--- title: So Is It Sewer, Seamstress, Or Sewist? How A Group of Makers Have Run Into An Identity Crisis description: Makers who sew have a problem. They have struggled to come up with a name that fully encompasses everything they do. Let's call it a slight identity crisis. image: https://blog.anthonythomas.com/hubfs/sew-maker-name.jpg --- [![](https://anthonythomas.com/wp-content/themes/ata2017/img/ata_logo_tan.png)](https://anthonythomas.com) - [Why ATA?](https://anthonythomas.com/why-ata/) - [The Short Story](https://anthonythomas.com/why-ata/) - [About Us](https://anthonythomas.com/why-ata/about-us/) - [Our Space](https://anthonythomas.com/why-ata/our-space/) - [What We Do](https://anthonythomas.com/what-we-do/) - [What We Do](https://anthonythomas.com/what-we-do/) - [Inbound Marketing](https://anthonythomas.com/what-we-do/inbound-marketing/) - [Commercial Process Engineering](https://anthonythomas.com/what-we-do/commercial-process-engineering/) - [What We've Done](https://anthonythomas.com/what-weve-done/) - [Who We've Worked With](https://anthonythomas.com/brands/) - [We Know Makers](https://anthonythomas.com/we-know-makers/) - [What We Know About Makers](https://anthonythomas.com/we-know-makers/) - [The Maker Files](https://anthonythomas.com/the-maker-files/) - [Marketing Resources & Downloads](https://resources.anthonythomas.com/see-what-weve-learned-about-makers-diyers) - [We Blog](https://blog.anthonythomas.com) - [Contact ATA](https://anthonythomas.com/contact-ata/) ![The Maker Files Blog](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/hubfs/2018%20ATA%20Assets/2018%20Blog/The-Maker-Files-EB5937-456F74.png) # Our blog for brands looking to create authentic connections with makers & DIYers ### Popular Posts: [Knitting and Crochet Today: Statistics, Trends, and More](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/knitting-and-crochet-today-statistics-trends-and-more) [Who Are Today's Cosplay Makers? \[Statistics and Demographics\]](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/who-are-todays-cosplay-makers-statistics-and-demographics) [Automotive Enthusiast Demographics and Statistics Aftermarket Brands Should Know](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/automotive-enthusiast-demographics-and-statistics-aftermarket-brands-should-know) [Who Are Modern Crafters? Demographics, Craft Categories, and More](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/who-are-modern-crafters-demographics-craft-categories-and-more) [Needle Craft Statistics, Insights, and More](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/needle-craft-statistics-insights-and-more) [Is the Scrapbooking Market Segment Still Valuable for Brands to Pursue?](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/is-the-scrapbooking-market-segment-still-valuable-for-brands-to-pursue) - [The Maker Files](https://blog.anthonythomas.com) - [Marketing to Makers](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/marketing-to-makers) - [Makers 1-on-1 Interviews](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/makers-1-on-1) - Choose Your Target Audience - [Woodworkers](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/woodworkers) - [Cosplay Makers](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/cosplay-makers) - [Makers Who Sew](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/makers-who-sew) - [Automotive Enthusiasts](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/automotive-enthusiasts) - [Artists & Illustrators](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/artists-illustrators) - [Crafters (General)](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/crafters) - [Metalworkers](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/metalworkers) - [Food Artisans](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/food-artisans) - [Paper Crafters](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/paper-crafters) - [Jewelry Makers](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/jewelry-makers) - [Ceramicists](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/ceramicists) - [Fibers Artists](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/fiber-artists) - [Knitters & Crocheters](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/knitting-and-crochet) - [Glass Artists](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/glass-artists) # So Is It Sewer, Seamstress, Or Sewist? How A Group of Makers Have Run Into An Identity Crisis Posted by [Alicia Lewis](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/author/alicia-lewis) on Dec 27, 2017 ![](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/hubfs/Alicia.jpg) ![sew-maker-name.jpg](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/hs-fs/hubfs/sew-maker-name.jpg?width=738&height=369&name=sew-maker-name.jpg) Makers who sew have a problem as of late — or maybe they've always had it. Nothing catastrophic or life changing, but a problem to be sure. These makers have struggled for years to come up with a name that fully encompasses everything they do. Let's call it a slight identity crisis. Most maker subgroups have found their niche name. Furniture makers, woodcarvers, and turners all have "woodcrafter." Makers working with cars have "auto DIYer." Beer makers have "brewer." But where do people who sew, or people who make beautiful goods out of fabric or thread, fit [within the diverse crafter segment](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/who-are-modern-crafters-demographics-craft-categories-and-more)? It's