Crafts
Fact-checked

At WiseGEEK, we're committed to delivering accurate, trustworthy information. Our expert-authored content is rigorously fact-checked and sourced from credible authorities. Discover how we uphold the highest standards in providing you with reliable knowledge.

Learn more...

What is a Sewing Club?

Diane Goettel
Diane Goettel
Diane Goettel
Diane Goettel

A sewing club is a formal or informal group of people who meet on a regular basis to work on sewing projects. These clubs are usually made up of women, but sometimes have male members as well. They meet in community centers, churches, stores that specialize in materials for sewing projects, stores that specialize in crafting materials, and in private homes. Sometimes sewing clubs for children meet in in schools, after school program facilities, and at summer camps.

The scope of a sewing club can vary widely. A sewing club for kids at a summer camp, for example, may only have the purpose of teaching the children in the group how to make one item. A sewing club for adults that meets on a regular basis, however, may have members who make dozens of items during their time in the club. Some clubs specialize in specific types of sewing projects such as needlepoint or quilting. The movie How to Make an American Quilt, for example, is largely based on a group of women who are in a sewing club together and make quilts as a group.

A person sewing.
A person sewing.

Informal sewing clubs held at a private home are usually attended by a group of friends. The host and location of the club may rotate. Clubs that are organized by stores, community centers, or churches are usually held in the same place every time and may have a facilitator to lead the group. The facilitator may be an experienced sewer who can teach new techniques to the other members as well as instruct everyone in how to complete a new pattern.

A sewing club facilitator might instruct members on a new pattern.
A sewing club facilitator might instruct members on a new pattern.

Sewing can be a very relaxing and enjoyable activity. For this reason, being a part of such a club can be beneficial for one's emotional and mental well-being. It is also a good way to enjoy the company of others and make friends, which are also important aspects of emotional wellness. These are some of the key reasons why sewing clubs are often organized by community centers and churches. They are also sometimes organized for the residents of retirement communities.

Some sewing clubs may specialize in certain types of needlework like needlepoint.
Some sewing clubs may specialize in certain types of needlework like needlepoint.

Most areas have at least one local sewing club. Information about such clubs can usually be found at community centers and craft stores. For those who cannot find a local sewing club, there are also online sewing clubs in which people meet for virtual sewing circles. Online communities are also a good place to find sewing tips and search for new patterns.

Diane Goettel
Diane Goettel

In addition to her work as a freelance writer for WiseGEEK, Diane is the executive editor of Black Lawrence Press, an independent publishing company based in upstate New York. She has also edited several anthologies, the e-newsletter Sapling, and The Adirondack Review. Diane has a B.A. from Sarah Lawrence College and an M.A. from Brooklyn College.

Learn more...
Diane Goettel
Diane Goettel

In addition to her work as a freelance writer for WiseGEEK, Diane is the executive editor of Black Lawrence Press, an independent publishing company based in upstate New York. She has also edited several anthologies, the e-newsletter Sapling, and The Adirondack Review. Diane has a B.A. from Sarah Lawrence College and an M.A. from Brooklyn College.

Learn more...

Discuss this Article

Post your comments
Login:
Forgot password?
Register:
    • A person sewing.
      A person sewing.
    • A sewing club facilitator might instruct members on a new pattern.
      By: Robert Kneschke
      A sewing club facilitator might instruct members on a new pattern.
    • Some sewing clubs may specialize in certain types of needlework like needlepoint.
      By: Steven Latour
      Some sewing clubs may specialize in certain types of needlework like needlepoint.