Simplicity New Look, the UK’s favourite sewing pattern website, surveyed 1,438 UK consumers and their results show that in the last 12 months roughly 24% of 18 – 30 year olds surveyed have become sewers.

This might not seem like a massive surprise to you and me – if you’re reading this you’re probably a young sewer yourself – but considering the hobby is dominated by 55+ year olds it’s excellent to know there’s a reinvigorating resurgence.

The analysts believe that popular TV shows like The Great British Sewing Bee are responsible for this upward trend of younger sewers. It’s definitely made an impact but so have Kirstie Allsopp and The Handmade Fair. I want to give credit to fabric manufacturers like Dashwood Studio (UK), Cotton+Steel (USA) and Kokka (Japan) for continuously creating bright, modern prints that appeal to younger people.

Simplicity New Look’s sales and marketing director, Jeremy Tyler said, “Given technology and gadgets are such a big part of modern lifestyles, it’s great to see that so many people are choosing a more traditional pastime.”

Thanks to Instagram anyone can show off their makes and find like-minded sewers. Twitter has made it easier to reach out to sewing celebs and has given a voice to everyone. Facebook lets you organise, attend and share sewing events. Technology has made sewing a modern pastime.

You can read the results in full on www.craftbusiness.com.