a question that has been asked by plenty of makers, including the ladies at [Simple Simon & Company](https://www.simplesimonandco.com/2012/03/does-sewing-make-me-a-sewer.html/) and Marcy Harriell at [oonaballoona](http://www.oonaballoona.com/2012/02/adding-ist.html). ## Terms in the Sewing Industry - quilter: a person whose hobby or profession is making quilts - couturier: a fashion designer who manufactures and sells clothes that have been tailored to a client's specific requirements and measurements - seamstress: a woman who sews, especially one who earns her living by sewing - embroiderer: someone who ornaments with needlework - textile artist: one who uses various techniques to create works of art using threads and fibers, sometimes in combination with paints or dyes - needleworker: a person who sews or embroiders with a needle - sewing enthusiast: a person filled with enthusiasm for sewing, one who is ardently attacked to the pursuit of sewing - clothier: a person or company that makes, sells or deals in clothes or cloth - \[fashion\] designer: someone who loves to study fashion trends, sketch designs, select materials, and have a part in all the production aspects of their designs - sewer: someone who joins, fastens or repairs something by making stitches with a needle and thread or a sewing machine - sewist: a relatively new term combining "sew" and "artist", do describe someone who creates sewn works of art, which can include clothing or other items made with sewn elements So each of these terms in and of themselves are solid and descriptive of that particular niche. But what happens when you pull back, what happens when you try to fit all of these subcategories into one, overarching group? What do you call them then? What one term encapsulates all that this group does? Can you even fit it all into one term? Therein lies the issue that brands appealing to this maker group have run into. We want to hear from you designers, couturiers, sewers, needleworkers, etc.! What do you want to be called and why? [Take our super quick survey now](https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/what-should-we-call-makers-who-sew) or let us know on [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/ATAWeMovePeople/), [Twitter](https://twitter.com/ATA_MovesPeople), [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/ata_we_move_people/) or [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/2871225/)! [![crafter with tattoos working on table, 62 million people did a craft in the past year, invitation to download guide to crafters](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2203947/55446c9e-a0fa-4f2a-80dd-c14791ec34ff.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2203947/55446c9e-a0fa-4f2a-80dd-c14791ec34ff) Topics: [Crafters](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/crafters), [Makers](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/makers), [designers](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/designers) ### Subscribe to Email Updates ### Related posts [2019 Craft Trends to Watch](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/2019-craft-trends-to-watch) [The Maker Brand's Guide to Pinterest: Demographics, Best Practices, and Why Crafters and DIYers Love It](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/the-maker-brands-guide-to-pinterest-demographics-best-practices-and-why-crafters-and-diyers-love-it) [Modern Calligraphy and Hand Lettering Trends](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/modern-calligraphy-and-hand-lettering-trends) ### Most Popular Posts [Knitting and Crochet Today: Statistics, Trends, and More](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/knitting-and-crochet-today-statistics-trends-and-more) [Who Are Today's Cosplay Makers? \[Statistics and Demographics\]](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/who-are-todays-cosplay-makers-statistics-and-demographics) [Automotive Enthusiast Demographics and Statistics Aftermarket Brands Should Know](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/automotive-enthusiast-demographics-and-statistics-aftermarket-brands-should-know) [Who Are Modern Crafters? Demographics, Craft Categories, and More](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/who-are-modern-crafters-demographics-craft-categories-and-more) [Needle Craft Statistics, Insights, and More](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/needle-craft-statistics-insights-and-more) ### Recent posts [Best DIY Resources for Automotive Maintenance](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/best-diy-resources-for-automotive-maintenance) [Creating Effective Tutorials for Fiber Artists](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/creating-an-effective-tutorials-for-fiber-artists) [What You Should Know About the Resin Jewelry Trend](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/what-you-should-know-about-the-resin-jewelry-trend) ### Posts by Topic - [Marketing to Makers (100)](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/marketing-to-makers) - [Makers 1-on-1 (46)](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/makers-1-on-1) - [Woodworkers (26)](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/woodworkers) - [Crafters (24)](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/crafters) - [Automotive Enthusiasts (21)](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/automotive-enthusiasts) - [Cosplay Makers (18)](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/cosplay-makers) - [Makers (16)](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/makers) - [Makers Who Sew (15)](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/makers-who-sew) - [Marketing (10)](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/marketing) - [Jewelry Makers (9)](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/jewelry-makers) - [The Maker Movement (8)](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/the-maker-movement) - [Inbound Marketing (7)](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/inbound-marketing) - [Metalworkers (6)](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/metalworkers) - [Paper Crafters (6)](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/paper-crafters) - [Social Media (6)](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/social-media) - [Artists & Illustrators (5)](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/artists-illustrators) - [Food Artisans (5)](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/food-artisans) - [Ceramicists (4)](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/ceramicists) - [DIYers (4)](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/diyers) - [Fiber Artists (4)](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/fiber-artists) - [Knitting and Crochet (4)](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/knitting-and-crochet) - [ATA Focus Group (3)](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/ata-focus-group) - [Content Development (2)](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/content-development) - [Content Marketing (2)](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/content-marketing) - [Creative Process (2)](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/creative-process) - [Glass Artists (2)](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/glass-artists) - [Online Connections (2)](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/online-connections) - [Pinterest (2)](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/pinterest) - [Video (2)](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/video) - [Apps (1)](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/apps) - [Calligraphers (1)](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/calligraphers) - [Candemakers (1)](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/candemakers) - [Edible Arts (1)](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/edible-arts) - [Kids Crafts (1)](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/kids-crafts) - [Luthiers (1)](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/luthiers) - [Maker Industry (1)](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/maker-industry) - [Needle Crafts (1)](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/needle-crafts) - [Painting and Drawing (1)](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/painting-and-drawing) - [Podcasts (1)](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/podcasts) - [Soapmakers (1)](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/soapmakers) - [Trade Shows (1)](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/trade-shows) - [blogging (1)](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/blogging) - [challenges (1)](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/challenges) - [designers (1)](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/designers) - [maker trends (1)](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/maker-trends) see all [![](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ata_logo_tan_stacked.png?width=301&height=188&name=ata_logo_tan_stacked.png "ata_logo_tan_stacked.png")](https://anthonythomas.com) 727 South Broadway Street Akron, OH 44311 330.253.6888   [![Facebook](https://anthonythomas.com/wp-content/themes/ata2017/img/icon-Facebook-F2EEE2.png "Facebook")](https://www.facebook.com/pg/ATAWeMovePeople/) [![Instagram](https://anthonythomas.com/wp-content/themes/ata2017/img/icon-Instagram-F2EEE2.png "Instagram")](https://www.instagram.com/ata_we_move_people/) [![YouTube](https://anthonythomas.com/wp-content/themes/ata2017/img/icon-YouTube-F2EEE2.png "YouTube")](https://www.youtube.com/ATAWeMovePeople) [![LinkedIn](https://anthonythomas.com/wp-content/themes/ata2017/img/icon-LinkedIn-F2EEE2.png "LinkedIn")](https://www.linkedin.com/company/anthony-thomas-advertising/) [![Twitter](https://anthonythomas.com/wp-content/themes/ata2017/img/icon-Twitter-F2EEE2.png "Twitter")](https://twitter.com/ATA_MovesPeople) ###### Useful Links - [Why ATA](https://anthonythomas.com/why-ata/) - [What We Do](https://anthonythomas.com/what-we-do/) - [What We've Done](https://anthonythomas.com/what-weve-done/) - [Who We've Worked With](https://anthonythomas.com/brands/) - [We Know Makers](https://anthonythomas.com/we-know-makers/) - [The Maker Files](https://anthonythomas.com/the-maker-files/) - [We Blog](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/) - [Contact ATA](https://anthonythomas.com/contact-ata/) - [Terms & Conditions](https://anthonythomas.com/terms-and-conditions/) ###### Get Our Newsletter Sign up to receive updates from us (no more than 1-2 per month, we promise). We'll send you cool projects we've completed, new Maker Profiles and even some free "stuff". Sign up today! ![](https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=217949611932239&ev=PageView&noscript=1) ![](https://dc.ads.linkedin.com/collect/?pid=193225&fmt=gif)