Made-at-home fashion

In these woeful economic climes a rise in demand for do it yourself clothing seems inevitable. Why splash out on the high street when all it requires is a little time, effort and creativity for you to make your own garments with guaranteed success. The iconic seventies brand Clothkits, the one stop shop for stitch-at-home clothing, has been revived as a growing number of people turn to making their own clothes once again.

After an absence of 17 years, Clothkits is back with a website offering the latest patterns from talented textile designers. The heritage of Clothkits spans 40 years, having been originally set up in 1968 by Anne Kennedy. After a period of hibernation the Sussex based firm have returned with a fresh new collection of outfits for you to cut and sew at home.

Clothkits make it easy for customers to make beautiful quality, well-designed clothes without the fuss of paper patterns. All the cutting lines are printed directly on the fabric in a simple format that means even the inexperienced can make garments with ease. In addition to the fabric, their kits contain all you need to complete the project - thread, buttons or any other necessary haberdashery, and of course well illustrated instructions to guide you through the project. If you don't have the time for cut and sew, Clothkits also offer a made to order service through Clothkits Couture.

The reincarnated Clothkits contains everything needed to make a garment and production is all UK-based. A kit for a child's dress costs from £15, while a woman's skirt kit costs £35. Some vintage Seventies patterns will be available, such as one for a doll for children to make at £16.

One of the first names to sign up to Clothkits is Rob Ryan, an artist who has previously worked for designer Paul Smith and whose illustrations have appeared in Vogue. His skirt kits sell for £46 online, but he will also sell his Clothkits' designs in a shop he is opening in the East End of London. 'Everybody I spoke to about Clothkits had very lovely memories of clothes they had made for them when they were children in the Seventies and Eighties,' said Ryan. 'It was more than a company, it was part of peoples' lives and memories.' Another new designer is Jane Foster, who prints bold Scandi-inspired naïve birds and flowers, and who's work is influenced by 50's design and ceramics.

Feeling nostalgic and creative? For further information and orders go to www.clothkits.co.uk.

Image: Rob Ryan print