The 2025
Sew Much Soul Conference

Can we talk about what’s coming?!

The Sew Much Soul Conference is back for its 7th edition, and this one is about to be the boldest and most creative yet!

From September 12–14, we’re bringing together six powerhouse sewing instructors for three unforgettable days inside our virtual studio. You’ll learn how to create:

- A chic skirt
- Two types of zippered bags
- A fabulous dress
- A stylish kimono
- A vibrant quilted table runner

And so much more!

✨ The best part? It’s totally FREE—no travel, no fuss. Just you, your sewing machine, and a whole lot of inspiration… all from the comfort of your home.

🎉 Whether you’re stitching solo or gathering your sewing sisters, this is your moment. Don’t miss the creative energy, the sisterhood, and the sewing magic!

conference PROJECTS YOU’LL CREATE
The 2025
Sew Much Soul conference
6+
Workshops 
7
INSTRUCTORS 
3 Days
ACTION PACKED classes
$0
Cost To Attend
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
about sew much soul…

Chaka and bucket hat combo.  Hubby said, I like that! #sewmuchsoul

 

Clementine m.

#SewMuchSoul making progress and loving the moments.

 

Carrie H. 

Finished Mrs. Big Hat. For the hair, I used one of the embroidery techniques from last year's Sew Much Soul. 

Linda
Tisha Thorne, lead instructor

Tisha Thorne is co-owner of Sew Creative Lounge and is a certified sewing instructor that has been teaching locally in the DC area and throughout the country for more than two decades. 

Born and raised in Washington DC, Tisha is passionate about teaching her students of all ages about sewing. Tisha and her partner Cecily Habimana founded Sip and Sew DC in 2014 and opened Sew Creative Lounge in 2017. 

Her mission is to teach the world to sew, one stitch at a time.

jANET GREEN

Janet has been sewing since childhood, mostly garments and home décor items. She started this part of her journey about ten years ago, making quilts for cover and comfort. Uninspired by traditional quilt patterns and coordinated fabric bundles, she wanted more interesting quilting adventures. Facing a pile of fabric scraps and pieces trimmed from other projects, she asked herself “what if I...?”. That day, her journey took a happy turn into improvisational quilting, and she never looked back! 
Making random blocks (or segments, as she likes to call them) with no real end in mind, exciting new compositions emerged. She loved what she was creating. More importantly, she loved what she was becoming—a Fabric Mixologist.

NIKKI GRIFFIN

After a successful 30 years in corporate America and a global pandemic, Nikki decided to return to her roots and teach people of all levels how to master the sewing craft. As an 8-year-old child at her grandmother’s knee, she begged her grandma to teach her to sew. My grandmother’s spirit of determination was not going to stop her from teaching me this valuable craft. She followed her dreams and spent a career in the fashion industry in retail, merchandising and sales. She has been taught by some of the top designers in the industry and she wants to share what she has learned over the decades with you. 

RAKECIA HANNA

Rakecia is a special educator by day and sewing instructor by night. For five years, she has taught at Sew Creative Lounge, embracing her passion for sewing and photography. Growing up in a creative household, she was encouraged to make things from an early age. Inspired by her mother's sewing skills, she developed a love for sewing and eventually became serious about it after receiving a sewing machine as a gift. Rakecia's journey led her back to Sew Creative Lounge, where she now sews with her "sew sisters" and shares her knowledge with others.

carrie miller

Carrie has been teaching at Sew Creative Lounge for six years. She teaches beginner classes, Sip and Sew as well a quilting and garment construction classes in SCL's membership program.  

For more than 25 years, Carrie has been making dance competition costumes and has won several awards. In 2019, she made costumes for the Morgan State University Marching Band Foxxy Dancers who wore them in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and The Today Show. 

Carrie learned to sew from her grandmother, who was a home economics teacher and sewer. She loves sewing with stretch fabrics and her favorite garment to make is a kimono.

afia nson bonsu

Afia Nson Bonsu is a multidisciplinary artist, educator, and cultural preservationist whose creative legacy spans over four decades. A graduate of Howard University’s Fine Arts program, Afia has contributed her talents to visual art, dance, education, costume design, and youth development across the Washington, DC region. She is the founder of Taratibu, a celebrated step and dance team, and the visionary behind Rhythm-N-Flow LLC, where she integrates original art into early childhood education. From illustrating children’s books to designing carnival costumes and developing her own curriculum, Afia continues to use her art to educate, uplift, and inspire. Her work is a reflection of her lifelong commitment to service, creativity, and community.

candace phelps

Candace Phelps has been sewing for over 40 years. Quilting is her latest adventure. Candace’s quilt style is both traditional and modern. She mixes traditional blocks, strip piecing, improv blocks, and foundation paper piecing with African wax fabrics and batiks. Candace's quilts have been on view with Maryland Quilts Exhibit and solo exhibit at Black Rock Art Gallery. 

