MAKING your own clothes and altering garments rather than buying new ones was once considered old fashioned, even dull.

The affordability of high street brands led to a move away from the 'make do and mend' mentality of wartime Britain.

But not anymore. Sewing and knitting is the new cool.

It has joined an entourage of other pastimes and crafts - like listening to vinyl and making your own beer - which have enjoyed a resurgence thanks to the so-called 'Great British Bake Off' effect.

The BBC One contest is said to have played a huge part in the revival of home baking and has led to a rise in sales of ingredients.

Sister show, The Great British Sewing Bee returns to television screens for a fourth series on Monday as the popularity of sewing continues to grow.

This time two Sussex contestants will take part, including former competitive swimmer Jade Earley, of Uckfield.

The 18-year-old has already turned heads with her creations in the county and will be the youngest to join the show so far.

She will be joined by retired schools admissions teacher Joyce Bellingham, 71, of Hassocks.

Sewing and knitting classes and haberdasheries are popping up all over Brighton and Hove.

Group lessons, private tuition and even hen parties are becoming big business, with pubs and cafés offering space for workshops.

Susie Deadman, of Sew Fabulous, said: "It is definitely taken off. It used to be seen as old fashioned and now it's sort of cool. People like making their own things now - it is in vogue like baking and decorating.

"It might also have something to do with the recession. Maybe people are now missing these traditional skills.

"Some of the sewing clubs can be quite exclusive but we wanted to make it accessible for everyone."

She set up her not-for-profit community interest company with Sue McFarlane in 2014. It aims to help people of all ages learn and she has been given funding to offer classes for those who are unemployed or on a low income.

Sew in Brighton Sewing School, based in Hove, is seeing a rise in demand from hen parties.

Kat Neeser, who used to run fashion label Wit and Wisdom in London, launched the company in 2008 and branched out to cater hen parties, children's groups and even knit weekends alongside their weekly sewing and dress making sessions.

She said: "I think people are looking for something fun to do that doesn't involve getting drunk. It's a way for hens to get to know each other and it is a team effort. They make things like bunting and corsages."

The Great British Sewing Bee returns to BBC Two at 9pm on Monday.

Top five places to sew in Brighton and Hove

1. Sew Fabulous, at the Open Market, London Road, Brighton. Visit sew-fabulous.org.

2. Brighton Sewing School in Church Road, Hove. Visit www.sewinbrighton.co.uk

3. MIY Workshop, North Road, Brighton. Visit miyworkshop.co.uk

4. Brighton Sewing Centre, North Road, Brighton. Visit brightonsewingcentre.co.uk

5. Sew Retro, Hove. Visit sewretro.co.uk