Hello Spring!

Finally, a break in the cold! April is National Serger Month. Stop in to see the specials on Baby Lock and Bernina Sergers and Overlockers. All include our Preferred Customer package - Unlimited Free Lessons, 5 years of free maintenance, and Life-time 10% discount on books, notions and accessories! Come in for a test drive any time in April for the best pricing!

SAVE THE DATES! 

Spring Sew Fair – May 14th, 15th and 16th – featuring Sally-Ann Flak from Baby Lock; Pattie Otto, creator of Great Copy Patterns; and, of course, Debbie LaFrance! Sign-up details and schedule coming soon. As always, it’s free and there will be chocolate! 😉

Attention Bernina L890 Owners! We have a new Getting to Know Your Bernina L890 Series starting in June. It's free for machines purchased from us, and $25 if not purchased from Ellicott City Sew Vac - Join Us!

When: Wednesday, June 24th, 1:00pm-3:00pm

Summer 2026 Kids Sewing Camp

July Spots Still Available for your Sewing Protege!

Join experienced seamstress and teacher Pattie Otto for 4 activity-filled days of sewing fun at “camp”! Each camper will receive a brand new Baby Lock sewing machine! Already have a Baby Lock? No worries – kids can attend camp with any Baby Lock machine – please contact us for details. Everyone will learn how to use the machine and conquer sewing basics with simple projects and lots of practice in-between. Projects will include a basic pillow case and easy lounge-around pants or shorts. Camp is designed for beginners, though we welcome kids with light sewing experience. Parent or other sewing mentor is welcome to attend with the camper! Pack a lunch – campers will have a 30-minute break for lunch each day.

When: Tuesday through Friday, July 14th – 17th; 11:00am-4:00pm each day or

Monday through Thursday August 17th – 20th; 11:00am-4:00pm each day (Waitlist available for August)

Who: Recommended for ages 10 – 13 with no (or very little) sewing experience

Cost: $499 includes Baby Lock machine and fabric kits for a pillowcase and hat

Easy Table Runner

with Pat Brousil   

Wednesday, April 15th, 10:30am-4:30pm

Skill Level: Beginner                      

Class Fee: $55

Are you a beginning quilter looking for a project that’s easy, but will help build your skills and look impressive, too? This is a great class to help take the mystery out of the quilting process! Experienced quilter and instructor Pat Brousil starts with basic rotary cutting skills and takes you through the piecing, quilting and binding processes. The runner features an easy pattern, so you can choose three or four fabrics and keep the tri-color scheme, or go scrap-happy and make a splash – what’s your style? Bring it!

Coverstitched Serger Scarves with Debbie LaFrance   

Monday, April 20th:

Part A (basic scarf): 

10:30am-2:00pm    Fee: $35

Part B (embellish that scarf!): 

2:30pm-5:30pm       Fee: $30



OR: Sign up for Parts A and B for just $60!

Skill Level: Beginner, Confident Beginner  



Use your coverstitch machine to make a flowy scarf in any colors you can imagine (and more!). All it takes is thread and wash-away stabilizer – you won’t believe it! In fact, what if you learned this technique and extended it to make your own fabric for a summer top or coverup? Requires a coverstitch and chain stitch machine, such as the Baby Lock Accolade, Evolution, Evolve, Ovation, Triumph, Euphoria and the new Applaud decorative top coverstitch machine, or any brand serger with a cover and chain stitch. Although this is a beginner class, you should know how to thread your machine for a coverstitch. In Part B, Debbie goes beyond the basic serger scarf to add beads and other goodies!

Half Log Cabin Quilt with Pat Brousil

Thursday, April 23rd, 10:30am-3:30pm

Skill Level: Confident Beginner                            

Class Fee: $50



The “Orange Explosion” you see in this quilt is made using 2” strips and a clever technique that makes log cabin blocks easy and fun! The half-log cabin is a variation of the log cabin that opens up another world of design possibilities. Pat learned from the pattern designer and is happy to share all the clever tips and tricks to make this go together quickly. Choose two colors you like to make the pattern stand out, or a variety of colors to make it scrappy!

