Lifelong Memphian Mary Allison Cates recently celebrated the 18-month anniversary of Sew Memphis, her storefront ode to the modern sewing movement. With a customer base approaching 1,000 people and an enthusiastic community following, Cates has a right to revel. Sew Memphis has also stitched up a class roster boasting 80 classes and more than 400 students since opening its doors in May of 2012.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
“Before Sew Memphis opened, I spent any free time I had drooling over the latest modern fabric designs in dozens of online fabric shops. I followed quilting blogs, blogs specific to sewing for little boys, blogs dedicated to sewing dresses for little girls in Africa, modern embroidery blogs, the blogs of the fabric designers who were becoming my new heroes, and finally, the blogs of those who went to ‘quilt market’ each year and reported back from these gatherings of modern sewists and designers. I made use of online sewing tutorials, YouTube videos, and virtual lessons on everything from T-shirt re-fashioning to fitting a bodice. And then came the dawn of Pinterest! I loved (and still love) all of these sources of inspiration and connection, but it felt as if something important was being left out. The modern sewing movement may have been born on the internet, but it needs places to live among the people! That’s the idea behind Sew Memphis.”
Just as Madesmith seeks to foster creative collaboration among makers, Sew Memphis serves a breeding ground for sharing knowledge, techniques and resources:
“Sew Memphis (also) exists to form the face-to-face relationships around sewing that the internet cannot provide. We do this intentionally in our classes and happy hour gatherings, but the community-building aspect of Sew Memphis has taken on a life of its own! Customers spontaneously help each other pick out fabric and answer each other’s sewing questions. Some of the city’s best seamstresses have found us and become our workshop leaders, so we have a real, live panel of experts customers consult when they need sewing help.”
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Still, Cates says that Sew Memphis wants to promote the idea that everyone is an expert: “Comparison and competition are the enemies of community, so though we try to answer practical questions about the craft when needed, our biggest job is just to get out of the way and encourage people to trust their instincts.”
Classes run the gamut and include contemporary spins on the ancient art of quilt-making, but Cates and Co. are also passing along the love of crafting through childrens’ programs, like summer’s “Fashion Design Camp”:
“I kept getting requests from moms whose kids were begging to design clothing. It’s been fun to provide this opportunity, because through this type of craft(woman)ship, these girls are gaining an appreciation for what goes into making the clothes they see in stores. It’s inspiring to be around young people who aren’t just blind consumers of fashion. They want to contribute their creativity and think for themselves about what’s beautiful.”
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Cates’ own appreciation for truly original works of sartorial art came from her mother, Sally Beasley, who also helps her run Sew Memphis:
“My mother sewed beautiful, heirloom clothing for my brother and me. I have many memories of her in her sewing room, and of trying not to get poked by carefully pinned garments during necessary fitting sessions. It is fun to watch now as other people get to benefit from my mom’s sewing expertise and gentle spirit at Sew Memphis. It feels very natural to be working so closely with her on something we both love.”
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Sew Memphis’ next crafty initiative is a book of project ideas compiled by its ever-expanding community of customers, teachers and students. And this development happens to dovetail nicely with another of Cates’ anniversaries: her “37th year of making a life within the same three zip-codes”.
“I have never been as fascinated with Memphis as I have been since I opened Sew Memphis. Time and again, people wander into the shop with their unique stories and creative ideas and senses of humor, and I ask myself how in the world I have managed to live here all of this time without the benefit of knowing these fabulous people! The people are, by far, the best part.”
Sew Memphis is located in Midtown Memphis at 2075 Madison Avenue.
Photos by LAURA ZUMWALT