# sewing

/ˈsoʊɪŋ/ (US) · /sˈəʊɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/sewing
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. the activity

noun · CEFR A2

the work or hobby of making and fixing things with a needle and thread.

For teachers: the activity or occupation of a person who sews, whether as a manual skill or a domestic task.

- My grandmother taught me sewing when I was a young child.
- She dedicated her Saturday afternoons to sewing, finding the repetitive motion of the needle both productive and therapeutic.

Usage: Often used as an uncountable noun to describe the general craft or hobby.

### 2. items being worked on

noun · CEFR B1

the clothes or fabric that you are currently working on.

For teachers: articles or materials that are in the process of being sewn or have been sewn.

- She left her sewing on the chair while she went to answer the door.
- The tailor gathered his sewing and placed it neatly in the basket before closing the shop for the evening.

## Examples

- She spends her Sunday afternoons doing some sewing.
- He took his sewing kit on the camping trip to repair any holes in his tent.
- While industrial manufacturing has largely replaced handmade garments, many people still pursue sewing as a creative hobby to produce bespoke clothing and unique home textiles.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.