Bandra–Khar’s growing creative community gathered in full strength as The hab by Usha’s The FAB hab Day 2026, held on 1st March 2026, marked the annual anniversary celebration of The hab by Usha in Khar (W).
Now in its second year, the sold-out event brought together participants across age groups — from young learners to senior hobbyists — with both women and men actively engaging in an evening dedicated to handmade artistry, creative workshops and community bonding in Mumbai.
A Community Celebration Beyond Regular Workshops
The FAB hab Day was first introduced in 2025 after the organisers realised that while The hab by Usha conducts over 182 workshop formats and offers 50+ DIY creative activities throughout the year, most participants attend at different time slots and rarely interact with the larger community.
The anniversary became the perfect opportunity to bring the entire “hab family” together under one roof. What began as an experiment last year has quickly evolved into a much-anticipated annual creative gathering in the Bandra–Khar neighbourhood.
14 Years of The hab by Usha in Khar West
Founded on 2 March 2012, The hab by Usha marked 14 years this March. Located in Khar West, it is a Usha Janome Experience Centre functioning as a luxury boutique haberdashery — offering sewing and embroidery workshops in Mumbai, curated creative experiences, DIY activities and access to sewing machines and accessories.
Over the years, it has attracted a diverse mix of participants — doctors seeking therapeutic weekend breaks, homemakers exploring leisure creativity, boutique owners looking to upskill and working professionals stepping away from screens. The FAB hab Day 2026 reflected that diversity in one room.
Sold Out Faster Than Its Debut Year
The second edition, hosted on 1st March, sold out significantly faster than its 2025 debut, signalling growing anticipation within Bandra and surrounding areas. With limited capacity at the Khar West venue, regular attendees booked early to secure their spots. The strong response highlights the increasing demand for community-driven creative events in Mumbai.
Unlike routine technique-focused sessions, this anniversary edition intentionally emphasised collective creativity over structured classroom instruction. The atmosphere encouraged conversation, interaction and shared inspiration.
Featured Workshops at The FAB hab Day 2026
The curated workshops this year included:
- Punch Needle
- Crochet
- Lucknowi Hand Embroidery
- Appliqué
Punch Needle and Lucknowi Hand Embroidery saw the highest participation. Access to expert-led Lucknowi embroidery workshops in Mumbai remains limited, making it a strong draw for attendees interested in traditional textile techniques. Returning participants explored more advanced skills compared to last year, while new members experienced the broader creative network for the first time.
Showcasing a Year of Handmade Creativity
A key highlight of the evening was a curated display of creations made within the past year. Unlike the inaugural edition, which featured work spanning multiple years, this year’s showcase focused exclusively on recent achievements.
Fashion-forward handmade pieces stood out, reflecting how participants are translating newly learned skills into contemporary designs. The display served as both inspiration and recognition within the community.
Powered by Usha Janome: Where Craft Meets Technology
While hand embroidery and textile techniques formed a visible part of the celebration, the larger focus at The hab by Usha remains centred on encouraging customers to experience the innovation and precision of Usha Janome machines.
A significant number of participants at The FAB hab Day are Usha Janome machine buyers from The hab by Usha itself. Many return not just to explore creative techniques, but to deepen their familiarity with their machines and expand their design capabilities through guided, hands-on application.
The appliqué workshop in particular involved high-tech Usha Janome machines from the Memory Craft series, allowing attendees to experiment with advanced stitching functions and precision detailing. While participants created patches using a mix of techniques introduced during the workshops, most went on to stitch these patches onto their own garments, tote bags and fabric accessories using Usha Janome machines.
This approach extended beyond decorative sampling. By customising and upcycling existing clothing and accessories, participants actively embraced sustainability-driven practices — reinforcing a growing culture of mindful fashion and creative reuse within the Bandra–Khar community.
Strengthening Bandra–Khar’s Creative Identity
While The hab by Usha is located in Khar West, it continues to draw participants from across Bandra and neighbouring Mumbai suburbs. Events like The FAB hab Day strengthen its positioning as a neighbourhood creative hub rather than just a workshop venue.
As the organisation moves toward its 15th year in 2027, the success of The FAB hab Day 2026 signals a growing shift in Mumbai’s lifestyle culture — one that values hands-on creativity, intergenerational participation and screen-free engagement.
For those who attended on 1st March, the evening was not simply about learning a craft. It was about connection, belonging and celebrating handmade artistry within the Bandra–Khar community.
