Cosewing, the coworking for tailors

The movement emerged with the DIY (Do It Yourself) boom in 2011. It drank directly from the sewing cafes; small establishments where lovers of this activity gathered to have their afternoon coffee while doing their work. A concept that was a perfect fit for the new visionaries who were recovering traditional production methods.

The cosewing was born to give shelter to tailors, dressmakers, creatives, designers, pattern makers... in a common space in which to share experiences and knowledge. The principles of a cosewing do not differ much from those of a normal coworking. They offer extended and flexible hours, innovation, access to tools and material, community building, etc.

However, they are based on the concept of social sewing and require more investment than a typical coworking. Not only do they need large spaces; they have to invest in specific high-cost tools: cutting tables, sewing machines, ironing centers, mannequins... Everything necessary so that the coworker lacks nothing and has everything at his disposal to develop his creations.

After all, a cosewing is conceived to design, produce and sell fashion collections. For this reason, many of them have a retail outlet where their coworkers can exhibit and sell their creations in the same establishment.

The movement began in the United States with some cosewing, such as Sew Stitches, although the starting signal in Europe was given by Linkle, founded in Berlin, in 2006. It did not take long to spread throughout the old continent and now flourish in many European cities. In Spain we find a large group of these spaces reserved for lovers of thread and needle.

"Muchafibra - Barcelona

It is the oldest cosewing in Spain. It was born in 2008 with the purpose of sharing space, tools and professional knowledge among fashion and sewing enthusiasts.

" Teté Cafécostura - Madrid

It is one of the best known cosewing. It is run by Teresa Barrera and, under the slogan "Social-Couture", it offers sewing workshops for adults and children, clothing recycling, modeling, etc.

"Miss Costuras - Madrid

It is a creative sewing store, focused on customers who prefer to make their own clothes. In order to get more followers, they also offer workshops for learning and improving their skills.

"Upcycling - Barcelona

A textile recycling workshop that emerged, in 2015, with the purpose of promoting the responsible use and reuse of clothing.

"La Casa Sentida - Seville

It is a family workshop where all kinds of handicrafts are developed, always maintaining a policy of respect for the environment. They specialize in felt, silk, knitted and crocheted designs.

"El Telar de Isa - Valencia

It is not a coworking as such. It is an academy of pattern making, cutting and sewing, specialized in the Martí system, which offers its space for workshops and open talks.

AUTHOR: MÓNICA COCA

Freelance writer and screenwriter looking for good stories to tell. She can be found in all formats: articles, podcasts, novels and whatever comes up.

On the cover: image from the documentary film Valentino, the last emperor.