A Day with Other Sewists
Last year, I joined a group of sewists for a day of sewing together. I knew a few people, but not everyone. We all brought our own projects; and there was hand stitching, cutting out, taping PDF patterns together and working on sewing machines. Sometimes we chatted, sometimes we worked in silence. We took breaks when we needed them and occasionally looked over someone’s shoulder to admire what they were working on. When someone finished a project, there was a natural pause, a few kind words, a closer look, and then we’d settle back into our own project.
It was a wonderfully connected time, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It felt just like the women in the Winona Ryder movie How to Make an American Quilt, spending time together with a shared passion.
It made me wonder, why does sewing with others feel so good?
The Power of Sewing Together
Sewing is an activity that, by nature, you can do on your own. It’s just you, the fabric, the thread, and either a needle or a sewing machine. That independence is a great gift. You can sew whenever you want, wherever you want, and create exactly what you want.
At the same time, though, sewing alone does have its downsides. It’s easy to get stuck, lose momentum, or put a project aside because you don’t understand what to do next. And sometimes, it can just feel so lonely. Not all of us know people who share our love of sewing, which means we have to be intentional about finding them. That can be through a local group, an online community, or, like me, a group of friends who all enjoy sewing.
How Sewing with Others Helps
When we find “our people”, something shifts. Sharing our projects and knowledge with others brings encouragement and confidence that’s hard to create on our own. Seeing others make steady progress can also nudge us to keep going, or even inspire us to try something new.
Being around other sewists also expands our creativity. We encounter different fabrics, patterns, projects, and techniques, which can give us new ideas for our own work. Even casual conversations or quiet observation can open up possibilities we might not have considered on our own, making creativity feel more playful and expansive.
Focus, Accountability, and Momentum
Psychologists have observed what’s known as social facilitation – the idea that people focus more effectively and persist longer when others are working nearby. It’s why coffee shops can feel productive and why libraries fill up during exam time. Sewing alongside someone, even virtually, taps into that same gentle momentum.
It also functions as a gentle form of body doubling and accountability. Being in the presence of others makes it easier to move through small decisions without overthinking and provides an opportunity to seek ideas or guidance when you need it. A set start and end time creates a clear commitment to yourself, signalling that sewing time matters. This can be especially helpful when tackling a difficult project, a repetitive task, or one that simply doesn’t spark your excitement.
And beyond the research, it simply feels good to be in the company of others.
Finding Your Community
If you’d like to find your own sewing community, it can be helpful to think about what matters to you. Do you prefer in-person or online gatherings? A short session, a full day or a multi-day retreat? A small, intimate group or a larger community? Even reflecting briefly on these questions can help you find a group that feels right to you.
Sewing together doesn’t require a big commitment — just a willingness to show up.
Sewing Together – With Me
I enjoy hosting relaxed, two-hour co-sewing sessions on Zoom a few times a month, where you bring your own project and you choose how much you interact. You can find all the details on the Events page.
Happy Sewing!
Carmen
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