The trend to 'make do and mend' remains on the rise, says a UK department store, which has recorded record sales for its haberdashery items.

While hit television shows like the Repair Shop and The Great British Sewing Bee champion revamping old items to give them a new lease of life it seems consumer shopping habits are now following the restoration revolution.

John Lewis says sewing, stitching and dyeing are becoming hugely popular among customers - with dressmaking items and repair products all seeing a recent resurgence.

Being haled as 'The Refresh Effect' the retailer which also owns Waitrose stores, says there has been a strong growth in online and shop sales of both craft and repair products including patches and repair tape - which are up 61% compared to the same time last year.

Darning needles are also said to be flying off the shelves, suggesting that a new generation is now possibly re-discovering skills that previous generations would have used to save money.

Clothing dye is up by 24%, with the colours black and navy proving particularly popular, which may point to fashion followers now giving their pre-loved and faded denim a new lease of life instead of opting to instantly buy new.

While it appears others may be trying their hand at clothes from scratch - with dressmaking accessories such as thimbles, dressmakers' chalk and pattern-making accessories already up 15% year-on-year.

Safety pins, tape measures and knitting needles have also seen a growth among customers too since the start of the new year.

With the cost of living crisis continuing to bite, while second-hand selling sites such as Vinted grow rapidly enabling people to both buy and sell unwanted items, there appears to be a growing group of fashionistas inspired to bring new life to old clothing.

The social media hashtags #visiblemending and #mendingmatters also reveal hundreds of thousands of photos, videos and tutorials of people stitching, sewing and patching old and worn out items.

Susan Kennedy, Haberdashery Lead for John Lewis, said a surge in sales is definitely pointing to a change in attitudes and it's a trend the retail giant expects to continue.

She added: "We’re certainly becoming a nation of craft lovers. Whether they’re looking to rejuvenate their clothes, or have been inspired by the likes of Tom Daley’s knitting efforts last year, we’re seeing more and more customers turn to sewing, stitching and knitting."