EMMA DUNN finds out why sewing is growing in popularity PEOPLE who have been inspired by the BBC’s Sewing Bee can have a go at making clothes and accessories themselves thanks to Nimble Thimbles.

The shop, which opened in its new premises in BSS House, Cheney Manor, this month, will be offering sewing and craft classes for people of all abilities from August.

Classes will include dressmaking, quilting, knitting and crochet, as well as drop-in sessions for people to use the sewing machines in the store.

Nimble Thimbles owner, Vikki Loeber-Hughes, said: “Absolutely anyone can sew, knit or crochet. You can make some amazing stuff. With the Sewing Bee, everybody is talking about making clothes and accessories.

“It’s definitely having a revival.”

The classes, upstairs in the shop, will have up to five students.

Nimble Thimbles started on eBay, and Vikki still uses the site now. She opened the shop in BSS House in March 2013 before moving to a larger unit there.

Vikki, who also has a pet portrait painting business, said: “There has been a revival of dressmaking now.

“I had my own dressmaking business when I was in my twenties.

“Back then a lot of people used to do their own dressmaking.

“People do it for different reasons now – back then it was because it was cheaper but these days it’s not necessarily cheaper.

“You’re getting something that fits you and something a little bit different. You can choose the fabric and it is totally unique.

“Making children’s clothes can work out cheaper as you can buy the fabric for about £12 rather than paying £40 for a dress.”

Nimble Thimbles sells fabrics for dressmaking, quilting and crafts, as well as knitting yarn, sewing machines, quilting fabrics, ribbons, buttons and dressmaking patterns.

The shop is open from 10am to 3pm on Mondays, 10am until 5pm from Tuesday to Friday, and 11am until 3pm on Saturdays.

  • Daytime and evening classes will be available from August.

A six-week course will cost about £85. To book, call Vikki on 07799 605045 or email nimblethimble@virginmedia.com.

For more information, visit http://www.nimble thimbleswindon.

moonfruit.com