Music Week arrived on The Great British Sewing Bee, and it was an episode made for anyone who likes their sewing with a little more flare. From Madonna-inspired cone bras and girl-band transformations to gloriously over-the-top 1970s disco outfits, the challenges were packed with fashion references, unusual materials and plenty of sparkle.
It also happens to be a theme that feels very Croft Mill. Satin, denim, metallic jersey, sequins, velvet and faux fur are all fabrics we know and love, so we have pulled together some ideas from our shelves if this week's episode has left you wanting to make something with a bit more stage presence.
The Pattern Challenge: Madonna-Inspired Cone Bras
The first challenge took inspiration from one of the most recognisable looks in pop history: Madonna's famous cone bra. It was a small garment, but certainly not a simple sew. Creating that sculpted shape called for accuracy, structure and careful construction, with nowhere for a wobbly seam to hide.
While a cone bra might not be next on everybody's sewing list, there was plenty of inspiration to take from the challenge. Satin is a natural choice when you want that glamorous, performance-ready finish, and our Liquid Satin Backed Crepe has the combination of shine and drape that works beautifully for eveningwear, corset-inspired tops, dresses, skirts and statement pieces.
We particularly love seeing what customers do with our fabrics, and this black Liquid Satin make is a lovely example of how striking the fabric can look once sewn.
The challenge was also a good reminder that the right notions can make all the difference when creating structured or embellished garments. We stock bra-making supplies alongside lace and decorative trimmings if you fancy taking the idea in your own direction – cone bra entirely optional.
The Transformation Challenge: Girl-Band Style
For the Transformation Challenge, the sewers had to turn home-furnishing materials into coordinated outfits worthy of a girl band. It was exactly the sort of challenge where looking beyond a fabric's original purpose becomes part of the fun.
There were furnishing fabrics, camouflage, buttons and plenty of clever details in the mix, with the sewers having to create individual outfits that still looked as though they belonged together as a group.
And, of course, you cannot really talk about girl-band fashion without mentioning denim. Double denim, patchwork denim, cropped denim, embellished denim – it has appeared in pop wardrobes for decades and somehow keeps coming back.
If you fancy taking the idea away from the stage, denim is brilliant for jackets, jeans, skirts, dresses, waistcoats and bags. Mixing different washes can give you that deliberately mismatched, customised look without needing to recreate a full girl-band costume.
Made to Measure: 1970s Disco
This was the challenge we had been waiting for. For Made to Measure, Music Week headed straight for the dancefloor with 1970s disco-inspired outfits.
Disco fashion was never interested in quietly blending into the background. Metallics, sequins, velvet, faux fur, dramatic silhouettes and jumpsuits all belong here, and the more movement a fabric creates under the lights, the better.
Metallic Jersey
Our metallic jerseys immediately sprang to mind. Stretchy, fluid and unapologetically shiny, they have just the right feel for a disco-inspired jumpsuit, draped top, flared trousers or a wonderfully dramatic dress.
Sequins, Velvet & Plenty of Va-Va-Voom
If metallic jersey is not quite enough, there are always sequins. A sequin fabric catches light and movement beautifully, making it an obvious choice for anything inspired by a dancefloor. You could go all out with a dress or jumpsuit, or use it more sparingly for a top, skirt or statement panel.
Velvet and velour bring another side of the 70s look. Rich, tactile and beautifully dramatic, they work especially well for flares, jackets, dresses and jumpsuits. Add sparkle and you are firmly into Saturday-night territory.
And then there is faux fur. Not necessarily subtle, but subtle was hardly the point. A faux-fur collar, cuff, gilet or cropped jacket – or a cape 🤩 – can bring instant 70s glamour to an otherwise simple outfit.
Fancy Sewing Your Own Disco Jumpsuit?
Of all the silhouettes associated with 1970s disco, the jumpsuit has to be one of our favourites. It gives you a large uninterrupted canvas for metallics, velvet and statement fabrics, and depending on the pattern you choose, it can be sleek and elegant or gloriously extravagant.
Music Week Inspiration
Music Week was a reminder of just how closely fashion and music have always been linked. Clothes can help create an entire persona, whether that means the sharp silhouette of an iconic stage costume, coordinated girl-band looks or head-to-toe disco sparkle.
For us, the final challenge was particularly hard to resist. Metallic jersey, sequins, velvet, faux fur and a 70s silhouette? That's very much our sort of sewing.
Now, where did we put the disco ball?
Inspired by The Great British Sewing Bee?
Browse fabrics, sewing patterns and haberdashery inspired by Music Week, or catch up on more of our Sewing Bee articles.
