New technology for teens = better sewing machines?

By Kara Powell

I need to begin with a confession: my 9 year-old can sew better than me. No exaggeration. My mom developed a passion for sewing and quilting when she retired so while a sewing machine was a foreign object in our family when I was a teenager, my kids have thoroughly enjoyed learning to sew now with my mom.

That’s part of why I was so intrigued with this Boing Boing article about the rise of sewing among young people (thanks to YPulse for pointing me to it).

If you think about it, it totally makes sense. Sewing offers a chance to create, and to create new fashion. With the rise of reality TV shows about designers and clothing-makers, I’m talking with more and more teenagers (generally girls) who are following the shows and inspired to think differently about the role they play in what they wear. Technology that creates better/more nimble and portable sewing machines that can make creative fashion more feasible is a natural.

And actually, while I don’t recommend that kids become obsessed with clothing design and fashion, I’d sure rather see young people creating their own clothes and styles than mindlessly replicating whichever store or trend has spent the most money to capture the most market. It’s better for their creativity and most likely their (and their parents’) wallets.

Plus I’ve heard from many parents that even when their girls want to dress modestly, it’s hard to find clothing at stores that fits the bill.

So if a young person you care about starts wanting to explore sewing, maybe that’s something to encourage. (But don’t ask me for help. I’ll just have to ask my mom to step in.)

Posted March 26 2012 by

Kara Powell

Kara Powell, PhD, is the Executive Director of the Fuller Youth Institute (FYI) and a faculty member at Fuller Theological Seminary. As a youth ministry veteran of over 20 years, she serves as an Advisor to Youth Specialties and is the author or co-author of a number of books including Sticky Faith, Essential Leadership, Deep Justice Journeys, Deep Justice in a Broken World, Deep Ministry in a Shallow World, and the Good Sex Youth Ministry Curriculum.

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