Posted by Anitas_Stuff on 2006-12-27 11:21:44
Post Subject:
Hi Parakeet, I hope you are still looking for some comments as I just recently found this website.
I have not been involved a whole lot with the crafty sites on the internet but I have some email pen pals that we share craft and sewing ideas as well as being a general support system.
I'm one of those Geek guys (gal, in my case) that you referred too as I've been in the computer programming profession for nearly 30 years but I've also been a sewer/crafter my entire life.
My thoughts concerning your questions are that there isn't so much a modern revival of sewing because of the internet. It may seem like there is simply because more and more women (& some men) are finding a common bond with others that enjoy sewing, crafting and needlework and are sharing their ideas and projects with each other. Traditionally, people only shared their ideas with their close circle of friends because they were accessible but with the internet, that circle of friends have expanded.
I'm of the age where when I was in school, it was mandatory that girls only learn sewing, even though I had already been making most of my clothes for several years. I was pleased when I heard that many school systems made it mandatory for boys to learn to, I have several male acquaintances that had to learn to sew and they still do some basics. But then I believe that many school systems made it an elective. I am not sure what the status is these days. One of my pen pals that I mentioned above is a natural crafter and loves making things but she never learned sewing from school or from her mother. So I've been giving her sewing tips and suggestions. I think that is where a lot of the new sewers are coming from, they never learned as a child and are looking for guidance and help from the internet.
I hope some of my thoughts are a help to you, not sure how accurate they are .. lol
