Embroiderers, cross stitchers, dressmakers and sewers of the web, unite! From getting handy tips to inspiration for new projects, there’s a whole host of hashtags which will help you connect and create with other stitchers online…
#feelingstitchyig
Share your stitched creation worldwide by adding the hashtag and seeing if you’re lucky enough to be picked out to be one of Feeling Stitchy’s Friday Finds which is then shared on their super popular Instagram account. Blogger Amy Byrne who is responsible for picking their favourite finds explains, “By using #feelingstitchyig I know that a needle artist wants me to take a look at their work and I’ve been sharing some amazing stitcher for over a year now.”
#sewcialists
Wether you want to promote your sewing event, ask for help or simply show off your latest stitched project this is the perfect hashtag to make connections. “This is our favourite hashtag for engaging with the online sewing community,” reveals Alex Whatley, social media manager for Sew Over It. “It’s a great one if you’ve got a sewing related question – there are so many sewers who will come to your rescue!”
Sew Over It also have a hashtag #SOIshowoff for customers to proudly show off their makes. “It makes us so happy to see what everyone’s been tagging!” smiles Alex. “And everyone who uses it is entered into a competition to win a voucher for our online shop!”
#findmypattern
Do you know what you want to make, but just can’t find the pattern for the perfect fit? Then not only can this hashtag come to your rescue, but you can help others by sharing the patterns you have used to create the perfect outfit. Kate Underdown from The Fold Line explains, “As an online sewing community, we have a database of several thousand patterns for people to browse and search. We are constantly being asked to recommend patterns so we’ve created #findmypattern on Instagram. People post a picture of the garment they would like to make and we suggest patterns that are a good match.”
#bvsewalong / #sewalong
If you’re a sucker for vintage patterns, McCalls have come up with a fun sew along where you can join other wannabe seamstresses to create vintage clothing. By using the hashtag #bvsewalong you can share your makes and get tips from other stitchers. With different bloggers setting the pattern each month, it’s a great way to meet up with other sewers and get some gorgeous new clobber as you go.
If you’re still struggling for inspiration or want to sew something different from fashion you can also search the more general tag #sewalong to find others doing projects that you can join in with.
#crossstitch / #embroidery / #handembroidery
Possibly the most famous purveyor of cross stitch, Mr X Stitch says that using these hashtags has grown his audience and helped him discover some of his favourite stitchers online.
“At the start of 2015 I had about 1,200 followers on Instagram, but by putting at least one stitchy picture up every day, I’m just now at the point of hitting 10,000 followers,” reveals Jamie Chalmers AKA Mr X Stitch.
“Hashtags have helped for sure. I also use some broad ones with large following like #xstitch, #thatsdarling and #colorcolorlovers.”
#sewphotohop
#sewphotohop is a month long Instagram project hosted by @houseofpinheiro, which aims to give you inspiration with a daily sewing theme and there’s even prizes to be won each week too!
“The themes are only ice breakers and the objective is to connect by appreciating others work and meeting new people,” explains House Of Pinheiro blogger Rachel. “When I launched I didn’t know it was going to be the success it was. Over 800 participants took one picture a day for a month and I love how many friends sewers have ‘met’ through the challenge and feel inspired to try other crafts.”
#dressmakers52
This year long project started by Dressmakers Social gives you a new theme each Sunday and you a week to post your picture. Each theme is written on a playing card and, after a good shuffle, one is randomly selected, so no one knows what will be next!
Emma Miles, who runs the monthly meet up in Brighton, started up the hashtag as a way to keep connecting with the community she met while running monthly photo-a-day challenges. “#dressmakers52 is all about being social, so if you want to repost your own favourites you are welcome to,” explains Emma. “A year is a long time so if you miss a week or a few it doesn’t matter, just pop by and join in when you want to.”
#embroiderylove
If you’re particularly proud of a French knot you’ve crafted or your latest foray into satin stitch, use the hashtag #embroiderylove for a chance of getting it featured, so other embroiderers can discover your work. The hashtag was started up by Alyssa Thomas of Penguin and Fish, so she could pick her favourites to share with a wider audience of stitch fanatics,” Alyssa explains. “I started the pages because I love curating things. I love the idea of building a community where people get excited to share their latest creations.”
#MMMay
Me Made May is a challenge to help makers improve their relationships with their handmade wardrobes. The month-long challenge, which you can sign up to here is about wearing the items that you’ve already created, although if you want to use the challenge as a prompt to finally hem that half-finished skirt, then go for it!
“I started the whole MMM thing in 2010 as a solo challenge, then couple of months later and suggested on my blog that other people might like to try a version of it themselves,” says Zoe Edwards. “I thought only a couple of people might be interested, but last year approx. 650 people signed up to take part!”
Some of the participants enjoyed the challenge so much and missed it when it ended they started up their own hashtag #memadeeveryday so they could keep connecting all year round!
