Educators

Michael Smith

As National Consumer Education Manager, Michael develops and teaches a variety of classes from the Janome Sewing and Learning Centre in Oakville, Ontario. From an early age, Michael expressed his creativity, imagination, and flair for design; particularly when creating new fashions and hairstyles for his sister’s Barbie dolls. Following two diplomas in Fashion Design, his career path took a detour when he discovered his passion for quilting and has, for many years, maintained a successful long-arm quilting business (The Sewcial Quilter) from his home studio. Often described as a “social butterfly”, Michael is excited to meet new friends while teaching sewing, quilting and all things Janome; or, as Michael simply puts it, to “share in the Janome Love!”

Michael regularly hosts Instagram LIVE presentations on the Janome HQ Instagram page, which are later posted as videos on the Janome HQ You Tube channel.

Celine Ross

Celine is our French Educator for Janome and is the managing editor of La vie chez Janome, the Janome Canada French language blog. She is also the founder of Ecole de Couture Celine Ross, in Montreal, 1982. She is a graduate of Ecole Supérieure des Arts et Métiers in Montréal, where she specialized in fashion design. She has been teaching precision garment construction, sewing and embroidery to students and Janome patrons for over 35 years. Celine has traveled the world as a Janome educator and continually upgrades her knowledge of high tech machines and software to offer support for advanced and beginner sewists alike.

Amanda Brown

Sewing wasn’t always a part of Amanda’s career path but when she was expecting her first child and decided to make a blanket, her whole world changed. After falling in love with a quilt in the local sewing store, Amanda signed up for her first quilt class and has never looked back. In 2011 she started Fabric Heart, a custom quilt company, and in 2018 founded the Canadian Modern Quilt Collective. Amanda is an enthusiastic teacher and loves sharing all her sewing knowledge!

Monique Trudel

Monique is our bilingual educator and an award-winning quilt maker and pattern designer from Glengarry County in Eastern Ontario. Her first love is sewing and watching quilt blocks come alive. She enjoys every step of the quilting process: designing the pattern, choosing the fabrics, selecting the colours, finalizing the layout and finally quilting the piece on a long arm machine. She has been sewing and quilting for over 25 years. Monique has a love for anything textile from cotton, linen, leather, wools and more. Monique has a successful long arm business as Apple Hill Quilting and Designs for the past 8 years. She is the founder and active member of the local Highland Quilters Guild.

Marie-Agnès Hersi

Originally from France, Marie-Agnès discovered sewing when she moved to Canada. She started out sewing home decor and baby items for her family, though has always enjoyed all things creative and crafty. Soon, sewing became a real passion; quilting, bagmaking, embroidery, garment sewing, costumes making, Marie-Agnes loves it all! Sharing her passion for sewing around the world, she actively participates in online retreats and social media groups. Marie-Agnès is excited to be a part of the Janome Canada team!

Tara McCann

Tara brings to Janome Canada years of sewing experience and a sense of fun. She is the founder of Lewis and Arlo, a brand tailored to the uniquely shaped dachshund. Tara has a passion for using oilskins, tweeds, and durable fabrics, ensuring that her creations are made to last. With a background in Fashion Design, Tara has deepened her love for sewing and outerwear. The inspiration to start her own business came when she faced the challenge of keeping her dachshund warm during the winter without suitable options on the market – Learn More. Determined to find a solution, she set about creating her own line of jackets and apparel. When she’s not in her studio sewing or managing her business, you can catch Tara on the trails and in the mountains, enjoying the great outdoors.