WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO CALL YOURSELF?... Sewer? Sewist? Dressmaker? Seamstress? Tailor?

[@saramcintyre5833]

I'm a Stitch Witch. I sew, crochet, knit and do embroidery. I like stitches of all kinds. I can take a thread and make anything with it if I try hard enough. Stitches are my power!

[@marilynbook4211]

I love that term, I also do many things with thread and wool.

[@saramcintyre5833]

@@marilynbook4211 I don't know why I love the name so much, but I do. I even sew together cardboard to make toys and forts for my son...you really can do almost anything with a bit of string and some imagination. We are all Stitch Witches! The magic we perform is with thread.

[@raeafoley6131]

Stitch Witch! That's brilliant!😁

[@marjupaananen545]

I'm adopting this. 😁

[@Evelyn__Wood]

I like this alot!! 😃😃

[@cynthiasloan3867]

I say "Fiber Artist" since I do many different crafts. Besides, it sounds impressive and nobody asks me to hem their jeans :D

[@gohawks3571]

Love it!

[@karodora]

Best comment. You are correct, as soon as you say you sew, someone asks if you do alterations , hemming, or mending. My uncle was an auto mechanic, but when asked what he did for a living he told people he sold locomotive wheels-he never met anyone who needed a locomotive wheel.

[@whynothanks2047]

Omg, you are so smart. I hope you don’t mind if I borrow this!

[@cynthiasloan3867]

@@whynothanks2047 I don't mind at all...we can start a new trend

[@believeinfaeries8713]

Brilliant! I have been using fabric artist and have also noticed I don't get a lot of requests for alterations/repairs.

[@kikid4093]

I have very recently begun referring to myself as a sewist. I understand the comment that it's a made up word, but the fact is that ALL words are made up. New words are allowed, and I love the merging of sewing + artist = sewist. I also think that you can accurately refer to yourself as a sewing mentor; I'd be willing to bet there are quite a few of us that consider you both teacher and mentor. I am extremely grateful to have found you!

[@lynnshepard7485]

💗

[@Evelyn__Wood]

😭❤ Awww thankyou Kiki! And I agree too, all words are made up, time for a new one! 😃

[@WoodlandPoetry]

So true! "Watercolorist" is used now instead of painter in watercolor. Language changes so much over time, and nowadays I believe people are trying to make things shorter and simpler, partly because of the internet. Everyone wants to use the simplest word that will make sense to the most people in the most languages. Everyone knows what the suffix "-ist" means. You had a great point. Thanks! 🧵

[@pamelabrinkley6900]

I Love the term

[@rosemali3022]

PREACH!

[@marymoore3585]

I'm still such a novice, I don't call myself anything, except really happy when I turn something pretty out with minimal stitch picking. Lol

[@yamiletviloria747]

Same here... If I have to call myself something, it would be "super thrilled" with the things I make. 🤩

[@Blondeatomik]

Haha. Same here. I don't call myself anything because I'm not good enough. I just say "I sew sometimes/a little bit/for myself/etc." But if I did it for a living, I would definitely use sewist because it makes perfect sense. However, I'm 57, so dressmaker and seamstress have been very much in my vocabulary for a person who sews for a living.

[@dwoods5688]

Sewing unites everyone around the world. All the colours, styles and techniques. Isn't it fab. ❤

[@Evelyn__Wood]

I couldn't agree more! ❤

[@odetteboudreau5970]

I love the term "sewist" and that is what I call myself. As soon as I heard you say it, I knew that word fit perfectly for me. I sew for pleasure. A friend once introduced me as a seamstress and I quickly corrected her. I feel the way you do, seamstress etc. sounds very professional. A sewist can use sewing skills in many different, creative ways, not only to sew garments. 😊

[@Evelyn__Wood]

I think alot of hone sewists don't like the terms dressmaker or seamstress for that reason too, it usually implies a level of professional making that is NOT what we do when we sew for fun!

[@jenniferpanther2979]

Yes! I'd never heard the term until I found Evelyn's channel and I immediately adopted it for the same reasons. My mother always referred to herself as a seamstress, but I think she also would have used sewist if she'd known the term.

[@quittenfee42]

I mostly make repairs or alterations. There's an old German word "Flickschneider" that describes this.

[@WoodlandPoetry]

Thank you Kiki! I can't wait to tell my neighbor that the next time she brings her ripped pants over to me, I'm going to charge her for my flickschneidering!💕

[@eirika2001]

Stitcher - that is a common term for professionals in Canada, particularly in the costume industry :) I moved away from sewer (the other common term here) because of the spelling being same as the waste pipes under the city. (Sue-er instead of so-er)

[@New_Wave_Nancy]

Same here. I'd prefer sewer if it wasn't spelled like the waste system. I use sewist lately for that reason. I like stitcher though. Maybe I'll use that one!

[@sheilacroisier6446]

English is a strange language, for sure!

