Urban Stitches, Pittsburgh

As a devoted seamstress for more than a quarter-century, it goes without saying that Tameka Reed was jarred to discover the local schools had removed sewing from their home-economics curricula. Finding opportunity in her dismay, Reed opened Urban Stitches to introduce sewing to people of all ages and to create a community for avid sewers. Classes help guests of all ages hone their skills, and studio time allows visitors to rent out the shop's sewing machines for their own projects.