A BARBER who took up sewing when he was forced to close his business during lockdown is now in the process of making a three piece suit.

Frank Churcher-Coleman, co-owner of Bridge Cuts in Shawford, started his sewing journey when he needed a new mask and a distraction.

The 53-year-old from Winchester said: “I’ve always been interested in sewing, but I never had the opportunity to actually do it - I even had a sewing machine already in the loft! Then Covid hit and I thought, why not make my own masks?

“I downloaded a template offline and brought the fabric. Before I knew it, I had about 50 masks!

"Then I just kept pushing the boundaries. I made seven pairs of shorts which were complete non-starters. But I didn’t let it stop me. When I successfully made a pair I thought - oh I need a shirt now.

READ MORE: Platinum anniversary for Winchester couple Roy and Sylvia Williams

“I also wear a lot of waistcoats at work, so naturally that was my next step. I can tell you now, there were a lot of failures. It’s very odd to think I started on face masks and now I’m working on a three piece suit.”

Frank dedicated a lot of his lockdown time to this new hobby, even learning how to master buttonholes took him over four weeks.

Hampshire Chronicle: Frank Churcher-Coleman, co-owner of Bridge cuts in Shawford, with some of his creations

His next aim is to design his own patterns and he is working on speeding up his hand stitching skills.

Frank, who is back at work at the salon in Station Terrace, has been impressing his customers with his new found skill.

And he is encouraging others to find a hobby that they can turn into a passion.

He said: "My other half is constantly moaning that I'm always in the sewing room but I can’t help myself.

"I’m always trying to develop my skills one way or another. In this distraction I found my passion and it kept me sane during the months we were locked away from work and loved ones. It helped me worry less about money too.

“All I can say is if anyone feels like having a go at something new, just do it! It doesn't matter if it’s cooking, learning the guitar or even sewing - learning to do something from scratch gives you the greatest satisfaction."

Message from the editor Kimberley Barber

Thank you for reading this story. We really appreciate your support.

Please help us to continue bringing you all the trusted news from your area by sharing this story or by following our Facebook page.