[@habituscraeftig]

Ohhhh, 'stitcher' is a *wonderful* word! I absolutely love it.

[@yoshiew05]

Me too.

[@Evelyn__Wood]

Stitcher is a great term!! 😃 I love is become common in Canada!

[@marielindberg6499]

I am an artist.. culturally I was taught that anyone who makes something from the heart is an artist... whether painting, making drums, or making moccasins.. I was taught by native american elders how to sew traditionally, beadwork, jewelry making, starquilts.. I am familiar with my sewing machine, but I am now living in Betetagne, France and would LOVE to be able to make my own clothes from the amazing fabric finds at the thrift stores here. I aspire to be able to include seamstress to my skills.. many wopilas (thanks) to you, I have successfully completed a skirt recently that I am not embarassed to say I made. 😂

[@habituscraeftig]

I like the use of broad terms, because it says a lot with a person's relation to what they are doing. I know people who sew who consider themselves 'artists' and others who think of themselves as 'makers' and their subjective enterprise and the choices that they make feel quite different. I am rather fond of 'cræft' and 'cræftsmanship', myself, to because to me the slow mastery of subtle cunning skill is more important to me than making. I do also consider myself a designer and an artist, but that is more involved with envisioning a carefully cultivated wardrobe than with the actual construction of any garment within that wardrobe.

[@raeafoley6131]

How lovely to hear you learned from the Native Americans! I had a partial Native American upbringing! I too have learned some bead work too but have forgotten how! It's on my list to relearn it!😊

[@Evelyn__Wood]

Yay!! This makes my day to hear. But you should never be embarrassed by anything you made, maybe it's just not the version you wear outside the house, we ALL start at 0! ❤

[@its_me_jen_jen9204]

I love “sewist” as a portmanteau of “sewer” and “artist”, but I love “maker”, too, because I make many things.

[@AngeVPV]

I loved it! Sewist! Perfect!

[@Evelyn__Wood]

I think maker is very appropriate for someone who makes a lot of things too, I liked crafter for that as well!

[@yvonnemaudsley4665]

I call myself a dressmaker by trade as I trained for 3years full time at college in the late 1960,s. I have always made my own clothes and sometimes for others. I have enjoyed making wedding garments over time and would have loved to have worked in theatrical wardrobe but bringing up a family came first and I wouldn't have it any other way. It is something that never leaves you but I always say it's not a hobby it's a necessity.i love the re cycling podcast and I love making things from next to nothing l love your videos thank you for them from UK.

[@cheriekalel9578]

I've never called myself any of those terms, lol, and am not really fond of labels to begin with. I just sew for my own pleasure. Evelyn, there's no need to defend yourself for anything! Your work demonstrates more than anything what your intentions are! Keep on being the person you are, as you are lovely and gracious on KZbin. 💜

[@aniE1869]

Labels suck. It boxes you in too much.

[@ReallyJillRogoff]

Hear hear.

[@Veronensis]

I mostly use "costumière", which is the dutch word for "dressmaker" I think it's fitting for me, because I both graduated as a dressmaker, but my focus is costumes for films, so I like that it sounds like " costume" and not really like a dressmaker for regular clothes. If I'm speaking english, I mostly call myself " historical costume designer", which is more descriptive.

[@bernedicte5860]

it's french too.

[@gohawks3571]

I like the multiple language angle👍

[@Evelyn__Wood]

This is a beautiful word! And whilst I'm only guessing the correct pronunciation of 'costumiere' (I bet it sounds extra beautiful when you say it), I think even in English it is descriptive enough for most people to understand what you mean exactly!

[@Veronensis]

@@bernedicte5860 the dutch word is borrowed from the french I believe. (we borrow a lot of words, apparently we dutch are too unoriginal to come up with our own)

[@bernedicte5860]

@@Veronensis we are very close geographically too

[@joannaerhardt7294]

I call myself a sewist and I really enjoy it! Sewing is definitely an art. I hope to one day get really good at sewing that I can say I'm a dressmaker. I would love to be able to create a whole vintage wardrobe for myself and my daughter!💖💖

[@robinlandtroop2774]

I'm in the US and I started using the term sewist many years ago when I heard Nancy Zeiman use it. (Zeiman had the longest running sewing show in the US. She has written four or five plus sewing books and also one on her life. Sadly, she died at the age of 64 from cancer.) That was at least 20-25 yrs ago. Zeiman said she used it because there were many experienced people that sewed as a hobby rather than professionally. Although Zeiman did not say I always felt it was more inclusive.

[@jayneterry8701]

Ty Robin L. Having watched Nancy all those years I knew I had heard it somewhere and knew it felt right to call myself this say in the past 5 years.

