Abstract When sewing is subjected to critical scholarly attention it is often from a public health perspective with participants typically above the age of 40 years. Consequently, very little is known about what factors bring younger ages to, and sustain their interest in, sewing for leisure. To gain a deeper understanding of the role of sewing, this qualitative study sought to explore and foreground the experiences of people aged 40 years and under who engage in sewing for leisure. By means of creative research methods (including photos, online written narratives, interviews, and sewn items), 78 participants participated in this global study to share their sewing experiences. The findings highlight that their reasons for sewing were multifaceted and included pride, accomplishment, the opportunities for social connections and self-awareness, as well as suggestions of sewing supporting the psychological ‘flow’ state. This research is an exploration of how the smaller act of engaging in sewing for leisure offers wider multifaceted benefits that contribute to much larger topics of identity, self-esteem, communities, social interactions, and enjoyment. This article offers a new insight into sewing by foregrounding the voices and experiences of those who have previously gone unheard within existing sewing research: those aged 40 years and under.

中文翻译：

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探索缝纫作为 40 岁及以下人群休闲活动的作用

摘要 当缝纫受到批判性学术关注时，通常是从公共卫生角度出发，参与者通常在 40 岁以上。因此，很少有人知道是什么因素使年轻人对休闲缝纫感兴趣并保持他们的兴趣。为了更深入地了解缝纫的作用，这项定性研究试图探索和展望 40 岁及以下从事休闲缝纫的人的经历。通过创造性的研究方法（包括照片、在线书面叙述、访谈和缝纫项目），78名参与者参与了这项全球研究，分享他们的缝纫经验。调查结果强调，他们缝纫的原因是多方面的，包括自豪、成就、社交机会和自我意识，以及支持心理“流动”状态的缝纫建议。这项研究探索了从事休闲缝纫的较小行为如何提供更广泛的多方面好处，从而有助于更广泛的身份、自尊、社区、社交互动和享受等主题。这篇文章通过突出那些以前在现有缝纫研究中闻所未闻的人（40 岁及以下）的声音和经验，提供了对缝纫的新见解。