I talked to ChatGPT about Sewing

I asked an online artificial intelligence robot called ChatGPT about sewing to see what it had to say.

What is ChatGPT and Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Well, I love new new new stuff, especially in technology and have been geekily following the AI progression for years. In November 2022, there has been much media focus on a training module called ChatGPT by OpenAI. It is a super accessible online AI that you can pose any question to and it will generate a real human-like response for you. The idea is that with massive crowd feedback on its responses, this AI will be improved and molded by a “village” approach to raising this child. Kinda neat and I wanted to see how it worked.

Anyone can sign up for a free login at ChatGPT. It is a interface with a simple input field for you to enter your question. I decided to “test” ChatGPT with something unrelated to technology – sewing of course. Below are my questions and the responses I got.

What are 10 common sewing terms?

Here are 10 common sewing terms used by home sewers:

1. Seam allowance: The distance between the edge of the fabric and the seam line, usually measured in inches or centimeters.
2. Backstitch: A technique used at the beginning and end of a seam to reinforce it and prevent it from unraveling.
3. Bias: The diagonal direction of the fabric, which has more stretch than the lengthwise or crosswise grain.
4. Hem: The finished edge of a garment or fabric that is turned under and stitched in place.
5. Notions: Small items such as buttons, zippers, and thread used in sewing.
6. Pattern: A paper or digital template used to cut out fabric pieces for a garment.
7. Presser foot: The part of the sewing machine that holds the fabric in place and guides it under the needle.
8. Seam ripper: A tool used to remove stitches from a seam.
9. Stitch length: The distance between each stitch on a sewing machine, which can be adjusted depending on the type of fabric and desired outcome.
10. Thread tension: The amount of pressure applied to the thread as it passes through the sewing machine, which can be adjusted to achieve the correct stitch formation.

What is your favourite?

As an artificial intelligence language model, I do not have personal preferences or emotions like humans do, so I do not have a favorite among the common sewing terms. My purpose is to assist and provide information to the best of my abilities.

Can you explain why sewing is a good hobby?

Sewing can be a rewarding and enjoyable hobby for several reasons:

1. Creativity: Sewing allows you to express your creativity and make something unique that reflects your personal style. You can choose your own fabrics, patterns, and embellishments to create something that is truly one-of-a-kind.
2. Relaxation: Sewing can be a relaxing and calming activity that helps to reduce stress and anxiety. It allows you to focus on a single task and provides a sense of accomplishment when you complete a project.
3. Practicality: Sewing is a practical skill that can save you money by allowing you to repair and alter your own clothes, home decor, and other items. It can also be a way to create gifts for family and friends.
4. Sustainability: By sewing your own clothes and other items, you can reduce your environmental impact by avoiding fast fashion and reducing waste. You can also upcycle old fabrics and materials into new projects.
5. Community: Sewing can be a social activity that allows you to connect with others who share your passion for crafting. You can join sewing groups or attend classes to learn new techniques and meet like-minded people.

Overall, sewing is a versatile and enjoyable hobby that can provide a sense of accomplishment, relaxation, and community, while also promoting creativity, sustainability, and practicality.

How popular is home sewing as a hobby in Canada?

Home sewing is a popular hobby in Canada. According to a survey conducted by the Craft Yarn Council of America in 2018, 31% of Canadians aged 18-34 reported engaging in sewing or needlecrafts, and 22% of those aged 35-54 reported doing the same. The pandemic has also caused an uptick in interest in sewing and other crafting activities, as people spent more time at home and looked for ways to be creative and productive. Additionally, many Canadians have taken up sewing as a way to make face masks and other personal protective equipment during the pandemic.

How do I find online fabric stores in Canada?

There are several ways to find online fabric stores in Canada. Here are a few methods you can use:

1. Search engines: Use a search engine like Google or Bing and type in keywords like “online fabric stores Canada” or “Canadian fabric stores online” to get a list of results. This will provide you with a variety of options to choose from.
2. Online marketplaces: Check out online marketplaces like Amazon, Etsy, or eBay, which offer a wide range of fabrics from different sellers in Canada.
3. Social media: Check social media platforms like Instagram or Facebook for Canadian fabric stores. Many fabric stores have an online presence where they showcase their products and offer online shopping options.
4. Canadian directories: There are several Canadian online directories that provide a list of online fabric stores across Canada.
5. Online communities: Join online communities like sewing forums, Facebook groups, or Reddit communities where members share their favorite online fabric stores in Canada and offer recommendations based on personal experience.

By using one or a combination of these methods, you can easily find online fabric stores in Canada and get access to a wide range of fabrics for your sewing projects.

My Thoughts on ChatGPT

Believe it or not, these are all responses from a computer interface only. The answers were full and anticipated the needs of the question. For example, to the question about finding fabric stores online, a simple response such as do a google search and online forums would have been correct. However, it provided many more details including search terms, specific platforms with the strengths of each. I love that. BTW, I took the liberty of adding the link to my own directory in the response above – it was not supplied by ChatGPT unfortunately. 🙁

Also, I only asked for 10 common sewing terms, but the ChatGPT took the liberty of defining each term as well. I like the selection and the definitions were great. I thought I might do a “sewing terms” blog post one day, but, well, done and done.

Apparently this AI can write original poetry, music, analyze and create images. It can even write student papers. As I found these answers interesting and engaging, it was terribly fun. Of course, this is a frivolous post when considered against the potential of AI.

World Domination

I won’t deny that there is also a slightly scary aspect to AI as it bashes through the uncanny valley and heads toward world domination – if it so desired. But will robots have desires and actual intelligence? Do desires and emotions only arise from intelligence and a sense of free will? The people of the future will be forced to grapple with these issues. But they will not be us humans. They will be humans with different ethical perspectives and cultural references. We agonize over solutions such as Asimov’s three laws of robotics which must also be pitted against our evolutionary avarice. Who is to say which will (or should) win?

Now I feel the need to do something creative and just be human.