[@cliftonmcnalley8469]

I also rather suspect she would have had the need to write the term quite often given her vocation, much earlier than those of us who only in the last decade or so began corresponding on forums. Prior to that, if anyone asked about my hobbies, "sewing" would be the answer, and if someone wanted to know where I purchased a garment I would respond, "I make my own clothing". Would still answer that same way unless I wanted to direct the conversation to what I sew. "Sewist" covers a lot of territory.

[@janeunion8748]

Nancy Zeiman was a great sewing teacher and, by all accounts, a great human being. I often heard her use the term “sewist”. If Nancy Zeiman and Evelyn Wood both use it, it’s clearly a word and past due to be added to the Oxford English Dictionary, if it isn’t there already!

[@stefaniesinden4327]

At the moment I call myself a 'Fabric Crafter' as I knit, crochet, do tapestry, petit point, cross stitch, ribbon embroidery, love embellishing garments and even do origami (cloth and paper). All that is made is worn, used, shown - it has a use and purpose. A lesson learnt when saying I sew is being asked to repair zips or alter garments and expected to do it for free when it is not taken into consideration how many hours these 'little jobs' take. I would be very flattered if I were called a Seamstress / Dressmaker but not to that level yet so I am currently happy with 'Fabric Crafter'. Thank you another great show Evelyn.

[@catmom4784]

I was always told that the terms were based on education levels. A dressmaker was someone who had a degree in fashion and designed and sewed for a living. A seamstress was highly skilled but not formally educated and a sewist/ home hobbyist was someone who was somewhat skilled but not enough to be hired for a job. I'm a home hobbyist because I enjoy all crafts but I'm not necessarily skilled at them, they're just fun to do!😸

[@tinamcnalley2575]

My Grandmother worked as a seamstress her entire life. Though she did also sew for herself and her home, the fact is, "seamstress" is an occupation descriptor and many of them had no real ability as sewists, they simply could run certain types of factory machines. As much as my Grandmother did know, and as often as she wanted to be able to make herself something for a special occasion, she only rarely was able to do so. After slaving over 60 hours of blue jeans or mens dress shirts a week, she had a very difficult time forcing herself to sew in her off time.

[@caseyglick5957]

As a guy, I'm enjoying "Seamster". Or at least something I aspire to, since I'm not terribly good.

[@mothersuperior6751]

Cool word. You are in the right place, Evelyn will teach you all sorts of skills. This will lift your game and help you feel more confident in your abilities.

[@Evelyn__Wood]

Yes, I've heard of that one! I think it suits you, and if don't feel quite right with it yet, maybe 'seamster in the making' 😃

[@tinamcnalley2575]

I think seamster sounds great! My nephew started knitting around 8 years of age and he would keep it hidden under his bed so his friends didn't see. He has a machine now, but still hasn't quite taken the plunge. I think he'd go for seamster in a heartbeat!

[@autumn_west]

Hey, jinx! You and me both on all counts dude

[@grahamreed1175]

As a linguist, I find this wonderful, Evelyn. You do the whole exploration great justice. Something to remember: ALL words are made up actually. So, if you and others start using a "new" word, and it becomes an accepted, widely used and understood word, it eventually IS a word. As long as it finds a niche in the language and makes sense. Think about the word "google". We now use it as a verb and noun, etc. It's a pretty new word. My word is sewist after understanding your logic about it being a portmanteau word of sewer and artist. I aspire to be a tailor/seamster... Keep inspiring with your fabulous show.

[@lesleyharris525]

Happy hobbyist, I don't just sew, I knit,crochet, upholstery,embroidery and gardener.

[@WoodlandPoetry]

My grandmother was a seamstress, and sometimes I use that term. But "dressmaker" is my all-time favorite term just because it is a pretty word and straight to the point. I make dresses. My friend is a wonderful quilter. She calls herself a "fabric artist". "Sewist" is hard for me to say with my Southern accent. "Sewer" ends up with people wondering if I am planting a field - sower. I never really thought about it before, but I just realized that I always prefer to say "I love to sew." People seem to understand that very well. If I say I'm a dressmaker, which I do, they think I do it professionally. A very interesting discussion and one long overdue. Thank you so much for another fun video!👗🧵🌸

[@samuelgauthier2715]

as I'm in France and I'm a professional dressmaker, for me it's "artisan couturier"

[@Evelyn__Wood]

It's well know French is a far more beautiful language than English, this proves it! 😍

[@samuelgauthier2715]

@@Evelyn__Wood english is a beautiful langage too !! it sound soft and sweet

[@jayneterry8701]

Et la petit main the young women that work for the coutier houses. Please excuse my poor spelling. I think of myself this way sometimes when my small hand have made something quite beautiful 💖🍁

[@samuelgauthier2715]

@@jayneterry8701 in France, you can't use "officialy" petite main if you don't work in a hight fashion atelier

[@johnwhitley2898]

Evelyn, I am a "Maker", a "Fabricator".... and I am a "Sewist" when I sew! Here in my multi-purpose room/office, where I happily listened to your post, I look around me, and see ten things I have made, fabricated, and have sewed, from cloth type material at one of my machines, with some measurements and notes..... Just what are these pattern things again.....kidding.... lololol 😆! I get it. What do I call myself when I am.... At the sewing machine? Kudos to you for inspiring some introspective into what we do. I still like being a Fabricator, a Maker.