Candace Phelps graduated from Lincoln University, PA with a B.S. in Business Administration. Later, she studied Fashion Design the Fashion Institute of Technology (F.I.T.) in NYC. After finishing in New York, she opened her custom drapery workroom, CPDC Décor, LLC. Her work has been featured in interior design show houses and industry magazines. Candace taught beginner sewing and home décor sewing classes at G Street Fabrics. She also has been a guest speaker for interior design students at Montgomery College and George Washington University. 

Chaka and bucket hat combo.  Hubby said, I like that! #sewmuchsoul

 

Clementine m.

#SewMuchSoul making progress and loving the moments

 

Carrie H. 

Finished Mrs. Big Hat. For the hair, I used one of the embroidery techniques from last year's Sew Much Soul. 

LINDA
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
about sew much soul…
What To Expect At
The 2025 Sew Much Soul CONFERENCE
  • 6+ Live Workshops featuring some of the best sewing instructors from around the country
  • Classes via Zoom on Friday, September 12th at 12 noon EST and Saturday and Sunday at 10am EST
  • ​Confirmation emails after registration with additional details about the conference
  • ​Learn new quilting techniques while making fun, unique projects
  • ​Be a part of a community of sewers in our private Facebook group where you can get to know others participating in the conference
Meet The Host
Cecily Habimana

When Cecily Habimana was just a young child, she would often watch her mother sew clothes for the family. She was fascinated by how her mother could take a piece of fabric and make something beautiful out of it. This early exposure to sewing ignited a passion in Cecily that would stay with her for life.

Now, Cecily is the co-owner of Sew Creative Lounge, located in Lanham, Maryland. At Sew Creative Lounge, Cecily and her partner Tisha offer children and adult sewing classes as well as a nation-wide membership program for sewers and quilters. 

Cecily has been featured in several publications and blogs including The Washington Post, Washington Express, American Express website and Chicago Tribune. Cecily has also appeared on Fox 5 News and NPR. She received her bachelor’s degree from Howard University and her MBA from George Washington University.

What To Expect At
The 2025 Sew Much Soul CONFERENCE
  • 6+ Live Workshops featuring some of the best sewing instructors from around the country
  • Classes via Zoom on Friday, September 12th at 12pm EST and Saturday and Sunday at 10am EST
  • ​Confirmation emails after registration with additional details about the conference
  • ​Learn new quilting techniques while making fun, unique projects
  • ​Be a part of a community of sewers in our private Facebook group where you can get to know others participating in the conference
AS SEEN ON
Conference Schedule
day 1. conference
  • DATE: FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12
  • TIME: 12 Noon - 6PM EST
  • CUTTING PARTY - Candace Phelps
  • ​RUFFLED WRAP SKIRT - Tisha Thorne
  • GYE NYAME QUILTED TABLE RUNNER - Candace Phelps
DAY 2. CONFERENCE
  • DATE: SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13
  • TIME: 10AM-5PM EST
  • OUR FABRIC, OUR CULTURE, OUR COMMUNITY - Afia Nson Bonsu
  • ​CUTTING PARTY - Carrie Miller
  • TROUSER ADJUSTMENTS - Nikki Griffin
  • ZIPPERED POUCH - Rakecia Hanna
DAY 3. CONFERENCE
  • DATE: SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 14
  • TIME: 10AM-5PM EST
  • CUTTING PARTY - Carrie Miller
  • ​QUILTED BAG - Janet Green
  • FRINGED KIMONO - Tisha Thorne
Who Should Attend?
THE 2025 SEW MUCH SOUL CONFERENCE IS FOR THE BEGINNER TO THE INTERMEDIATE SEWER!

Learn new sewing techniques while making fun, unique projects!

Who Should Attend?
THE 2025 SEW MUCH SOUL CONFERENCE IS FOR THE BEGINNER TO THE INTERMEDIATE SEWER!

Learn new sewing techniques while making fun, unique projects!

Don’t miss 
the 2025 Sew Much Soul 
Conference
countdown
00Years00Months00Weeks00Days00Hours00Minutes00Seconds
countdown
00Years00Months00Weeks00Days00Hours00Minutes00Seconds
FAQ’s 
What is Sew Much Soul Conference?
Sew Much Soul is a sewing conference with a little soul! Meaning we’ll be teaching a variety of sewing classes and techniques but with a little partying in between.
When is it?
The conference is being held virtually via Zoom on September 12-14 starting at 12pm EST on Friday and 10am on Saturday and Sunday.
What level is the conference appropriate for?
This conference is appropriate for the absolute beginner through intermediate level sewer.
How much does the conference cost?
The conference is free! You can also upgrade your registration and purchase the VIP pass for additional classes and conference recordings. Please keep in mind that the VIP pass is non-refundable. 
What supplies do I need for the conference?
We have made it easy for you! You may also purchase the Conference Supply Kit that includes all patterns, fabric and sewing notions for each project. 
Who is hosting the conference?
The conference is being hosted by Cecily Habimana, co-owner of Sew Creative Lounge.
Copyright 2025 © Sew Creative Lounge | Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy
Copyright 2025 © Sew Creative Lounge | Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy