sews

Sewing is the craft of joining fabric or other materials using a needle and thread or a sewing machine. It encompasses garment construction, repair, decorative stitching, and fabric manipulation. People sew for everyday repairs, professional textile work, and artistic or practical applications.

Hand sewing uses a needle threaded by hand and may create strong seams with backstitch or delicate accents with small running stitches. Machine sewing uses a sewing machine to form stitches rapidly with consistent tension, making it suitable for heavy fabrics and production.

Common tools include needles (hand sewing needles of various sizes and machine needles), thread (cotton, polyester, silk, or blends), pins, scissors, measuring tools, and a thimble. Fabrics range from natural fibers like cotton and wool to synthetics like nylon. Finishing tools and techniques, such as sergers/overlocks and edge finishes, help prevent fraying.

Stitches vary by purpose. A running stitch forms a simple line of stitches; backstitch produces a strong seam; whipstitch closes a seam or hems; slip stitch secures fabric edges invisibly. More advanced techniques include French seams, flat-felled seams, and overcast or zigzag finishing. Seam allowances are the extra fabric kept beyond the seam line.

History and significance: sewing has ancient origins and evolved with the invention of the sewing machine in the 19th century, which accelerated production and made ready-made clothing widespread. Today sewing spans fashion, home textiles, upholstery, and crafts, and remains a foundational skill in many educational and hobby contexts.