[@jordancontreras8004]

Loved this explanation into your perspective! Personally, I call myself a sewist because it feels most right to me. Tailor and dressmaker feel too specific because I don't only make garments, I'm also a bag maker, and I never cares for sewer because I read it as the waste pipes and not as "human who sews" but I don't fault anyone who feels it's right for them.

[@gohawks3571]

Hmmm, makes me wonder where "sewer" came from..... Time to dive into a lingual journey😊

[@calmblueocean1177]

I refer to myself as “sewist”, I’m self-taught. I learned sewing in highschool and watched endless youtube videos. A happy hobbiest! Evelyn you are certainly a mentor to me. Thank you! ❤

[@freshturnips1693]

I use sewist mostly, sometimes I use needlework crafter too because I do embroidery, crochet, knitting, and other needle work. I aim to be a dress maker.

[@marathorne6821]

I like "sewist". No chance of being mistaken for something to do with sewage! "Dressmaker" to me does imply that you do it for a living, not for the sheer joy of creating garments.

[@Weeping_lover]

🤍🤍 for me, it's seamstress.

[@JanSteele]

Thank you for this video. I've had a negative view of the word sewist since I first read it, as I thought the word sewer was a perfectly adequate word for someone who sews, and sewist was just for those who were squeamish about the possible word confusion with a tunnel for sewage. I hadn't heard of it being a combination of sewer/sewing and artist until you explained it, and this has changed my view of the word completely. I do love the way that language evolves and you have given me a new appreciation for the word sewist. I'm now considering whether I think this describes me... great food for thought!

[@amishgirl1000]

Sewist is the perfect word, like Artist.

[@gemmasremchevich6719]

Evelyn you can definitely call yourself a mentor too. I like "home dressmaker" as I love dresses and sew many of them for myself along with other garments. I remember taking "Dressmaking Classes" at TAFE when I was a teenager.

[@Evelyn__Wood]

😭❤😭

[@cindyn8822]

I just love you. You are my sewing teacher. I value your knowledge and passion, and you are so nice. With your help I have gotten into sewing better than I ever have because of you.

[@SherlynTalactac]

Sastre, which I think has Spanish origins is one of the many terms used in the Philippines to refer to people who sew for a living. I like using that. In English and since I'm only sewing for myself I call myself a sewing enthusiast.

[@bunhelsingslegacy3549]

Ooh, I like "sewing enthusiast" .... mostly because it denotes nothing of skill, just desire to do!

[@dove111]

I love the way Sewist sounds! 🎼

[@amandajpuryer8286]

Sewer ... sewer ... sower ... the joy of the English language. I 'play' at sewing, but I would never consider myself a sewer, or seamstress as to me that intones skill, which I don't really consider that I have. But I do like your term 'sewist'.

[@charissecolbert7204]

I like the term “sewist” (sew and artist), Evelyn you are a great teacher and sewing mentor, I have learned VOLUMES in Vintage Sewing School.

[@keerukiahyusofojima3751]

Sewist is the best noun we use to describe ourselves. Pretty Much it sums up to all aspects of sewing Hopefully one day this word will be accepted to the Oxford Dictionary.

[@presdonna]

Love the term Fiber Artist...it sounds exotic enough that possibly no one will think to have me hem their pants!

[@somebodyelse138]

No, is a complete sentence. The only person I hem trousers or sleeves or anything else for is my mother - but she's coming on for 80 and is, to all intents and purposes, blind. So I make an exception for her.

[@joanc7422]

I love the word sewist - it's perfect for a sewing artist. But fiber artist really does cover it all. Usually I describe myself as a crafter.

[@jirup]

The only thing I have for the critics is... all words are 'made up words'. I've never called myself anything in relation to sewing, but for the sake of engaging, I'll go with textile enthusiast. Have a great Sunday, Evelyn.

[@elenin.3228]

Artist and crafter! I tend to mix and match all sorts of crafts and techniques in my work to achieve an artistic result. Sewing is one of them and is just as much of a fine art as painting, sculpting, carving, machining, wookworking knitting/crocheting and so forth! Making a beautiful garment is definitely art!

[@kirklandsmith9865]

I am definitely still learning and growing. I personally like the word tailor. For me it sends the message that I do it all. Dress making, alterations, and whatever else that you may need related to sewing.

[@TheGirlfromBowral]

My two (now adult) boys grew up with my crafts everywhere so always referred to me as ‘Crazy sewing Mum’. I loved it as the perfect description!

