If your sewing area is in one room, you could purchase (new or used) a window air conditioner, just for that room, and use when needed. Otherwise, as most of the others have said, the overhead fan is an excellent choice. My sewing area at present is an 8' X 5' closet. I had my son put an overhead fan/lights in the closet! Has made a huge difference since our central system has no vent in the closet.