Sometimes, when you’re crafty, you tend to surround yourself with crafty friends and read crafty books and blogs, to the point where you get this unrealistic idea that everyone knows how to sew their own skirts or bake their own bread from scratch. Then you find yourself talking about seam allowance in a group of “Muggles,” and you realize that you’re very much in the minority.
But lately, it doesn’t feel so unrealistic, right? Sewing is definitely more popular today than it was a decade ago, and it’s not just limited to a select few people. So when did this sewing trend come into to play and where did it come from? What has brought us back to the sewing machines?
Sewing Trend
Of course there’s no one answer to that question. Every sewing enthusiast has his or her own reasons for loving this craft, and you can’t put a one-size-fits-all answer on a group of people (especially not those of us who reject one-size-fits-all and instead sew our own custom-fit garments!). But there are several big indicators of this trend, so in honor of National Sewing Month, I thought it might be interesting to explore some of them.
Eco-Friendly Options
Sewing your own clothes is a way to be more eco-friendly for a lot of people. Sewing your own clothes means you’re not supporting mass-production clothing factories. Seeking out quality, organic or fair trade fabrics makes a lot of us feel more comfortable about the types of materials we’re putting next to our skin. And of course, there’s a huge culture in the world of sewing that favors up-cycling, or reusing items to make them into new, sewn creations.
Financially Friendly
If you’ve ever sewn your own dress, then you know that by the time you invest in quality materials and spend a ton of time making that garment, you surely could have gotten a cheaper dress in a big-box store. But that doesn’t mean that sewing is always the more expensive option; in fact, the ability to sew can save you money in a variety of ways. Hem your own pants for a few cents’ worth of thread rather than taking them to a tailor and paying $30. Turn a 99-cent T-shirt from a thrift store into a pair of yoga pants for your baby instead of buying a $20 pair at a boutique. Replace that missing button on your husband’s $25 dress shirt rather than tossing it in the trash. Even just basic sewing skills can add up to big savings for a lot of people, and in a shaky economy that can be reassuring news to say the least!
Make it Work
Ahh, Tim Gunn! He and Heidi Klum have made sewing seem SO cool in the decade since Project Runway first aired on TV, haven’t they? Every season, a crew of young hipsters makes us all believe we can ride a sewing machine all the way to the red carpet. Or at least, we can be the best-looking mom at the play park, right? And Tim’s enduring advice – “Make it work!” – reminds us all that we don’t have to have special training or years of experience; we just have to have the perseverance to keep trying.
The Internet Made Me Do It
It’s not a secret that the Internet has played a big part in the rising popularity of a variety of “forgotten arts,” sewing among them. Bloggers posting gorgeous photos of handmade dresses, home decor, and baby gifts make us all drool … and then head straight to our own sewing machines to make something similar. Etsy has brought the idea of handmade to the forefront of mainstream culture, and with it comes the resurgence of the belief that handmade is no longer a dirty word. Instead, being able to make things can mean a thriving career selling your creations, and many current sewists probably got their start with the hopes of turning it into a career, or at least a lucrative side gig. Sites like Craftsy have given us a way to learn how to sew practically anything, and Pinterest makes sure we’ll never run out of inspiration. In a way, sewing is a way of “keeping up with the Joneses,” except that they don’t live next store any more – the new “Joneses” are the young, creative bloggers who seem to have it all, and they’re everywhere!
Fun & Fulfillment
No matter what brings people to the sewing machine for the first time, the thing that keeps them coming back is that sewing is FUN. Plus, there’s something very fulfilling about creating something with your hands – taking a plain piece of fabric and turning it into a dress that makes you feel beautiful, or a set of pillows to perk up your home, or a quilt to wrap up a new baby in handmade love. Sewing is a way for many people to connect to childhood, or the generations of women who came before us. It’s a way to slow down, and take a step back from a technology-ridden day job or a stressful day of wrangling kids; it’s therapy with fabric & thread. What other reasons do you need?
What about you – what made you join in on the sewing revolution? Have you been sewing for a long time, or is it a recent skill you’ve acquired? How did you get your start? Share your story with us in the comments!
Hello! Are you new to The Sewing Loft?
If so, I’m glad you stopped by and hope that something has inspired you to keep your needle moving! Don’t miss a single project and subscribe via email HERE! Bonus- free embroidery pattern with newsletter sign up. Another great way to connect with me is via Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, Google+ or Follow my blog with Bloglovin. I’m looking forward to getting to know you and creating together!
Comments & Reviews
Hello Heather, I have been sewing for years. Had the old terrible instructor in Jr. High, then when I was a young single parent, I was aways sewing up a new shirt or shorts for my kids and then made a friend who showed me how to quilt…Now I love recycled fabrics, finding out what I can make from something else to something useful for me or my family is fun….
Great post! Its so much fun to read your thoughts on the matter. 🙂
Love your blog! I joined a sewing group to learn new skills and found I was the most experienced sewer! Now I lead the group and research projects for each meeting. It forces me to expand my knowledge before getting in front of the group. Have found lots of wonderful help through people like you on the internet who are willing to share their love of the craft. Now I’m obsessed!
How exciting Martha! It is so fun to hear what other sewing groups are doing these days. What type of projects do you work on? This year, my local ASG chapter has been focused on garments. I actually taught a class on how to draft a skirt. It was super fun and so exciting to chat about fabrics, styles and such.
~Heather
Hi Heather,
My mom and grandma taught me to sew and at 16 I had saved up enough babysitting money to buy my very own machine! Sewing has always been a part of my life, although there have been times where my machine sat without being used much. I have been inspired the last 5 or 6 years by the internet, sewing blogs, etc to update and add to my repertoire of sewing skills and now truly find enjoyment in spending time in my sewing room creating!
