Just three blocks south of the Ambassador Bridge in Southwest Detroit a room full of lively ladies measure their hips and waist. They are preparing for their next sewing project, a maxi skirt. Self-taught seamstress Volencia Simpson, owner and creator of Sew In Detroit, passes out bright, beautiful fabrics and instructs the participants on how to start. Simpson reassures the beginners they can complete this sewing project with no problem, just a needle, and some patience is needed during the Sip N Sew party she occasionally offers.
Simpson started Sew In Detroit in 2018, offering weekly sewing classes every Saturday for all ages and skill levels. Recently, adding Friday night sewing parties, located in the old Latino Family Services building on Fort St and West Grand Blvd., the building still serves as a gathering place for the community. Today, it also serves as an event space, including loft apartments overlooking the Detroit River.
Simpson believes that sewing is not just a hobby but also a way of life that can provide individuals with a sense of purpose and fulfillment.
“Ever since childhood, I wanted to be a teacher, lawyer, and fashion designer. I’m blessed to have lived a piece of all the titles. I can say I love teaching most of all, and I was trying to figure out how to incorporate my love for fashion into the sewing classes, and that’s how I arrived here,” Simpson says.
In addition to sewing trends being on the rise, clothing swaps have become more popular as well, like those hosted by Free Market and Spotlite Detroit., Sewing saves money, especially for families with children. But clothing swaps also save money, and you can mend an article of clothing, hem pants, or tailor a jacket without having to pay someone.
Rey Benedict Pador is an Associate Professor at The College for Creative Studies, where he has been teaching for several years. He is a highly experienced and skilled dressmaker with a deep understanding of the technicalities involved in traditional sewing and stitchwork. He believes these practices are beneficial for the environment.
“I think the state of the world is very important, especially for Gen Z kids who see that the world is burning,” Pador says. “We are living on a burning planet.” According to Royal Waste Services, the fashion industry contributes 97 million pounds of waste that negatively affects Planet Earth.
”Now, with a growing trend of being more conscious and reusing clothes that are already available, (this) is where we are headed today,” Pador says.
Pador sees a growing trend toward becoming more aware of one’s surroundings. The increase in the number of people making their own clothes can be attributed to the environmental movement and the pandemic, as people were forced to stay home.
“Even though there were no big events to attend, people tried hand stitching, knitting, or experimenting with wrapping fabric around their bodies and moving away from fast fashion,” Pador says.
Volencia Simpson says her favorite thing about Sew In Detroit is seeing a room full of ladies eager to learn a new skill and also seeing her young students motivated to start their own fashion lines and businesses. In 2023, Jordin Gaut, a talented 16-year-old designer from the local area, showcased her fashion line, Jacaurtii Cardigans, in the highly competitive Jr. Sharktank competition held in Detroit. Despite the intense competition, Jordin’s unique designs and exceptional creativity earned her a well-deserved spot.
Sew In Detroit offers sewing classes every Saturday for beginners and intermediate levels; no experience is required to sign up. The cost is $35 per class, and over the course of four weeks, students learn everything from operating a sewing machine to creating a finished sewing project. Simpson guides students through every step of the process, ensuring that you have a fun and fulfilling sewing experience.
Sew In Detroit is located at 3815 W Fort St., Suite 114, Detroit, MI 48216. For more information, call 248-252-7827 or visit www.sewindetroit.weebly.com
