These days patterns are passé; sewing is edgy. Spurred by TV hits such as Project Runway and The Fashion Show, a new breed of sewing enthusiasts is taking an avant-garde approach to needle- work. “It’s all about design and self- expression,” says Kathy Cano- Murillo, an artist and author of the Crafty Chica’s Guide to Artful Sew- ing. “It’s cool to say, ‘Hey, I repur- posed that old “whatever” I found at a thrift store.’ ” With creativity the sewing world’s focus, 2010 enroll- ment in sewing classes at Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores was up 20 percent from 2009, with nearly 9 million folks 50-plus trying 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 tanding over you ensuring every stitch is perfect.” —Laura Daily
The Scoop
Sew Cool!
Why sewing suddenly
has attitude
Carlo Cacioppo, 55, was devastated when his 90-year- old mother died last fall. 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 in- cludes 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 remembered
.com and gonetoosoon.org. Of Americans 40 or older who attended two or more
funerals in 2010, 16 percent visited virtual memorial sites, a recent survey finds.
Cacioppo views his site often: “It helps me get through the day.” —Christina Ianzito
VIRTUAL MEMORIES
AARP THE MAGAZINE
FROM TOP: WALTER B. MCKENZIE /GETTY IMAGES; ILLUSTRATION
BY PETER HOEY. VIRTUAL-MEMORIAL SOURCE: HARRIS INTERACTIVE
