Meet the American Sewing Guild - Sacramento Chapter Advisory Board

I have served as the chapter’s 2nd Vice President/Membership Chairperson for 3 years and have been a member of the Sacramento Chapter for 5 years. I retired from a 30-year career with the City of Sacramento, working largely as a computer-system network administrator. I’ve loved sewing since I was a kid and until recently had my only formal training in Jr. High school. Early on I enjoyed making creative, every-day clothes for myself and friends and even sewed a few prom gowns- always attempting to put an original spin on my work. My best friend in high school and college introduced me to the term ‘couture’ and the concept of ‘beautiful fabrics’ and ‘adding designer details’. I remember awe as I watched her take her work beyond the description on the pattern envelope. As a young mom, I focused for many years on quilting and quilted wearable-art garments but in recent years have turned my focus back to garment sewing. In 2022 I assumed the role of Leader of the chapter’s Fitting Divas Neighborhood Group. Along with the other members, I have been working to build the knowledge and skills needed for garment fitting. I’m very appreciative of ASG for the friendships I’ve built and the opportunity to learn from so many who share my love of sewing. In August, I began my first class, Pattern Making and Design, in the American River College Fashion Design program. I don’t know how many classes I’ll take, but I’m really looking forward to working with a room full of people on their creative journeys.

I have been married to my husband Mike for 38 years. We have two married sons who live locally, and 3 young grandchildren. When not immersed in sewing or another craft project, I might be found hiking or gardening- or trying to keep up with a small grandchild.

Phyllis thinks she may have started sewing around 9-years old. She still has the Barbie clothes she hand-stitched with godets and bell bottoms. Unknowingly couture! She is self taught sewist and owns 10 sewing machines including an industrial Brother. She is 5 years younger than her newly acquired sewing machine.

Since joining ASG in February 2022, she focuses on upping her level of "sergery", mastering her embroidery machine, becoming confident with fitting and making garment adjustments, drafting patterns, and most recently the art of draping.

A long time ago, she was an Electro-Mechanical Drafter and then went back school to get a Computer Engineering Degree and wrote firmware for a while. She retired from SMUD as a Principal EMS Engineer. These days Phyllis and her husband Chris like to go on riverboat cruises. You may find them on the pickleball courts or at baseball game. The hardest thing she found since retiring is to keep her sewing and craft room clutter free for 24 hours!

I picked up sewing from my mom when I was in grade school. My clothes weren’t fancy, but I loved making something special that I could wear. As I grew older, I started making dresses, tops, vests, and baby clothes, plus some home decor. I kept sewing after I got married and our second son was born, but then life got busy and I put sewing on hold. After 30 years with the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office, I retired and bought a new sewing machine with (gasp!) A self-threading needle!! I learned about ASG through a neighbor and joined in 2016. Through different neighborhood groups, I met sewists who were friendly and eager to share their knowledge with my sewing ideas and projects. I really enjoy the “engineering” of fitting flat fabric to a body with all its curves and angles. However, I don’t enjoy fitting a sleeve into an armhole—it’s the bane of my existence.

My husband Joe and I have been married over 40 years. Both of our sons’ families live in California, although not very close to us. When I’m not sewing or gardening, my husband and I like to travel.

I have been a member of the American Sewing Guild Sacramento Chapter since 2023 and am very focused on achieving excellent garment fit. I am currently developing personal slopers to use as the basis for designing garments tailored specifically to my body—because fit is everything. Before turning my attention to sewing, I spent 30 years as a rocket propulsion engineer and retired in 2018. My engineering background strongly influences my approach to garment construction, pattern development, and problem-solving. I have been married since 1985 and have two children and four grandchildren.

Fabric stores have always been my happy place; it is there that I relive times spent with my Mom searching for just the right fabric so I could use her fabric scraps to make hand sewn clothes for my Barbie doll.

When I was “short” I was taught to sew by my Mom who shared the sewing skills she was drilled in as a young woman in Germany and for many years, those sewing and alteration skills kept a roof over my head.

Unfortunately, I became burned out and my love of sewing devolved into simply collecting fabric and patterns. So, when I walked into my first ASG group in March 2023, hoping to find the joy I’d lost, I realized I may have found “my people” and I was quickly assimilated and began volunteering to help with various events.

My wonderful husband shares my love of all things outdoors and patiently accepts and encourages my obsession of anything fabric or sewing related.

I have worked in event and volunteer management, administration, retail buying, sales and after finally completing both my Bachelor and Master of Science at CSUS I have, for the last nine years, been teaching at the university level.

