September is National Sewing Month

On September 21, 1982, at the request of the American Home Sewing & Craft Association, an industry and trade association supporting the sewing and craft industries, President Ronald Reagan, under Proclamation #4976, declared September as National Sewing Month “In recognition of the importance of home sewing to our Nation.”

He subsequently proclaimed the same thing in 1983, 1984, 1985 and 1988.  We don't need more proclamations to tell us that September is the perfect time to sew.  Just like January and April and all the other months of the year! 

Still, celebrating sewing is a good thing.  Studies have proven that sewing is relaxing, therapeutic and good for the soul. 


The web site http://www.nationalsewingmonth.org/ is a great place to check out the celebration.  There is a contest you can enter, and free promotional materials if you're a shop owner or business.  You can also find them on Facebook.

2012's theme is Sew For the Fun of it! An ancient art made new.

The sewing machine itself is only about 160 to 175 years old, but boy has it made progress in the last couple of decades!  I remember my first sewing machine -- the first one I owned, that is.  It was purchased used from a store where I worked part time.  Some lucky woman traded up and I got her old one.  It had cams for different stitches, and the button hole maker was a giant machine that clamped on the shank and required at least two changes to the throat plate.

This is the closest I could find to what I remember... way back then!!

Nowadays machines have so many bells and whistles you really need the free lessons they give when you buy from a good dealer.

I learned to sew on my grandmother's treadle machine.  I think she thought she was amusing me, keeping me occupied.  Little did either of us know how big a part sewing would play in my life!

So back to National Sewing Month... here are the S&C Alliance's suggestions for you:

• Teach a family member or friend to sew.
• Volunteer your time and teach sewing to a local youth organization like Girl Scouts and 4-H Clubs.
• Make it possible for someone to learn how to sew. Give employees time off work so they can volunteer their time; or donate fabrics, equipment, and sewing supplies. 
• Sew more often. If you haven't been sewing lately, find out what's new in the sewing world at a local fabric or sewing machine store. 
• Join your local chapter of the American Sewing Guild at www.asg.org and participate in its activities. 
• Register for a class at a local fabric store or sewing machine dealership and take a friend. 
• Contact your local public television station and make a contribution that supports sewing programs. 
• Create your own sewing circle of friends; it’s fun to sew with others!

Sew on!