Sewing was once a required skill for females, passed from mother to daughter or taught in home ec classes and by 4-H clubs in the days when store-bought clothes were a luxury.
With the proliferation of bargain retailers and a plethora of new opportunities for girls in sports, the arts and sciences, and other activities, interest in sewing seemed to wane. But what goes around comes around.
Local fabric shops and sewing schools are reporting a resurgence of interest in sew-your-own fashions and home decor.
"It’s like it skipped a generation, and now there aren’t enough sewing classes for people who want to go," said Dee Dee Miyashiro, owner of Kaimuki Dry Goods. "The younger ones seem to want to take sewing so they can make their own designs, create individuality. It’s exciting to see them come in."
The need to explore a creative outlet, as well as Lifetime’s "Project Runway" and similar shows, appear to have sparked interest in sewing. Tighter budgets and a desire to go "green" by recycling fabric from old clothes are other reasons people are dusting off their sewing machines or signing up for classes.
Cheryl Tanaka, owner of Chic Mode in Aiea, which offers sewing classes and alterations, says her evening and weekend classes are full.
Tanaka learned to sew at Chic Mode when she was an intermediate school student, and followed her passion for fashion by earning a degree in fashion design at the University of Hawaii in 2001. Then when the previous owner of Chic Mode retired, Tanaka decided to take over the business.
Some students have been coming for decades and enjoy helping newcomers, Tanaka said. The Saturday morning sewing group ranges from young adults to retirees. Classes for youngsters are also at capacity.
Tanaka says her students work on a variety of projects from quilts and zabuton (cushion) covers to bags, crafts and clothing. Some students bring clothing to learn basic alterations.
"Students come for inspiration and ideas," she said. "Once people start coming, they make friends. It’s like a social hour."
Dentist Allison Yokota, a Salt Lake resident, began taking classes at Chic Mode at the end of 2010.
"Many of the ladies really know how to sew, which is helpful," she said. "I enjoy making homemade gifts."
She sees the renewed interest in sewing as part of a growing back-to-basics ethic, saying that many of her friends are also into home canning.
For Sandy Nakao, an Aiea resident who works as a probation officer, sewing is a form of therapy.
"It’s like an oasis for me. It’s so different from what I’m normally doing on a daily basis," she said. "I like the social aspect and working with my hands."
Nakao was sewing a tote bag during a recent Saturday class at Chic Mode. She has been coming since 1992 and says there’s always something to learn.
"We do a lot of crafts and share ideas," she added. "I like making one-of-a-kind gifts. When you give stuff like this, it’s really special."
Lila Sumida, a Moanalua resident and sales representative, began sewing as a young girl and started taking classes again about five years ago.
"I stopped taking classes while my kids were growing up. Now I like to make crafts, things that will help me," she said. "We all have similar interests, so much to share."
A heightened regard for fashion doesn’t necessarily translate into a desire to learn how to work with a needle and thread. One place where interest in sewing has unraveled is at local 4-H chapters, part of the Cooperative Extension Service under the University of Hawaii’s College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources.
The organization discontinued sewing instruction due to declining interest, according to Rose Saito, extension educator for 4-H, whose members range in age from 5 to 19.
"Today’s families are so busy. Some of them are sewing but it’s not a big number. Sometimes it’s cheaper to buy something ready-made, to look for good bargains and sales," she said.
Yet many 4-H members apparently still find allure in the flashier aspects of fashion.
The organization continues to host its annual Fashion Revue, with the next one at the University of Hawaii Art Auditorium on April 28. Saito said more emphasis is placed on planning the fashion show than making the actual garments that will go down the runway.
"They are allowed to enter ready-made garments or embellished items," Saito said. "They plan the show from beginning to end, make the decorations, write the scripts. Out of about 40 participants, only five or six of them will make their own entries."
