A generation ago the idea of throwing something out when it was broken or worn was hardly considered. The question for those brought up through the austerity of the Second World War was always whether the item could be fixed or, in fact, was needed in the first place.

But say the phrase ‘make do and mend’ to the current generation and they will look blankly at you. The idea of using a mobile telephone until it is beyond physical repair is unheard of.

Yet with the recession it seems people are learning to be more thrifty, and the notion of making and repairing your own clothes could be coming back into vogue, if the volume of work being received by seamstress Jane Paine is anything to go by.

Mrs Paine took over the former Bakers ladieswear/knitting wool and haberdashery shop in High Street, Kidlington, 20 years ago.

Finding she could not compete in retail fashion in the Oxford area, she retained the haberdashery and knitting wools, plus craft kits, and added services for which there was a gap in the market.

She introduced sewing machines and other sewing paraphernalia for people who wanted to make their own clothes, and the sewing service for those who prefer to leave this to the experts.

She enjoyed steady business until a recent upsurge in activity and now she has seven part-time staff who are kept continually busy.

“I don’t advertise the fact that we do sewing at all, but the word gets passed around,” said Mrs Paine.

The market in sewing machines has also been increasing in recent months with servicing through a separate business run by Geoff Ives as popular as sales.

“We have been selling more and more recently, perhaps due to the recession,” said Mrs Paine.

“People appear to be thinking they can make things for themselves and save money.”

Although she had enjoyed sewing since she was a child, Mrs Paine did not set out to be a seamstress.

Sewing was part of her catering course at Singletree College, Headington, but when she moved on, it was to work for the Post Office at St Aldate’s, Oxford, before taking a career break to bring up her daughter Lucy.

All sewing is done in the workshop — not by homeworkers. The staff see a vast range of garments coming in for their attention, from toddlers’ wear to ballgowns.

Other requests can range from costumes for school plays, to one from a professional theatre company needing a large proportion of the wardrobe for productions on tour in Spain.

The team has also made costumes for historical enactments at Blenheim Palace.

Meanwhile, a ‘Michael Jackson’, a ‘Neil Diamond’ and many an ‘Elvis Presley’ have had a stage suit made at Jane’s.

Mrs Paine said: “I just love the challenge of something different — we will have a go at anything.”

And this is regardless of size, for she has recently been working on the 18ft long seams of a full-size heavy canvas tepee, and on repairs to a marquee.

These are tasks for the more robust older types of sewing machines, rather than the modern computerised models.

And Mrs Paine is always willing to help customers with their own sewing.

“Often young people come in and want to learn how to sew,” she said.

“You will also see people who come in regularly for advice, then a little less frequently. When you don’t see them at all is when you know they are well on their way to managing sewing on their own.

“I am often called on to help with school projects and we throw around a few ideas. I feel that I have done my GCSEs and A-Levels several times now.

“Customers become friends over the years and you meet many interesting people.”

For many shoppers, something off the peg is not always a perfect fit and sleeves need to be shortened and hemlines altered.

There are also the dieters — and the taking in of a large proportion of their wardrobe, piece by piece, as they lose weight — and sometimes, when resolution fails, letting the seams out again.

Customers come to Kidlington from far and wide. One regular visitor breaks her journey from Scotland to the south coast and then collects her completed sewing on her way home.

There is also a wide age range. The workshop staff enjoyed making a party dress for a six-year-old.

“She had drawn a picture of what she wanted and she felt so pleased with it — it was ‘her’ dress,” Mrs Paine said.

“People come with their own ideas of style and colour schemes and we can provide something they would not be able to buy in a shop.”

Name: Jane’s Established: 1990 Owner: Jane Paine

Number of staff: Seven, part-time Annual turnover: Confidential Contact: 01865 373207