A stitch in time…

Claire-Louise Hardie, founder of The Thrifty Stitcher. Photograph: Laura McCluskey

Need to fix up your sewing skills? … The Thrifty Stitcher is here to help.

With a 500 per cent rise in sewing machine sales in 2008 and the trend continuing, sewing is no longer only for our aunts or grandmothers. It is a hobby we would probably all like to indulge in occasionally, but the fact is that not all of us can actually sew.

Clothes that fit well and look good have become increasingly accessible with the ever growing high street and cheap well-stocked vintage stores. Many of my generation of twenty-somethings just never felt the need to learn the arts of collar-turning and button-holing.

But times change, and unlike the cheap and fast fashion-filled noughties there’s been a move toward re-engaging with our clothing, be it in knowing the name of the labourer who made our t-shirts or playing a part in the process.

Yes, I do change the buttons on my knits (occasionally glueing them on) and yes I chop bits off my clothes (resulting in ridiculous amounts of money spent on alterations to fix them again). But I have very few basic sewing skills.

And as we all know where there is a demand it is met. The number of people taking up sewing has been growing consistently and sewing schools have popped up everywhere.

In my pursuit to find the perfect one to assist me on my journey, I found the Thrifty Stitcher.

When I heard of the Thrifty Stitcher, the name caught my attention. This local sewing school was the brainchild of wardrobe mistress Claire-Louise Hardie, and my first thoughts impressions were of something a little bit different, unpretentious and warm.

Claire, who both teaches classes and runs the business on top of her day job, has worked on everything from Hairspray to Million Dollar Quartet. Sewing from the age of six, she knows more about this art than anyone I’ve met. A Hackney resident of many years, Claire carries a suitcase full of fabrics when I meet her and tells me about her Welsh history, giving me tips and advice before I’ve even attended the class.

Wearing a slightly-altered dress from Monsoon, Claire tells me “it’s not about making everything from scratch but being able to make the changes to suit you”.

Photograph: Laura McCluskey

Claire reassures me I’m not alone in my fear of sewing; that’s exactly why the Thrifty Stitcher came about. The range of classes on offer suit mothers and daughters, groups of friends, and young professionals.  Classes are arranged according to what is asked for. They range from full-day and part-day beginners’ to fascinator classes, tie-making and drop-in sessions.

I am invited to full-day beginners’ class at a studio near Clissold Park. When I arrive, I’m immediately drawn to the rows upon rows of ribbon hanging by the side of the room. Settling down with a cup of peppermint tea, I whizz through the pamphlet provided. There are four of us today and the numbers only ever rise to an intimate eight.

With two teachers at the ready in every class, no question goes unanswered and the event is from the start very informative. The day ends with a red velvet cupcake, and we all leave with a self-made brooch and a cushion cover (dressed with ribbon of course).

The classes are little luxuries with prices starting at £45 but they make for a wonderful day and left me feeling full of confidence in taking my sewing to the next stage. Being able to alter, embellish or even create a piece of clothing may not be such a distant dream.

Find out more about the Thrifty Stitcher.