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
3
Meetup at Fabrix in SF + Sewing Knits without a Serger!
Fabrix, 432 Clement Street, San Francisco, CA, USJoin us at Fabrix, an indie fabric store where you'll find fabric and trims from local San Francisco manufacturers and designers for sewists of all experience levels. Keelin, the owner says the store offers "unique, high-quality fabric and trim at low prices and low impact to the environment."
Keelin buys fabric overstock directly from local Bay Area factories for her customers, who discover “beautiful and high-quality fabric they can’t get anywhere else – at unmatched prices.”
There will also be a demonstration on how to use the new stretch, sewing thread Seraflex by Mettler, on a variety of knits using a sewing machine. Included are tips and techniques to improve and master sewing knits without using a serger.
All attendees will get 15% off all merchandise. The event is limited to 40 RSVPs due to space. Fabrix will be open to us for two hours and then open to the public starting at 12 pm. Thank you, Keelin!
There will also be raffle prizes!
3 knit sewing patterns (Big 4)
3 yards of knit fabric (winner picks any in store)
4 spools of Seraflex thread.IMPORTANT: Parking is very limited in the Inner Richmond. You may want to arrive early to get a parking spot or carpool. Directions here.
There is free neighborhood parking (the 2-hour limit is not enforced on the weekends). There is a paid lot on 9th Avenue across from the public library. There are also meters up and down Clement Street and Geary Blvd. Like most of San Francisco, expect to spend some time looking for parking should you choose to drive. There are several great restaurants and dim sum spots nearby so consider staying for lunch.Public transportation is highly recommended. You can take the 38 bus to Geary Blvd. & 6th Ave. to get to the store. If you are coming from the East Bay, you could take BART to Embarcadero, hop on the 38 to Fremont St. & Market St.
40 attendees
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.44 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.18 attendees
Past events
211
