Sewing machine sales on the rise

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{image- www.boldsky.com}It seems that home tailoring has started to overshadow disposable high street fashions, with a rise in the sales of sewing machines supporting this view.

A report suggests that the number of Singer and Brother models sold by Argos catalogue shops rose by 50 per cent in 2006-07.

The report also says that sales of Argos's cheapest model, costing 69.99 pounds, have risen by about 500 per cent. At Woolworth's, sewing machine sales were found to be up by 258 per cent over the same period.

Experts believe that the rise in sewing machine sales is attributable to a greater awareness of social-environmental issues and a desire to stand out from the crowd, which encourages shoppers to make and customise their own clothes.

"Following a period when (sewing machines) were seen as unfashionable, we are seeing them return to favour. It's a modern take on the 'make do and mend' attitude of previous generations," the Independent quoted Richard Webster, sewing machines buyer at Argos, as saying.

Experts also believe that sewing machines these days offer a number of creative ways of looking good without spending a fortune. Josie Nicholson of the Ethical Fashion Forum said: "Customising your own clothes means you can create your own unique style."