Back to All Events

LISTEN: Haptic & Hue "Why Sewing Matters" + READ: Common Threads

Textitles November 2025

LISTEN: Haptic & Hue "Why Sewing Matters" +
READ: Common Threads by Margaret John Jankowski

Wednesday, November 19, 6-7:30pm

TEXTITLES meetings take place at Pinney Library, 516 Cottage Grove Road, Madison

Facilitator: Angela Johnson (@angelajohnsonartist)

Special Guest Speaker: Margaret John Jankowski, Founder & Director, Sewing Machine Project

Fee: Free! Registration is required, however, via the link below.

November’s discussion will focus on the topic of why sewing matters:

  • Haptic & Hue Podcast Episode #44: “Why Sewing Matters.” This episode of Haptic & Hue tells the little-known story of how two separate sewing schools on different sides of the Atlantic gave women all over the world a new life of economic independence, social status and personal power.  One of these programs took the Singer sewing machine into every corner of the globe. The other, a ground-breaking teacher training college in London, had an impact on the lives of millions of girls all over the world.

  • Bonus Suggested Reading: Common Threads by Margaret John Jankowski. Common Threads is the unique story of a unique idea—that sewing machines, passed from one to another, can provide hope and meaning to both those who receive them and those who give. Jankowski founded The Sewing Machine Project, a grassroots nonprofit based on this concept. Common Threads shares the extraordinary journey from idea to action, with stories that inspire, challenges that are real, outcomes that are profound, and evidence that small ideas can indeed mend communities. Jankowski will attend this meeting of Textitles as a special guest speaker!

REGISTER

Facilitator Bio:

Angela Johnson is a professional artist, creativity coach and educator. She earned a master’s in Art Education, an MA in Art and an MFA with a focus in photography from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her areas of artistic expertise include art journaling, alternative photo processes, bookmaking and box making, Creativity Coaching, and installation art. Angela’s work includes themes of nature, balance, and telling stories through individual and collective memories. She often incorporates scientific elements and concepts into her work. Collaborations with other artists and scientists energizes her creativity.

Johnson is a fixture in the Wisconsin arts scene, with 20+ years of experience maintaining public art studios, teaching workshops, facilitating programs, leading public art installations and lecturing at universities. She has worked in museums, elementary schools, senior centers, colleges and universities. She has inspired and helped people of every age — from toddlers to 95-year-olds — reaching far into the depths of their imagination to discover and channel their creativity. She also teaches workshops on mindfulness and yoga.

Website: angelajohnsonartist.com

Social: @angelajohnsonartist

Previous
Previous
October 29

WATCH: The Quilters