What springs to mind 
when you think about the benefits of sewing? There are all the obvious practical aspects like repairing and customising your own clothes. However, there are other benefits too, both physical and mental. If you’re thinking about dipping your toe into the world of sewing then reading this article will push you in the right direction!
The Practical Benefits
- Custom made clothes and soft furnishings.
- Refashion last season’s buys.
- Do your own repairs.
- Save money.
- Make great gifts.
- Adjust store bought clothes to fit properly.
- Upcycle old clothes (helps the environment).
You’re getting ready to go out and the 
button falls off your dress, there’s nothing else you want to wear. Get the needle and thread out, sew the button back on, job done! Same scenario only this time the hem is coming undone. A few quick stitches and you’re good to go.
Your friend has had a new baby 
and you’re struggling to think of a suitable gift. You know everyone will have already bought cute tiny baby clothes, half of which won’t get worn before the baby grows out of them! Make this plush baby toy or taggie blanket. a personalised gift that will get used for a long time.
You like that skirt you tried on and it is such a good price but just doesn’t quite sit right on the hips. Just a couple of cms off the side and it’ll be perfect, a simple task for any seamstress.
You have some spare curtains since 
you changed your soft furnishings or someone gifts you a pair. Upcycle into something else like a Christmas dress or a cute summer dress for baby
These are the more practical aspects of the benefits of sewing; however, sewing has other benefits too.
Physical and Mental Benefits
- Hand and eye co-ordination.
- Research commissioned by the Home Sewing Association revealed that sewing can produce a drop in heart rate and blood pressure.
- Exercises the hands, arms and shoulders
- Keeps the fingers nimble.
- Social benefits (joining a sewing group)
- Enhanced focusing skills
- Confidence building
It’s surprising how much 
movement is involved in making a garment from sorting and cutting out the fabric to sewing all together. Stretching, bending and fine motor movements are all used in sewing.
If I started to think about what to 
make for dinner when I’m surrounded with sharp implements (i.e. needles and pins) guaranteed I’ll end up with a bleeding digit! You have to focus when you sew, which has a knock on effect with your physical health. Any form of intense focus is meditation and I’m sure many of you will have read about the benefits, here are just a few:
- Lowers high blood pressure
- Reduce anxiety attacks
- Help with tension-related pain, like back ache and head aches
- Improves mood
- Helps the immune system
- Increases energy levels
In the study by the Home Sewing Association 
a bio-feedback system was used to analyse responses. Participants were given 5 activities to do, which included sewing. The study indicated that sewing was the best activity for relaxing. Page 34 of the Bernina magazine gives more details of this interesting study.
It’s a very satisfying feeling when someone compliments you on something you’ve made and you can say “I made that.” Good self esteem also equals good health!
Sewing has made a comeback in recent years and there are more vocational courses being offered at local colleges, which have led to sewing circles springing up again.
A great opportunity to get out and socialise and also good for your health!
I’ve outlined many benefits of sewing so why don’t you try it and see for yourself? Check out things to make on my blog and when you subscribe you receive a free book. It has 3 simple projects to make, which are suitable for beginners. I’d love to hear about your sewing projects and what benefits you’ve derived from them. Feel free to leave a comment below or contact me.
HAPPY SEWING!
That’s straightforward that sewing provides you with the practical benefit of custom clothes. My wife is thinking about picking up the hobby during her pregnancy. That way she can make cute baby clothes.
I never would have guessed that sewing could be so beneficial. I like how you explained that learning how to sew can help you to save money and make repairs on your clothes. I hope that sharing this article can help my sister to know what the benefits of learning how to sew are.
Hi Rockford. Yes, sewing has helped me through many a sticky patch in more ways than one! I hope your sister takes up the sewing hobby 🙂
Wow! I knew sewing was a handy skill to have, but I had no idea that there were so many other benefits beside the practical set.
I really enjoy that you not only stated physical and mental benefits, but also backed them up by citing the research to show it. I am a science teacher so facts are kind my thing.
Yes, research is the thing! I know I really do benefit from sewing, but for some it could perhaps be a chore. Seeing a completed garment on my granddaughter gives me such a lot of pleasure (I call her my upcycled baby!).
Thanks for leaving a comment. 🙂
I had no idea that sewing can bring so much health in our lives. I know when I take the time to sew all the buttons that fell off of my families clothes, I must say I do concentrate on the task and it’s quite relaxing.
My grandmother was a seamstress. She made most of her clothes. Actually, she was really good at it. I couldn’t tell if she purchased or made her clothes.
Every time I would tell her I love her outfit, she would smile and say, I made it proudly. There’s nothing more charming to see a big proud smile on someone’s face that proudly made something from their hands. 🙂
I guess the benefits of sewing are like any hobby, if you enjoy doing it will always make you feel better. Yes, there’s a great deal of pride when you see someone using what you’ve made, or are using it yourself. What lovely memories of your grandmother making and wearing her own clothes, she must have been very good. 🙂
i love this article, very informative just like all of your post! I really would reccomend this website to anybody wanting to sew. i recently wrote an article on Brain Injury – How Crafts Can be Beneficial and Therapeutic.
Thanks Tony. I believe all crafting can be therapeutic and one of the reasons i started Upcyled Baby Clothes. There’s nothing quite like seeing the end result of your creations. 🙂
I love the health benefits you’ve outlined. Now I think of it, I always feel calmer after a go on my sewing machine…
Yes Wendy, and when you start churning out those unique clothes for your baby you’ll feel even better. 🙂
An excellent post, and I didn’t know about the health benefits., Mind you, with ALL the faults I have found in last year’s quilt blocks (made when I wasn’t at all well) i think the blood pressure has gone UP! Mind you, that was probably balanced by the sitting down yesterday afternoon to watch jumps racing, stitch riper in hand . . .
Thanks Jennie. I know I always feel more relaxed when crafting and wanted to find out if there was any research about the benefits of sewing. I haven’t started quilting but with the amount of fabric I’m accumulating I might need to start! 🙂
Well done a comprehensive page/site
Thank you John, appreciate your comment. 🙂
Hi Kathy,
I always love reading what’s new here. You are right about the health benefits. I don’t sew so much as crochet but it is all very relaxing.
Angela
Thanks Angela, I go into another world when I’m sewing, very therapeutic! 🙂
Fascinating! I’d never connected sewing with self-esteem and boosted immune system! I’ll definitely share this article with my mom (who in her mid 50s still holds a quilting club).
Thanks Norm. Now you need to take up sewing too and boost your immune system. I love that your Mum quilts, it’s a great skill and not that easy to do. 🙂