Moxie Posted February 20, 2013 Share Posted February 20, 2013 If you enjoy working with thread and fabric, you are a seamstress. A sewer is something all together different and you would not want to be one!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sassenach Posted February 20, 2013 Share Posted February 20, 2013 Lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stripe Posted February 20, 2013 Share Posted February 20, 2013 Is "sewer" an attempt to be gender-neutral, I wonder? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dandelion Posted February 20, 2013 Share Posted February 20, 2013 If you enjoy working with thread and fabric, you are a seamstress. A sewer is something all together different and you would not want to be one!! :lol: Is "sewer" an attempt to be gender-neutral, I wonder? I wouldn't be surprised. :smilielol5: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mellifera33 Posted February 20, 2013 Share Posted February 20, 2013 I think that I prefer "seamster" for a gender-neutral version of someone who sews... :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dangermom Posted February 20, 2013 Share Posted February 20, 2013 "Sewist" is pretty good, but really in the end I prefer "seamstress." "Sewer" is just unfortunate. Seamstress does seem to carry a connotation of dressmaking in particular, and lots of sewists don't do that. Sewist, I suppose, includes soft toys and quilts and banners and hairbands and shorts and thrifted pillowcases, so it's a more general term. I used to be a quilter, but now I'm more general... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdventureMoms Posted February 20, 2013 Share Posted February 20, 2013 I have always had a hard time with the term seamstress, because to me it implies some level of professional work. My little hobby projects just don't seem to quite fit. Sewer clearly is a problem, however. I haven't come up with a word that I like though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcadia Posted February 20, 2013 Share Posted February 20, 2013 Is "sewer" an attempt to be gender-neutral, I wonder? Seamstress for ladies and tailor for gentlemen. Comically my school clothes were all tailored by seamstress because I am a weird size :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itsheresomewhere Posted February 20, 2013 Share Posted February 20, 2013 In my circle- Sewer- a person who dabbles in sewing for fun but not serious about it. Seamstress- Person who makes clothes, curtains, taylor and often gets paid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orthodox6 Posted February 20, 2013 Share Posted February 20, 2013 I grew up with the word sempstress. Why not use the established word tailor when referring to a man? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parrothead Posted February 20, 2013 Share Posted February 20, 2013 Seamstress for ladies and tailor for gentlemen. Comically my school clothes were all tailored by seamstress because I am a weird size :) I grew up with the word sempstress. Why not use the established word tailor when referring to a man? Exactly! We already have the words. Why not use them properly thus keeping the sewer where it belongs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dangermom Posted February 20, 2013 Share Posted February 20, 2013 I think tailor, like seamstress, carries a professional connotation. And when you get serious about sewing, tailoring is a specific skill set that is pretty advanced. I don't do tailoring! And male quilters wouldn't call themselves tailors, they just call themselves quilters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parrothead Posted February 20, 2013 Share Posted February 20, 2013 A seamstress needs an advanced set of skills also. It isn't everyone who can make clothes. I wouldn't consider one who quilts as a seamstress. That would be simply a quilter - male or female. Nor would I consider one who makes sewn crafts a seamstress/tailor. They would simply be crafters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stripe Posted February 20, 2013 Share Posted February 20, 2013 "Crafter" is so much nicer sounding. Or "sewing enthusiast." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KatieJ Posted February 20, 2013 Share Posted February 20, 2013 What an interesting topic. I would qualify for the word/term seamstress as I have sewn professionally off and on. However since I know my weaknesses in my abilities, I struggle with using the term as I feel it implies a level of sewing that I don't necessarily have. I can alter clothes and did it professionally for years, but I just did what the pins in the garmet told me to do. I didn't personally fit the dresses. (I worked for several Bridal stores) I have designed and sewn color guard uniforms for my Dd's marching band. I have sewn custom leotards for a Special olympics team and I have worked for several dance studios. And yet I choke on the word when I use it. Can we say self esteem issues? :glare: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dandelion Posted February 20, 2013 Share Posted February 20, 2013 Actually, sewer is the correct term for someone who sews. (Check a dictionary of you don't believe me.) It is pronounced "soh- er". Unfortunately, it carries the same spelling as "soo- er". Interesting. Sewer used in this context just doesn't sound right to me. Good to know that it's a legitimate term though. Learn something new on these boards every day. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dangermom Posted February 20, 2013 Share Posted February 20, 2013 A seamstress needs an advanced set of skills also. It isn't everyone who can make clothes. I wouldn't consider one who quilts as a seamstress. That would be simply a quilter - male or female. Nor would I consider one who makes sewn crafts a seamstress/tailor. They would simply be crafters. Yes, that's what I was saying. I qualify pretty well as a seamstress, though, and I like the word better. For a general term I really do prefer sewist to sewer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parrothead Posted February 20, 2013 Share Posted February 20, 2013 Yes, that's what I was saying. I qualify pretty well as a seamstress, though, and I like the word better. For a general term I really do prefer sewist to sewer. I'm sure you are a lovely seamstress. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orthodox6 Posted February 20, 2013 Share Posted February 20, 2013 I just can't get into making up a new word because I don't care for the existing one! If no word exists to express a concept, that is a different situation. In one online dictionary, "sewer", in the fabric environment under discussion here, is the third-listed definition. The second-listed one refers to "A medieval servant who supervised the serving of meals." