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- Holiday Meetup - Part 1 - Crafting meetup at Britex Fabrics!Britex Fabrics, San Francisco, CA
Britex Fabrics is hosting us for an afternoon of crafting and shopping! This is Part 1 of Saturday's holiday sewcializing! Feel free to come to Part 1 or Part 2 (appetizers + no-host bar at Toy Soldier) - or both! Part 1 is limited to 75 and part 2 to 100. RSVP for Part 2 here.
UPDATE: I opened the RSVPs until 12 pm Saturday so if there any any cancellations, the people on the wait list will be moved up.
This San Francisco institution has been a sewing destination since 1952. You'll find fabrics from all over the world.
This is also 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.
NOTE: This event is limited to 75 Bay Area Sewists Meetup members - due to space. 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. - Holiday Meetup - Part 2 - Sewcial + optional gift exchange!Toy Soldier, San Francisco, CA
Join us for a holiday sewcial + optional gift exchange! There will be appetizers and a no-host bar. Have a cocktail or a mocktail at the venue on Saturday, Dec. 2. RSVPs close at 12 pm on Saturday, Dec. 2.
If you'd like to make a handmade gift or put together materials for a DIY kit to make something (spending no more than $15), there will also be a white elephant exchange. The gift exchange is optional. You do not need to bring anything to attend. Looking for ideas?Here’s the Foldline’s gift guide for sewing presents, Including free patterns at the end.
Feel free to wear something you made or just wear something you like.
This is Part 2 of our Holiday Meetup. Part 1 is a meetup at Britex Fabrics at 2:30 pm on Sat., Dec. 2 for some crafting and shopping. You can attend one or both meetups. But if you cannot make it, please update your RSVP in case there is a wait list.
The venue is just a few blocks from the Montgomery St. BART stop and Britex Fabrics. There is also some street parking and parking garages.
