
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- Bay Area FrocktailsNorth Beach, San Francisco, CA
TICKETS ARE SOLD OUT. Join us in San Francisco 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.
Sewists at all levels are welcome — from beginners to experts. Wear something you made or whatever makes you feel good. Our amazing co-chairs for this year's event are Leanna and Mary.
NOTE: RSVPs are closed because this is a paid, ticketed event. Tickets are on sale at the Bay Area Frocktails website until August 30 (or until sold out). Tickets will NOT be sold at the door. We are also holding a raffle for scholarship tickets. See below for info on eligibility and how to apply.
We’ll be serving a variety of hors-d'oeuvres, including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. There will be a no-host bar, which means you need to pay for your drinks. You must be 21 years or older to attend Frocktails.
We'll have a wonderful full bar. Look for one of several custom cocktails being made just for us: The Seam Ripper, Lost Thimble, Full Bobbin, Crooked Hem, Rotary Cutter. Or have them make a mocktail version.
We’ll have fantastic raffle prizes - including gift cards from fabric stores, PDF sewing patterns, and more - and a
- Frocktails Fashion Show where you can strut your stuff across the stage!
- Crafting and Embroidery area
- Embroidery demonstration by talented embroiderer and instructor, Laura Tandeske
EARLY BIRD TICKETS ($50 + $1.25 service fee) are no longer on sale.
REGULAR TICKETS ($60 + $1.25 service fee) - SOLD OUTTen scholarship tickets are being raffled for BIPOC, students/teachers, and low-income sewists. The raffle application deadline is July 29. 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 on July 30. If we do not hear from winners by August 6 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.
We have many wonderful sponsors, including:
Fashion Luminary Sponsors
Britex Fabrics
Fabrix
LA Finch Fabrics
Naughty Bobbin Patterns
The Sewing Room
Stonemountain & Daughter FabricsStyle Visionary Sponsors
100 Acts of Sewing
Cali Fabrics
Friday Pattern Company
Harts Fabric
Oliso
The Sewing Machine Shop
Studio SessionsStitching Star Sponsor
Brooklyn Motif Printing
Cashmerette Club and MyBodyModel
Slow FiberSewing Maven Sponsor
Christine Haynes
Stitch BuzzWe’ll also have some fabulous raffle prizes from
- 100 Acts of Sewing - sewing patterns
- Brooklyn Motif Sewing - $100 gift card, which includes pattern and instructions printing along with shipping
- Cali Fabrics - two $75 digital gift cards
- Cashmerette Club and MyBodyModel - One 3-month Cashmerette membership at the Plus Level, 1-month trial of MyBodyModel
- Chalk & Notch - sewing patterns
- Christine Haynes - $75 gift certificate towards online class
- Fabrix - in San Francisco - $50 gift card
- Fiber Snob in Santa Rosa - - $100 gift card
- Friday Pattern Company - sewing patterns
- Fringe Fabrics in San Diego - $50 gift certificate - in store and online
- Handmade Millennial - sewing patterns
- Harts Fabric in Santa Cruz - $125 gift card for use in store or online
- Julia Allisson Cost - - $30 gift card
- LA Finch Fabrics - in Los Alamitos - 5-yard pack of denim
- Lacis Museum of Lace & Textiles - 1 year membership
- Madam Sew - Ultimate presser foot kit ($77 value)
- Nina Lee - sewing patterns
- Oliso - ProPlus Iron ($200), M3Pro Iron ($80), Ironing board cover ($25), carry bag ($20)
- The Sewing Machine Shop in Walnut Creek - $300 value raffle prize
- Stonemountain & Daughter Fabrics - in Berkeley - two (2) $50 gift cards for use in store or online
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 are now sold out.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.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.Not open - Fabric Swap & Sewcial!Berkeley Public Library, Berkeley, CA
Ready to do some destashing and/or get some fabric that's new to you? Come to our fabulous Fabric Swap! Go through your fabric and see what you'd like to give to another sewist.
UPDATE (8/29): RSVPs have just opened on Pie. There are 50 spots! RSVP here.
We will also have a special treat - Christina, who brought some amazing fabric to our swap last year, will be bringing a few more bins of her fabulous fabric! You may use one of your selection rounds to pick one of her fabrics, provided you agree to make a garment using at least 50% of Christina's fabric by December 2024 (exact date TBD). Then we'll have an event were everyone can show off what they made using her fabric. It could be something you make for someone else.
Bring your fabric (1/2 yard minimum) - maybe it's leftover yardage from a project or just fabric you know you won't use but the color/print could be great for someone else. It's also the perfect time to get free fabric to make your mock-ups!
***You are welcome to bring snacks to share. I'll provide sparkling water.***
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.
TIP: ROLL YOUR FABRIC and use a rubber band, ribbon, or string to keep it rolled. It will take up less room on the tables. The tables get really full!
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, browse fabric & sewcialize!
- 1:30 pm to 2 pm - Announcements and introductions (if you're wearing anything you made, you can let other members know)
- 2 pm to 2:20 pm - Select fabric and take group photo
- 2:20 to 3 pm - Sewcialize!
To get emails about special discounts for Bay Area Sewists Meetup members, be sure your Meetup settings for “announcements to members” is turned on.
Keep an eye out for an email to Bay Area Sewists members who get special discounts from local businesses.
NOTE: If you can no longer attend this meetup, please update your RSVP so someone else can take your place.
This meetup is in the Community Meeting Room on the third floor.
PARKING & PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
There is metered street parking and parking garages/lots nearby. The library is two blocks from the Downtown Berkeley BART stop.