LIKE many people born in the 1970s, Jenni Smith wasn't taught to sew at school.

But growing up in a house where her mum and nan both sewed upholstery for the caravans designed by her granddad, she developed a love of textiles and sewing.

Now, she is hoping to introduce this lost generation to the joys of sewing, which is undergoing something of a renaissance in Britain with more than five million women actively engaged.

This month saw the opening of her new sewing studio at the Old Corn Mill in Railway Road, Ilkley, where she will teach weekly classes, as well as short courses in free motion embroidery and lots of other stitch-based projects.

Jenni is no stranger to teaching, having taught more than 200 people to sew in the past three years, renting space at Ilkley Playhouse during the day and on occasional weekends. She has also put on several successful quilting exhibitions and has raised more than £1,500 for Ilkley's Outside the Box café with community quilt projects.

Winning a place on nationwide accelerator Entrepreneurial Spark in February prompted Jenni to take the decision to have her own creative space and move the business forward. It has given her access to industry mentors, potential investors and she has just secured another six months on the programme.

Jenni will be running a series of dressmaking, quilting and textile art workshop in her 500 sq ft studio. As a former TV associate producer, she also plans to release video tutorials and her own sewing patterns and kits in the coming months.

She has sponsorship from global companies Janome sewing machines and Aurifil thread, and is working with local woollen mills and scissor manufacturers in Sheffield.

"Sewing your own clothes or gifts for children and friends gives you an enormous sense of pride and achievement," said Jenni. "Through teaching, I have witnessed the positive effects of craft on people’s wellbeing, and now also feel part of an amazing community of modern makers in Ilkley.”

Eight places are available on a beginner's dressmaking course, which will run on Thursday mornings from 9.30am to noon, for 12 weeks, starting on September 8, and it is a chance to get to grips with the basics of dressmaking.

Jenni said: "We will cover choosing and reading patterns, selecting fabrics, getting the fit right and basic construction. Recommended first garments are a simple top or skirt (or both, hopefully) and there will then be the option to stay on this course and develop more skills in the New Year."

The cost is £225 for 12 sessions (excluding materials).

Visit jenni-smith.co.uk or e-mail studio@jenni-smith.co.uk for further information.