The rise of SIY – sew-it-yourself – has hit a new high. Tesco sold two sewing machines a minute last week, an increase of 198% on this time last year. The recession has led to a surge in people taking up sewing and knitting. The London College of Fashion last week reported that bookings for classes in home sewing and garment design have increased by almost a third on last year.
The trend has spread to celebrities such as Beyoncé, whose mother makes her outfits, and Lady Gaga. "There is a trend for people to customise their clothes," said Lauretta Roberts, editor of fashion magazine Drapers. "Buying a sewing machine and experimenting with clothes you find in a charity shop is the perfect way to tap into that."
