DRIVEN to stand out from the crowd, many people are getting creative with sewing and customising their clothes for an individual look.

Hannah Wroe, 31, has been running sewing classes from her studio at The Workshop, in Sherwood, for just over a year and said that they are becoming increasingly popular.

Although Hannah has always been interested in fashion, she only made it her career choice when she re-trained at 24, after spending time in youth work and mental health.

She said: "It was quite a gradual decision, to have a career change.

"I started by doing a diploma in handcraft fashion, then trained in bespoke fashion design.

"Now I've made the leap into owning my own business."

After being given a grant from the Prince's Trust, Hannah started her company Hannah and Bella – the "Bella" part was inspired by her beloved 1967 Morris Thousand, nicknamed so.

Taught to sew by her mum when she was younger, Hannah revisited the skill in her early 20s – and found she loved making her own clothes.

"I've been very fortunate that the style of clothes I like to wear and make seems to have had a revival, recently.

"I've always liked to wear 40s clothes, as they're quite fitted, and I think it's a flattering style for me.

"But I've noticed that it seems to be really popular at the moment.

"I think a lot of people are interested in making their own clothes to suit their own shape," said Hannah.

As well as running sewing classes at The Workshop and lecturing at South Notts College, Hannah also remakes original patterns in vintage and found fabrics, and creates bespoke clothing.

Starting a business during a recession can be a daunting experience, but Hannah believes her work has captured people's imaginations.

She said: "As soon as the classes started they were really popular. I then noticed a lull just after Christmas, but this year it has definitely taken off.

"I think people realise we can't keep throwing away clothes and having disposable fashion. I also think people are more interested in making their clothes unique, these days. There's something nice about someone asking where your dress is from and being able to say: 'I made it myself.'"

With an enthusiasm for 1940s and 1950s fashion, Hannah is an ideal teacher of sewing and textiles – the crafty bits and pieces she has around her studio act as ideal inspiration.

Hannah's workshops attracts all different types people of varied ages and abilities.

She said: "I get a lot of people coming from the college where I teach, and then also a lot of people without sewing skills who know they want to customise their clothes, but aren't sure where to start. The youngest person I've seen was 17, while the oldest was in her mid-80s, I think."

Hannah runs around five workshops a month. Some are whole weekends, where you can make large items like skirts and bodices, while others are in the evenings, making flower corsages and learning to re-model clothes.

EG went along to her Frilly Knickers Night, a three-hour class which involved making a pair of frilly pants from a vintage pattern.

We all gathered in Hannah's studio, which is decorated with her work, bundles of vintage material and various sewing machines dotted around; it felt a bit like going back in time.

There were seven people taking part in the class – the maximum number for each workshop – and the skills of each attendee were quite varied.

Some of Hannah's workshops require basic sewing machine skills, while others are for beginners, but she is incredibly patient if anyone goes wrong, and talked the class through each stage, making sure none of us got lost on the way.

Hannah finds the patterns in magazines and amends them to suit different sizes and shapes, or even incorporate more modern touches.

For example, the original pattern for the knickers wasn't quite frilly enough, so she amended it to her taste, and then we all cut the pattern to suit our own size.

For an extra cost Hannah will supply the materials needed to make the garment, while the pattern, use of a sewing machine, cups of tea, snacks and, of course Hannah's expertise, are all included in the price of the class, which starts at £25.

Although it sounds like a long time, the three hours just whizzed by, and despite not having touched a sewing machine for over 10 years, I managed to come away from the class with a pair of completed frilly pants.

Hannah encourages her class to take the pattern home with them and perfect their skills. Many of the girls were planning to add buttons, bows and ruffles to their next pair.

When I left, it was nice to know that I had not only got a new pair of pants, but I'd also left with a new skill.

For more information on Hannah and Bella workshops visit www.hannahandbella.typepad.com.