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- Fabric Swap + Sewcial!Berkeley Public Library, Berkeley, CA
Ready to do some destashing and/or pick up some fabric that's new to you? Come to our Fabric Swap! Yay!
***If you'd like to bring a snack or drinks to share or if you can bring an extra table, please note it on this spreadsheet.***
Go through your fabric and see what you'd like to give to another sewist. Bring your fabric (1/2 yard minimum) - maybe it's leftover yardage from a project or the wrong color/print/fiber content but could be great for someone else. It's also a great time to get free fabric to make your mock-ups!
Please label your fabric, note the yardage and fiber content (cotton, wool, rayon, poly, a blend, etc.). Sort your fabric by type: wovens, knits, silk, home dec, etc. so you can quickly put them in the appropriate area. We will have tables that will be labeled. If you don't know the fiber content, don't worry. We'll have a "mystery fabric" area for material of unknown origin.
The fabric swap has four selection rounds. For each piece of fabric you get to participate in one selection round. For example, if you brought at least three pieces of fabric, you get to select one piece of fabric for the first three rounds. The last round is open to all!
The actual fabric swap part doesn't take very long (about 15 minutes) so we'll also have time to sewcialize before and after the swap.
IMPORTANT: If your fabric is not taken by anyone, you may need to take it back unless the library's crafting area can take it. Otherwise, some people may need to take the fabric and donate it to FabMo or SCRAP.
AGENDA
1:00 pm to 1:30 pm - Set out library tables, place fabric on tables & sewcialize!
1:30 pm to 2 pm - Announcements and introductions
2 pm to 3 pm - Select fabric, group photo & sewcialize!Feel free to wear something you made to this meetup. :) During the introductions, you can mention the pattern and fabric you used to make it.
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. - Meetup at Britex, Sewcialize + Shopping!Britex Fabrics, San Francisco, CA
Britex Fabrics will opening its doors early just for us on Saturday, April 6! This San Francisco institution has been a sewing destination since 1952. You'll find fabrics from all over the world. We'll get an overview of the range of fabrics and notions Britex carries and Britex staff will be on hand to answer questions. Feel free to submit questions when you RSVP.
This is also a a great time to meet other sewists in person and do some sewcializing. If you’d like to meet other sewists, please arrive on time or you will miss the introductions.
Agenda
9:45 am to 10 am - Introductions - everyone will have a chance to introduce themselves. You can find out who is in your area/city.
10-10:30 - Brief overview of what Britex carries from Britex staff answer who will also answer questions and show a selection of fabrics
10:30-11 - Sewcialize and shop!All attendees will get 20 percent off (discount applies to most fabrics, but not specialty fabrics, Liberty, lace, or notions)! You must be on the attendee list to get the discount.
You are welcome to bring your patterns or WIPs so you can find the perfect fabrics for your projects. This meetup starts at 9:45 am and ends at 11 am. Britex has a flower-making event that starts at 11 am.
Masks are required. This is to protect any immunocompromised members. Thank you.
NOTE: This event is limited to 50 Bay Area Sewists Meetup members. Masks are required. You must be on the list to attend and to get the discount. Names will be checked at the door. If the meetup is full, please join the waitlist. There are always cancellations and most of the people on the waitlist will be able to attend. If you can no longer attend, regardless of which list you are on, please update your RSVP to No.
Getting to Britex:
Public transportation: The store is less than two blocks from the Montgomery St. BART stop.
Parking: There is metered street parking on Post. The store is two blocks from the following parking garages: Union Square Garage on Geary at Stockton, The White House Garage on Kearny at Sutter, Sutter/Stockton Garage at Sutter at Stockton.