Origami Gift Bag with Cheryl McLeod

Friday, April 24th, 10:30am-1:00pm

Skill Level: Beginner    

Class Fee: $25

This easy bag is fun to make and offers lots of opportunities to personalize! Choose crazy fabric, holiday fabric, or just someone's favorite colors! Embellish with buttons or fancy stitching by machine or hand. It's a perfect size to hold small gifts (and it's a bonus gift by itself!). Cheryl shares the secret formula that will get all levels of sewists excited!

Garden Lattice Quilt From 2-1/2” Strips! with Pat Brousil

Thursday, April 30th, 10:30am-4:30pm

Skill Level: Confident Beginner                            

Class Fee: $60



These beautiful blocks go together quickly thanks to pre-cut 2-1/2” strips. Grab a neglected jelly roll or find a new one to love! Batiks would be lovely, as would modern brights, tiny florals, or even holiday fabrics. Maybe you’re looking at a garden at night – use brights on a dark background fabric! Pat helps you build your blocks and will cover options for construction. Make a table runner using just a few blocks, or expand to a wall-hanging, throw, or quilt. 

BEGINNER Sewing –

Ten-Pocket Tote with Pattie Otto

Saturday, May 2nd, 10:15am-3:30pm



Skill Level: Beginner                      

Class Fee: $75 (fee includes fabric kit)

Are you new to sewing or looking for a refresher? This class will introduce you to sewing while you create a go-everywhere Ten Pocket Tote. Class includes the basics of your sewing machine: mechanics, threading, bobbin winding, and use of seam guides to sew simple seams. If you need help learning how to thread your machine, please come early at 10:15am. Those who know their machine should arrive at 10:30am. In this class, you will also select fabrics, cut out your tote and learn all about seams, hems, topstitching and attaching handles – and take home a finished tote!

Yellow Brick Road

with Pat Brousil

Wednesday, May 6th,10:30am-4:30pm

Skill Level: Beginner          

Class Fee: $60

Do you need a really quick quilt or are you a beginning quilter? This is the quilt for you! Cut strips, piece, cut again and voila, you have a quilt top. Looks complicated but the pattern is truly quite simple! In this class you will learn to use rotary cutting equipment correctly and piece accurately.

Organizer Bag

with Pat Brousil

Friday, June 5th,

10:30am-3:30pm

Skill Level: Confident Beginner

Class Fee: $50

This very popular cross-body bag will become a staple of your wardrobe. You'll be amazed at how much this little bag can hold with its many pockets. Make it from cork, quilting cottons, denim and more. You'll want one to match every outfit! Pat’s bag pattern will be available in class.

Learn to quilt with us!

Easy Quilt Project in a Day

with Pat Brousil

Friday, June 12th, 10:30am-4:30pm

Skill Level: Beginner

Class Fee: $80 (includes kit with all fabric and batting)

This is a great class for those who have not quilted before, or if you have created a top (or several) and aren't sure what to do next! Take the mystery out of the quilting process. Pat will lead you through making a simple pieced block, quilting it, and then binding it. You'll leave with a pretty table topper you'll be proud to show off as your first project - or as a gift!

A kit with all necessary fabrics is included in the class fee.

Multiple colorways available - you choose!

Casual "Camp" Shirt with Style

with Pattie Otto

Friday, June 26th, 10:30am-4:30pm.

Skill Level: Intermediate                          

Class Fee: $60

Pattie’s hands-on class offers two options for a casual drop shoulder shirt. The St. Croix offers a traditional turn back collar with facing and optional front pocket. The Malibu Top has an asymmetrical front closure with a turn back collar or curved front. You’ll also have sleeve length variations to choose from! Class begins with accurate measurements and try-on samples to help you determine your pattern size. Pattie will assist in any fitting issues you might have and show you how to alter the pattern. Class also includes cutting and construction assistance as well as interfacing tips while you create your shirt.

