by Joan Perry | Contributing Writer
A recent video of a young boy named Sam presenting his father with a shirt he’d sewn for him, was shared on social media and soon received more than 4 million views. One of the actors from the Southern Charm television series, who had been teased for sewing, now has a successful business and shop on King Street. One year I asked my adult son what he wanted for Christmas. He thought about it, and then asked if I’d mind mending a few items for him. He became fascinated by the sewing machine functions and watched what I was doing.
Surprise! Sewing is one of the fastest growing hobbies among young people and adults are returning to it, enjoying the technology of new machines, social media learning tools, shared inspiration and beautiful fabrics.
A picture of children clustered around a sewing machine at Five Eighth Seams shop at 1888 Raoul Wallenberg Boulevard inspired me to pay a visit. I was charmed by the idea of children – boys and girls, learning to sew. The large shop space was filled with brilliantly colored rolls of cloth and sewing accessories, state of the art machines and a lively class in progress.
I grew up knitting, crocheting, and then sewing – first with an old treadle machine. I was punished in school for sneakily making handmade tatted lace under my desk. But, life gets busy, toddlers try to gobble straight pins, and handicrafts get put away to resurrect again as a fresh interest.
Interestingly, burying our heads in our phones can expose us to creative ideas that encourage us to put the phones aside and get hands-on creative. YouTube and Instagram videos inspire people to try the skills themselves, to be creative and make something that reflects their personal style. There is a healthy social aspect in the camaraderie of shared ideas.
Five Eighth Seams is owned by Brooke Floyd and Daniela Perdomo. The shop is their third location, larger each time and the current space has plenty of room for classes and gatherings.
Brooke is a teacher at heart. She started as a Career & Technical Education Shop Teacher at the Academic Magnet School and taught garment sewing classes at the old Hancock Fabric store.
Brooke loves garment making. She had a sparkle in her eyes talking about the feel of fabric, saying, “Sometimes I make it out of one fabric, and then start all over with another fabric to see how it works.”
The shop started primarily with garment sewing in mind, but quilters wanted quilting fabric. Local Quilting Guilds use the space for their Sew Days. The Modern Quilting Guild, Cobblestone and the West Ashley Sewing & Quilting Guild all use the space. Brooke and Daniela have noticed increased interest among young participants. Men are welcome and some learn sewing techniques to continue with leather work.
Sewing machines have changed since my sister ran a needle through her thumb on a neighbor’s old treadle machine. Sewing machines today can run from $300 to $22,000. Brooke suggests renting a machine to start with and then purchasing a solid machine suited to a particular interest and that is worth repairing if needed.
Classes and camps are held primarily for adults during the school year and for younger participants in the summer. Visit their web site to see the great variety of classes that include: Basics, Sewing 101, After Sewing 101, Sewing with Knits, Sewing 201, All Levels Project Class, Pillows & Piping & Zipper. There are Five different Quilt Classes. Children’s classes and camps include ages 6-17 and home school programs are offered. There are classes specific to learning more complex machines, private lessons and even fun private sewing parties offered.
Plans for 2024 include growing the quilting, sewing on stretch knits and offering space for special events.
Explore shop offerings at:
www.fiveeighthseams.com/
Stay healthy my friends and wave at me as I wander. Send ideas for upcoming columns to: westashleywanderer@gmail.com.
