TRADITIONAL skills thought lost for ever, including dressmaking, are making a major comeback says an Exmouth dressmaker.

TRADITIONAL skills thought lost for ever, including dressmaking, are making a major comeback says an Exmouth dressmaker.

As the recession starts to bite people are looking too count the pennies - record numbers are also taking on allotments to grow their own produce because of the rising price of food.

And now people - who just a few years ago wouldn't have thought twice about buying a new outfit - are turning back to sewing says Sara Radford.

Sara, 49, of Salterton Road, has been sewing since she was just eight - and regularly holds classes that have in some instances tripled in size.

She has been invited to become part of the dressmaker's forum at the national Sewing for Pleasure show at the NEC in March, and she said: "There has been increasing interest in the three years I have been teaching.

"More people are turning back to their sewing machines again want to improve their skills."

Asked why she said: "People see dresses and things in the shops, and they all look the same.

"They want something different. I have one lady who is making a wedding dress for her daughter."

Sara also teaches making bodices and corsets, and added: "I think people want to learn new skills, and it's very social.

"You get to meet lots of people, and they get to make things that don't cost very much. These kinds of skills are making a comeback."

She dismisses the classic stereotype that most of the people interested are elderly spinsters:

"One elderly comes to my class on a motorbike," she said. "People of all backgrounds and ages are getting their sewing machines out for the first time in years and realise that it's not that hard.

"I'm really looking forward to the event in Birmingham, I'm really excited.

"I will be promoting the sewing workshops and classes that I do."

If you are interested in one of Sara's classes, call: (01395) 263343.