Why Learn Sewing?

Sewing is a popular craft among hobbyists. Sewing can be done by machine or by hand, by fastening fabric or objects together with sewing needles and thread. Today, sewing is done by hobbyists who enjoy crafting garments for themselves and others. Small businesses also hand and machine-sew custom-made items and sell them online, making sewing a popular cottage industry.

Sewing has physical and mental benefits that have encouraged people to take it up as a hobby. Learning to sew can help manage your stress and anxiety levels, expand the boundaries of your creativity, and improve your physical health. Regardless of your goals for picking up sewing, learning to sew can be a valuable and impressive skill to learn.

What is Sewing?

Sewing dates to the Paleolithic period, during which pre-modern humans were stitching together animal hides to use as clothing and shelter. As time passed, sewing became more modernized, and new tools and techniques were developed. Around the 14th century, iron needles were invented, which were useful for sewing with thicker materials. By the 15th century, eyed needles were invented, and later on, the modern steel needle came about.

With the Industrial Revolution came the invention of the sewing machine. This rendered hand sewing unnecessary unless working on fine details. However, sewing machines were expensive, and not many people owned them. When they became more affordable in the 20th century the demand for sewing patterns rose. Creating and mending garments could be done much more quickly, which benefited home sewers and businesses.

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Eventually, ready-made clothing became the norm in the West. People no longer saw the need to make their clothing when they could purchase ready-made clothing without any effort. Sewing has since been largely seen as a hobby or a way to make money on the side. Despite this, those who still sew today find it to be a fun and rewarding activity.

Benefits of Learning Sewing?

Learning how to sew opens you up to the possibility of creating numerous crafts and garments. Many high-quality garments made by small businesses are hand sewn. Manufactured clothing is not necessarily better or worse than hand-crafted clothing; however, handcrafted pieces may be treated with more attention to detail. Sewing your clothing by hand allows you to pay close attention to the details you’re adding. This means that you can customize your work and ensure that the stitches you’re using are long-lasting.

Hand-crafted clothing items that are sewn by one individual are typically seen as investment pieces. The hand-crafted nature may make them more delicate, but they’re more likely to be long-lasting than manufactured clothing. Hand-crafted pieces also take longer to make, so if you’re making your pieces, you’re probably making a one-of-a-kind item. The same goes for hand-crafted pieces purchased from a small business.

There are several other benefits to be gained from learning how to sew that might encourage you to pick up the craft. People who have picked up sewing have seen improvements in their health as well as an increase in creativity.

Improves Mental Health

If you’re experiencing stress or anxiety, sewing can help relieve it. When taken up as a fun hobby, sewing has been shown to improve one’s mental well-being. As you focus all your attention on the piece you’re sewing, your mind will pull away from outside distractions, including the stressors in your life. Sewing also provides people with time to reflect on and reassess the problems in their lives.

Some people have said that sewing has helped improve their self-confidence. Creating something from scratch instills a feeling of accomplishment in them. When you create something with your hands that you can use or wear, you’ll likely feel positive about yourself and the things that you can accomplish.

You can find relaxing sewing classes in your area on CourseHorse. Classes are offered in-person and online and are taught or supervised by expert instructors. The great thing about these classes is that you can socialize with your classmates, whether you’re taking an in-person or online class. This can help you meet others with similar interests. Getting to know others in your class can also help make the environment feel more welcoming and friendly as you work on your projects.

When learning to sew, it helps to work on practical projects. Sewing something that you know you’ll be able to use can encourage you to learn the craft. The NYC School of Creativity located in Manhattan, holds a class where you can learn to make a tote bag. In Beginner Sewing: Tote Bag, a private class, beginner-level sewers will learn the fundamentals of sewing, including how to use a sewing machine, stitch types, and finishing and pressing, as they work on creating their tote bag. Materials are not included in this class but can be purchased in class for $14.

The Brooklyn Craft Company also hosts an open sewing class that you can sign up for if you have some sewing experience. This class welcomes sewers of all levels who are looking to pop in and make use of their sewing machines. This is a no-pressure environment that encourages sewers of any caliber to come in and work on their projects.

You can also learn the basics of sewing online in The New York Sewing Center’s Sewing 101: Basics class. This beginner-level class, led by an expert instructor, will guide you through several projects as you learn the foundations of sewing.

Encourages Creativity

Sewing helps fulfill creative urges and encourages creative thinking. When you sew, you’ll need to decide on a design. You may find inspiration online, in your closet, or within yourself. You’ll also need to pick out the materials that you want to use and decide how to start and finish your project. When you’ve finished your project, you’ll have completed something that you designed and created all on your own.

