What we’re about
Bay Area Sewists is a sewing community with members from all over the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond — now that we have been meeting virtually. We are mostly focused on garment sewing. (See the FAQs below for more info.)
Members share inspiration and techniques, and see what each other is making at our Show & Tell meetups. Our virtual meetups often have guest speakers to talk about fabric, sewing patterns and tools, and techniques. Past guest speakers have included Britex Fabrics, Hello Stitch, Needles Studio, The Sewing Room, Stitch Buzz, and Stonemountain & Daughter Fabrics.
We began meeting virtually in May 2020 and then had our first in-person meetup in June 2022. We will likely be having a mix of virtual and in-person meetups going forward.
Member benefits include:
• 20% off at Stonemountain & Daughter Fabrics on some of our meetup days
• 10% off at Piedmont Fabrics (must show your active membership via the app or website)
• 20% off store products and 10% off classes at The Sewing Room in Alameda
You can also follow Bay Area Sewists on Facebook and Instagram (@bayareasewists) for meeting updates and news. Bay Area Sewists members can also join the private Facebook group.
Happy Sewing!
Chuleenan, Bay Area Sewists Organizer
FAQs
Can anyone join Bay Area Sewists?
Sure! If you have an interest in sewing - whether you are just learning to sew or you are an expert costumer - you are welcome to join the group. Our members range from people who have been sewing for less than a year to people who teach sewing professionally.
Do I need to live in the Bay Area to join?
No, all are welcome. In-person meetups are mainly for people in the Bay Area because those events will be taking place there. BUT during the pandemic, we are meeting virtually so anyone can participate. You just need to be a member of the group.
Can I submit an idea for a meetup?
Yes! We welcome suggestions for activities and venues! Just message Chuleenan, the organizer, via the Meetup page.
You used to charge dues. Will you charge dues again?
It is free to be a member of Bay Area Sewists. Dues had been charged in the past to cover the fees Meetup charges to use this platform. Members are welcome to contribute via Chuleenan's PayPal (@chuleenan) or Venmo (@chuleenan-svetvilas) accounts. Once we start meeting in person, a fee may be charged for a specific meetup to cover the cost of a venue.
Is this a group for quilters?
We are focused on garment sewing but some quilters are also members of this group. If you are looking for a group focused on quilting, you may want to check out other meetups.
When did the Bay Area Sewists get started?
The group was founded by Meghan Hunt of Made by Meg in 2012 who was the organizer until the end of 2013. In January 2014, Chuleenan Svetvilas of C Sews became the group's organizer and has organized more than 80 meeutups since then.
Upcoming events (2)
See all- Meetup at Lacis Museum for a special tour!Lacis Museum of Lace and Textiles , Berkeley, CA
Join us for a special tour of the exhibit "Day's End: Personal Glamour Exposed," currently on display at Lacis Museum in Berkeley. Erin Algeo, dress historian and adjunct professor at the California College of the Arts, will be on hand to give us a personal tour of this special show featuring vintage garments worn at home and in the bedroom, everything from lace-adorned nightdresses and elegant dressing gowns to smoking jackets and a 18th-century banyan.
We'll get an intimate look at these lovely vintage ensembles as well as a bed cover, crazy quilt, and quilt sampler.
Depending on space, we may split the group in two and have one half tour the exhibit while the rest browse the retail shop downstairs, which features a wide variety of supplies for needle arts (embroidery, crochet, lace, knitting, etc.), millinery, and corset making as well as ribbons, lace, vintage clothing, vintage notions, and so much more. There is a lot to explore.
Note: Space is limited to 40. If you no longer attend, please update your RSVP so someone else can take your place. Please join the wait list and I can let Lacis know that we have more members interested in a tour.
All Bay Area Sewists Meetup members get 20% off all regularly priced goods (fabric, notions, patterns, etc.) at Stonemountain & Daughter Fabrics on Dec. 14 and 15 with a special code that will be emailed to all members. Please turn on your notifications to receive messages from this meetup group so you can get the code. Thank you Stonemountain!
- Pattern Swap, Sewcial + Discussion!Berkeley Public Library, Berkeley, CA
Ready to destash some patterns and/or pick up some new patterns and meet other sewists? Come to our Pattern Swap and Show & Tell!
Go through your paper patterns and see what you'd like to give to other sewists. This is also a great time to meet other people who sew. Once the swap part of the event is over, we'll break into small groups by geographic area and discuss one (or more) of the patterns you just got at the swap and/or your sewing plans for the new year.
Feel free to wear something you made to this event. You are also welcome to bring a snack to share (fruit, cookies, etc.). I'll provide sparkling water, cups, plates and napkins.
We'll have four selection rounds. For each pattern you bring, you get to participate in one selection round. For example, if you brought at least three patterns, you get to select one pattern during each of the first three rounds. The last round is open to all!
The actual pattern swap part doesn't take very long (about 15 minutes) so we'll also have time to sewcialize before and after the swap before the discussion begins.
IMPORTANT: If your patterns are not taken by anyone, you may need to take them back unless someone can take some to donate them to FabMo or SCRAP.
AGENDA
- 1:00 pm to 1:30 pm - Set out library tables, place patterns on tables, browse patterns & sewcialize!
- 1:30 pm to 1:45 pm - Announcements and introductions (if you're wearing anything you made, you can let other members know)
- 1:45 pm to 2:00 pm - Select patterns and take group photo
- 2:00 to 2:30 pm - Break into small groups by geographic area (SF, Oakland, Berkeley, Contra Costa County, North Bay, South Bay, etc.) to share a pattern you got at the swap and/or discuss sewing plans for the year.)
During the introductions, you can tell members that you're wearing something you made. If we have time, you can mention the pattern(s) you used.
To get emails about special discounts for Bay Area Sewists Meetup members, be sure your Meetup settings for “announcements to members” is turned on.
Stonemountain & Daughter Fabrics is just a few blocks from the library. Feel free to drop by before or after the meetup. All Bay Area Sewists Meetup members will be emailed a discount code that's good for all regularly priced merchandise online and in-store.
NOTE: If you can no longer attend this meetup, please update your RSVP so someone else can take your place.
PARKING & PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
There is metered street parking and parking garages/lots nearby. The library is two blocks from the Downtown Berkeley BART stop.
