A stitch in time saves a lot of money in home decorating

Do-it-yourself decorating is on the rise across the country, especially on the sewing front.

Retailers are reporting increases of 20 to 30 percent in sales of home-decorating fabrics, patterns and notions, said Caryl Svendsen, of the New York-based Sewing Fashion Council.

"The number of home-decorating patterns we offer has doubled in the past year," said Herman Phynes, director of marketing for the Butterick Co., makers of Butterick and Vogue patterns. "And we're still not keeping pace with consumer demand."

Savings and satisfaction are what the trend is all about.

"This resurgence in sewing for the home isn't surprising when one considers the benefits," said Sue Hausmann, director of education for the Viking Sewing Machine Co.

"If you can sew a straight stitch," Ms. Svendsen said, "you can save as much as 70 percent over ready-made fashions for the home."