• About Sewing Report
    • Editorials
    • Equipment List
  • Etsy Shop
  • Resources
    • Blogs
    • Events
    • Fabric Manufacturers
    • Free Tutorials
    • Online Shopping
    • Organizations
    • Patterns
    • Services
    • Sewing Machines
    • Sewlebrity List
    • Supplies
  • Work With Me

Sewing Report

Discover Your Love of Sewing, Crafts, DIY Projects

  • YouTube Videos
  • Blog
    • Original Reporting
    • VLOGS
    • Reviews
    • Haul Videos
    • Editorials
    • Quilting
    • Quiltonomics
    • QuiltCon
    • How To
    • Sewing
    • Sew Ya Know
    • Best of YouTube
    • Business
  • Etsy Shop
  • Resources
    • Blogs
    • Events
    • Fabric Manufacturers
    • Free Tutorials
    • Online Shopping
    • Organizations
    • Patterns
    • Services
    • Sewing Machines
    • Sewlebrity List
    • Supplies
  • About Sewing Report
You are here: Home / Editorials / Attracting Young People + Men to the Sewing Community | LIVE SHOW

Attracting Young People + Men to the Sewing Community | LIVE SHOW

October 8, 2017 by Jennifer Moore Leave a Comment

Whether we like it or not, the sewing community has a bit of a dilemma – we NEED more people sewing (particularly younger people and males) to keep this industry alive and sustainable.

SUBSCRIBE FOR WEEKLY VIDEOS! https://goo.gl/WxA2s4 If you enjoyed this video, the best way to support making more like this is to subscribe. You’ll be notified about my latest videos – plus it’s free!

This topic seems to be the elephant in the room – sewing and quilting events are largely female and the ones I’ve attended skew over 40+ age wise. Of course, we love ALL sewing enthusiasts – but in order to move this community forward – we are going to have to expand our ranks.

While it may feel like there are more young people sewing (through Instagram and blogs) – when I talk to people in everyday life – the majority know NOTHING about sewing and don’t do it themselves.

So what can we do to change this? Let’s discuss…

My own thoughts in bullet points:

Buying a sewing machine needs to be EASY – millennials and younger customers may not have time or the desire to visit a physical store. Businesses need to adapt to customers, not the other way around. If you don’t – you’ll lose out on $$$. Strategize like it’s 2017, not 1977.

Anyone with a sewing-related business – check out a few Gary Vaynerchuk keynote speeches:
(Note: he does curse a lot, but his business advice is very applicable)
PODCAST VERSION: https://goo.gl/sRJaVQ

Marketing needs to be appealing to a more diverse crowd. To me, it feels like it’s aimed at two demographics: older women and stay-at-home mothers. I just can’t relate to this – being a younger professional without kids.

Commercial sewing pattern companies – the envelope photos seem pretty dated on lots of patterns, indie patterns tend to use more modern fabrics. It’s hard for many people to envision what it would look like in different prints/styles.

Fabric companies/sewing machine manufacturers – photos / project inspiration also seem intended for more of a “grandmotherly” audience. If you want to attract a younger customer base – the styling and photography needs to appeal to them.

We need to be welcoming – not making other sewists feel dumb and helping them in their journey. I’ve been in situations where older women automatically assumed they were more experienced and knew more than I did, when that might not have been the case. I’m an adult woman, and don’t want to be talked down to or treated like I’m a little kid.

Men – I’ve talked to quite a few men who’ve expressed an interest in learning to sew, but the strongly feminine vibe scares them off. One friend mentioned he’d like to see more words like “bespoke” and “custom clothing” used, and that might attract more people like him.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE OF MILLENNIALS + SEWING:

Editorial: Why the Sewing Community Must Attract Millennials
http://wp.me/p7ePxp-3x

Editorial: Attracting Millennials to Sewing
http://wp.me/p7ePxp-6d

WHAT I DO WHEN I’M NOT SEWING… JEN TALKS FOREVER CHANNEL
https://goo.gl/EkWQP2

SHOP SEWING REPORT’S FAVORITE SEWING & QUILTING PRODUCTS: https://kit.co/sewingreport

MY SEWING MACHINES:

EverSewn – Sparrow 25 -197 Stitch Computerized Sewing Machine
http://amzn.to/2gh8iDh

(On my wish list – EverSewn Sparrow 30 – IT’S PINK!!!)
http://amzn.to/2g9eBes

Eversewn 6-pc Accessory Quilting Foot Kit Low Shank
http://amzn.to/2npBQ3n

Thank you to EverSewn for providing Sewing Report the Sparrow 25 used in our videos!

Sewing Report is teaming up with Pink Castle Fabrics to bring you a special series of videos all about coverstitch machines. Mention Sewing Report when you order a sewing machine over $500 and receive a free gift! (Subject to availability)

Janome CoverPro 1000CPX coverstitch machine
https://goo.gl/5xzmT6

Brother 1034D Serger – http://amzn.to/1FNpsxo

Janome MemoryCraft 7700 Sewing Machine – http://amzn.to/2uWS33L

NEED CUSTOM BUSINESS CARDS, STICKERS, PAPER PRODUCTS?
https://refer.moo.com/s/sewingreport
You’ll love MOO! They’ve awesome print products and cool design finishes. Get 20% off your first order!

CRAFTSY – FREE & PAID ONLINE CLASSES, FABRIC, SUPPLIES
http://craftsy.me/2nshpFC

Join in on Instagram with #sewingreportsquad!

Talk to me: @sewingreport
Snapchat: sewingreport
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sewingreport
Instagram: http://instagram.com/sewingreport
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sewingreport
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/SewingReport/

ABOUT SEWING REPORT:
Helping you discover your love of sewing at sewingreport.com through videos, articles, and tutorials. I’m Jennifer Moore – obsessed with sewing, and want you to be if you’re not already. Come on in!

DISCLAIMER: This video and description contains affiliate links for several different programs. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)

Filed Under: Editorials Tagged With: attracting youth to sewing, diy movement, dying art, fabric, jennifer moore, men sewing, men who sew, millennial trends, millennials, millennials and sewing, modern quilting, modern sewing, next generation, old school vs new school, quilting, quilting survey, sewing, sewing community, sewing for beginners, sewing industry, sewing report, sewing vlogger, why dont young people sew, young people, young people sewing, youth sewing

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Editor-in-Chief

Helping you discover your love of sewing through videos, articles, and tutorials Read More…

Search Sewing Report

Sewing Report on YouTube

Navigate

Sewing Gear

Copyright © 2023 · News Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in