Needham Community Education

Deb Ramrath started off doing some basic sewing 'back in the day', thanks to her mother and Home Economics class in middle school. When her kids were young, she made costumes, curtains for the home, placemats, etc....but then, as life got busy,she put the sewing machine away - until the pandemic! With Youtube and online instruction so readily available, Deb set about learning new techniques and sewed constantly - and I hasn't stopped! She became happily obsessed with this newfound hobby, and truly enjoys making useful and beautiful gifts, totes, purses, home decor items, etc. for family and friends. A few years ago, Deb opened and now runs a successful 5-star Etsy shop, Sewing By the Pond. She also sells some of her products from time to time at the Tin Rabbit store in Needham and at craft fairs. Teaching, in any capacity, has always been Deb’s happy place. Over the years, she has taught health-related topics as an R.N., piano lessons, religious education classes, ESL, and more. So, in 2022, Deb reached out to the owner of Sew Easy in Needham and began teaching part-time at the shop. She discovered that the process of guiding students as they accomplish new sewing skills and achieve personal goals is so rewarding! In January 2024, Deb opened her home sewing studio for adult lessons for beginners through intermediate levels.