If more proof was needed that we are living in a brave new world since the recession, consider the success of the humble sewing machine.
For years, sales to grandmothers and home economics teachers were steady, but unspectacular. Cue the credit crunch and the sewing machine has become a must-have accessory.
Tesco has reported a 198 per cent increase in sales since this time last year - selling two every minute. Sales of Argos's cheapest model, at £69.99, have risen by 500 per cent, while Singer and Brother models are up by 50 per cent.
Sewing machine
Return of the old sew-and-sew:
In this new make-do-and-
'Why waste money buying lots of clothes on the High Street when you can make something that looks better and lasts longer?' says PR manager Helen Bird, 32, who bought a sewing machine a few months ago.
'It's fun, creative and, once you get the hang of it, really not that hard.'
No doubt this comeback would have pleased Thomas Saint, who invented the sewing machine in 1790, and Elias Howe, who patented the first automatic machine in 1846.
In 1851, Isaac Singer came up with the first portable sewing machine and soon every home had one.
Now, it seems that history is about to repeat itself.
Diamond Industrial Sewing Machines
Hobkirk Sewing Machines of Darwen Street, Blackburn are pleased to be appointed sole UK distributor of Zoje (Diamond) industrial sewing machines, after a personal visit to China by Mr Peter Hobkirk.
Zoje is one of the largest leading manufacturers in China and are even quoted on the Shanghai Stock Exchange. They manufacture wide range of industrial sewing machines and have also manufactured for Pfaff and are currently working with German company KSM on multi head embroidery machines.
‘After dealing with Zoje and importing their products for over 6 years we are delighted to have exclusive distributorship for the whole of the UK and Ireland’ said Mark Hobkirk, Sales Director.
To Buy a Diamond Machine from Hobkirk visit
http://www.hobkirk.co.uk/