My sewing journey started with Home Economics in junior high. By high school I made most of my clothes. After an education and career in design and construction I returned to sewing. While earning an Associate Degree in Custom Dressmaking from Canada College, I managed to acquire an old Singer machine just like those from Home Ec. My machines tend to be basic mechanical oldies. My current interests are patternmaking, fitting and construction of garments. Because I also love books, I oversee the Chapter Library.

I grew up in Napa, California which is where I met my husband, Jeff. We have been married since 1975, have three grown children, spouses for each and 4 grandchildren -three boys and 1 girl between them all. We live in Woodland with our 10-year-old Airedale Miley Jane and my four sewing machines.

I learned how to sew through the 4-H Club when I was eleven. I didn’t have a chance to take a college level sewing course until my 40’s and WOW – pattern alterations and drafting were eye openers – my sewing hasn’t been the same since! I have been a member of Sacramento ASG since 9/2010. I have made lots of clothes primarily for myself, my children, and other relatives including prom dresses, wedding dresses, school clothes, quilts and Halloween costumes. I have also made a lifetime of curtains for the various homes I have lived in as well as craft and holiday items.

I have served four years as the President, two years as the Secretary and one year as Co-Coordinator of Special Events, three years as Neighborhood Group Leader Coordinator, and a Neighborhood Group Leader for two different groups. I have led the Fabric Sale for several years while I was President and now back as Special Events co-coordinator.

Roberta Hopkins is a retired advanced practice psychiatric nurse who worked at UC Davis and the VA for much of her career. Her favorite vacations are sewing camps and destination fabric shopping so she can replenish her stash to sew garments. When Roberta isn’t sewing or spending time with her daughter, or fussing over her pug Trouble, she volunteers as a Sacramento County UCCE Master Gardener.

I had two semesters of sewing in junior high school. Although I enjoyed sewing, the class itself was frustrating. So, I figured out how to use my mom’s cabinet Singer and sewed on my own with mom helping me when I got stuck. As an adult, I made several attempts to make my own garments and failed miserably. As a volunteer at a gold rush town, I learned to make mid 19th century garments for myself and others. Then I learned to quilt, braid wool rugs and do wool appliqué. I have always been a crafty person and a fabric petter. Now my goal is to make garments that actually fit me. I am happily retired from 30 years of county and state employment as an adoption social worker. My husband and I enjoy camping in our small trailer in the mountains and visiting historical places. Other than being in my sewing room, I enjoy reading, Pilates and teaching sewing through the guild at Wellspring. I also facilitate the Creative Connection group.

Brenda has been a member of ASG for about 6 years. After retirement from SMUD as manager of the State legislative program she took on the role of ASG's newsletter editor. She loves to sew handbags, garments for her daughter Sophia, and enjoys machine embroidery. She loves the challenge of fitting garments, the geometry, the solitude of her new sewing room, listening to music, and podcasts. When not sewing, Brenda and her husband enjoy having parties, traveling, and hiking in Northern California. Brenda lives in Sacramento with her husband Cary.

I have served on the Chapter Advisory Board since 2022, first serving as Treasurer for four years and now as Social Media Chair. I hope to build engagement and entertainment on our social media platforms for both current and potential members. I started sewing in 2017, first learning from YouTube and then gaining a more formal sewing education through American River College. I enjoy sewing garments, bags, purses, and even sneakers. Aside from sewing, I enjoy traveling, hiking, cooking and playing the ukulele.

I don’t remember doing much sewing until I got into high school and took 4 years of Home Economics. I sewed off and on for family until we retired from the Air Force and settled here in Sacramento.

I started sewing more while working in a fabric store and added machine embroidery when that came along. I sew mostly for myself and make gifts for family and friends. Several years ago I added beading (jewelry making) to the list of things I like to do. I joined ASG in November 1994 and have enjoyed meeting with likeminded ladies.

I am currently group leader of Sewing Tips & Techniques. My job as Hospitality is to send out cards to cheer up members or express our condolences when they loose a loved one.

Position Vacant

My computer-oriented life began at age 15. Took specialized computer programming classes at a trade school during high school years. Now a retired network administrator.

Sewing oriented life began in 7th grade home economics class. Loved sewing from day one. Hated ripping out - also from day one. Sewed all of my daughter's clothes (it was cheaper back then). Sewed my clothes because I don't have an "off the rack" body. Have an overabundance of energy which is channeled into various community service / "sewing sister" projects.

Currently have six sewing machines set up in my sewing studio to accommodate assembly line and/or specialty sewing.

Frequently attend "sit & sews" and/or sewing retreats to collaborate, learn, and socialize with other sewists.

When not sewing, I'm tending my roses, or riding my recumbent trike.