If increasing numbers of us have lost the make-do-and-mend skills our grandparents took for granted the reality may be that it’s not from a lack of willingness but a lack of need. And perhaps crucially the same survey that revealed that a quarter of British people can no longer stitch on a button also revealed that six in 10 of us would be willing to learn to sew, including 55 per cent of all men. “Sewing is a brilliant skill to have for so many different reasons,” says Jennifer Ward.
“A lot of readers get in touch to say that they have been sewing with their mother, their grandmother or who have taught their children. Recently I’ve spoken to lots of brides who made their own wedding dresses.”
