Newham College is adding more classes teaching people how to make their own clothes following pleas from students.

The college, which has campuses in East Ham and Stratford, is expanding its garment-making curriculum at its fashion academy after finding the skill is en vogue at the moment.

Apart from its growing popularity, fashion tutors also insist business and employment opportunities are increasing in the field due to hit shows such as BBC2’s “The Great British Sewing Bee”.

Kiran Khan, fashion designer and lecturer, said: “Of our current students learning about the fashion industry, more than half particularly want to learn about garment making.

“Normally on our courses, they will make one garment a year but we’ve noticed that our students now want to make many more.

“They say they want to make clothes at home in order to wear them and some set up their own line in clothes making.

“Also, I always see job adverts for people with those skills.”

Newham College is now putting on more sewing classes such as their Sew Fantastic courses, starting in June, as well as garment-making and design courses in September.