It’s Sew Fun!: September is National Sewing Month

September 29, 2025

I have gone through many crafting phases in my life, including embroidery, knitting, and sewing. It had been about twenty years since I last made any clothing for myself until last month. Above, you can see a portion of two of the skirts I’ve sewn recently, both created using Simplicity patterns. The thing I love best about making my own skirts is the vast array of fabric out there, so your wardrobe becomes unique to you.

Emmerich Manual High School, Indianapolis, 1915; Jewish Welfare Federation, Indianapolis, ca. 1920; Crispus Attucks High School, Indianapolis, 1957. Bass Photo Co Collection, IHS; M0463, IHS; Bass Photo Co Collection, IHS.

I initially learned to sew in Home Economics in junior high school but didn’t make any clothing for myself until graduate school. Over the years, many young people have learned to sew with the help of teachers. Above two groups of high school students and one group of younger girls at a community center learn the art of sewing by hand or machine.

Seamstresses and tailors at L.S. Ayres, Indianapolis, ca. 1890; Lewis Meir Company garment workers, Indianapolis, ca. 1909; Miss Newhart and fellow employees at Indiana Rayon Company, Terre Haute, 1945. M0616, IHS; Bass Photo Co Collection, IHS; Martin Collection, IHS.

While the original purpose of National Sewing Month, a celebration day initiated by Ronald Reagan, focuses on home sewists, those who end up working in the alteration work, garment factories, and other industrial sewing jobs often get their first taste of the trade at home or school. Without that background, they would likely not be successfully employed in the field. The shops featured here are just a few of the many departments or factories that did the important work of sewing in Indiana.

Soldiers doing some tailoring, ca. 1890s; Reigles (Tailoring) Shop, Whitley County, 1911; Crispus Attucks Tailoring Class, Indianapolis, ca. 1940. P0490, IHS (cropped); P0269, IHS; Indianapolis Recorder Collection, IHS (cropped)

Often men took sewing projects, even going into tailoring. Above are groups of men working on various tailoring projects, soldiers, tailors, and students alike working in or learning the trade. Many men work on sewing at home as well, though none of those individuals are shown here.

Hopefully you can join me in celebrating National Sewing Month through some home sewing projects of your own. Whether you need new curtains or want to give your wardrobe a funky pop, grab your sewing supplies and have fun.

For more National Day Calendar month celebration blogs and more, please visit the IHS blogsite.

Amy Vedra is the director of reference services. As an avid reader, she reads as many books as possible annually (all books count: audio, e, and print)!

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