I never thought I would find calm sitting in front of a sewing machine. For most of my adult life, I equated productivity with constant motion, answering emails, jumping on calls, and scrolling through endless updates. Like many others caught in the whirlwind of hustle culture and digital overload, I rarely gave myself permission to slow down. That changed the day I signed up for a sewing class at Fashion Makerspace.

I had never touched a sewing machine before, but I wanted to try something hands-on, something that didn’t involve a glowing screen. With a stack of fabric in front of me, I embarked on my first project: sewing a skirt with the help of my instructor, Hailey. The gentle whir of the machine was surprisingly therapeutic, each stitch a reminder to focus only on the fabric in my hands, not the notifications piling up on my phone.

Why sewing is more than just a hobby

Since 2020, hands-on hobbies like sewing and crafts have soared in popularity worldwide. CNA recently reported that creative outlets such as painting, handicrafts, and music help people decompress beyond screen time. Globally, 66% of adults worked on a creative project in the past year, and 42% did so specifically for mental health benefits. In Singapore, this need is especially pressing; one in three youths aged 15–35 report severe symptoms of depression, anxiety, or stress.

That statistic hit me hard. It reminded me that my urge to escape from my phone wasn’t just personal; it was part of a larger mental health crisis. Sewing, it turned out, wasn’t just a pastime; it was a practical coping tool. Research shows that arts and crafts lower mental distress while boosting resilience and life satisfaction. For me, sitting at the sewing machine felt like hitting a reset button.

Fashion Makerspace: A studio for beginners and beyond

My class was held at Fashion Makerspace, a community-driven sewing studio founded by Shareen Lim, Hailey Lim, and Ken Low, who noticed that there wasn’t a friendly, judgment-free space for absolute beginners to learn sewing here in Singapore. Inspired by collaborative makerspaces overseas, they built one themselves.

The vibe was welcoming from the moment I stepped in. No one expected perfection, only curiosity. In just two hours, I went from fumbling with fabric to proudly holding a simple elastic-waistband skirt I had stitched myself. It was a revelation: I didn’t need to buy something new to feel good.

Sewing as sustainability in action

What struck me most was the sustainability ethos woven into every class. Fashion Makerspace doesn’t just teach sewing; it teaches mindfulness. Instead of discarding old clothes, we learned how to upcycle fabric, giving it a second life.

Each stitch was a quiet protest against fast fashion and throwaway culture. By the time I finished my skirt, I realised I had created not just a garment but a statement: we can be more thoughtful consumers and makers.

Claiming SkillsFuture for creativity

For Singaporeans, there’s an added bonus – class fees at Fashion Makerspace can be covered using SkillsFuture credits or WSQ funding. Like many others, I had been procrastinating on using mine. Applying them toward a skill that enriched both my well-being and my wardrobe felt like the most worthwhile investment I could have made.

A healthier kind of productivity

Walking out of the studio that day, I felt lighter. I didn’t just leave with a handmade skirt, I left with a clearer mind. Sewing reminded me that productivity doesn’t always mean checking off a to-do list. Sometimes it’s about creating space for slowness, sustainability, and simple joy.

In a city that never stops moving, learning to sew taught me that it’s okay to pause, and that doing so can be transformative. Fashion Makerspace is located at 42 North Canal Rd, Level 2 & 3, 42B N Canal Rd, Level 3, 059298. Phone: 8830 3753.