sewing

American  

[soh-ing] / ˈsoʊ ɪŋ /

noun

1. the act or work of one who sews.

2. something sewn or to be sewn.

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sewing British  

/ ˈsəʊɪŋ /

noun

1. 1. a piece of cloth, etc, that is sewn or to be sewn

   2. ( as modifier )

      sewing basket

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Etymology

Origin of sewing

Middle English word dating back to 1250–1300; sew ¹, -ing ¹

Explanation

Sewing is the craft of stitching things using a needle and thread. If you enjoy sewing, your elaborate, hand-stitched Halloween costumes might be the envy of all your friends. Before the invention of the sewing machine in the 1800s, sewing was done by hand. This kind of sewing involves threading a needle and taking repeated stitches through fabric, to attach several pieces to each other. The sewing that goes into a modern, mass-produced piece of clothing requires speedy, electric-powered sewing machines doing all the stitching. You can also use this word for a stitching project: "Have you seen my sewing? I thought I left it on the coffee table."

Example Sentences

To pay the family’s bills, his wife took in odd-job sewing work.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 12, 2026

In fact, she declined her father’s offer of a sewing machine to speed up the work, fearing that mechanized sewing would eliminate jobs.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 12, 2026

Now those plans are on hold as her budget is eaten up buying petrol to power up generators to run her sewing machines after fuel prices jumped about 20 percent in Africa's most populous country.

From Barron's • Mar. 20, 2026

And though she’s still sewing, her acting prospects look bright.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 24, 2026

Ma had taken me in hand, pushing me to cook more complicated dishes, coaching me through the advanced sewing techniques that were second nature to her.

From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu

Related Words

• tailoring