Close Menu
  • News
    • Fashion
    • Features
    • Sewing Bee & TV
    • Trends
    • Sustainability
    • Homes & gardens
    • Lifestyle
    • Wellbeing
  • Magazine
    • Meet the team
    • About Simply Sewing magazine
    • Latest issue
  • Sewing patterns
    • Free beginner sewing patterns
    • Free children’s sewing patterns
    • Free Christmas sewing patterns
    • Free home sewing patterns
    • Free sewing patterns
    • Free women’s sewing patterns
    • Pattern corrections
  • Sewing guides
    • How to sew
    • Sewing tools and kit
    • Reviews
  • Embroidery
    • Beginner embroidery patterns
    • Free embroidery patterns
    • How to embroider
    • Embroidery kit
  • Competitions
  • Pattern shop
  • Subscribe
  • Newsletters
Facebook Instagram Pinterest TikTok
  • About Simply Sewing magazine
  • FAQ
  • Advertise
  • Newsletters
Facebook Instagram Pinterest TikTok
Simply SewingSimply Sewing
Visit our pattern shop
  • News
    • Trends
    • Lifestyle
    • Features
    • Sewing Bee & TV
    • Fashion
    • Homes & gardens
    • Sustainability
    • Wellbeing
  • Buy magazine
    • Latest issues
    • Back issues
    • About Simply Sewing magazine
    • Meet the team
    • FAQ
    • Simply Sewing templates
  • Sewing guides
    • How to sew
    • Sewing tools and kit
    • Reviews
    • Pattern shop
  • Sewing patterns
    • Free sewing patterns
    • Free beginner sewing patterns
    • Free children’s sewing patterns
    • Free home sewing patterns
    • Free Christmas sewing patterns
    • Free women’s sewing patterns
    • Pattern shop
    • Pattern corrections
  • Embroidery
    • Beginner embroidery patterns
    • Free embroidery patterns
    • How to embroider
  • Win
Pattern shop Subscribe
Simply SewingSimply Sewing
Home»News»‘That’s some first rate recycling’ – Let’s recap episode 2 of The Great British Sewing Bee!

‘That’s some first rate recycling’ – Let’s recap episode 2 of The Great British Sewing Bee!

  • July 23, 2025
  • Phoebe Burt

Get the new Great British Sewing Bee book worth £30 when you subscribe to Simply Sewing magazine

Things heated up on the Bee this week with an activewear theme and double elimination! Here's our favourite makes and hot takes on the episode.

What an episode! Every year we love Activewear Week, but last night’s episode was better than ever. If you’re looking for a quick recap on the episode, you’ve come to the right place.

Here’s what we thought about episode 2 of The Great British Sewing Bee 2025…

Episode 2’s best bits

Our highlights: Stuart’s dog Treacle stole our hearts, Glendora’s Top of the Pops story was iconic, and we fell in love with athleisurewear.

Pattern Challenge: Seven-panel caps

First up, the Bees had three hours to sew a seven-panel cap with mesh, precise topstitching, and tricky construction. Despite the pressure, all 12 caps made it to judging.

Our favourite creations: Peter’s funky cap and Dan’s cool version—especially when worn by Esme!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Sewing Bee (@britishsewingbee)

Transformation Challenge: Upcycling cycling!

The Bees turned retro cycling jerseys into party outfits. From bold designs to clever details, the contestants created some incredible outfits, including dresses, matching sets and rather cheeky tops. Patrick was impressed with Kit’s creativity, and Esme loved Orla’s hot pink, ruffled number.

Our favourite creations: Orla’s strapless dress and Novello’s yellow fringed number.

How to make leggings

Free pattern alerts!

Simply Sewing’s free leggings sewing pattern and yoga mat bag pattern on Gathered are sure to get you in the sporty mood.

Made to Measure challenge: athleisurewear!

For this week’s final challenge, the Sewing Bee contestants created athleisure outfits that would take them from the gym to a coffee shop. Some went big with three-piece sets, while Saffie tackled a tough utility vest and Jess channelled Princess Diana.

Our favourite creations: Caz’s kung fu-inspired set, Stuart’s Wimbledon whites, and Orla’s influencer-chic outfit.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Sewing Bee (@britishsewingbee)

Deep dive into the episode with us…

Looking for more Sewing Bee chat and gossip? Head over to The Great British Sewing Bee 2025 guide where we share detailed recaps of every episode, along with bonus interviews, patterns and news.

BBC/Love Productions/Neil Sherwood

Phoebe Burt

Phoebe Burt

Phoebe is an experienced craft writer. As well as writing for craft websites and magazines, Phoebe is a freelance copywriter and content producer with work both in print and online. Her work spans the tech, homes, DIY and small business advice. Aside from content writing, Phoebe’s main passions are travelling and crafting (diamond painting, paint by numbers and embroidery are her favourites). She’s backpacked across South East Asia and recently hit her goal of 30 countries under 30 years old!

See author's posts

Related

Simply Sewing subscriptions offer

Subscribe & save

Never miss an issue! Sign up to receive your favourite magazine every month – delivered straight to your door.

Sign up today

Read more

See More
History
The fascinating history of women’s underwear

When they finally appeared, many people thought they were unnecessary, impractical and even scandalous

Read More
The multi-billion-dollar detail hidden on almost every zip in the world. Have you seen it?
12 things you should throw out of your wardrobe today (number 9 is a must!)
Are you a Faithful or a Traitor? Get the look of TV’s most iconic woman
Simply Sewing issue 153
Simply Sewing
  • Contact us
  • Terms & conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies
  • Code of conduct
  • Advertise
  • Consent Choices
© 2026 This website is owned and operated by Our Media Limited (www.ourmedia.co.uk), a company registered in England and Wales under registration number 05715415. Its registered office is at Eagle House, Colston Avenue, Bristol, England, BS1 4ST.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

Loading Comments...