DIY Dreams: Why Gen Z is Picking Up Sewing Machines to Craft Their Own Fashion Future
Once relegated to the realm of domestic chores, the sewing machine is having a striking renaissance — and it's Gen Z leading the charge. No longer just a symbol of mending and necessity, today's sewing machines have become vital tools of personal style, creative autonomy, and even quiet rebellion. In a world flooded with fast fashion and algorithm-driven trends, there's a growing desire among young people to reclaim their narratives — stitch by stitch.
'For Gen Z, fashion has become deeply personal — a blend of self-expression, purpose, and creativity," says Seema Mahajan, President, Studio of Fashion & Craft, Usha International. 'We're seeing more and more youngsters interpreting fashion aligned to their sensibilities and taking to sewing machines as a means of shaping that identity and reducing environmental impact." Whether it's upcycling vintage sarees, adding delicate cottagecore-inspired details, or creating entirely new silhouettes, Gen Z's approach to fashion is intentional and value-driven.
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