For Janith, it started with sewing for a Barbie doll at 5, and by 20 she was sewing for brides. Starting Designs by Janith in 1991, she specialized in custom bridal wear and alterations. Her successful alteration business continues to be the ultimate educational opportunity. She is a former charter member of Professional Association of Custom Clothiers (now ASDP-Association of Sewing and Design Professionals), the founder of the New Hampshire Chapter of the American Sewing Guild in 2001 and Chapter President until 2005 when she was elected to the position of Region 1 Representative for 2 years assisting 19 chapters in the Northeast. Attending annual ASG conferences and sewing expos where she took many of her CSE courses, and completed the Trained Sewing Educator (HSA) training in 2002. She is thankful to the talented educators who offered educational opportunities. She and Christine Ecker founded The Sewing Tree in 2003 offering sewing lessons, sew camps and seminars. She has been a contributor to Threads Magazine’s Pattern Review as a Pattern Tester since 2004 and often instructs at the Northeast 4H Regional Conferences. Since the press release announcing her Master, Certified Sewing Educator award in 2009, requests for her sewing classes have more than doubled. She continues to teach the skills and demonstrate the tools that make sewing fun, creative and exciting. Janith has an extensive background in sewing, teaching, and business and enjoys sharing her knowledge thru teaching. Previously, Janith worked in the corporate world as a meeting planner and event organizer, in sales, and in merchandising. She enjoys organizing sewing events for profit and charitable sewing events.
