Meet Luke, the winner of The Great British Sewing Bee 2024!

What an incredible final that was! Judges Esme Young and Patrick Grant had their work cut out choosing between the three incredible finalists but their decision has been made.

Luke, 34 from Manchester, has been crowned The Great British Sewing Bee 2024 winner.

‘Honestly this doesn’t seem real, never did I think I would get to the final let alone winning …this is just wild! All I expected was to get a hug off Patrick, but to have the campest trophy ever I am going to remember this forever. I feel so proud of myself and I don’t tend to say that a lot, but yes I am proud of myself.'
Luke

We caught up with Luke to hear all about their experience on the show and what they're planning to do next...

Read our interview with Luke, winner of The Great British Sewing Bee 2024

This is the 10^th Birthday of Sewing Bee! Did it feel special to be on this series and go back to basics in Episode 1 reliving the first ever Sewing Bee challenge?

It was so exciting to be part of the 10^th anniversary! No-one really knew what to expect, but it was so special to be able to do the first ever challenge.

I think there was a lot of nerves as it was the first challenge of series ten and everyone wanted to do well, I’d love to give the pattern challenge another go.

When did you first start sewing and why do you love it so much?

I started sewing pretty young as a craft activity, but I stopped when I got a little older as it didn’t feel cool…silly mistake.

As soon as I started getting into fashion and wanting to use clothes to express myself I picked it right up, especially when I started doing drag. I could have an idea in my head and make it with my hands, and even if it didn’t quite work out, I had so much fun doing it.

I think that’s what I love about sewing, the process and pay off.

Who was your sewing mentor - can be a teacher or relation or friend?

It was my Grandma who taught me to sew. We used to make little things when I was younger like bags and slippers. She would make me and my sister whatever dressing up outfit we wanted and I would just sit and watch.

When I got back into sewing I would tell her some of the wild ideas I had and she would talk me through ways she thought I could make it happen.

We made the perfect team of creativity and technical skill and I learned so much from her, especially having patience when things didn’t go so well.

'Fantastic, well done. Every single one of Luke’s made to measures have been full of ambition. Today we saw skill, we saw drama and an absolute flare for making clothes that really catch the eye. They are such a wonderful winner.'
Patrick Grant

What is your favourite garment to sew/or your speciality?

I love big costumes and the challenge that comes with them. Anything with a lot of complicated construction where I need to sit down and think it through.

I think my favourite thing to sew might be shirts as they are super customisable and have different elements to them that can really change them up, playing with collars, sleeves, fit and fabric.

Is there anything that you find a pet hate to sew?

I have a love-hate relationship with buttons, when they go well I love them, when they go bad we don’t get on much.

Using the automated button foot is so handy but it’s always so temperamental and you might get five perfect and that last one can take an eternity to get right.

Do you get comments from friends if you are at a party/event about your outfit? Is it lovely to say 'Oh I just made this!'

My friends and family love that I sew and are always hinting at things they want me to make.

I think I get most comments at work in my office where people always ask if I made my outfit or spot something new in rotation. It’s nice to be able to show it off, and at work we have even got a little sewing appreciation club!

Why did you want to be a Great British Sewing Bee and who did you want to most impress of the Judges, or both?

I think I wanted to be part of the Sewing Bee to learn and really challenge myself, which I think I did both!

I also wanted to bring my creativity and try and show something a little different or different interpretations for the made to measures.

It was so amazing to meet the judges and I think I wanted to impress them both equally.

‘I’m really happy that Luke won, they were so creative and imaginative and just got better and better.’
Esme Young

This series was a first for Kiell as a presenter did you feel that you were all new to the experience and that helped a bit. When the going got tough was Kiell a welcome ally?

Kiell made the whole experience so much lighter. Naturally, everyone was nervous, but he was always making people laugh and it was infectious.

Seeing a new face in the sewing room certainly made it easier as he was as new as us so I think we all supported each other.

Describe your experience on first walking into the sewing room on this year’s Sewing Bee. Which challenges were you fearing the most the first week?

I was most nervous about the pattern challenge going into the Sewing Bee, I love making things but hate instructions!

Because I knew the pattern challenge was first, I was super nervous, maybe even the most nervous I have ever been!

What was your best and worst moment that first week?

The whole first week was such a whirlwind, except for using the buttonhole foot. I loved spending time to get to know the sewers, the judges, Kiell and my model it was like intense speed dating!

How did you try and stay calm when things were going badly wrong or you ran out of time in the first week?

When things got a little tough I just told myself to enjoy it and look around at the experience I was in, and that would just make me laugh to myself and get me through.

Do you have an attachment to a sewing tool, and why is it special to you?

I don’t think I have anything that is special to me, but I do have an attachment to seam rippers as I always find I need them and never seem to have one laying around…I think I might be slowly building up a collection.

In your sewing life: What has been your worst sewing disaster? Were you able to recycle it? What is your biggest triumph?

I have probably had many sewing disasters but I always see them as a chance to be creative or learn something new.

I did once realise right at the end that I had sewn a jumper inside out, so instead decided to use the overlocked seams as a feature and added them everywhere. It’s now one of my favourite techniques!

Do you make for family and friends as presents? And most asked for garment?

I love making stuff for my friends, family, other drag queens and basically anyone who will wear something I make!

I love Christmas and birthdays as I try and make something I know people would love to wear, then love seeing them wear it out in public to show it off.

Describe your style, and how much of your own clothes do you make?

My sewing style is pretty eclectic from drag and costume, to more wearable day stuff. I make a lot for myself and made a pact that I would only buy things like underwear and things I could never make.

So I’m constantly making shirts, jumpers, and trousers. I love a co-ord as they match together and can go with other things, so when I find a cool fabric you can bet the first thing I make from it will be shorts and a shirt.

Can you give a sewing tip for amateur sewers who have been enjoying the show?

My biggest tip is don’t be afraid. When something goes wrong Esme always says that It was a chance to learn and that was something that stuck with me going into that first week.

Things might not go to plan but you will have always learnt something in the process. So, go give the sewing pattern collecting dust a try!

Was it hard to keep a secret that you were going to be on the show?

It was so hard to keep it a secret because I was so excited, and also shocked I got on! But I knew how proud my friends and family would be watching it so that made it a little easier.

What is the best way to describe the relationship between this year’s Bees?

You always hear about shows like the Sewing Bee and how the contestants get super close. Meeting the other Bees and spending time with them was so special.

We really became a close group, supporting and looking out for each other, and learning so much (not just about sewing).

Who would you love to make an outfit for?

I love the creativity that comes with making drag outfits so I think RuPaul would be at the top of my list, or any of the Ru Girls.

But I do think Patrick and Esme would look great in a sparkly drag outfit, and I really want to make Kiell a funky coord!

Congratulations Luke!

What a brilliant series that was and we can't wait to see what Luke does next.

The Great British Sewing Bee 2024 is officially finished! It will be back on our screens in 2025, so keep your eyes peeled for the application process.

In the meantime, there are loads of sewing patterns here on Gathered for you to explore. Put your sewing skills to the test and one day you might be a contestant on Sewing Bee!

Discover more binge-worthy craft shows with Gathered

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Head over to our Craft TV section, packed with show recommendations, interviews and more.