Houston – September marks National Sewing Month, a tradition recognized by President Ronald Reagan in 1982, celebrating an art that has been a cornerstone of homemaking for centuries.
Sewing has influenced women’s rights, bolstered the middle class, and revolutionized productivity. And while the sewing machine may no longer be found in every household, the craft continues to thrive as a creative outlet for people of all backgrounds.
Thanks to its resurgence, Sherri Reese has been busy. Reese owns Thimble Fingers Sewing Studio in west Houston.
Reese wasn’t always a seamstress. She came from a background in information data management, and at the turn of the century, the digital age made her profession null and void. She turned to sewing and hasn’t looked back. She’s been teaching for 25 years, seeing firsthand how people are rediscovering the joy and therapeutic benefits of this hands-on craft -- especially in the last 20 years. She mentioned One particularly touching story of a man who turned to sewing as a way to cope with life’s stresses. “He remembered the sound of his mother’s sewing machine from childhood,” Reese recalls. “He started sewing clothes for his daughters” and it brought him peace again.
While sewing is sometimes seen as a relic of the past, Reese explains its relevance today. In a world of fast fashion, the ability to mend or create garments is both a money-saver and a unique form of expression. She says you don’t need high-tech skills or an expensive machine. Even with a needle and thread, you can accomplish a lot.
Reese adds that even decorative techniques like visible mending – stitching that turns repairs into art – are growing in popularity. While some students are intimidated by modern sewing machines with digital screens and an array of buttons, Reese ensures that anyone can learn. “It’s like music or English lessons,” she explains. You start with the basics, practice, and be ready to mess-up. Sewing isn’t just a skill—it’s an investment. Reese points out that while quality textiles can be expensive, owning an inexpensive sewing machine can save money in the long run.
Watch the player above to learn how to blanket stitch to create your very own bookmark. You can use scrap fabric and inexpensive thread.
Reese’s studio offers a wide range of classes, starting with the basics and progressing to deciphering commercial patterns and crafting larger projects.
Reese’s mission was always to help make sewing accessible to everyone. For those interested in learning more, Reese’s studio welcomes students of all ages, offering a space of creativity and relaxation.