[@cgj28ok]

Language is fun. I usually call myself a home sewer because it's just a hobby. I never thought about what would come up if someone googled "home sewer" YUCK, LOL. Beyond that, I like the term seamster for myself as a man. (Tailoress is also a cool word for a woman working in menswear.)

[@somebodyelse138]

Personally, I think it's time we cut out the gender-specific terms. If tailor is good enough for a man, it should be good enough for a woman, too. If men are going to start calling themselves Seamsters, because the 'stress' would be too feminising, then let us all be Seamsters.

[@cgj28ok]

Somebody Else . That's the best part of language today. We're free to utilize the words that best describe who we are. Lots of women prefer to use masculine words and I think that's brilliant. Our identity is our own personal freedom. Seamster, seamstress, or seamer for the neuter; the choice is ours. There's no reason we should all pick the same one. FYI seamster isn't a new word as it actually predates seamstress.

[@AngeVPV]

Thank you for caring so much about the ESL!

[@karenb8561]

I had never heard the word sewist until I heard you use it. I love it too. I sew and make lots of different things. I love quilting but don’t just do that or any of the other words that fit particular sewing-arts or skills. Good word.

[@soseconds6591]

Where I come from, I would call myself a sewer (so-er), my mother is a seamstress (she can sew everything proficiently), my grandmother was a sewer, as well. Mother owned and operated a "cut and sew" clothing manufacturing company and hired and trained "sewing machine operators" aka sewers. Dressmakers make or alter mostly (detailed) formal dresses and wedding gowns. Tailors make, alter or repair primarily men's clothing. I am still deeply rooted in traditional terminology. Also here, the word sewer (sue-er), is generally preceded with "the" and/or followed by the word system or line. However, I believe we can call ourselves whatever makes us happy.

[@ArielleShainaArt]

I used 'vintage sewist' on my business cards for several reasons. I am also a pencil artist, so the words artist and sewist looked harmonious together in print, and I make mostly reproduction clothing with vintage sewing techniques, like pinking instead of serging/overlocking. I also like how it doesn't have a gender attached to it, so it doesn't come with any pre-conceived notions (heh. Notions. No pun intended there). Hey, words and language are evolving all the time! I'm hoping 'sewist' ends up in the dictionary eventually because of us :)

[@Evelyn__Wood]

What a goal, to get it now the dictionary! 😃

[@cliftonmcnalley8469]

54 years ago my 3rd grade teacher reprimanded us each time we pronounced that sweet red sauce we eat on our French fries "catch-up" as the "proper" word at the time was "catsup", actually pronounced "cat-sup". Drove my family nuts for a year correcting them each time they "mispronounced" the word that was printed on the bottle, catsup. 54 years later, every bottle of the stuff in my supermarket is now labeled "ketchup". The beauty of English is its ability to evolve with simplicity. I am thankful that English does so, for if it were like German, we might be calling ourselves, "homesewingmachineperson." Yeah, I'll take "sewist" over that mouthful anytime.

[@bettymackey379]

I do so enjoy your videos. Since I don't sew professionally, I rarely refer to myself with regard to my sewing skills. I usually just say, "I sew."

[@regalbeauty]

Personally I enjoy crafting in many ways; sewing, crochet, painting, jewelry making, woodworking, DIY and thrift flipping. I was recently asked to write a short bio where I described myself as an amateur sewist (which I felt was the best description considering my level of skill). I had to be careful with my proofreading though, since ‘sewist’ kept getting autocorrected to ‘sexist’. 😂

[@tinamcnalley2575]

I've never had autocorrect do that. But I would be so happy if it would stop changing "jeans" to "Jean's".....every stinkin' time!

[@LisaD2812]

I prefer to call myself a "Kreativling" - which is a German term for a person that is very creative in gernerall. While I mainly sew there are so many crafts thats interest me and change often that I needed something more generic than sewer, knitter, or so on.

[@ReallyJillRogoff]

What a good word!

[@katerowe3202]

You’ve convinced me. I’m a sewist!

[@ReallyJillRogoff]

The English language is full of 'made-up' words... and that's just fine. In fact, some of the words my family uses were made up by various members. They haven't been accepted yet to the OED ( :-) ), but each fills a linguistic gap. So does 'sewist'. In some countries, there's a central institution or committee of some kind telling people what is or is not 'acceptable'. Happily, the English language has no such restrictions; while some new coinages drive me nuts, on the whole I'm happy and grateful that we are free to decide for ourselves which words to use. Like you, Evelyn, I love the new word, and am proud to call myself a sewist. In earlier generations, my family was full of professional seamstresses, dressmakers, and tailors. I often feel that I'm connecting with them through my sewing. Thanks for another thought-provoking video. After reading so many interesting comments, am now torn between stitch witch, kreativling, and stitchling. Playing with language can be great fun.

[@danam.8709]

Sewist !? Love it I flashed instantly back to the old John Wayne movie The Shootist ... He was the best, the most skilled in his trade until the end. Love it! sounds like something to really aspire to.

