Posts Tagged ‘crafting’

Have you heard about sewing’s revival as a popular hobby? And how the marriage of a time-honored craft and high-technology is attracting a new generation of seamstresses?

It’s pretty cool.

Thanks to fashion-showcasing television shows like “Project Runway,” and the burgeoning number of clothing designer sites and blogs, a new generation is discovering the fun, creativity and savings that can be enjoyed by making their own clothes.

Big retailers like Wal-mart have reported that they are going to start carrying more cut fabrics, buttons, zippers and other notions again, in response to customer demand.

Sewing machine manufacturers have not only kept up with the times, they’ve lead the way by introducing new features that make sewing easier and more creative.

Some of the latest machines come equipped with USB ports, high resolution touch screens, and automatic threading and decorative stitching capabilities.  New software digitizes embroidery designs, transferring images from laptops to sewing machines.

Smartphone app developers are getting in on the trend too.  One new app helps seamstresses find the thread they need. You upload a photo of your fabric to search through 15,000 commercially available threads for the perfect match.

This revival in sewing and crafting is creating big, lively communities of seamstresses and crafters who enjoy sharing what they’ve learned, discovered or made. The website WeAllSew.com, offering links to blogs and Twitter, reports 95,000 visits since its launch two years ago.

And group sewing events have become very popular-combining the recession-prompted trend towards home and hearth activities, intergenerational bonding and cost-savings resourcefulness.  The Singer Sewing Machine Company hosted 800 sewing parties across the country on Mothers’ Day this year. They had experienced seamstresses host and teach guests how to use their machines.  
 

Sewing isn’t just for girls either. If boys are skeptical, have them look up the careers of iconic males in the fashion industry like Ralph Lauren, Tom Ford, Michael Kors, Ozwald, Boateng, Michael Bastian and others.

What kinds of summer jobs and/or careers can a love of sewing lead to? Here’s a start:

• Sewing Consultant/Instructor (computer skills a plus!)
• Blogger (Build a community or help market someone else’s products)
• Youth Group Sewing Instructor (After-School Programs & Camps are starting!)
• Tailor/Seamstress/Clothing Repair Expert (work from home over the summer)
• Quilter (specialize in personalized graduation, new home, baby & wedding gifts)
• Fashion Directors
• Clothing Designer
• Salesperson/Demonstrator (tell a local store you’ll bring in younger customers)
• Pattern Makers
• Software Engineers
• Sewing Party Coordinator (Offer to teach the computer functions)
• Fabric Designer
• Quilt Instructor (Teach a group of young kids in your neighborhood for working parents)
• Computer Consultant (Help older sewers learn new computerized functions)
• Phone App Developer (Team up with computer savvy buddies)
• Accessories Designer

Sew, it makes one think about summer jobs and long-term careers, doesn’t it?

This should also remind adults that  a skill that will serve kids well throughout their lives  is the ability to connect-the-dots between interesting news reports, popular trends and their own interests. It can lead to fascinating career exploration and rewarding employment. 
 

CareerWise publishes creative kids-to-career resources for use at home, in the classroom or in youth mentoring programs. Career transitioning adults enjoy them too! www.GetCareerWise.com