"The '20,000-Won Happiness' That Makes You Forget Short-Form Dopamine"... China's Gen Z and Millennials Hooked on Grandma's Hobby [China.zip]

Sewing Machines Captivate China's Younger Generation
Hobby of Making Accessories That Reflect Personal Style Draws Attention
Related Posts Surpass 420 Million Views
Sewing Studios Spring Up Across the Country

Editor's NoteThis series delves into fascinating stories from China's vast and complex economy, society, and culture, and "unpacks" them to bring you only the most essential insights.

Sewing machines are gaining renewed appeal among young people in China. No longer seen as something belonging to a previous generation and found at a grandmother's house, they are drawing attention as a practical hobby that lets people make clothes, bags, accessories, and more to suit their personal tastes.

On October 7, China News Service highlighted this trend, saying, "During this year's National Day holiday, trips that let people experience and enjoy their interests became popular, replacing tourism focused simply on taking photos."

Sewing machines are gaining renewed appeal among young people in China. Xiaohongshu.

Sewing emerges as an accessible hobby as more workshops open

Sewing machines are enjoying a resurgence in popularity among young people in China. Xiaohongshu.

Hobbies and personal interests have recently become important factors for younger generations when planning trips and vacations. According to the recently released "Xiaohongshu 2026 Interest-Based Travel Trends Report," searches for trips offering hobby activities have surged. Popular examples include barista experiences, pottery-making, baking classes, and makeup coaching.

Sewing machine workshops are drawing particular attention. Yang, who was born in the 2000s, became interested after seeing related videos on social media and visited a sewing workshop with friends during the holiday. "It was my first time there, and I never expected to make a hair tie," Yang said. "Focusing on each stitch felt like it relieved my stress. I'll come back next time to make a handkerchief."

Wang, an office worker, also said, "I made a hair tie the first time, and a card holder on my second visit. I enjoy being able to combine different materials to suit my taste and make accessories I like."

In the past, learning to sew required having a sewing machine, which made it a costly hobby. But with the recent rise of workshops, people can conveniently use sewing machines, fabric, thread, and other supplies by paying an hourly fee. Prices are affordable, at 30 to 40 yuan (about 6,000 to 8,000 won) for beginners and around 100 yuan (about 20,000 won) for advanced classes. Once they get the hang of it, they can buy their own sewing machine and enjoy sewing at home.

Sewing-related content also popular on social media

China's Baidu

The appeal of sewing machines has recently been rediscovered among young people in China. Xiaohongshu.

On Xiaohongshu, a Chinese social media platform, posts with the hashtag "Sewing makes me happy" have surpassed 420 million views, and 1,606,000 posts have been uploaded. People repurpose old clothes and restyle them to create their own looks, or make backpacks from worn-out jeans. They post content showing how they make their own pajamas and share tips on choosing and using sewing machines.

As the sewing DIY trend takes off, related workshops are rapidly opening across the country. Fang Yuxin, who runs a sewing workshop, explained that sewing is more than just making things; it is a process of participating and creating. "Even with the same fabric, different combinations can create completely different looks and functions," Fang said. "Because the result is not just a decorative item but something used in everyday life, it becomes a memorable keepsake." The process of using one's own aesthetic sense to create something in a personal style takes on special meaning. "The finish may look a little awkward at first, but sewing is an appealing hobby that anyone can take up without feeling intimidated," Fang added.

Wang Lei, who runs another workshop, said, "Our students are mostly young people in their 30s, and many come with friends or family. Handmade items such as hair ties, handkerchiefs, and bags are becoming popular, and I think sewing is catching on because it's easy to get started."

"Sewing is a true break from smartphones"

Recently, sewing machines have been making a comeback among young people in China. Xiaohongshu.

The outlet said, "Young people today gain confidence and a sense of accomplishment from making things by hand," adding that "sewing offers a special opportunity to put down their smartphones and focus." Cutting fabric, shaping it, and carefully stitching it together one stitch at a time offers the distinctive pleasure of handicrafts, while the relatively short time needed to finish a project gives people an immediate result to hold in their hands. This process provides positive feedback, helping relieve stress and bringing a sense of satisfaction.

Xie Xinshu, a counseling psychologist, said, "Modern office workers experience extreme mental fatigue because of the overwhelming amount of information," adding that "consuming short-form videos on a smartphone does not provide genuine rest." Xie said sewing can help people process their emotions in a quiet, comfortable environment. Because cutting and sewing require one's full attention, they can effectively relieve mental fatigue. "The difficulty is manageable and the goal is clear, so people can enter a state of 'flow' and forget their worries and distracting thoughts," Xie said. "The soft feel of the fabric has a calming effect and can greatly help restore a scattered attention span."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.