The ninth series of the sewing competition started on BBC One on Wednesday 24 May at 9pm and is also be available on BBC iPlayer, with a new episode airing at 9pm on Wednesdays each week. Vogue 1697 is a super sexy, sleek bias cut dress with a halterneck front, low back with cowl and spaghetti strap features plus panelling across the main body of the dress. If you fancy sewing with slippery satins like the Bees I've included our top tips for getting great results below.

The Bees didn't disappoint in the final tasked with sewing up Esme's iconic Swanky Modes design, the Amorphous dress. A tough test to start the Bees off this week with features including a fishtail vent and complex zip opening and hood on a parka jacket they were right in at the deep end. Mia made an awesome cloud inspired dress by sewing a simple slip and attaching tulle or net pom poms to it.Fortunately I can still use a computer - my embroidery machine does the rest apart from changing threads. Announcing the new series, the Great British Sewing Bee's Instagram account posted a picture of Sara Pascoe, Patrick Grant and Esme Young with the caption: "The Bee is back. They usually start "coming soon" trailers 2 weeks before they announce the start date, that nnuncement usually being another week saying it will start in yet another week's time.

Butterick 6900 reminded us of the boubous robes and we thought it would make a great summer holiday beach cover up too. It feels decidedly odd to making Halloween costumes in May, but there's nothing wrong with being prepared. Once your shapes are cut out peel off the underside layer and position your shape on the main fabric, which negates the use of pins. Double check which side of the fabric or garment eaAnother dress which isn't cut on the bias, but does tick all the glamourous evening dress boxes is Burda 6442. Tony sewed up a storm in his beloved scuba fabric again creating a very fitted dress with asymmetric block colour design. Whilst many of us might not be quite ready for something as revealing as the amorphous dress there are lots more wearable designs incorporating subtle cut outs that can be sewn up in stretch fabrics.