Sewing is the new..?

A little history

Before the invention of spinning yarn or weaving fabric, archaeologists believe Stone Age people across Europe and Asia sewed fur and skin clothing using bone, antler or ivory needles and thread made of various animal body parts including catgut and veins. Sewing is one of the oldest of the textile arts.

Although usually associated with clothing and household linens, sewing is used in a variety of crafts and industries, including shoemaking, upholstery, sailmaking, bookbinding and the manufacturing of some kinds of sporting goods. Sewing is the fundamental process underlying a variety of textile arts and crafts, including embroidery, tapestry, quilting, appliqué and patchwork. 

 

For thousands of years, all sewing was done by hand. The invention of the sewing machine in the 19th century and the rise of computerization in the later 20th century led to mass production of sewn objects, but hand sewing is still practised around the world. Fine hand sewing is a characteristic of high-quality tailoring, haute couture fashion, and custom dressmaking, and is pursued by both textile artists and hobbyists as a means of creative expression. And the percentage of the latter is higher and higher. It is in some ways the new TV watching.

Women and men, girls and boys all over the world are getting into the art of sewing. Like Gretchen's Blog who specializes in 50's and 60's patterns, webshops and blogs with handmade pieces of sewn couture or art are popping up from out of nowhere.

We at Ekstur already had some exquisite works of sewn art on our shop, the beautiful South African Bears. Now we have added some starter kits for those who can do better or just want to try sewing out. The Merchant & Mills sewing box for instance contains all you really need to impress either you partner or yourself. But please do you use the thimble!