Have you been following the news lately? Sewing is experiencing a strong comeback, with numerous recent articles highlighting its resurgence in popularity, especially among younger generations. The revival is driven by trends in sustainability, customization and personal fulfillment. It’s a reaction against fast fashion and serves both as a creative outlet and a therapeutic activity that promotes mindfulness and stress relief.

Who better to teach these new sewists? Well, University of Fashion of course!

Fashioning Identity

There are 30 million sewists in the U.S. alone, many of whom are teens and tweens. As younger generations crave both individuality and social connection, one of the best ways to get them off their screens is to send them to a sewing boot camp.  Social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram have been driving interest among Gen Zers, by documenting their enthusiasm for sewing as a sustainable, expressive act, countering fast fashion with handmade clothing.

The New York Times’ Sept. 4, 2025—Article on sewing’s resurgence (Image credit: The New York Times)

Recently, The New York Times reported that sewing is “cool again”, pointing to a surge in demand for sewing classes, with people drawn to saving money, upcycling, and learning skills once associated mostly with older generations.

Harper’s Bazaar and similar outlets point to shifting cultural attitudes toward handmade garments—from “second-rate” to novel, valued, and often more expensive than off-the-rack options, driven by both quality and individuality.

Axios reported that people are flocking to sewing centers and learning how to embroider, alter and make items like tote bags, skirts and pants from scratch.

Entrepreneurial Sewing Workshops on the Rise

Eva Joan, a mending studio and one-stop -shop for alterations was founded by Bjorn Eva Park and Emma Villeneuve. Located at 28 Jane Street in New York City, the shop is named after their respective grandmothers.

Thrifting Stats — Did You Know…

According to Capital One Shopping Research:

• 16 to 18%of Americans shop at thrift stores each year; 12 to 15% shop at consignment or resale stores.

• 93% of Americans shop online for secondhand items.
• In 2023, the U.S. secondhand market generated an estimated $53 billion in revenue.
• There are over 25,000 resale, consignment, and not-for-profit resale shops in the U.S.
• Thrift store shoppers save an average of $2,071 per year by purchasing secondhand.
• Approximately one-third of clothing and apparel items purchased in the U.S. over the past year were secondhand.

So yes, sewing’s comeback isn’t just stylish, it’s a revolution!

-------------------------------------

By: Francesca Sterlacci
Title: Sewing’s Comeback is More than a Hobby — It’s a Quiet Revolution
Sourced From: www.universityoffashion.com/blog/sewings-comeback-is-more-than-a-hobby-its-a-quiet-revolution/
Published Date: Sat, 01 Nov 2025 19:08:31 +0000

Read More