The Great British Sewing Bee 5 Books Collection Set by Caroline Akselson - Non Fiction - Hardback

Titles in This Set
The Great British Sewing Bee: Pattern Drafting
The Great British Sewing Bee: Made to Measure
The Great British Sewing Bee: The Skills
The Great British Sewing Bee: Repair and Re-wear
The Great British Sewing Bee: The Techniques

Details
Condition: Brand New
Format: Hardback
Publisher: Quadrille (Hardie Grant)

Overview
This hardback collection brings together five guides from The Great British Sewing Bee series, co-written with professional costume maker and sewing tutor Caroline Akselson. Spanning the full dressmaking journey, the set covers drafting your own patterns, achieving a truly custom fit, sharpening core sewing skills, and sustainably repairing and upcycling garments. Inspired by the hit BBC series, each title translates studio-tested techniques into clear, practical lessons for home sewists. Whether you are building a first wardrobe from scratch or refining advanced construction methods, this set offers a structured path from beginner basics to confident, independent dressmaking.

About the Books
Across these five hardback volumes, The Great British Sewing Bee and Caroline Akselson distill years of on-screen sewing expertise into practical, step-by-step instruction. Pattern Drafting opens the set with a beginner's grounding in building dressmaking patterns from scratch, teaching readers how to take body measurements, draft basic blocks, and adapt them into original designs rather than relying solely on commercial patterns. Made to Measure builds on this foundation with a masterclass in achieving garments that truly fit the body, addressing common fitting problems like gaping necklines, pulling seams, and uneven hems. The Skills volume returns to core technique, reinforcing essential construction methods such as seam finishing, zip insertion, and hemming so that every project has a strong technical base. Repair and Re-wear shifts focus toward sustainability, showing how to mend, upcycle, and extend the life of existing clothing rather than discarding it, a theme that echoes the show's growing emphasis on conscious making. The Techniques rounds out the set with further hands-on guidance for tackling trickier construction challenges as skills progress. Together, the five books move logically from foundational pattern knowledge through fit, core skill-building, and sustainable repair, mirroring the structured, encouraging teaching style fans recognize from the television series. Photography-style diagrams and clear instructions throughout make each volume easy to follow at a sewing table, whether tackling a first garment or revisiting a wardrobe staple that needs mending. The set suits hobbyists building a long-term sewing practice.

Key Benefits

• Covers the full dressmaking journey from pattern drafting to fit to repair
• Written with professional costume maker and sewing tutor Caroline Akselson
• Reinforces core techniques for steady, confident skill-building
• Includes a dedicated guide to sustainable mending and upcycling
• Hardback format makes a durable, shelf-worthy craft reference set
• Ideal for fans of the BBC series wanting studio-style instruction at home

Book-by-Book Guide
The Great British Sewing Bee: Pattern Drafting — A beginner's guide to creating original dressmaking patterns from scratch, covering measuring, blocks, and basic adaptations.
The Great British Sewing Bee: Made to Measure — A masterclass in achieving garments that truly fit, tackling common fitting issues and tailoring adjustments.
The Great British Sewing Bee: The Skills — A focused refresher on core sewing techniques, from seam finishes to zips and hems, built for steady skill progression.
The Great British Sewing Bee: Repair and Re-wear — A practical guide to sustainably mending, upcycling, and caring for clothes so they last longer.
The Great British Sewing Bee: The Techniques — Further hands-on guidance for building confidence with trickier construction methods as skills develop.

About the Authors
The Great British Sewing Bee is the book series born from the beloved BBC sewing competition, translating the show's warmth and expertise into practical guides for home sewists. Co-author Caroline Akselson is a professional costume maker who spent years creating costumes for stage and screen before moving into teaching, both with private sewing companies and at university level. From 2018 to 2022 she ran an award-winning sustainable sewing brand, bringing a strong focus on mending, upcycling, and thoughtful construction to her writing. Together, their combined experience grounds this collection in real studio and classroom practice.

Why You'll Love This Set
A thoughtful gift for anyone inspired by the show, this hardback set takes sewists from a first pattern through to confident repair in one tidy collection. It makes a great birthday gift, holiday season present, or treat for a crafting-loving mom, building a lasting reference library for a steadily growing sewing hobby.

Please Note: This is the UK edition with the ISBN as listed; the cover may vary slightly from the image shown.