Craft Focus - December 2020/January 2021 (Issue 82)

34 At Groves, we’re expecting to see a continuing rise in demand for try-me crafts, macramé, punch needle and needle felting. These crafts are easy to pick up, learn, develop and grow. We have an array of products to carry the consumer through their journey; all-inclusive kits for beginners and an expanding range of tools, materials and fabrics for when they’re ready to strike out on their own and create something bespoke. With these crafts, there are no rules or limits. If 2020 did one thing for the majority of the British public, it gave them an opportunity to discover, or reinvigorate, a passion for sewing. Sewing machine sales alone have increased since the beginning of lockdown: a quick search online throws up a number of articles reporting on an increase in sales of 120 per cent and upwards for many retailers. Naturally, with the surge in sales, people are creating beautiful items from scratch as well as living up to the Great British saying of ‘make do and mend’ by giving new life to old items– which also has a positive impact on the environment. The slow fashion movement is growing in popularity; more and more people are wanting to make their own unique garments with the added bonus of long lasting gratification. We expect this to continue into 2021 and will certainly be looking to add some new and innovative products into our core sewing brands to make the sewing experience even more pleasurable and if we can, plastic free. Sewing took centre stage in 2020. From handmade masks and scrubs produced in the thousands by local communities in efforts to support our NHS, to crocheting rainbows to display in windows as a symbol of hope. It has created togetherness in a way only comparable to wartime but with a modern day twist. We at Groves truly hope to see this renewed enthusiasm for sewing continue for many years to come. Rebecca Lester, brand co-ordinator, Groves https://www.grovesltd.co.uk/ With the end of the pandemic still not in sight, we anticipate continued popularity in 2021 in relatively simple art & craft activities that are universally accessible, don’t need prior knowledge or skills and that bring relaxation and enjoyment at home. This points to Crystal Art (also known as diamond painting), painting by numbers, cross stitch kits and puzzles. Gary Wadhwani, co-Director, Craft Buddy Ltd https://craftbuddyltd.co.uk/ It feels difficult to predict anything at the moment, but one thing I can feel confident in forecasting is that crafts in general will continue to be big for 2021! The incredible growth we’ve seen this year has focused on cosy and comforting crafts such as weaving, needlework and felting, with a particular focus on making things for the home. As people stay inside more and need things to occupy their time and hands, repetitive crafts with a strong therapeutic aspect will be key in helping with people’s mental health, as well as creating items they can gift to loved ones they haven’t seen, such as embroideries to be hung on a wall, woven wall hangings or felted garlands. We’ve also seen clearly that kits are incredibly popular. Kits with detailed instructions for beginners who are new to crafts have been, and I feel will continue to be popular as more and more people discover the joys of crafting in these difficult times. Stephanie Carswell, creative director, Hawthorn Handmade www.hawthornhandmade.com 2020 has seen an explosion of interest in crafting and the environment, and these trends will carry through unabated to 2021. Re-use and sustainability are making their way into the crafter’s mindset, with re-fashioning, recycling and modern mending becoming the buzzwords for 2021. The focus is on personalising and transforming, with makers experimenting with leftover fabrics and yarns to create individual, useable items. Techniques such as embroidery, appliqué and painting are used to customise clothing and accessories, and naturally- sourced materials such as dried flowers, seeds, leaves and natural dyes are incorporated into textile artworks and home decorations. Katie French, editorial director, Search Press www.searchpress.com 2020 has been the year of the sewing bee as customers up and down the country have fallen in love with making and crafting again. Crafting at home is so appealing to our customers as it can give them some quiet, restful time whilst still learning a new skill. There’s a real sense of achievement and pride when you complete a knitting project or sewing pattern as you can see what you have made. This is something we see continuing for the rest of the year and into the next. Blair Christie, haberdashery buyer, John Lewis