Winters always a good time to try that new hobby youve been dreaming of, and this year thats especially true: Between social-distancing rules, stay-home orders and, in some parts, curfews weve all been spending a lot more time staring at our own four walls. Its no surprise that, along with toilet paper and flour, sewing machines were selling out everywhere, in the early months of the pandemic.

A lot of crafty types dusted off their sewing machines back in March, to make re-usable fabric masks . The next logical step, as the pandemic drags on, the nights are long, and the weather gets colder and colder: to tackle that quilting project youve dreamed of starting for years .

Making a cosy quilt to hide under at night is an excellent use of your time when the world outside feels scary. It doesnt only keep you busy research shows the rhythmic whirr of the sewing machine, the uplifting colours and the tactile aspect of the craft can calm the mind and improve your mood.

For Mona Brown, of Fogo Island, Nfld., quilting is not a new hobby. The founder of Hart House Museum and Craft Shop has kept busy with this activity to get through long spells at home for more than two decades. Quilting is how she makes the most of the colder months in the outport community where she was born and raised.

You could get a lot of stormy days here in the winter, and theres nothing better to do than go upstairs go in the little sewing room and sit back with your machine ... it passes time.

Watch the video above to learn more about Browns love of quilting and how it connects her to the generations of quilters on Fogo Island that came before her. (Story continues below)