HomeSacramento ASG Board

Meet the American Sewing Guild - Sacramento Chapter Advisory Board

Renee Traud Phyllis Lee Scarlet Boggs Katie Dommer Beth Chambers Roberta Hopkins Gina Harrold Brenda Fotos Debbie Jean Hopkins Marianna Freas

Sacramento ASG Board

Renee Traud - President

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 Lee - 1st Vice President of Neighborhood Groups

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 7 sewing machines including an industrial Brother. Her first new sewing machine is now a 38-years old and still used at sewing workshops.

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. Before retiring from SMUD as a Principal EMS Engineer, she managed the Critical Infrastructure Protection of their Energy Management System.

These days Phyllis and her husband Chris like to go on riverboat cruises. You many 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.

Phyllis joined ASG in February 2022. She admits to being intimidated by everyone’s expertise. Everyone has a great sense of humor and she appreciates the new friends she is making. In her new role as Education Coordinator, she hopes to bring fun workshops and webinars. Stay tuned and check our website for upcoming events.

Karlene Doupe - 2nd Vice President, Membership Chairperson

I learned to sew from my mother while in grade school. My clothes were nothing fancy, but I enjoyed creating something unique I could wear. As time passed, I made dresses, tops, down vests & baby clothes along with home decor. I continued sewing after I got married & our 2nd son was born…then life got in the way & I put it aside. After a 30-year career with the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office, I retired & bought a new (to me) sewing/embroidery machine with a gasp! self threading needle!! I learned about ASG through a neighbor & joined in 2016. Through various neighborhood groups, I met sewists who were friendly & more than willing to share their wealth of knowledge to my sewing ideas & projects. I enjoy the “engineering” of fitting flat fabric to a body with all it’s curves & angles. I do not, however, enjoy fitting a sleeve into an armhole - its the bane of my existence.
My husband Joe & I have been married 40 years. Both our sons (& a daughter-in-law) live in California, but not close by. When not sewing or gardening, my husband & I like to travel. We have a new RV & are planning to explore more of the USA, Canada & Alaska.

Katie Dommer - Secretary

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.

Scarlet Boggs - Treasurer

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.

Appointed ASG Board Positions

Kim Steinjann- Librarian

This appointed position maintains and inventories all Chapter library materials including DVDs, videos, and books.

Beth Chambers - Special Events Coordinator

I grew up in Napa California which is where I met my husband, Jeff. We have been married for 47 years this summer. We have three grown children: two daughters and a son, spouses for each and 4 grandchildren -three boys and 1 girl between them all. We live in Woodland with our 6-year-old Airedale Miley Jane and my three sewing machines.

I learned how to sew through the 4-H Club when I was eleven. Being the oldest of 5 children, my mom never had time to teach me, and goodness knows I tried to get her help! I continued with clothing construction classes in Jr and Sr High School. 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! My instructor, Marie Mashmayer at Sac City College introduced me to ASG. She invited the entire class to what I think was the Spring luncheon, complete with speaker with a trunk show – I was mesmerized! I wasn’t able to join until I found a neighborhood group that met at night. I have been a member of Sacramento ASG since 9/2010. I started attending the Sacramento Chapter with the Couture Neighborhood Group while I was still working – it was the only group that met in the evening that was within driving distance of my office. Since acquiring a Serger, I also attend the Serger NG, Fitting Divas, and Pattern Making and Design NGs. I still remember my first neighborhood group meeting; I felt like I had finally come “home.” Over the years I have met some truly wonderful people and treasure the friendships that I have made within this group.

I made quilts for a few years when I was having difficulties with alterations for myself, but decided clothing construction was my passion and so I stopped making quilts except for the occasional baby quilt gift or one of the unfinished objects that are still lingering in my sewing room gathering dust. I have been back to making primarily clothes for more than 15 years and at one point in my life I actually made all my clothes, especially in 9th – 12^th grades. Those years are labeled “BC, BW and BM” = before children, before working full-time and before marriage – not necessarily in that order!

I have made lots of clothes primarily for myself, my daughters and other relatives including prom dresses, wedding dresses, school clothes, 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.

After 24 years of working for the State of California, I retired from the Energy Commission as a Supervisor/Sr. Scientist on June 30, 2014, the same day as my husband, who also worked for the State. I enjoy traveling, gardening, reading and cooking when I’m not sewing.

I have served as the President for four years, two years as the Secretary and one year as Co-Coordinator of Special Events. I was also a member of the Fabric Sale Committee.

Roberta Hopkins -Special Events 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.

Susie Webb - Education

Brenda Fotos - Newsletter Editor

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.

Gina Harrold - Social Media

I started sewing about five years ago when my frugal nature convinced me that I could sew new cushion covers for my patio furniture. I watched some YouTube videos; bought fabric and I was on my way to a new hobby. Although the cushion covers I made have faded a little, they have lasted longer than the originals. I added bags and purses to my repertoire and am now learning to make garments. When Brenda Fotos, my co-worker at SMUD, found out I liked to sew, she told me about ASG and the benefits of being a member. I have been a member for about three years and really enjoy being around so many supportive and creative people. I am so impressed with everyone’s creations and the opportunities to learn from each other.
I retired from SMUD five years ago where I was a Treasury and Finance Manager. Prior to that, I worked in Accounting Management for radio and TV stations. I am currently serving as Treasurer of the Sacramento Chapter.
My other hobbies include traveling, hiking, and playing the ukulele. My husband of 20 years and I plan to combine our love of travel and hiking by hiking 500 miles across Spain next year.

Marianna Freas - Chapter Hospitality

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.

Vacant - Chapter Service Project Coordinator

Debbie Jean Hopkins - Website Administrator

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.