CVA Adult Sewing Classes -

Taught by Jeanette Hammond-Cray 

 Choose your day and or take 2 classes

Date March 7th and or 8th

Time:  2:30 pm-5:15 pm

Ages 18 yrs and older

Cost: $40.00 

Scholarships available; no one will be turned away. 

Keep that 2026 New Year's Resolution:  Conquer the fear of the domestic power tool... the sewing machine; be competent and in control. 

Learn why the foot attachment has no toes.  Why the feed dog does not bark. 

Achieve your lifelong dream of having a command over mom's/ grandmother's/ auntie's sewing machine. 

Learn everything you wanted to know about operating a non-computerized sewing machine but were afraid to ask.

Guaranteed skills learned: 

Identifying the sharp end of a needle. 

Locating the on/ off button. Plugging in the machine.

Avoiding a speeding ticket when using the foot pedal.  

How to receive group support when adjusting the tension.

Teacher: Jeanette Hammond-Cray - With over six decades of sewing and instructing, she's seen it all, attempted to fix it all, and lived to tell the many tales. 

Class size limited to 4 students to keep public humiliation to a minimum. 

Cancellation Policy

Cancellations made within 1 week of the class start date are nonrefundable, unless there are extenuating circumstances.

Information and Skills presented
Preparing to operate the machine.  Safety practices. Name and parts of the sewing machine. Storing and cleaning the machine.   

Using a front loading or drop-in bobbin system.

Selecting the correct tension. Exercise in using contrasting thread and solid color fabric to help determine the correct tension. 

Trouble shooting what caused the bird's nest, "loopy" or missed stitches.

Needles: how to select the appropriate sewing machine needle for the fabric/project.  Changing and threading the needle. Storing needles.

How to determine when to change a needle. Life of a needle. 

Bobbin:  Removing and inserting a bobbin. Winding a bobbin.  ALWAYS counterclockwise. Adjusting the bobbin tension is rare. 

Foot attachments and their function.  Why don't they have more than two toes?  

Feed dogs and their function. Adjusting foot pressure to accommodate thickness of fabric. How to use the foot lever or scrap of cardboard to help sew even stitches.

Practice sewing the straight stitch, change thread and needle. Wind a bobbin.

Students will have the opportunity to sew a simple pillowcase or burrito-style pillowcase to practice machine sewing skills learned.

Skills and techniques used in the pillow project: Selecting and changing a needle, thread and bobbin. Selecting the stitch and number of stitches per inch. 

Backstitching.  Sewing a straight and consistent seam. Finishing a seam. Turning out a project.