[@julianlatorre1]

A very good point, language evolves, lets see when "Sewist" is included in the Oxford English dictionary, it shouldn't be too long. I've called myself, dress maker, shirt maker, costume maker and pattern cutter. This has changed as my skills and jobs have changed, I didn't get to train as a tailor so that was never used. Thank you Evelyn for another great video.

[@shelllynn]

I am a Sewista (So-ee-stuh)(Sewing many different types of things) and I sew Barefoot on my machines. 🙂🧵🪡❤

[@Evelyn__Wood]

I do like this one!!

[@ruthsmith6585]

This was very thought provoking... the penny never dropped with me about sewer... the joys of the English language lol. I have never thought what I call myself - I do a lot of patchwork quilting so sewist sounds best. In my mind, seamstress is someone working in a factory churning out loads of repetitive parts of garments. Likewise, machinist is factory worker but includes non clothing sewing. Dressmaker specialises in woman's clothing. Tailor (male) and Tailoress (female) is the more specialised, creating patterns from measurements right up to final result. Funny how we think things. btw, love what you're wearing.. not sure if too or a dress but it suits you beautifully ❤️

[@sylviaburns8160]

I use sewist because I sew different things, not clothes. I am hopeful one day to sew garments. Great video, Evelyn.

[@Hiker_who_Sews]

I've used sewist for many years ( over 10 I'd say ). My clothes tend to last a long time, so I don't make many garments anymore. I mend stuff, make gifts/accessories/home dec. I sew quilts/blankets/bags for charity.

[@MapleArtworks]

Such an interesting topic. Never thought about this and the implications behind each term! That's probably because I'm fairly new to all of this and have never refered to myself as anything 😅

[@Evelyn__Wood]

Now you have something to think about! 😃

[@whynothanks2047]

I’m a novice, but my grandmother was a seamstress, and she’s the reason why I sew. I love that word, and that’s what I aspire to be, probably because that was the first “sewing” title I ever heard as a kid. I do wish that there was a men’s/ gender neutral variation of it though, like as in waiter/waitress/server. For that reason, I’ve been including “sewist” in my vernacular lately. Privately though, I just want to be a seamstress!

[@WoodlandPoetry]

It never occurred to me that the word "seamstress" is a feminine form. What would a man be? We think of the word tailor, but wouldn't he also be called a "seamer"? This is starting to make me want to go back to the very origins of the word. Old English is generally to blame for most of these things!💖

[@whynothanks2047]

@@WoodlandPoetry I know right! I never knew “tailor” was primarily a masculine term, I thought it just referred to anyone who specializes in altering existing garments. Luckily though, all words are made up, so if we’d like, we can just make new ones :-)

[@raraavis7782]

@@WoodlandPoetry This has always annoyed me, when translating into English. In German, it's Schneider/Schneiderin for male and female respectively. It literally translates as 'cutter'. And you modify it to Damenschneider/in (Lady's tailor, if you make clothes for women) and Herrenschneider/in (Gentleman's tailor, if you make clothes for men). If you do it for fun, you're a 'Hobby Schneider/in'. If you're a highly trained professional, you're a 'Meisterschneider/in' (Master tailor) All clear and simple. I used to think, a 'tailor' is someone, who makes structured garments like suits and coats, but then, why is there no female equivalent? And what is a male hobby sewist? Also a tailor? It's just confusing as heck.

[@tinamcnalley2575]

The term "tailor" is gender neutral, even though the profession has been predominantly male throughout history. "Tailor" also denotes a skill level far beyond that of the vast majority of home sewists. To actually be a tailor requires years of practice of skills much more involved than even some of the finest dressmaking. A "coutourier" also male, dominated the fashion houses for women for decades. The term seamstress denotes a woman that has a profession sewing. A person can be a seamstress and have very little actual sewing skill if they work in a factory and only know how to run specific machines. "Sewer" and "sewist" are both all incompassing terms to denote what we do at home. Most people consider their home sewing a hobby. I don't. I consider it a necessary life skill - just like cooking. If I did not sew, I could not afford the quality of clothing I make or most of the furnishings in my home. I even reupholstered the shredded seats in my first car when I was 18. Not just a hobby - the seats were disintegrating. Whether it's a hobby or a life skill - I think it deserves a name that doesn't conjure up images of human excrement!😁

[@raraavis7782]

@@tinamcnalley2575 Lol, yeah. I'm never going to refer to myself or others as ,sewers', no way 😂 I guess, I could get used to 'sewist'. It sounds odd (imo), if you say it out loud, but since I'm likely only ever going to use it in writing... And I'm not quite sure, if people outside the sewing community would even recognize the word? I have a feeling, if I told a random stranger, I'm a 'so-ist', they would just stare at me blankly. Hobby-seamstress is probably a safer bet.

