The Association brings together fabric, pattern, notions, fiber, craft, home decorating, publishing and sewing machine companies with manufacturers, retailers, educators, wholesalers and buying offices.
Members meet at trade shows to exchange ideas, share information and showcase new products.
Each One, Teach One, includes special events during National Sewing Month in September. The Association commissioned a clinical study to examine sewing's physiological effects on reducing stress. The results appear to indicate that sewing helps both skilled and novice sewers to relax. The women who participated in the study experienced significant decreases in heart rate, blood pressure and perspiration rates, which are common measures of stress. Compared to other common children's activities such as watching television, playing a video game and painting, the clinical study found that sewing increases creativity in children.