Any other men who sew?

[LillysWorkshop]

I’ve found that as a male I’m in the minority both in online sewing communities and in real life ones. I get mixed reactions when I tell people I love making clothing and bags; sometimes people are excited (usually if they see my creations) and sometimes their reaction is negative.

The negative reactions range from shock (“You make corsets!?” *frown*) to outright disgust. When I go to Jo-Ann’s (a local craft and fabric store) the mostly female clerks are either rude or assume that I am with my girlfriend and ignore me. Yesterday an employee at the cutting counter completely ignored a question I asked twice, but answered when my girlfriend repeated it.

Another example happened a couple weeks ago when an employee demanded I give a McCall’s catalogue I was looking up patterns in to another customer. She assumed that I was only browsing it as a bored male waiting for a female significant other. This is the only store I can think of that is like this, and I’m not some sort of entitled customer service freak, I swear!

In the end my friends and family all love the stuff I make, which is all that really matters to me. It just strikes me as odd that so many people have ridiculous heteronormative gender standards that affect how they treat others. I don’t mind at all when people assume I’m a female online (my last name is a female first name after all), but it is odd to encounter attitudes like this in person.

[Robo Von Bismark]

Glad to see I am not the only one this has happened to. I haven't done much sewing, but I am tackling harder projects as I learn more. I find it relaxing actually.

I find the experience funny now, especially when I am asked if I want a discount card at Spotlight (local Australian retailer). The look of shock when I say I already have one 

Many female friends have often complain about the condescending attitude of hardware stores towards them. This just shows its not a one way street.

[thebnf]

I too am a man who sews. And probably in a less manly way than you since 90% of what I sew are cute little stuffed animals that decorate (mostly) my room. I've only recently begun doing clothing.

[jringling]

I taught my wife how to cross-stitch (a skill I learned at about 7 years old...) and bought a better machine than hers to sew suede. I can sew, but she is my superior...

[JingleJoe]

I sew occasionally, mostly leather; My latest endeavour was to sew new soles on my slippers and patch up all thier holes

I got a weird reception in the fabric shop too! I thought it was just because I look unusual but now I see it was a combination of that and being male!

[Arlen]

I'm not great at it, but I do a little (verrrrry small) amount of knitting and sewing.
My Granda taught me that a real man should be able to fix his own stuff and he learned serving in the army, so I couldn't say much.

You may be interested in this article. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704896104575139990857438962.html?mod=wsj_share_facebook

[Mr. Sable]

I sew.  My last job was 50% sewing.   If you've seen a Bubba Gump shrimp mascot or a Bimbo Bread mascot, you've seen my work.

And I do get ignored in the fabric stores too.

[Prof Marvel]

I began sewing Of necessity, repairing and altering my own shirts slacks, curtains, etc due to my extreme cheapness frugality.  I picked up an ancient used black electric singer machine, coaxed and repaired it through many years of use. I graduated to manufacturing my own backpacking utility pouches, gaiters, ponchos, tent flys, etc. Then to modifying and tailoring Goodwill jackets shirts and slacks. I also sew lightweight garment leather, having made Leather Waistcoats and a complete Traditional Northern Plains Souix Indian outfit (war shirt, breechcloth, leggings, mocassins, shield, bow, arrows, quiver, knife, sheath) 

when I get the time and ACCESS to a gym floor for 8 hours I am planning to sew a 12 foot canvas tipi.

I am now on my third Brother. My Lovely Spousal Unit  (She Who Must Be Obeyed) owns a beautiful Husqvarna which I am forbidden to touch.

This is in between blacksmithing, metal casting, machining, house construction, woodworking, cabinet making, papermaking, vegetable garden, woodcarving, stonecarving, knifemaking, weaving, origami, and completely butchering Kanji and various Asian,  European, and Native American languages.

Konichiwa, Anjin-san? 
yhs
prof marvel

[dman762000]

My grandmother taught me to hand sew when I was a wee little scupper.She made quilts and I can quilt now. I have also applied that skill to other things such as clothing. My wife can't even use a machine. The people at the fabric store look at us funny when we go in to buy cloth for a project and they always  assume that she is the one making it. There is always  a moment of awkward surprise when she tells them "my HUSBAND is making me a petticoat" or whatever project it is. People in this area assume that if you are a man and can sew then you must be something other than heterosexual.

