Judges Patrick Grant and Esme Young are back, and they are joined by new host Kiell Smith-Bynoe while Sara Pascoe is on maternity leave.
meet the contestants
Ailsa Ailsa describes her sewing style as contemporary, sustainable, modern, and experimental. She enjoys wild swimming in Loch Lomond. She has a pug named Alfie and likes roller skating.
Alex Copywriter and editor Alex lives in Derbyshire and has been sewing since she was young. She would often make her own stuffed toys. Outside of sewing, Alex is passionate about sustainability and believes comfort is key.
Comfort Prior to becoming a self-employed designer and business manager, Comfort trained as an architect. She began sewing after giving birth to her first child and feeling she was lacking creativity.
Don Don was taught how to sew over 70 years ago by his mother on a hand-cranked sewing machine. He is a perfectionist who likes to create unusual but simple garments. He also makes costumes for the local theater troupe.
Georgie Georgie is passionate about sustainability and recycles tablecloths and quilted blankets. She also enjoys knitting. After a career as a London police officer, Georgie is now a DJ on the Isle of Wight.
Janet Janet loves to make formal, glamorous dresses for holidays and dancing classes. She is also passionate about oil painting.
Lauren Lauren's sewing is inspired by '80s fashion as she loves the bold aspects of the era. She currently works as a finance administrator but has followed in her mother's footsteps of being a talented singer.
Luke Luke was taught how to sew by their grandmother when they were just eight years old! They currently work as a diversity, equality and inclusion director. Luke's drag persona is Selma Screams.
Marcus An enjoyer of DJing, rollerblading, writing, art, building Lego, and playing video games, Marcus describes his garments as jarring, garing, or kitsch.
Neil Neil learnt how to sew when he couldn't find vintage clothing to fit his six foot four frame. Outside of sewing, Neil leads historical true crime murder-themed bike tours. He has brought his ventriloquist dummy Terry Pastry with him as a mascot.
Pascha Psychology and innovation student Pascha once made a Marie Antoinette inspired silk ballgown.
Suzy Suzy has only been sewing for two years. She often uses charity shop curtains and bedsheets as materials and is no stranger to big ruffles and enormous sleeves in her designs.
10x9: Design Icon Week It’s the semi-final, and in the way of a place in the final stand a set of challenges inspired by three icons: Balenciaga, Gaultier and Chanel.
Ailsa - 1970s tweed waistcoat, bib front shirt, silk tie, and tiered organza skirt Luke - black bouclé tweed dress with gold trimmed pearl buttons and oversized quilted collar Pascha - 1930s bias cut black satin and silk dress with double ruffled skirt Suzy - black flocked chiffon and white faux silk dress with boned bodice