliminated from the programme.

Claudia Winkleman presents the semi-final. The four amateur sewers return to compete in three more challenges. Savile Row's Patrick Grant and sewing teacher May Martin set them a pattern for a child's dress which tests their ability to follow couture techniques on a miniature scale. In the alteration challenge they are asked to tailor a dress with precision and they create a made-to-measure jacket which must fit their model perfectly, after which one of them is asked to leave the Sewing Bee.

The final of brand new series, The Great British Sewing Bee, presented by Claudia Winkleman, reaches its climax. The three finalists compete in three tough challenges set by Savile Row's Patrick Grant and sewing expert May Martin who must decide who will take the title of Britain's best amateur sewer. The first test is to follow a pattern for a man's shirt. The judges are looking for perfect top stitching with no pleats or puckers but the complicated challenge drives one sewer to tears. In the second challenge they have to show off their hand sewing skills, decorating an evening bag, and for the finale they are asked to create the most demanding garment so far - a stunning made-to-measure evening dress in a luxury fabric. The finalists are in for a surprise when they see who their models are.

The Great British Sewing Bee returns for a Christmas reunion with the judges, Savile Row's Patrick Grant and sewing teacher, May Martin and 2013's semi-finalists - Stuart, Sandra, Lauren and 82-year-old winner Ann. Like traditional sewing bees of the past, they pool their experience and talents to make everything from Christmas table linen, to unique gifts to exquisite tree decorations. Ann demonstrates how to make a beautiful teddy bear, Stuart produces a tweed satchel, Sandra puts together a gardening belt and Lauren constructs a fabric doll's house. As they sew, they and the judges share stories of their own family Christmas traditions.