About us
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
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Sewcial and Handmade Garment Swap!
Berkeley Public Library, 2090 Kittredge St, Berkeley, CA, USIt's Me Made May and time for another sewcial and handmade clothing swap! Here's your chance to share some of your garments and get something new. Handmade accessories are also welcome. You do not need to bring anything to participate.
If this is full, RSVP on Pie here.
Go through your closet, see what you no longer wear, and pass along them along to another sewist. It's also a great time to meet other people who sew, discuss sewing plans, projects currently underway, or get tips on a sewing challenge you are facing.
Please label garments with the size, pattern, and measurements (bust, waist, hip). If your garments are not taken, you will need to take them back. You do not need to bring a garment to attend. Garments that are not chosen will need to go back home with you. You can bring any leftovers to the next garment swap.
* Feel free to bring snacks to share. Sparkling water will be provided.
We'll have four rounds of choosing, five if there are a lot of attendees/garments. If you brought:
- One garment, you can participate in the first round of choosing,
- Two garments, you can participate in the first two rounds,
- Three garments, you can participate in the first three rounds.
- For the fourth round, everyone can take as many garments as they want, including people who did not bring a garment.
AGENDA
- 10:30-11:15 am - Set up tables, sewcialize, place garments on tables, set out snacks, drinks
- 11:15-11:30 am - Announcements and introductions - everyone gets a chance to introduce themselves
- 11:30 am-12 pm - Choose garments, group photo & sewcialize!
Feel free to wear something you made to this meetup. :) During the introductions, you can mention the pattern and fabric for one of the things you made.
To get emails about special discounts for Bay Area Sewists Meetup members, be sure your Meetup settings for “announcements to members” is turned on.
PARKING & PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
There is metered street parking and parking garages/lots nearby. The library is two blocks from the Downtown Berkeley BART stop.73 attendees
Show & Tell Meetup at Needles Studio!
Needles Studio, 334 State St #101, Los Altos, CA, USJoin us for a Show & Tell meetup at Needles Studio, an indie fabric store in the South Bay! Space is limited due to the size of the store. Erika, the shop owner, will be our guest host for this event.
Needles Studio in Los Altos carries a lovely selection of fabrics and offers sewing and crafting classes as well as PDF printing. Send your PDF pattern files to them and pick them up!
All attendees will have an opportunity to share at least one garment they made or a work in progress. This is also a great time to ask for advice and tips about something you're working on. Feel free to bring more than one item. If we have times, you can share additional pieces.
Agenda
1–1:15 pm - Introductions (members state name, where you live)
1:15–1:30 pm - Erika at Needles will share what's new in the store and answer any questions about the store
1:30–2:30 pm - Show and tell - members share at least one thing they made (if there's time, can share another item)
2:30 pm - Group photo, sewcialize and shop!Parking
There is metered street parking.33 attendees- $65.00
Bay Area Frocktails
Tupper and Reed, 2271 Shattuck Dr, Berkeley, CA, USJoin us in Berkeley for a wonderful afternoon of conversation, cocktails, and connecting with sewists over all things handmade at Bay Area Frocktails! Come celebrate the joy of sewing with us.
Sewists at all levels are welcome — from beginners to experts. Wear something you made or whatever makes you feel good.
We’ll have fantastic raffle prizes - including gift cards from fabric stores - and a
- Frocktails Fashion Show where you can strut your stuff!
- Crafting and Embroidery area
- Photo booth and other activities
Tickets will be on sale starting Tuesday, June 23.
Early Bird tickets ($55 + Meetup processing fee ~$3.29) on sale from June 23, 10 am PT until June 30, 11:59 p.m. PT or until sold out.
Regular tickets ($65 + Meetup processing fee ~$3.66) if available, will be on sale from July 1 until August 14.Five scholarship tickets are being raffled for low-income BIPOC, students/teachers, and other sewists. The raffle application deadline is June Thursday, June 18. Apply for a scholarship ticket HERE! Only one entry per person. You must be 21 years old to apply. Winners will be notified by email by June 22. If we do not hear from winners by June 26, confirming that you can attend, we will raffle that ticket to the remaining entries.
* IMPORTANT: Tickets are nonrefundable and will NOT be sold at the door.Stay tuned for more details. Check this page for updates and follow the @BayAreaFrocktails account on Instagram!
FAQs
- **Are there ID or minimum age requirements to enter the event?**You must be 21 years of age or older because alcohol will be served.
- What should I wear?
Wear something you made or something that makes you feel good. It's a cocktail affair. You don't need to wear a dress. You can be as fancy or as casual as you like. Silk and satin, cotton and linen, and more are welcome! - Can I bring a guest?
Yes, but you do need to pay for their ticket. - How do I buy my ticket?
Tickets go on sale on this page on June 23, 10 am PT. - Why aren't you selling tickets at the door?
We need to finalize our budget for the event so we can be assured that our costs are covered. There is also a limit to the number of people who can fit in the venue. - Why do tickets cost more than last year's Frocktails event?
We are paying for the space. All funds go to event expenses. - What's the refund policy?
Tickets are nonrefundable because we need to meet the costs of the event. Thank you for your understanding. - What if I can no longer attend? How can I sell my ticket?
If you can't make it, you can sell your ticket by posting to the private Bay Area Sewists Facebook group or connecting via our IG account @bayareafrocktails. - What are my transportation/parking options?
Metered street parking/parking garages nearby. Downtown Berkeley BART stop is a few blocks away.
1 attendee
Past events
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