Ann Arbor Sewing Center began with Dale Houghtaling, who sold and repaired sewing machines from his van before opening our first storefront in 1968 in downtown Ann Arbor. After a fire in the early 1970s, the shop moved to South Main, and in 1989, relocated to our current Jackson Road location.

We’ve been a family-owned business from the beginning. Dale’s son, Kris, joined the business in 1981, became part owner in 1996, and later he and his wife, Doni, became the sole owners in 2004. Their children, Kristin and Mitchell, also grew up helping in the store — from running the register to cutting fabric and assisting at trade shows. Kristin continued to support the business by managing the website and creating online videos throughout school and her early career. In 2025, she officially joined full time, carrying the family tradition into its third generation.

Our building also has a proud history. Originally a one-room schoolhouse known as Sullivan School, it was later repurposed for commercial use. When we expanded, we preserved the historic structure — you can still see the original brick along our classroom wall!

Today, we’re proud to continue serving the sewing community with quality machines, education, and friendly expertise. We invite you to stop in, explore, and be part of our growing story.