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; see origin at 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

In 1833, he invented a lock-stitch sewing machine that used two threads, one passing through a loop in the other, with both threads interlocking.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 12, 2026

Patent No. 4,750 for his lock-stitch sewing machine.

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

A growing number of overworked travelers are seeking rejuvenation in retreats and tours that focus on connection and creativity: blockprinting in Finland or India, sewing in England, embroidery in Italy.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 4, 2026

The rest of the time she busied herself sewing a different sort of costume.

From "The Long-Lost Home" by Maryrose Wood

Related Words

• tailoring