Search for style is common thread in sewing’s upsurge

Amelia Couture has noticed a bit of a blast from the past at her sewing store Sew Little Time. Customers are now passing the skill down to their children, the same way women of her generation and those before hers did.

"I've been sewing since I was 5," says the Sew Little Time owner. "My grandmother worked in a sewing mill. That's all she did all day long."

In those days it wasn't unusual for young girls to know their way around a sewing machine, but the domestic skill faded out with more women joining the workforce and schools eliminating home economics courses from required curriculum. That hasn't stopped it from making a comeback, though.

According to a 2011 report from leading market research firm Global Industry Analysts, sewing machine sales are expected to surge in the post-recession because of a desire for clothing customization, environmental and social awareness, and the popularity of fashion-focused reality TV shows.

Couture, who has little interest in high-fashion despite her last name, says shows such as "Project Runway" have certainly been pivotal in attracting young people to sewing, but those designer-dreaming types quickly become disillusioned.

"A lot of them go out and buy the 'Project Runway' sewing machine kit, but it won't sew denim and leather," she says. "They're not educated on what it takes to put garments together."

That's where she and Sew Little Time come in. Classes are offered for beginners and advanced sewers alike. Many of the young people she sees taking an interest in sewing these days are interested in embellishing existing garments. They want to add their signature to pieces they already wear, or simply put new life into them.

Realistically, she says, beginners can expect to construct a simple skirt or dress after four classes. Within a year, they can achieve something more complex, such as a fitted blazer.

As for the economy having an influence, she calls that a misconception. With fast fashion stores selling clothes so cheaply, it's often less expensive to buy a new shirt than make one. For instance, fabric can run $12 to $20 a yard. You can get a top at Forever 21 for $9.99. Also, a top-of-the-line sewing machine can cost $10,000 to $12,000; midlevel models run about $3,000.

"I think it's more about the entertainment because of the economy," Couture says. People have found new ways to spend their free time, like Sew Little Time's "tisket tasket" quilt-making class.

It runs 12 months and students pay $24.95 a month for a quilt kit and $10 a month for the class. Each month they sew four quilt blocks. By month 12 they connect the blocks to complete their quilt.

The sense of accomplishment, knowing you're getting use out of something you made with your own two hands, is just one reward sewers enjoy.

It's also a stress-reliever, according to Margo Martin, executive director of the American Sewing Guild. She suspects that's why so many baby boomers are returning to the hobby in post-retirement, but Martin first noticed a sewing upswing after Sept. 11, 2001.

"That's when we saw a huge increase in crafting and sewing and needle arts," she says. "People wanted to stay home and reconnect with what is comfortable."

The American Sewing Guild has held various projects in recent years that incorporate the younger generations and what has resulted, Martin says, makes the future of sewing look very bright.

She calls young people today more "individualistic" than recent generations before them. They crave creativity. She's seen many memorable handbags, iPad covers and doggie sweaters come from teenage sewers.

"People in our organization love teaching young people to sew," she says. "We're very passionate. We love having a hand in the continuation of sewing."

Contact Sew Little Time at 450-6766.

Learn more about the American Sewing Guild at asg.org.

Contact fashion reporter Xazmin Garza at xgarza@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0477.