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
1
- $65.00
Bay Area Frocktails
Tupper and Reed, 2271 Shattuck Dr, Berkeley, CA, USEarly Bird Tickets are SOLD OUT. You may be able to connect with someone who can no longer attend by commenting on this post on our @bayareafrocktails Insta.
Join us in Berkeley for our summer soirée — 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. Be sure to check out our Bay Area Frocktails website!
We’ll have a Frocktails Fashion Show where you can strut your stuff, a Scavenger Hunt, Crafting and Embroidery area, and Photo Booth.
We have many wonderful sponsors, including:
Fashion Luminary Sponsors
Britex Fabrics in San Francisco
Fabrix in San Francisco
Fiber Snob in Santa Rosa
G-Tex Fabrics - in San Jose
Madam Sew
Naughty Bobbin Patterns
Stone's Touch Sharpening in SF Bay Area
Stonemountain & Daughter Fabrics - in Berkeley
Studio Sessions - in BerkeleyStyle Visionary Sponsors
Harts Fabric - in Santa Cruz
Oliso
SeamworkStitching Star Sponsor
Brooklyn Motif Sewing
LA Finch Fabrics in Los Alamitos (SoCal)
WawakSewing Maven Sponsor
Cashmerette Club and MyBodyModel
Christine Haynes
Fringe Fabrics in San Diego
Stitch BuzzWe’ll also have some fabulous raffle prizes from:
Stonemountain & Daughter Fabrics - in Berkeley - two $50 gift cards for use in store or online
Brooklyn Motif Sewing - $100 gift card towards pattern printing
Wawak - two $50 gift cards
Stone's Touch Sharpening - $100 gift card
Matchy Matchy Sewing Club - book and garment labels
Naughty Bobbin Patterns - basket of sewing goods
Oliso - iron and ironing board cover
Seamwork - unlimited annual membership
LA Finch Fabrics - fabric gift card
Christine Haynes - gift certificate to Verano online workshop
Cashmerette Club and MyBodyModel - One 3-month Cashmerette membership at the Plus Level, one MyBodyModel premium packageTickets 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. If all 100 tickets are sold by June 30, we may not have any more tickets available.* 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 b/c alcohol will be served. Bar staff will check IDs at door.
- 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. - Is it OK to attend Frocktails solo?
Yes! This is a great event to meet other sewists. And if you need a break, you can go to the crafting areas and decorate a bandana with embroidery, sashiko, or fabric markers. - How do I buy my ticket?
Tickets go on sale on this page on June 23, 10 am PT. Tickets are 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. - 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 by commenting on this post on our @bayareafrocktails Insta account. - What are my transportation/parking options?
Metered street parking/parking garages nearby. Downtown Berkeley BART stop is a few blocks away.
116 attendees
Past events
215
