The school will host an open day on August 4

A Harry Potter seamstress is meeting recession-driven demand for handmade clothes by opening a sewing school.

Deborah Aungiers, a former designer for Marks and Spencer, as well TV and film costume dramas, will open her new school in Stevenage Old Town – a place she chose for its beauty and historical buildings - after being inundated with would-be pupils for her Letchworth home-based lessons.

The haute couturiere, who graduated from the London College of Fashion 30 years ago, said: “I taught in a small way for years and there was increasing want for creating pieces – sewing, knitting, and embroidery – that kind of thing.

“Because of the recession it’s now become fashionable to recycle pieces and make handmade clothing.”

The school will offer lessons to anyone who wants to learn to sew, design, cut and make patterns - with former students selling their handwork after only a few lessons, Ms Aungiers said.

Snippets Needlework will open on August 2 in Middle Row, with an open day on August 4. Contact info@snippetsneedlework.com