The Great British Sewing Bee 2025 has concluded after 12 gruelling weeks of Pattern Challenges, Transformation Challenges and Made to Measure. 12 talented contestants battled it out, but it was Caz (aged 60 from the West Midlands) who emerged triumphant.
‘Thank you so much. I have gone and won something, I never win anything! I didn’t think I would be able to do it. I remember after that very first catwalk I rang my husband saying I am literally in awe of these people.
When I was a child I loved sewing and you have no fear as a child and you just sew anything. I think it’s really important to get that fun back. That’s why most of us sew, we sew for the sheer joy and the love of it. And I have got a lot of love for it. It’s truly truly brilliant.’
Caz
Caz was a fan favourite from the start. Her bubbly personality, creative flair and infectious enthusiasm won over the judges and the public. Not to mention she won Garment of the Week three times throughout the show!
‘I am totally overwhelmed and I still feel quite emotional about it all; it hasn’t quite sunk in. Of course, my husband and family knew, but I only confided in one friend and one only, so it will be a surprise to a lot of people who know me. Even my parents didn’t know!
‘I was thrilled to get my daughter Florence on the show as my model, she had the best day ever, she just absolutely loved it. So that was more important for me than anything else. As a family, we don’t generally use the word proud, but I think on this occasion we will allow it.
‘Going into the final, I was so excited that we had actually got there. I was quite relaxed because, whatever the outcome, I had got to the Final and I knew I was going to see my daughter. And of course it was lovely to see my son, Cyrus and my husband, Darius. Now, funnily enough, my husband will randomly shout out you have got 10 minutes left, and we could be anywhere!
‘My fellow Bees at the Final, Orla and Yasmin – well I thought at the time that any one of us could have won it. It was a joy to be with them, and we all supported each other; they were there for me, and I was there for them. In my mind, we were all winners.
‘I did find 1920s Week hard, because it wasn’t about using the 20s as a reference (or it wasn’t in my head), I wanted to make an authentic dress made using authentic techniques. I particularly loved designing the horror outfit in Movies Week. I loved doing the research and came up with so many designs, it was hard in the end to choose my favourite!
‘The best moments in the series for me were always watching the catwalks, not just my outfits, but all of the outfits. The worst moment was in the pattern challenge for Movie Week. I’d chosen the most amazing wool fabric, and then for some reason, I moved two pattern pieces and cut them out of one of the previously cut pieces. Regardless of how this set me back in the challenge, I was gutted at the waste of this beautiful fabric.
Take a look at Orla’s beautiful Pride-inspired dress here on Gathered.
‘I would encourage anyone to enter. We have preconceived notions of how good we are at sewing or how we would respond to stress, but the truth is, you don’t know until you try. I had the most fun and felt so much younger than when I started. It is hard work, but you will learn from it. And at the end of it, you will have a brilliant new group of friends.
‘At home I will definitely make the denim jumpsuit again, and the Cheollik and the wrap dress, maybe the hat too, I also rather liked the plus fours! Before the Sewing Bee, I limited my sewing to fabrics and patterns that I knew I could sew. Now I would attempt anything, alter patterns maybe even make my own pattern. I would probably prefer to sew a nice stable cotton, but I wouldn’t let it stop me.
‘I don’t know exactly what is next for me in the sewing world, but I definitely want to be more creative in my sewing, make outfits that have more life in them, and that make me smile. Obviously, I’ll still be making lots of shirts and pants!
‘I will take away from my experience of being on The Great British Sewing Bee amazing new friends, an increased zest for life and a desire to push myself more often. The response from young to old on social media has been amazing, and they have all said how I have inspired them to either start to sew or be more creative in their sewing. That’s something that I never imagined happening to me, and I have really found it a lovely experience.’
‘I would love to thank my close friends and family for all their support. My husband was brilliant at picking up the slack at home and putting up with my journey, and the lack of belief in myself. Before going into the show, I never thought in a million years that I would get on it, or have a chance of actually winning.
‘I was amazed at how much hard work the production team put into behind the scenes, and I also found it a wonderfully caring environment and a wonderful place to be. Of course, I loved the haberdashery I just wished I had spent more time in there!
‘Watching the series has been an absolute joy. I thought at first that I looked funny and sounded funny but then I parked that. And from week two, I just decided to enjoy it and laugh along with it. My friends complained that they couldn’t hear the TV because of my laughing.
Caz won the show with an amazing ribcage dress, which was a tribute to those who looked after her during surgery. Learn more about that touching moment here on Gathered.
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