Instructor Bio

Blondell Howard is the owner and operator of The Sassy SEWer and current Adjunct Faculty member for BCCC. Blondell is a self taught seamster. She became insterested in fashion at the age of 10 and taught herself to sew at the age of 22. Blondell serves on the boards of the Baltimore Chapter of Association of Sewing and Design Professionals and is a member of Stevenson University's fashion Design Advisory Board and is a former Board Member of American Sewing Guild. Blondell primarily teaches You Can Make It - Sewing Series and Kids Can Sew & Fashion Design classes. She also teaches for Joann Fabrics and St. Mary's School of Annapolis 


Dyanne Marte designs the Baltimore based clothing line Dennya. Dennya is an anagram for the
name "Dyanne". What started out as a line primarily of knit jersey, has tranformed into more sophisticated and tailored pieces. Most of the line is machine washable and versatile. The clothing can be dressed up or dressed down. Ms. Marte not only designs the collection, she also produces it and designs all of the prints in her Baltimore, MD studio.   Prior to starting Dennya in 2003, Marte has several years of experience in the New York fashion industry and has worked in design and product development for companies such as J. Crew, Tanner Designs, Kay Unger and New York & Co. Marte holds a BFA in Fashion Design from the Savannah College of Art and Design and a Master's in Design Management from Pratt Institute. Professor Marte currently teaches at Baltimore City Community College (BCCC).  She has taught Fashion Illustration, Flat Pattern Design, Entrepreneurship and Draping at the Baltimore City Community College.


Janine Smith discovered a love for sewing at the age of five, while sitting next to her mother watching her sew. By nine she was sewing her own clothes that filled her closet. In her teen years, her grandmother, who ran a workroom for a New York designer, taught her many industry tricks in Home Decorating, which she applied to her own home. While teaching machine classes for Husqvarna Viking Sewing Machines, Janine found joy in sharing her knowledge with others. She then developed a full line of garment construction and home decorating classes for Joann Fabrics. She would teach through Joann’s Fabrics for over seven years. The opportunity of working as a design and sales associate for Calico Corners Design Center for three years was a wonderful chance to once again be introduced to industry design. The training and experience was invaluable. Coming full circle Janine is once again teaching Home Decorating classes for the Sassy SEWer Lounge, where once again she can share her passions with others.


Sherry Stauffer, owner of Sstyle. earned a Couture Design Degree from the Fashion Inst. Tech. in New York (1997). She also was also a McCall’s Pattern Company “Meg Carter” columnist (1995 – 1997). Sherry is a former BCCC Adjunct professor, teaching Flat Pattern Design. She is the Principal of SSTyle (Sstyle f/k/a Sew Stylish). Sherry's experience also includes designer of original wedding gowns, Costumier for the production “Phantom of the Opera” for Oregon Ridge Dinner Theatre and their production in London, assisted in SHS theatrical productions costuming, Uniform consultant of SYC, SHS and York Competitive cheerleading squads. Assistant Designer at IC Isaacs –Labels: Boss, Beverly Hills Polo Club, Girbaud, IC Isaacs (1997- 2001). Sherry is an accredited 4H sewing instructor and sewing judge, Penn State cooperative extension - master instructor, Adult education sewing instructor for Southern York County. Currently she is a member of ASG and ASDP (f/k/a PACC) and serves on the Occupational Advisory Board member at York Vo Tech High School and Stevenson University's Fashion Design Advisory Board.