We love: John Lewis’s Make Do and Mend

Make do Maks do original

The new John Lewis update (left) and the original 1940s pamphlet, available from the Imperial War Museum (right)

Everyone’s at this home-made lark. Yesterday we told you about the Make Lounge and then we found out that John Lewis has brought out a great Make Do and Mend booklet, an updated version of the original 1940s government booklet on being frugal.

John Lewis believe there is an increased interest in maintaining and making things and sales in its haberdashery departments are up a reported 17% this year. The little booklet, which costs £3.00, is full of useful tips on how to mend tights, revive the colour of denim jeans and take up hems and is for sale in the habidashery department of most branches. A few John Lewis branches are offering Make Do and Mend classes this September, where you can brush up on your sewing skills, or even learn them for the first time. Classes are free, but you need to book and pay for materiels used. It’s time we upgraded our sewing boxes…..

The booklet is out from Monday 7th Sept and for John Lewis Make Do and Mend classes, check stores for availability

Post update! John Lewis has just sent me the press release for this, which states that sales for sewing boxes are up a staggering 75%! (that’ll be the nice Cath Kidstone one’s I spotted yesterday) and sewing machines sales are up 30%. There’s a craft revolution going on ladies!

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