Ray Stitch on Essex Road in Islington teaches Londoners to sew, mend and make

As more people look to make and mend their own clothes, Ray Stitch on Essex Road has become a go to destination for London's sewing community. Part fabric shop and part sewing school, it offers everything you need to start a project, and the skills to finish it.

The shop stocks a wide range of fabrics, including linen, cotton, wool, jersey, water resistant and organic fabrics, along with printed and woven designs. Its haberdashery covers sewing tools, buttons, threads, zips, elastic, bias binding, interfacing and trims, and there are sewing patterns, embroidery kits and books too. Ray Stitch says that "many of the products we sell are organically or sustainably produced".

The school is just as important. Classes are organised by level, from complete beginners upwards, and by subject, including machine sewing, garment making, stretch fabric, pattern cutting, darning and repair, embroidery and hand stitching, and patchwork and quilting. There are also open sewing sessions for those who want to work on their own projects.

Beginners can start with an introduction to machine sewing, making a tote bag, before moving on to essential garment skills. More confident sewers can take courses in adapting sewing patterns for a better fit, or intermediate garment making workshops.

Guest teachers bring specialist skills. Recent listings include hand embroidery with Richard McVetis, hand quilting and improvisational patchwork with Sarah Hibbert, foundation paper piecing and log cabin quilting with Catherine-Marie Longtin, thread painting embroidery with Tamsin Lines, and a darning workshop with Sewing Smith.

Repair skills are a particular strength. Classes such as the beginners' hand stitch and repair workshop and the darning sessions help people extend the life of their clothes, a practical way to cut waste and save money.

Whether you want to make your first garment, learn to patch a favourite jumper or take on an ambitious quilt, Ray Stitch offers a friendly place to learn among fellow makers.

Ray Stitch is at 66 to 68 Essex Road, N1 8LR, and is open daily. For fabrics, kits and class dates, visit raystitch.co.uk or email school@raystitch.co.uk.