[@smiths6311]

Despite being habitually pedantic about the English language, I love your new word "sewist". I first heard it on your channel and would have repeated my self-comforting mantra "English is a living language", but your new word is suitably logical and appropriate and I congratulate you in expanding our wonderful mother tongue. Love your work. 😃💕

[@christianzeidan7971]

I love how you explained the difference. My friends call me "fashion designer" but I correct them by saying I am just a person who makes cloths. As a side hustle, I made everyday outfits: shirts, trousers, etc. I hope someday I can earn the title of "tailor"; someone who can make very well-structured formal garments, suits or evening gowns.

[@smallfootprint2961]

I've never thought of it much, until I heard you say, "sewist." Thought it sounded a bit haughty. It's growing on me. In the spoken word, I will stil say, "sewer."

[@victoria.llamas_08]

Evelyn you are remarkable. I immediately became defensive of you when you told of the person's comment about sewist not being a real word. You are a classy woman and I was blown away at how you approached and educated all of us.

[@bobbieyoder7223]

Wow - such a great question… I love the new word Sewist and crafter… to me a sewist is a ‘needle & thread’ (skill level is not specified) user and a crafter is everything else. Not that I do everything else but many fun things!! Thanks for your channel!! Hugs from the US

[@alikat321]

I love the term "sewist" :). I call myself a quilter.

[@conqueringmountscrapmorewi2509]

I guess I'm a quilter and loves to sew. LOL! A fun and interesting video to watch and listen to while I hand quilt! Thank you for posting!

[@irishgirl1953]

When referring to myself the term seamstress sounds fitting.

[@sueswingler8259]

I like the word sewist for all the reasons already expressed. Tailor, dressmaker, are distinguished professions clearly defining area of expertise.

[@TheCynnieSoulsista]

Creative sewing artist

[@oliviaknight1123]

And... btw.... you CERTAINLY CAN make up any word you choose. That "made up" word becomes "real" purely in the fact it is used. ❤ you are my sewing mentor, I aspire to be like you and have some of your creativity and the fantastic attention to detail that you seem to have. I think many people think of you as their mentor, even if we are on the other side of this big planet Earth. Give yourself more credit Evelyn, you are brilliant!❤❤😘💋❤

[@marilynbook4211]

It depends on who I am talking to: quilter to my quilting community, seamstress or sewer to others but I really do like sewist as a sewer who is an artist as sewing is not all I do. I am a bookbinder, needle crafter paper artists as well. I have read some of the comments and love the terms Stitch Witch and Fiber Artist as both could apply to me as well

[@Evelyn__Wood]

I agree it sounds like these could work for you!!

[@jayneterry8701]

Agree. I've only gotten into paper sewing recently but I love it!

[@yinongzhao7722]

Thank you for the video! I now feel more comfortable calling myself a sewist, since it doesn’t imply any skill level as you explained. I’m a beginner sewist who recently discovered my passion for sewing and particularly using recycled/deadstock fabric to make something useful. :)

[@lorettatollefson7010]

I love the term sewist. If we call keep using it long enough, it will get added to the dictionary. My sewing aim? To become my own personal couturier.

[@Evelyn__Wood]

This was my personal feelings towards the skills I wanted too, to be my own personal couturier! And, with practice, you'll get there ❤

[@TwilightMusicLover]

I am relatively new to machine sewing and very excited about it. I inherited a Singer 403a from my dad's twin aunts Edna and Lavina and decided to name the machine Edna in their honor. I have seen in the comments the terms 'fiber artist' and 'stitch witch' and those are what I connect to the most. I crochet, embroider, hand sew, and cross-stitch as well.

[@rochellecriddle4661]

I refer to me with regard to sewing as "sewist". I refer as to my skill set as "thread art(ist) as I enjoy working with many different forms of/types of.

[@sheilacroisier6446]

I like this topic! I’ve used designer or costumer (which I’ve done for pay), but I really like the term stitcher because it covers so much. And Evelyn, I believe you qualify as both a teacher and a mentor. Cheers!

[@kimtilley7936]

I love the term Sewist! I hadnt really given it much thought until your clip. Sewing is my hobby and I would love to be considered a Sewist.😊

[@lettitiatownsend-thompson1968]

I like the term Sewist too.

[@ju_aych39]

I call myself a beginner sewer usually. I hope to become a dressmaker & mender.

[@ArabianShalifa]

Dressmaker. Sewer is what I’ve traditionally used. English is a living language that is changing daily. I made formals in high school, hope to again now that our sons are grown.

[@tcovington0711]

Oops I said a dirty word on the comments to a previous video...sorry!!! But as it related to myself...I don't think I'm in too much hot water...but you can call yourself a sewing mentor as that is how I think of you...my mentor...thank you for all your wonderful videos...you rock...

[@ShannonLambert]

I'm pretty happy with sewist. The only aspirations I have are tailoring for myself, so it feels appropriate.

