Sewing's comeback

[phkrause]

Illustration: Lindsey Bailey/Axios

It's not just your grandma's hobby: sewing and clothing repair are catching on with younger generations, Natalie Daher writes. Case in point: At a New York City sewing center, people are picking up needle and thread to embroider, alter and make items like tote bags, skirts and pants from scratch, The New York Times' Alisha Haridasani Gupta reports. "[A] craving for crafts and community across all ages has driven a resurgence in interest in old-fashioned, hands-on skills like crocheting, knitting and embroidery." ? The big picture: Sewing's comeback is part of a larger trend. Many young people are embracing DIY projects and thrifting to combat fast fashion and textile waste. About a third of clothing purchases in the U.S. last year were secondhand, a Capitol One report found. Sewing in particular has grown in popularity as a way to extend the lifespan of clothes and to add personal flair — whether through a fabric patch or embroidered design — to turn everyday garments into one-of-a-kind pieces. By the numbers: There are 30 million sewists in the U.S., many of whom are teens and tweens, AP reported earlier this year citing Customcy data. Many of them are learning how to sew on TikTok, YouTube and Reddit, where online tutorials and forums offer endless advice from experienced sewers. ✂️ Natalie's tip: Don't underestimate the challenge of cutting and pinning fabric or even threading a machine. I wasn't exactly a natural when I took beginner sewing classes last year in D.C., but now I own a tote bag nobody else has. I recommend fashion journalist Emilia Petrarca's Shop Rat newsletter. Petrarca publishes an annual Repair Month series with tips for saving your most beloved garments.