
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- Show & Tell Meetup at Needles Studio!Needles Studio, Los Altos, CA
Join 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. Bring your PDF files to print!
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
2 pm -2:15 pm - Introductions (members state name, where you live)
2:15 pm - 2:30 pm - Erika at Needles will share what's new in the store and answer any questions about the store
2:30 pm - 3:30 pm - Show and tell - members share at least one thing they made (if there's time, can share another item)
3:30 pm - Sewcialize and shop!Parking
There is metered street parking. - Bay Area FrocktailsSavoy Tivoli, San Francisco, CA
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. Early Bird tickets are on sale at the Bay Area Frocktails website until July 29 (or until sold out). Regular tickets go on sale July 30. 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.
The Savoy Tivoli has 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) on sale from July 15-29 or until sold out.
REGULAR TICKETS ($60 + $1.25 service fee) on sale from July 30-August 30 or until sold out.Ten 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
Slow Fiber
Stonemountain & Daughter FabricsStyle Visionary Sponsors
100 Acts of Sewing
Cali Fabrics
Friday Pattern Company
Oliso
The Sewing Machine Shop
Studio SessionsStitching Star Sponsor
Cashmerette Club and MyBodyModelSewing Maven Sponsor
Christine Haynes
Stitch BuzzWe’ll also have some fabulous raffle prizes from
- Cali Fabrics
- Cashmerette Club and MyBodyModel
- Chalk & Notch
- Christine Haynes
- Fabrix
- Friday Pattern Company
- Handmade Millennial
- Julia Allisson Cost
- LA Finch Fabrics
- Lacis Museum of Lace & Textiles
- Oliso
- The Sewing Machine Shop
- Stonemountain & Daughter Fabrics
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?
You can buy your ticket here, starting July 15. Early Bird ticket sales end on July 29. Regular tickets go on sale on July 30 and end on August 30 or until the event is 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.How do I get to Savoy Tivoli?
The Savoy Tivoli is located at 1434 Grant Ave. (between Union and Green St.) in San Francisco's North Beach neighborhood. We strongly recommend taking public transportation, because parking is very limited.- Take BART to Montgomery station and walk 15-20 minutes or take Muni (#30 or #45), a taxi, or ride share to the event.
- If you’re coming from the Peninsula, consider taking Caltrain.
What is parking like near the Savoy Tivoli?
Street parking is difficult, but there are some public parking lots in the neighborhood. SpotHero or Spot Angels are apps that can help you find and reserve a space.Not open