Open Sewing and Handwork

Bring your slippers, your sewing project, your favorite coffee, tea and mug and plan to sew the day away. You will have use of the irons & ironing table, fridge, toaster oven or microwave. Bring your cutting tools and sewing supplies as well as your machine. Someone will be available to answer questions or show you an embroidery stitch or two.

Dates: Thursday, June 26

Friday, July 25

Time: 10 - 5 all or part

Cost $10

SERGER BASICS

If you have a serger/overlock machine that has been sitting in the closet because you are not sure what to do with it, then this is the class for you. If it's been sitting too long, it may need to be serviced before the class. You will learn to thread it, how to set the tensions and how a serger works. you will learn 2-3 stitches as time allows and be ready to hem a table cloth or hem a dress.

Date: TBD

Class Fee: $45 or free with machine purchase

FREE MOTION SUMMER ACADEMY

Free Moton Quilting Classes taught by Loretta Saenz

FMQ is as easy as 1,2,3!

Join us at Howell’s for an FMQ Summer Academyto kick start you into the world of using your domestic machine to quilt your beautiful Quilty Creations.

Register separately for each class. Class fee is $50.00 payable at the time of registration
Instruction time is 10:30 - 2:00
Early arrival and machine set up 10:00 – 10:30
Parking available behind Howell’s Sew and Vac for easy access to classroom

FMQ Basics Academy 101

Learn the basics of good quilting habits along with good ergonomics, what it takes to be successful at "Free Motion Quilting”, using your sewing machine in free motion mode, basic patterns to practice, marking your top and more.

Friday June 27, 2025

FMQ Basics Academy 102

Learn more patterns, and practice what you have already earned! Motifs presented in class will focus on the family of designs that are related to a circle, or variations of a circle. Emphasis will be placed on how to incorporate motifs into your quilting (Prerequisite – FMQ 101

Friday July 11, 2025

FMQ Basics Academy 103

103 Looks beyond beginner motifs learned in Basics 101 and Basics 102. Motifs presented will focus on half-circle based designs. In addition, grid organization will be explored.

Thursday, July 24, 2025

Know Your Machine

KNOW YOUR MACHINE

This class is designed to teach you about maintenance, troubleshooting and the functions of your machine. We will learn to do a blind hem, stitch over bumps without breaking needles, buttonholes, edge finishing and more as time allows. You are always encouraged to ask questions

Date: Saturday, June 28

Time: 2 - 4

Fee: ($45) No charge with machine purchase

Supply list
Please bring these items to class:
Your new machine with the power cord and foot control
All the accessories that came with this machine
Owner’s Manual
Small scissors
Something with which to take notes

BEGINNING SEWING

Learn the basics of sewing and good sewing habits. Working at your own speed and skill level you will learn about your sewing machine, fabrics, how to install a zipper, make a buttonhole, take measurements and more.

Supply list and Pattern shown on the left<

Date: Saturdays:

July 12, 19 & 26

Time: 10:30 - 1:30

Class Fee: $150/session

Instructor: Ardith Gray

Ardith is an experienced costume designer and garment professional. You have an opportunity to learn from the very best with this class. Ardith with work will you at the level of experience you have and guide you to success with each class. Don't wait to start learning an important life skill AND have fun.

2 Day Ruler Workshop

Ruler Work Kit, this six-piece template set will work perfectly with the new ruler foot for your machine! Class covers proper use of rulers with domestic sewing machines.

Day 2 will focus on the ruler storage case that is included in the kit

Kit includes the following:

Hearts of Plenty – 5″ x 6″

Quilt beautiful borders and more by placing hearts along a base line of stitches. The space between the hearts can be lengthened or shortened to space the hearts apart or overlap them.

Simple Pointed Oval – 4″ x 4″

Stitch inside of the template for pointed oval repeating chains, simple flowers, and wavy lines.

Oval Clam Shell – 3.25″ x 4.25″

The double Oval Clam Shell gives you 1.5″ x 1.5″ and 1.5″ x 2.5″ oval clamshells.

Spin E Fex – 4″ x 5.5″

Use this template to create many different patterns, motifs, borders, sashings, and fills.

6″ Arc – 5.5″ x 3.25″

This is a great template to use for curved cross hatching and filling small areas. You can stitch on the inside or outside edge of the template.

Straight ruler – 8″ x 3″

Use for stitching straight lines for echoing, crosshatching and much more. Marked with 1/4″ reference lines and 30, 45, and 90 degree angles.

BONUS – 8.5″ square block marking tool

RULER Kit Fee: approx. $125

Date: Thursdays August 21 & 28

Workshop Fee: $140 includes lunch

Supply list available upon registration

****Check with MaryLynn at Howell’s Sew and Vac if you do not have, or have questions about either the extension table or quilting feet.

MORE CLASSES

Our Mission

At Howell's Sew n Vac, our mission is to provide the best sewing experience for all our customers. We aim to offer high-quality products, expert advice, and exceptional customer service. We strive to create an inclusive environment where everyone feels welcome and supported in their sewing journey.

Serger basics

SERGER BASICS

Do you have an "overlock" machine in the closet that you are afraid to use or you forgot how to use it? Then this is the class for you. We will focus on getting you comfortable with threading and understanding how this machine works and using 3 basic stitches.

Date: TBD

Time: 2 - 4:30

Fee: $35