81 BUSINESS stereotypes and create an environment that welcomes and supports people of all genders. There have been small changes within the industry and there’s now an opportunity to expand and move this forward as we strive to include everyone. The Proud Lounge The Proud Lounge, run by WeSewToo, at the Sewing For Pleasure Show in Birmingham this year, was a great opportunity to give diversity a voice and be visible within the sewing exhibition space. With a fully inclusive catwalk and the Proud Lounge, it created safe space for those individuals to thrive. I’ve had many conversations with lots of people who loved seeing such a space and that they wished for even more visibility including things like Pride Festivals at sewing shows. Why? Because without that visibility nothing can change. Without visibility we cannot empower minority individuals to thrive in the space. Without visibility we cannot grow our community and create a more diverse future for sewing. Breaking stereotypes and encouraging male participation To encourage more men and boys to engage in sewing, it’s crucial to debunk the myths and stereotypes surrounding the craft. Sewing is often wrongly associated with femininity, which can deter males from exploring their interest in the field. By highlighting the diverse range of possibilities within sewing, showcasing male role models, and emphasising the creative aspects of the craft, we can inspire men and boys to embrace sewing as a fulfilling hobby and even as a potential career path. This view has been expressed to me by so many people in so many conversations I’ve had whilst exhibiting at sewing events. “After all, sewing is a skill everyone should possess,” one woman said to me at a show recently. “But there are men who are tailors” is something I often hear as an argument that there are, in fact, many men in our sewing space. However, although this may be true in tailoring, the same cannot be said for the home sewing and hobby community. Don’t get me wrong I’m not saying they’re wrong, but we have to remember that we’re living in such a diverse world and it’s important the industry is reflective of modern-day society. Lots of successful designers, creators, are men. Lots of successful designers and creators are also trans and non-binary. Diversity has always, and will
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