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 20, 2013 Share Posted February 20, 2013 I would not be comfortable calling myself a "seamstress". I sew. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TranquilMind Posted February 20, 2013 Share Posted February 20, 2013 If you enjoy working with thread and fabric, you are a seamstress. A sewer is something all together different and you would not want to be one!! As a landlord, who has actually dealt with sewer-related issues, I thank you. I think this every time I see it. I grew up with seamstresses, and I wonder that people don't know this because it's almost a lost art. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vonfirmath Posted February 20, 2013 Share Posted February 20, 2013 Actually, sewer is the correct term for someone who sews. (Check a dictionary of you don't believe me.) It is pronounced "soh- er". Unfortunately, it carries the same spelling as "soo- er". So? its not the first time you have to figure out a word from context. When people are looking for sewers on my purse group, I never once thought they were talking about a system to dispose of sewage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stripe Posted February 20, 2013 Share Posted February 20, 2013 So? its not the first time you have to figure out a word from context. When people are looking for sewers on my purse group, I never once thought they were talking about a system to dispose of sewage. You're funny. To me too, it's like a word like lead vs lead or read vs read or bow vs bow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mmeblue Posted February 20, 2013 Share Posted February 20, 2013 I prefer fabric artist. (Darn it, I can't find a snobby looking smiley! :laugh: ) In reality, I'm a quilter who has done a few other little things. So I just say, I'm mainly a quilter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
misty.warden Posted February 20, 2013 Share Posted February 20, 2013 I grew up with the word sempstress. Why not use the established word tailor when referring to a man? Same reason I think "mailperson" has been suggested rather than postal carrier, which I think would make more sense. Or, you know, not freaking out over the name of a profession not being gender neutral or having a feminized option created from whole cloth ;) Actually, sewer is the correct term for someone who sews. (Check a dictionary of you don't believe me.) It is pronounced "soh- er". Unfortunately, it carries the same spelling as "soo- er". Unintentionally hilarious homonyms, homophones, and homographs are one of my favorite things about studying language. If someone told me he was a "soh-er" I'd think he worked on a farm rather than on clothing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted February 20, 2013 Share Posted February 20, 2013 How do you pronounce it? I grew up with seamstress pronounced as 'SEM-struhss', but I hear 'SEEM-struhss' often these days. Laura Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orthodox6 Posted February 20, 2013 Share Posted February 20, 2013 How do you pronounce it? I grew up with seamstress pronounced as 'SEM-struhss', but I hear 'SEEM-struhss' often these days. Laura Laura, your pronunciation goes with "sempstress". (silent p) (I just checked this before typing.) Secondary pronunciation has the p voiced. The second one goes with "seamstress". Either word is for normal usage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted February 21, 2013 Share Posted February 21, 2013 Laura, your pronunciation goes with "sempstress". (silent p) (I just checked this before typing.) Secondary pronunciation has the p voiced. The second one goes with "seamstress". Either word is for normal usage. This must be one of these country-by-country differences. I checked my Chambers (British) dictionary and it gives both SEAM and SEM for 'seamstress'. Interestingly, it also states that 'seamster' was originally a feminine form, from the Old English 'seamestere'. Laura Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GailV Posted February 21, 2013 Share Posted February 21, 2013 Sewer works fine in spoken conversation. Online is where it elicits giggles. Online I tend to use sewist if that's supported by the community in which I'm participating. I read a couple of fora that are specific to sewing, and one of them seems to prefer sewist. Here's some interesting trivia -- the Wikipedia article on tailor says that the word seamstress is an old euphemism for a prostitute. They also give some other titles for those who sew -- sewing professional, custom clothier, custom dressmaker, alterationist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vonfirmath Posted February 21, 2013 Share Posted February 21, 2013 Sewer works fine in spoken conversation. Online is where it elicits giggles. Online I tend to use sewist if that's supported by the community in which I'm participating. I read a couple of fora that are specific to sewing, and one of them seems to prefer sewist. The purse group I referred to is entirely online -- forums and a Facebook group. For some reason, references to sewers has never elicited a giggle, or even a thread about the term being funny. I never considered alternative meanings of the word until someone here on WTM decided to say you shouldn't use the term. Oh and I work for a Plumbing/HVAC contractor so in my day to day world we work with sewers (the other kind) as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stripe Posted February 21, 2013 Share Posted February 21, 2013 Here's some interesting trivia -- the Wikipedia article on tailor says that the word seamstress is an old euphemism for a prostitute. Wow! I looked in the OED and it notes that "seamstress" is for a "needle woman" whose occupation is "plain sewing" as distinguished from dress making or embroidery. So seamstress is not a catch-all. And not really for a hobbyist?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GailV Posted February 22, 2013 Share Posted February 22, 2013 There's a blurb on sewer vs. sewist in the newest issue of Threads (just arrived today -- we didn't get mail yesterday due to snow and ice). I thought that was funny since we were just discussing it. They comment that "sewist" combines "sew" with "artist" and is gaining popularity on blogs and other Web communities. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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