8 Sewing Hashtags to Follow on Instagram in 2018

The sewing community’s favorite social media site, Instagram, just recently launched a fantastic new feature: the ability to follow hashtags.

Searching for hashtags has always been a way to discover new, interesting feeds on Instagram and for years now we’ve watched what’s happening at shows like Quilt Market and kept up with memes like MeMadeMade with hashtags. What’s new is that you can now follow those hastags just like following a friend. Once you follow a hashtag you’ll begin seeing posts that use it right in your feed, introducing you to new makers you’d likely miss otherwise and giving you a broader view of trends.

Of course, if you have a hashtag for your products or for an event you’re hosting you should follow it, too, so that you can can keep up with what people are posting.

Being able to follow your own hashtag is so handy!

How to follow a hashtag on Instagram

Type the hashtag into the Instagram search bar. When it pops up, click on it and you’ll see a blue button with the word “follow.” Click on it and you’re all set! (If you don’t see the blue button, try updating your app to the latest version of Instagram. This is a fairly new feature.)

Follow These Hashtags

I’ve rounded up eight sewing-related Instagram hashtags to follow in 2018. Add them and enjoy the thrill of finding new sewists to love.

1. #quiltcon and #quiltconreject

QuiltCon is happening next month in Pasadena, CA. In the weeks leading up to the show these hashtags will give you a taste of the quilts that were juried in as well as those that didn’t make it. If you can’t attend in person following the hashtag will give you a good idea of what’s happening when the event actually takes place in late February.

Quilt (and dog) posted by SuzyQuilts with the #modernquilting hashtag.

2. #modernquilting and #quiltersofinstagram

Discover new quilters and get inspired by beautiful quilting all year long with these two hashtags.

3. #2018makenine and #2018takenine

Rochelle New over at Lucky Lucille came up with the popular #makenine hashtag back in 2015 as a riff on the #bestnine meme in which people share their best nine photos at the end of the year.  “Instead of sharing my best nine photos from the past year, I looked to the future and decided to share nine projects I wanted to sew/knit/quilt in the new year,” she writes. Rochelle has kicked it off again for 2018 along with a new set of photo prompts and the new #2018takenine hashtag.

4. #memademay and #memadeeveryday

MeMadeMay is an online sewing event founded in 2010 by Zoe Edwards at So, Zo… The goal is to encourage people to sew a handmade wardrobe. Each day in May thousands of people post photos of themselves wearings something they’ve made. A terrific sense of community solidarity and encouragement has developed around this hashtag which extends all year long with the #memadeeveryday hashtag.

6. #handmadewardrobe

Lots of sewing and knitting inspiration here. Slow down and make yourself something special.

A beautiful embroidery by Handcrafted Folk posted with the #makersmovement hashtag.

7. #makersmovement

Maker’s Movement is a print magazine, blog, and Instagram feed celebrating craft and storytelling. Using the hashtag on your own photos will give you the chance to be featured on their very popular account. Browsing the hashtag will help you discover inspiring artwork made by artists you’ve never heard of. Are you multicraftual? This hashtag is used by all kinds of makers.

8. #craftivism

Craftivism, the combination of craft and activism, is a coin termed by my friend Betsy Greer way back in 2003. “Craftivism is the practice of engaged creativity, especially regarding political or social causes,” she writes. “By using their creative energy to help make the world a better place, craftivists help bring about positive change via personalized activism.” Follow the #craftivism hashtag to get inspired to take action around an issue you care about.

Got some suggestions?

Do you have a favorite sewing-related Instagram hashtag? Feel free to share in the comments so we can follow along.