The Scoop
Sew Cool!
Why sewing suddenly
has attitude
These days patterns are passé—and sewing is edgy. Spurred by TV hits such as Project Runway and The Fashion Show, a new breed of sewing enthusiasts—let’s call ’em thread- heads—is taking an avant-garde approach to needlework. “It’s all about design and self-expression,” explains Kathy Cano-Murillo, an artist and the author of the Crafty Chica’s Guide to Artful Sewing. “It’s cool to say, ‘Hey, I repur- posed that old “whatever” I found at a thrift store.’ ” With the sewing world emphasizing do-what-you-want creativity, 2010 enrollment in sewing classes at Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores was up 20 percent from 2009, with nearly 9 million people taking on new projects. “Five years ago people would be appalled if you didn’t finish the seams,” says Ellen March, editor in chief of Sew News and host of the new PBS show Sew It All. “Now no one’s standing over you en- suring every stitch is perfect.” —Laura Daily
VIRTUAL
MEMORIES
Carlo Cacioppo, 55, was
devastated when his 90-year-
old mother died last fall from a
brain hemorrhage. To ease his
grief, he created a digital memorial page on Legacy.com—
a website to honor those who
have departed. Cacioppo’s
memory page includes music
(“Amazing Grace”) and photos.
Welcome to the age of high-tech bereavement. Legacy
.com attracts 15 million users
a month, with customers paying $39.99 to create and post a
website for a year and $79.99
for a permanent entry. Other
tribute sites include gonetoo
soon.org and remembered
.com. Of Americans 40 or older who attended two or more
funerals in 2010, 16 percent
visited virtual memorial sites,
per a recent Harris Interactive
survey. Cacioppo visits his
mother’s site often: “I hear the
music and say, ‘Good morning,
Mom.’ It helps me get through
the day.” —Christina Ianzito
CLOCK WISE, FROM LEF T: WALTER B. MCKENZIE /GE T T Y IMAGES; ILLUS TRATION B Y PE TER HOE Y; NICHOLAS EVELEIGH
Snirkles and Whiz bars may have faded into sugary obscurity, but some of our
favorite treats are back. Remember Bonomo Turkish Taffy? The ads urged us to
“Smack It, Crack It!” The taffy was discontinued in the ’80s, but candy company
Classic Caramel rereleased it in 2010—and has sold more than 5 million bars.
Two other old faves have recently resurfaced, albeit with new twists. Black
Cow caramel was once caramel on a stick dipped in chocolate. The updated
versions include 1.5-ounce bars and bite-size pieces of chocolate caramel.
And the formerly 1-ounce Astro Pop has returned as a 2-pound, rocket-shaped
sucker. (We’re serious.) You can buy these resurrected treats at candy.com or
candycrate.com. Just don’t tell your dentist. —C. I. FAREWELL, MY SWEETS? NOT SO FAST!
AARP THE MAGAZINE
