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Show Sparks Sewing Phenomenon in US
Listed under: News
Published: Friday, November 12, 2010
Sales of sewing machines in America have rocketed this year, thanks to programmes such as Project Runway encouraging consumers to make more of their own clothing.
Classes teaching people how to sew have been overflowing with bookings in the States this year, with one of the country's leading craft chains, Jo Ann's, opening 30 stores over the past 12 months alone and planning to develop 40 more in 2011.
Imports of sewing machines to the US have also risen, seeing $581 million worth shipped to America within the first five months of this year – up from $453 million in 2009 and showing a 28% year-on-year growth.
However, the US is not the only country to have seen interest in the pastime rise, with sales of haberdashery materials in the UK increasing substantially over the last two years..
Commenting on the buoyancy of the market, Sophie Holt, deputy editor of Sew magazine, says, “The haberdashery sector is doing very well at the moment and TV programmes (both here and in the US), such as Kirstie's Homemade Home, are highlighting the benefits of the pastime and exposing it to a much wider audience.
“Fabric stores certainly appear to be doing very well right now and sewing machine manufacturers are also reporting higher sales, which clearly shows the demand for these items is strong,” she continues. “Although some areas of the market (quilting, most notably) are still much bigger in the States, the UK definitely appears to be catching up and there seem to be people taking up sewing all the time, which is great.”
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Classes teaching people how to sew have been overflowing with bookings in the States this year, with one of the country's leading craft chains, Jo Ann's, opening 30 stores over the past 12 months alone and planning to develop 40 more in 2011.
Imports of sewing machines to the US have also risen, seeing $581 million worth shipped to America within the first five months of this year – up from $453 million in 2009 and showing a 28% year-on-year growth.
However, the US is not the only country to have seen interest in the pastime rise, with sales of haberdashery materials in the UK increasing substantially over the last two years..
Commenting on the buoyancy of the market, Sophie Holt, deputy editor of Sew magazine, says, “The haberdashery sector is doing very well at the moment and TV programmes (both here and in the US), such as Kirstie's Homemade Home, are highlighting the benefits of the pastime and exposing it to a much wider audience.
“Fabric stores certainly appear to be doing very well right now and sewing machine manufacturers are also reporting higher sales, which clearly shows the demand for these items is strong,” she continues. “Although some areas of the market (quilting, most notably) are still much bigger in the States, the UK definitely appears to be catching up and there seem to be people taking up sewing all the time, which is great.”
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