One of the best parts of sewing is seeing your completed project. If you’re interested in learning to sew and want to take a class that will teach you the basics while also allowing you to express your creativity through the creation of something, consider signing up for the NYC School of Creativity’s beginner sewing class. This Manhattan-based class will teach you the basics of using a sewing machine while you work on making a zipper pouch.

If you’re located in the Los Angeles area, The Workshop @ Haley Solar hosts a beginner-level pattern-making class. Pattern making is essentially the creation of a blueprint for your garment. Making a pattern helps ensure that the garment is made how it’s intended and to your specifications. This three-hour class will guide you through copying a dress using a pattern and altering your size and sleeves. After taking this class, you’ll be working on creating custom dresses before you know it.

Improves Physical Condition

Sewing can improve your physical condition by building up your strength and soothing physical ailments. Sewing requires fine attention to detail. Your brain will need to keep up with the movements of your hands and fingers as you plan the next steps in your piece. This ultimately helps improve your hand-eye coordination.

Sewing something can be quick or take many hours. If you’re working on a big project, you’ll be sitting for a long period. It’s important that you maintain good posture as you sew to avoid neck and back pain. Sewers have claimed that consciously paying attention to their posture as they sew to avoid this pain has resulted in their posture improving over time.

Sufferers of arthritis and other pain in the hands and fingers have noticed that sewing helps loosen their joints. The constant movement of your hands and fingers when sewing helps maintain flexibility in your hands. Difficult sewing patterns can help improve the dexterity of your fingers. For those who don’t find improvements when sewing and are worried about aggravating an existing condition, there are sewing tools that can help. Some companies produce things like ergonomic rotary cutters, lightweight irons, and compression gloves that can help make sewing easier on your hands.

Taking a foundational sewing class can ensure that you’re using tools correctly and not putting too much physical strain on your body. There are foundational classes offered across the US and online that might interest you. Sew Anastasia, located in West Town, Chicago, hosts a sewing basics course that will walk you step-by-step through the techniques you need to know before having you work on them individually.

How to Start Learning Sewing

You can take sewing classes taught by expert instructors to learn how to sew. Sewing classes are taught in-person, at sewing centers, shops, and studios, as well as online. In-person sewing classes are a great way to receive hands-on instruction on how to sew. In-person classes will provide you with most if not all required materials.

These classes are also a great way to learn how to use unfamiliar tools. If you’d like to invest in a sewing machine, but don’t know how to use one, taking an in-person machine sewing class can help you learn. You can take a private sewing machine class at The New York Sewing Center. This one-hour class will walk you through the basics of sewing. It’s also a great option for someone who hasn’t sewn in a long time and is looking for a refresher.

If you’re an experienced sewer in the East Hollywood, California area, you can sign up for Los Angeles City College’s advanced-level sewing class. Under the supervision of an instructor, you’ll learn how to take your garments to the next level. Experiment with zippers, pockets, and finishes. The instructor will be available 30 minutes before the class starts to assist students who missed a previous class. You’ll be able to take home all the samples you create in class so that you can reference them later when working on your projects.

Online sewing classes are available for those who can’t make an in-person class. These classes are a flexible way of learning how to sew. They can be taken from any interruption-free environment with a stable internet connection, eliminating the need to commute to a studio or shop. If you take an online sewing class, you’ll likely need to purchase all the supplies yourself. You can find sewing materials and tools at your local craft or hobby shop and online.

Santa Monica College hosts a home sewing boot camp for beginners. This class can be taken as an introduction class or a refresher course. You’ll work on a series of project-based, step-by-step exercises. By the end of the boot camp, you’ll apply what you’ve learned to help construct a tote bag and a pair of drawstring shorts or pants. Santa Monica College also offers more specialized sewing classes, like its Collar Sewing Bootcamp and its Zipper Intensive class.

Learning how to make a pattern is one step toward making custom garments. You can sign up for The New York Sewing Center’s beginner and intermediate-level virtual pattern making classes to learn about measuring for a pattern and the techniques needed to develop a pattern. These classes will teach you how to properly measure yourself and others as well as pattern making terminology.

Key Takeaways

Sewing was needed for practical use in the past but is now primarily done as a hobby or craft.
Sewers have found both mental and physical benefits in learning how to sew. Sewing can help improve your mental and physical health and encourages creativity.
There are in-person and online sewing classes that you can take to learn how to sew. Some classes are foundational and will teach you the basics, while others are at the intermediate or advanced level.
In-person classes will give you hands-on instruction and provide many of the materials. Online classes are a flexible way to learn sewing from the comfort of your home or office.
You can contact CourseHorse through the form on their website to find out about the online and in-person sewing classes available to you. You’ll also be able to find out about the private group sewing sessions that CourseHorse offers.