[@believeinfaeries8713]

I use fabric artist and occasionally (especially if I'm concerned that the questioner is likely to ask about alterations/repairs) I'll call myself a "Bespoke clothing designer and maker." Adding bespoke tends to help warn the person that I don't work for exposure or the illustrious $50.

[@kimberlywilkes2438]

I like the old fashioned word, semptress. It is from the 16th century England.

[@amandamarquart2047]

I think I gravitate towards “home sewist” because, as you said, tailor, seamstress, and dressmaker all imply a profession, and I am a hobbyist. I think I also entered the community at a time when sewist was a popular word choice for those of us who are interested in a wide variety of topics within the sewing umbrella (techniques, history, theory, costumery, etc) while still being an informal student of the trade. I think, for me, sewist implies a certain amount of self-taught skill and informal training. Costumer, the previously mentioned titles, and other terms always seemed to imply a certain amount of formal training.

[@ltellis63]

I love the term sewist and it resonated the first time I heard you say it. To me, it is a perfect description of one who sews, and I do. While I love being able to repair clothing and household fabrics and keep them as long as possible, I aspire to be an accomplished garment-maker. I have made dresses, pants, shirts, costumes, capes, etc., I would be less likely to use the terms dressmaker, seamstress, or tailor. They each seem more narrow in focus to me or carry connotations of gender-specificity.

[@somebodyelse138]

And that gender specificity has also carried with it the idea that a woman doing that job meant it wasn't being done to the same level as a man doing it. Which is why I'd prefer it if we dropped the 'ess' from these descriptors.

[@handuong7429]

I love the term “sewist”.

[@LindaStitches]

I recently read Bernadette Banner’s book and I love the term she uses, “ seamster “.

[@evinnra2779]

Although English is my second language I did manage to understand your use of 'sewist' the first time I've heard it. Yet it does seem to give a jolt to the system to use this term and when you mentioned the words 'arborist' and 'dentist' it became clear to me why. In dentist and arborist the 'ist' is attached to a noun while in sewist the 'ist' is attached to a verb 'sewing'. I don't call my self anything at all when it comes to referring to my hobby, but it does strike me as strange that we don't have a proper word for a person who does sewing rather frequently but not in a way of earning a living from it. Sewing is done for so many different purposes, for soft furnishing, bags, hats, clothes, costumes, etc. so there is a need for a word that would fit the person who does these activities but sewing is not a main occupation of his or her life. I can live with sewist, but perhaps 'stitcher' would be a better word?

[@desireeturcotte3187]

Stitcher - from working in the live theatre where my job was to stitch/sew the costumes together. The title/job description is used for both men & women sewers who concrete the costumes. I also like using costume builder.

[@brendaholmes72]

at one time in my life, I called myself a costumer. I didn't say seamstress because I didn't want people asking me to alter garments. I designed and built (sewed) costumes for the stage and just for fun. Now I just call myself someone who sews... Maybe I will start using the title Sewist. That seems to fit. Since I do quilts not just garments.

[@hayleighbaker-towns5212]

I don't dare use any of those term to describe myself yet - I can sew but not to a particularly high standard yet! You have such a clear way of explaining the different techniques and associated skills of sewing. One thing I am guilty of omitting in most of my makes is pressing, as someone who doesn't generally iron their clothing unless it's something like a shirt that really needs it, I'm mystified by anything that isn't just flat pressing on the ironing board. Through watching your videos (and others) I've seen so many ironing gadgets that help with pressing seams on curves etc but no one ever seems to take the time to talk about the names of the gadgets, what they're used for, and how to use them. Maybe an idea for another video?

[@katerowe3202]

You are most definitely my sewing mentor!

[@nancypollard4531]

I think of tailoring as the act of making something fit with sewing be it a garment made from scratch or ready to wear garment. I think of dressmaker as someone who makes garments for a job. I guess I'm a sewist. But I never really refer to myself in with a label I'm just a person who likes to sew.

[@mollynelson3672]

My first love was quilting and that's the reason I wanted to learn to sew, and so I called myself a quilter. For years I did only that. This year I have delved into the world of garment making which is a completely different skill set, though there are cross-over skills involved. Now I suppose I would call myself a sewist. I never liked 'sewer' because, well.....sewage. Haha! I couldn't call myself a dressmaker because I never wear or sew dresses! LOL

[@luvinlife225]

Sewing is my beloved hobby that allows me to express my creative side so I love Sewing Artist or sewist for myself. That said, a few years ago I came across the term that describes me to a tee…. Sewciopath: “A sewciopath is a person with an antisocial sewing disorder. They think mainly of their next project and seldom feel guilty about buying fabric - they can never seem to get enough”.😁

[@vylia]

Thank you for this video, dear sewing mentor, from a fellow sewist. 😊

[@cyndyatwildrose5551]

Sewist is the term i use because i do lots of different types of sewing. Clothes, quilts and crafts,