Thanks for your inspiring blog!
Warm regards,
Ruth L
That is awesome Ruth! I find it so interesting to hear what is bringing people back to stitching. Thanks so much for sharing!
~Heather
I can’t remember when I didn’t sew, my mother was a great seamstress and I have always sewn,
I´m Portuguese and I’ve been sewing for two years now, on and off. My grandma was a seamstress but she can no longer teach me, so I learn using the net and through my mistakes. It’s taking time but it sure fills me with pride whenever I finish a garment.
I am a Home Economic Teacher and so SAD that sewing is being fazed out of school. I have started a home based business teaching students how to sew. Getting a lot of sewing projects from the net. I do find sewing relaxing. Everyone Keep sewing
I became interested in sewing and knitting in 2nd grade. My teacher Mrs. Wiley brought patterns and yarn to class. She taught me how to make barbie doll clothes. I bought a little booklet. I taught myself to crochet and embroider. My Dad bought me a used sewing machine when I was about ten. It was a horrible machine did not work well. I got my second machine when I was about 13. It was used also, but it was and is still a wonderful machine. My Dad was so happy I could mend his work clothes and hem his pants. Although my Mother never sewed my Grandmother did. Unfortunately my Grandmother passed when I was a baby. So I have been sewing for 50 years or so. I still love to sew, quilt, embroider and crochet. I have been blessed with these skills because I had a liver transplant almost 7 yrs ago. I was quite ill for 10 yrs prior to my transplant. My skills have kept me grounded, fulfilled and happy.
i have been sewing since I was a young girl. My mother could not attach a button so she encouraged me w/ lessons from a friend of hers. i had my first machine at 12-13 and it lasted quite a long time. There have been periods in my life when I did not sew much but about three years ago I finally bought a good machine. Then, a year and a half ago I was asked to make a costume for my 6’2″ son who was playing the Cowardly Lion in our community theater. I did not feel too confident in my ability to take on such a big project but I accepted the challenge and it turned out pretty well. I’ve made him several more costumes since. I have always loved quilts and started going to quilt shows a few years ago. i started quilting about a year ago. i get a tremendous sense of accomplishment when I create something with my own two hands. I do at least some stitching almost every day. I hope to eventually get into making some of my own clothes.
That is fantastic Fran! I love hearing how others got started on their creative journey. Thank you for sharing!
~Heather
I began sewing by watching my mom sew her own clothes and mine. I made my own two piece swim suit in 1970 of peach dotted Swiss, and when the bra snapped open as I dove I to the local pool, I found a better way to fasten it and dove in successfully the next day. I have smocked for my own young children, and am finally learning to quilt. Thanks for your blog, which has made me love sewing even more.
Hi everyone! Just about every time I sew something, I think of the home ec teacher in jr. high who let me know in a gentle way that I should probably try something other than sewing! If she only knew!
I had an art teacher handle me with kid gloves and always get a quirky smile when I draw something I just love. Sometimes, it’s that subtle hint of this is “not for you” that makes us strive to achieve that much more. I wonder if the teachers ever look back to find their favorite students.
~Heather
I learned clothes making when I was about 7-8. My mom taught me. Then I went on to being taught by several persons, the last one being a dear departed Mrs Le Maitre. For my graduation from sixth form I made my own dress because the dress made by the village seamstress for my first graduation was spoilt. I wanted to make this a career but other things crept in. After a hiatus of about thirteen – fourteen years I am now making my way back because the love has not died. The internet has assisted greatly with the resurgence in my mind.
My mother sewed all the clothes for her family when she was growing up, and she taught me young! I started with Barbie clothes, then clothes for myself, or for my sisters. Even after I left home, I sewed dresses for people (from patterns) for money. I started making hats and things from patchwork and I had dreams of opening a store of hand-made goods… however I had a break-in and all my things were stolen, including my sewing machines and serger. I was devastated and gave up on sewing for quite a few years. Eventually I broke down and bought a $20 machine at a garage sale and started making quilts. Now I can’t stop quilting!! I love it. I’ve even started stitching by hand, and now I’m totally addicted – there is something to be said for the feel of something you made all by yourself.
My Mom sews a lot. I sewed a little tiny bit in school. I didn’t sew a stitch for about 20 years. Then, a few years ago, after watching a MSQC video tutorial with Jenny Doan, I decided that quilting looked so fun and easy. So, I tried it and have been hooked ever since. I recently completed my second quilt and am getting ready to start my third. I also discovered hand sewing (hexies mostly) and really enjoy that for a relaxing way to spend time.
I started sewing on an old treadle machine, making doll clothes. When I was about 10 or 12. Daddy bought us a feather-weight Singer. When the sales clerk mentioned a class to learn how to use it, he told her he wanted me to attend. She said, “It was not for children.” So Daddy said, “Then we don’t need the machine.” She quickly relented and signed me up. Before the class, I had read the manual and tried out the samples mentioned in it. So when they passed out material for making the samples, I finished mine before the instructor got around the table for my turn at assistance. I started sewing clothes for myself, Mother and my sister while in junior high school. When I married, I made my wedding dress and dresses for the others in my wedding. Later I sewed for my husband and children, and did custom sewing for others. About 7 or 8 years ago, our pastor’s wife started a group sewing mats for our daycare and quilts for mission hospitals, so I learned to quilt. I love quilting and am still making quilts for missions, and stuff for my grandchildren and others.
What a wonderful journey you have had with sewing! Thank you so much for sharing it. I always love to hear how others got started and where their creative spirit has taken them.
Keep on stitching!
~Heather