Wednesday, May 27th, 10:30am-1:30pm 



Skill Level: Beginner                 Class Fee: $30

IQ Designer is for everyone! Taking her cue from your needs, Terri walks you through the basics starting at beginner. You'll make samples and small, easy projects.

Just Piecing #3 – Half-Square Triangles

Wednesday, April 22nd, 10:30am-1:00pm

Skill Level: Beginner                      

Class Fee: $25



Did you know that ironing and pressing aren’t the same? Do you know why quilters often press a seam flat before pressing it to a side? You’ll learn that and other tips while practicing easy methods of making half-square triangles!

Just Piecing #4 – Quarter Square Triangles

Monday, May 4th, 10:30am-1:00pm

Skill Level: Beginner                

Class Fee: $25

Quarter-square triangles are another great sewing technique and the foundation for many fun blocks. Now that you've mastered half square triangles, add these to your repertoire!

Just Piecing #5 – Flying Geese

Wednesday, June 10th, 10:30am-1:00pm

Skill Level: Confident Beginner                

Class Fee: $25

Don't let those geese get your gander! Pat shares her experience so yours will be fun and flawless.

Just Piecing #6 – Square in a Square

Friday, July 10th, 10:30am-1:00pm

Skill Level: Confident Beginner                

Class Fee: $25



By duplicating this technique all over a quilt, you will have something impressive that looks a lot harder than it is – just like your favorite recipe! 

Sew What’s New? with Debbie LaFrance

Debbie’s back, with an all-new club packed with her favorite tips, tricks, and techniques! This is a free lecture/demo, but please call to reserve your seat! 410-465-6366

April Sew What's New:

April Showers May Bring Flowers - so It's All About Flowers!

Thursday, April 16th

11:00AM - ???

June Sew What's New:

Wednesday, June 17th

11:00AM - ???

Bernina Club with Kathy Braun

Each month features a different foot or attachment to add to your sewing repertoire! Bring your machine and accessories so you can practice, or bring a notebook and a pen to get ideas and inspiration for your next project!

April Bernina Club

with Kathy Braun:

"Walking Foot #50"

Wednesday, April 8th

10:30AM -12:30PM

Club fee: $25

June Bernina Club

with Kathy Braun:

"Edgestitching - getting that professional finish"

Wednesday, June 3rd

10:30AM -12:30PM

Club fee: $25

April Free Motion:

"Applying Quilting to a Block"

Saturday, April 4th

10:30AM -12:30PM

Club fee: $20



June Free Motion:

"Very Basic Fern Feathers"

Saturday, June 6th

10:30AM -12:30PM

Club fee: $20

April Embroidery Club:

"Resizing Tool"



Thursday, April 9th

10:30AM -12:30PM

Club fee: $20





June Embroidery Club:

"Embroidery on Towels"



Thursday, June 11th

10:30AM -12:30PM

Club fee: $20

April Solaris Club:

"Basket Design"



Saturday, April 11th

10:30AM -12:30PM

Club fee: $20

June Solaris Club:

"Trapunto"

Saturday, June 13th

10:30AM -12:30PM

Club Fee: $20

IQ Designer Club

with Terri Miller

Get creative with IQ Designer Club - for all machines with IQ designer capability. Welcome Solaris, Destiny, Altair, Meridian owners. All levels welcome - so many features to explore!

April IQ Designer Club:

"Reverse Applique"

Saturday, April 11th

1:30PM -3:30PM

Club Fee: $20

June IQ Designer Club:

"Sail Away with Applique"

Saturday, June 13th

1:30PM -3:30PM

Club Fee: $20

All about SEWING functions:

• Tuesday, April 14th, 10:30am - 1:30pm OR
• Thursday, June 18th, 10:30am - 1:30pm

All about EMBROIDERY functions:

• Tuesday, April 14th, 2:00pm - 5:00pm OR
• Thursday, June 18th, 2:00pm - 5:00pm