The Greater Good

Denise Wild | Date posted: March 29th, 2012

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Have you heard about Canada Sews? Well, you’re about to! It’s a new (Canadian, obviously) initiative to raise the profile of sewing in all its forms—fashion, home décor, quilting, crafting, DIY, you name it. Canada Sews is an offshoot of the Craft and Hobby Association, and I’m proud to be on the team of industry professionals (including retailers, manufacturers, distributors, media) who are volunteering to pull this initiative together.

In my last article, I talked about recently joining the CHA and how I’m learning so many great things being part of a group. And one lesson that’s always emphasized in our meetings for Canada Sews is that that when an industry as a whole grows, the individual businesses grow. “A rising tide raises all ships,” is something CHA board member Richard Brown of Brown Bag Management and Consulting often says in our meetings, and he also reminds us to leave our competitive hats at the door. Our goal as a group with Canada Sews is to grow the entire industry—raise awareness and encourage and educate consumers—not just focus on our own individual businesses.

Think about the law about supply and demand. Through Canada Sews, I’m working with others to build demand. We’re coming together from separate corners to work on the sewing industry as a whole. And as we grow the awareness of sewing, we know that our individual businesses will grow, too. (Plus we all genuinely love sewing and want everyone out there to love it, too!)

So what are you doing for your industry? Is there something you can work on with colleagues, suppliers, or even those you would normally see as competitors? Think big picture. Think long term. When we come together as a group, incredible things can happen!

FYI, Canada Sews is kicking off this year with a nationwide challenge in October, and is being launched at the end of April at the Creativ Festival, formerly the Creative Sewing and Needlework Festival. (So you just got the inside scoop!) Bookmark www.CanadaSews.com. The website should launching sometime in May.

TAGS: Business, Inspiration, Management, Marketing

Denise Wild

Former magazine editor Denise Wild, a sewing star since the age of 13, started teaching sewing classes in her Toronto apartment in 2004 while she was working at FLARE, Canada’s top fashion publication. Those classes...