[Choreocrat]

I've only ever done the most basic sewing. On the other hand, some of my male (straight) friends have made very impressive costumes from various eras. I'm the queer one, and I have trouble sewing buttons. Heteronormativity, grind your cogs out!

[OswaldBastable]

Well I for one am jealous of other men who can sew; bully for you sir. I am some what surprised at the attitude of those in shops you have mentioned; personally I'd be tempted to write a letter of complaint to there head office.

[OswaldBastable]

I've only ever done the most basic sewing. On the other hand, some of my male (straight) friends have made very impressive costumes from various eras. I'm the queer one, and I have trouble sewing buttons. Heteronormativity, grind your cogs out!

with you there, sewing buttons or patches onto things is about as far as I go most of the time

[Captain Shipton Bellinger]

I've been ornamenting, altering and making clothing since my very early teens. Made my first pair of fine leather gloves at about age 14 - now *that* I was proud of.

>Dons heavy-gauge armour, steps behind revettment and takes deep breath...<

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

I figured "If women can do it, how difficult can it be?"

Joking, just joking - honestly!

[vampyresheep]

I know a male friend who makes all his own clothes (for going out and general daytime wear), along with being a rather impressive shoe-maker too!
He used to work in the same place as me but in a different department and was getting very accustomed to getting regular morning emails from me, asking for tips and help with my latest sewing experiments! 

[MechanicalMouse]

I occasionally sew, so my sewing is so-so.

It's one of those skills I want to improve, but its getting the time.

Mind you I've not had any problems when buying patterns or fabric, I wonder if it is a state side thing?

[Dave the Troll]

I sew.  I embroider.  I tablet weave.
I've never had any problems in shops when it comes to buying fabric, wool etc.

[gyxile]

I try and fix my own clothes, tears, buttons etc. I do make various items for my hobbies.
I was bought a cheap sewing machine (big mistake)  i tend to sew by hand, but i am saving for a better machine, then i can make more items 

[Clym Angus]

I sew.  I embroider.  I tablet weave.
I've never had any problems in shops when it comes to buying fabric, wool etc.

Tablet weave? Twist those cardboard dials sir! A fantastic pass time. I digress.
Sew? Well I repair more than I construct. Shoes, building extra pockets, recollaring, glove repair and adaption. I consider my chainmaille work akin to knitting. I find as cloth craft is something of a dying art in the UK so anyone; plump old lady or mustachioed spindly maniac is usually greeted with open arms in your average (if rare) habadashery.

Still I have had the occassional WTF? Look from the odd young assistant. To be honest, as long as they do their job I couldn't care if they think I'm fruitier than a cornucopia. Their mind is not my problem. But yes, not doing their job because of assumption. That's just plain rude, counter productive and a great way to bury the business.

[aoichan]

I am looking for a place I can learn to sew (without having to pay about $200 for the privilege  )
given what I tell people I'm out to make (while being honest about it), usually I get a few smiles or the odd directions to a drag club, but that's another story entirely.

[MechanicalMouse]

have a look for sewing clubs and the like. They mostly be retired old ladies, but they'll be experienced.

[Mr. Hatchett]

I used to dabble, until my wife commandeered my machine.  Now I mostly hand stitch leather items.

[thebnf]

I am looking for a place I can learn to sew (without having to pay about $200 for the privilege  )
given what I tell people I'm out to make (while being honest about it), usually I get a few smiles or the odd directions to a drag club, but that's another story entirely.

What i did was just take my mom's machine and start messing around. That's the best way to learn since you wont have to memorize silly things other people have to remember stuff.

[Theophilus Saxe]

Way back in the 70's boys as well as girls were taught home economics in the first two years of our (English) high school. I learned to sew to some extent, and my grandmother taught me to knit at an early age when I was bored out of my gourd one summer holiday. I've lost the knitting skill, but I've re-acquired what sewing ability I had by working on my current project (the modification of a greatcoat) with my wife. I have popped in to the local Jo Ann's from time to time, but haven't had any problems with staff attitude.

[lt_koenig]

As a re enactor, I do a lot of my own sewing, both in leather and cloth. Since I buy most of the stuff I need either at re-enactment markets or online, I never have the problem in shops. And they're always freindly in John Lewis.

[ChrlsHrdy]

I too am a re-enactor who sews. I sew both fabric and leather. The main reason I learned to sew is the same as many others here... my Mom thought I should be able to be totaly self sufficiant. I also do a bit of wood working and metal working.