So what’s new in the sewing community? Here’s a monthly round-up of some news of what’s happening in the vibrant sewing community across the globe!

A tsunami helped Margaret Jankowski understand the real value of a sewing machine.

Like many girls of her generation, she had learned to sew at an early age. Her mother taught her on an old Singer Featherweight, and she learned the basics by hemming her father’s handkerchiefs. As an adult, she bought her own clothes off the rack but sewed for her first child, crafting little woolen coats that impressed other mothers. She taught classes at a sewing shop, “preaching the gospel of sewing,” she says, including how to make “pajamas comfortable enough to live in.”

Then, in December 2004, a tsunami hit Sri Lanka and other coasts around the Indian Ocean, leveling communities, hurling wooden fishing boats far inland, and killing 230,000 people. Images of the destruction riveted viewers around the world. But what touched Ms. Jankowski most deeply was the story of a woman returning to her ruined village. The woman had worked for years to save enough to buy a sewing machine, enabling her to work as a tailor and giving her a future. Now it is gone.

Diane Hartman who owned and operated Mama Bear's Sewing Den about 25 years ago returned to this area about five years ago. Although she has not opened a shop, she is available for those small sewing jobs such as sewing seams, replacing zippers and minor alterations. Hartman is not accepting any major work as she is committed to shortening a wedding gown for an August ceremony and creating five memory bears.

Hartman is now also heavily involved as Grama Bear. That includes helping a granddaughter create a sample quilt for a 4-H project along with non-sewing help such as getting grandkids to various lessons and sporting events.

Learning a new craft hobby can be intimidating, especially if you don't know where to begin. In addition to actually learning the skill, you'll need new tools and materials, too. If you've been thinking about picking up a new craft, we've got you covered. We've put together a beginner's guide to knitting, crochet, embroidery, sewing, and quilting, so you'll know exactly what you'll need to get started, and how much you can expect to spend.

If you're brand new to knitting, sewing, or whichever other craft you want to learn, it's best to start with inexpensive materials to make sure you really like it. Then, once you've learned the basics and are ready for more advanced projects, you can invest in nicer tools.

Here's everything you'll need to learn to knit, crochet, embroider, sew, and quilt.

We hope you enjoyed this round up of what’s new in the sewing community!

Do you have any other local stories/news that you came across that would be worthy of sharing with our sewing community? Share it with us on ritika@madamsew.com