Great British Sewing Bee Challenge: Upcycling a Crochet Blanket
For this round of my Great British Sewing Bee Challenge, I took on the Reduce Reuse Recycle Week – Made to Measure Challenge from Season 9, Episode 4. In the episode, contestants upcycled old crocheted blankets into brand new garments—full creativity, full chaos, and full respect for anyone who has ever tried to cut a straight line through a granny square.
With the Mimi G x Simplicity 9261 pattern in mind I tracked down a gorgeous chevron crochet blanket from my local op shop but first I made a quick wearable muslin in scuba to test the fit first. Once I’d made a few final tweaks, mainly for a sway low back, it was time to commit and start cutting into the real thing.
Wearable muslin made from a heavy weight scuba I’ve had set aside for a special project for way too long.
Working With a Crochet Blanket (AKA: Proceed With Caution)
Crochet is nothing like cutting into regular fabric—every single edge is a potential unravelled disaster if handled the wrong way. I stabilised the blanket as I went, handled pieces gently, and was extremely careful not to stretch the rows out of shape.
To make the most of the design, I used the original chevron border of the blanket as the waistband piece, which gave the dress a beautifully bold feature and meant I didn’t need to force the crochet into new shapes.
The Cutting Challenge
Fitting an entire pattern onto a fixed-size blanket was its own puzzle. With no extra yardage and no chance of recutting, every piece had to be placed perfectly on the first go. I aimed for pattern matching where I could, but I have a newfound awe for the Sewing Bee contestants who managed stunning matching under time pressure on TV. It’s a LOT harder than it looks!
Construction Details
Simplicity 9261 sheath dress has extended shoulders, slash pockets, lined bodice and a beautiful flange detail along the front and back princess seams
Bodice Lining: I lined the bodice with a lightweight stretch microfibre—just enough for coverage without adding bulk to an already chunky textile.
Chevron Waistband: Using the blanket’s original edge added a polished, intentional detail.
Pockets: Yes—it has pockets! I managed to squeeze them in despite working with limited blanket real estate. They blend beautifully into the side seams and add so much wearable joy.
The Final Make
The finished dress is playful, textured, and far more polished than I expected from an upcycled blanket. It’s semi-formal, a little bit nostalgic, and a lot of fun to wear. Every ripple of crochet still shows, but now it’s part of something completely new.
Photos coming right below—scroll on to see the final look!
Links & Inspiration
The Fold Line Episode Guide:
Great British Sewing Bee 2023 – Sewing Patterns S9 Ep4My Pinterest Inspiration Board:
GBSB Series 9 Boards