Celebrating 20 years in 2025!

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2005

March 2005
The Sewing Machine Project Begins

An article, an idea. After reading an article about the devastating tsunami in Southeast Asia in December 2004, and a focus on a woman who had lost her sewing machine in the storm, Margaret Jankowski begins collecting sewing machines in Madison, WI, in response. Partnering with the local chapter of... Read More
2006

March 2006
Responding in the Gulf

In August 2005, Hurricane Katrina hits the US Gulf Coast. Margaret and her daughter drive a truckload of 50 sewing machines to New Orleans in March 2006. Another trip, another truckload in September 2006. These trips continue for the next several years, delivering over 1200 sewing machines to the New... Read More
2007

March 2007
Nonprofit Status

The Sewing Machine Project becomes a 501c3 nonprofit. A Board of Directors is formed. Read More
2009

January 2009
Delivery to Kosovo

Delivery of sewing machines to the Antigona NGO in Skenderaj, Kosovo, bringing sewing machines and sewing education to war widows in the region. Read More
2010

January 2010
SeaHope Partners

Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill stems the SeaHope Partners initiative. Using repurposed sails, messenger bags are created and sold with proceeds benefitting community care groups in Houma, LA. Read More
2012

January 2012
Delivery to India

Machines shipped to Apne Aap in Mumbai, India, helping women in their next chapter after sex trafficking. Read More

March 2012
National programs

Nonprofit groups around the country began hearing about our deliveries of sewing machines to New Orleans. Inquiries arrived, asking how they, too, might receive sewing machines. Our board developed an application process for machines. Each month, the board reviews applications, looking for nonprofit status as well as alignment with the... Read More
2013

March 2013
Local classes

Our first local classes served newly arrived Bhutanese refugees in the Madison area. The excitement was palpable as people came together to sew in a local community center. Conversations were about sewing, to be sure, but even more, when gathering to sew, participants were problem solving, and soothing the shock... Read More
2015

March 2015
Free Mending Begins

Free Mending project begins with first site at Madison’s Goodman Community Center. This is closely followed by additional sites at Madison’s Central Library and the Beacon Day Shelter. Read More
2020

March 2020
Adaptation during Covid

Though mending sites and local classes go “dark” due to Covid, the SMP continues to ship machines to groups within the US. Volunteers pick up machines and check them at home. Adaptation in these unusual times is necessary. Read More
2022

March 2022
Post-Covid Reopening

Central Library mending site reopens. Though initially planned as a bi-monthly event, the need is so great that it quickly becomes a weekly offering on Thursdays. Read More
2023

March 2023
Common Threads

Margaret Jankowski publishes Common Threads, detailing the history and evolution of The Sewing Machine Project. Read More
2024

March 2024
A New Mending Site

A second mending site opens at Madison’s Hawthorne Library, every other Wednesday. Read More
2025

June 2025
A New Space, A New Collaboration!

The Sewing Machine Project moves to 1702 S. Park Street, sharing space with Madison’s Textile Arts Center. "Living" with the Textile Arts Center couldn't be more aligned with who we are as an organization and where we are now. We share a passion for fiber arts and serving the community.... Read More