The finals of The Great British Sewing Bee season 12 is here and the judges had made their decision, Anna, 27 from North Yorkshire emerged triumphant as the winner of this year’s series!
Anna made it through ten weeks of tough sewing challenges and became Britain’s Best Amateur Sewer of 2026. Throughout the series 12 talented home sewers (including Dawn, Sam, Angie, Lewis, Tim, Minnie, Adele, Rebecca, Heather, Emma, Beth and Anna) all managed to create beautiful garments under the scrutiny of judges Esme Young and Patrick Grant, but it was Anna who won the coveted title, and also won Garment of the Week three times in REDUCE, REUSE, RECYLE Week, SPORTS Week, and MUSIC Week.
Missed out? Find our episode by episode summary’s here
In the grand finale of The Great British Sewing Bee there were three Sewing Bees: Emma, Beth and Anna in an incredibly close and nailbiting episode. But it was to be Anna to take the crown of the Great British Sewing Bee of 2026.
Oh my god I can’t think of words to say that aren’t just screaming. If I could think of myself applying for the show, and then show myself now – oh my gosh I am going to cry. I never saw this coming and I have learned so much and met so many amazing people. It’s just so incredible!
Season 12’s winner, Anna
‘The worst moment for me was at the end of week 9 when I was convinced I would be going home and I suddenly realised how much I didn’t want the whole experience to end. I was having such an amazing time and I just didn’t want it to be over. The best moment would have to be winning! It was so surreal, I really wasn’t expecting it, when I heard my name called out I was shocked.’
‘Throughout the whole experience I feel I have grown so much as a sewer. I have made things I never even dreamed I was capable of making. I really feel like I could sew anything now, or at the very least give it a good go.’
‘I really enjoyed the final episode, making the first challenge – the cummerbund and bow tie – it was quite calm and I felt really relaxed. I chose a red colour and I loved making it, because it was hand sewing which I find very therapeutic
‘For the transformation challenge we had to take gala tableware and turn it into an outfit for the perfect day-after hangout, the beach club. Initially I doubted my fabric choices and I was having second thoughts, but it did all come together in the last few mins and I was happy with the outcome.
‘Finally, inspired by the Met Gala in New York, we had to create outfits in the theme of metamorphosis for an invite to the Sewing Bee gala. It was fun to have one of my best friends Jeanie as my model.
‘From the very beginning I saw the creative spark and that is really important to me. What I always say is by making mistakes that is how you learn, so things you wouldn’t normally be comfortable doing, you just have to push.
Esme on Anna
‘I chose the theme of the life cycle of the Damsel Flies – they have the most wonderful iridescent colours – blue for the male and a green for the female. You find them by the water and I live on a narrowboat so I loved their colours and wanted to incorporate that in my final challenge.
‘Winning Garment of the Week in Episodes 3, 5 and 7: I did think that maybe I had been doing quite well, but I was looking at what everyone else was making and saw that there was huge competition, so I was never 100% sure!
‘Costume Design is my next goal, and I absolutely loved the Literary Icons week! It is my dream to costume design for a period drama film so to have the chance to show my design idea for a literary classic on TV was a really special moment. Even though I didn’t have quite enough time to finish it to the standard I would have liked, I was still really proud of what I made.’
‘I do have a love of corsetry, and I got into sewing by fashion history and how you can manipulate the shape of a body through fabric and structure.
‘I also work at a local Hospice. I started in January this year, and it’s a very special place. It is a treasured charity in York and I feel good to be able to give something back to the community. I really find it very rewarding.
I am absolutely delighted for Anna. It has made me feel quite emotional weirdly. When extraordinary craftspeople make things with skill and imagination and extraordinary storytelling it affects you deeply. She’s got a really rare gift.
Patrick on Anna
‘My fellow Bees at the Final, Emma and Beth – I am so close to them and I still hang out with them – I was rooting for them as much as myself. It was like being with friends. I would love to thank my close friends and family for all their encouragement along the way. My partner has always encouraged me to follow my passions. Everyone has been so supportive.
‘York is a city but it is like a small town, and I have lots of support from meeting people on the street and on social media. It is a very friendly city. I have been recognised and as people have said such lovely comments and how the series has inspired them to sew, it’s been a really nice experience.
‘I would really encourage other amateur sewers out there to have a go. It’s such an amazing experience, what have you got to lose!’
‘Back at home, I want to try and remake my little black dress. I think the design has so much potential, the shape and structure is really fun and I think I could spend ages arranging and hand sewing the pleats and folds to make a really stunning result.’
‘The main thing I will take away from this experience of being on The Great British Sewing Bee is a huge boost to my confidence and self belief in my skills and talents.’
‘I am not sure what is out there for me in the sewing world. But I feel so creatively charged at the moment, I have so many ideas of things I want to make. I am going to keep pushing myself to make new things and learn new skills. I am also starting to take on commissions, and I’ve really enjoyed the challenge of making and designing for other people.’
Feeling inspired? Head to the Gathered Shop for a wide range of sewing projects, from beginner-friendly makes to more advanced creations.
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