[Updated 7/1/2011 – For information on how to start a club or connect with one of your own, please visit this dedicated blog post.
Badges to promote your BSC can now be found directly on site. Download them here.]
Several members have expressed the wish to meet with other sewing enthusiasts near them. So we thought it would be great to help initiate BurdaStyle Sewing Clubs!
A BurdaStyle Sewing Club (BSC) is a group that meets regularly to discuss sewing related issues. Each one is uniquely tailored to fit its members, and each leader is given control over what is discussed, taught and created.
BSCs are centered around each group’s unique schedules, and can meet weekly, bi-weekly or monthly. The clubs are simply a way to bring our online community offline and, like our website, is intended to be versatile for a wide range of interests and lives. They promote our open-source philosophy: the idea that information ought to be shared freely among anyone interested in learning. The BurdaStyle Team is on hand to offer advice regarding meeting ideas, venue options and promotional help.
Forming a BSC is easy! Interested members can simply send an e-mail to david[at]burdastyle[dot]com, stating their interest and location. You are then sent a detailed introductory letter, explaining what a BSC is and their expected responsibilities. Although having more than one BSC in the same location is accepted, we encourage prospective leaders to first contact the leaders nearest them.
Once you review and accept the responsibilities in the introductory letter, you will be sent a Leadership Packet. The Leadership Packet contains everything one needs to start and maintain a successful club, including:
- An introductory guide to the BurdaStyle Sewing Clubs
- A sample proposal letter for prospective hosting venues
- A flyer template to advertise your BSC
- A Member Information Sheet to learn more about your club members
- A preformatted Excel spreadsheet for organizing your club
- A printable How-To
Along with the Leadership Packet, new BSC Leaders are given a custom 125 pixel badge, with the BSC logo and their specific location. You are then listed on the BSC Leader Directory and on the BSC Google Map. Our Leaders are then encouraged to create a group page on the BurdaStyle Ning Site, an extension of BurdaStyle.com specifically for BSC members. There you can meet other leaders throughout the world, post upcoming meeting dates, share group photos and creations, and brainstorm new ideas!
Established in April 2009, there are over 260 BurdaStyle Sewing Clubs in 14 countries worldwide.
Start a new BSC today! E-mail david[at]burdastyle[dot]com for more information.
Image from the Auburn University Libraries
Apr 23, 2009, 06.09 PMby sadieboop
anyone in russellville alabama who may want to start a sewing group or club please contact me
Apr 22, 2009, 03.14 PMby victoisec
Thought I saw something about one in Brooklyn but I guess I’m mistaken. I am in Manhattan (UWS) and would love a sewing club. I am so ready to make lots of clothes and need help!
Apr 22, 2009, 05.45 AMby wartycrawfish
I am near New Castle, PA (Lawrence County). ANyone there with a sewing club?
Apr 22, 2009, 03.52 AMby stellnbeave
I too have been thinking how great a sewing club in my area (Warringah NSW Australia) would be .. perhaps evenings (?) as I do work each weekday.
Finding a venue could be challenging, or is the intention to alternate at people’s homes?
I agree with kgallagher3 because here too, there are quilting groups (ditto: nothing against quilting). The area I live also promotes some sewing classes, but these seem for beginners … and expensive!
I would love to lead and organize a group but I would have to seriously consider this before committing. The whole idea sounds great!
How do I find a listing of sewing clubs to know if someone has started one in my area? I’m in!
Apr 22, 2009, 03.33 AMby isabelle
Anyone in Paris, France?
Apr 21, 2009, 11.02 PMby hazelb
Anyone in North East Wales interested in meeting up? I am near Llangollen
Apr 21, 2009, 06.00 PMby headmom30
Terrific idea!! SI, NY or Webster, MA anyone?
Apr 21, 2009, 02.37 PMby bhaley13
I’m in Issaquah, Washington, east of Seattle. Anyone interested…. Drop me a line.
Apr 21, 2009, 02.15 PMby lizzil
Hello, Is there anyone from around Nanaimo BC Canada?
Apr 21, 2009, 02.07 PMby ladybug81
I’m in Memphis, TN. Anyone in that area? Maybe Southaven, MS? How do I find out if a group already exists in my city?
Apr 21, 2009, 02.03 PMby gingerpeaches
Hi anyone in central alabama?
Apr 21, 2009, 01.57 PMby jenendsley
I’m in the almost exact center of the U.S. — Wichita, Kansas. I’d love to do this. Email me at jen (dot) endsley (at) gmail (dot) com.
Apr 21, 2009, 01.46 PMby caseysgal
I am still waiting to hear from team@burdastyle(dot)com!!!
Apr 21, 2009, 01.37 PMby vsewqueen
Great idea! How does it work? I live in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Apr 21, 2009, 01.14 PMby erinaceous
Here here!!—another resident of Brooklyn, NY, who thinks this is a great idea!
Apr 21, 2009, 12.51 PMby stevensmom
would love to join a group in Vancouver, WA
Apr 21, 2009, 12.34 PMby jaie
Oswego New York here. Anyone else? Otherwise I’d love to start one at my college.
Apr 21, 2009, 06.03 AMby rosemaryjane
I’d enjoy meeting with people for sewing. Is there anyone around Painesville, Ohio that would be interested? I’m south of Cleveland. RosemaryJane
Apr 18, 2009, 10.25 PMby bluejewels
This is great! I live outside Los Angeles in La Verne, about 30 min east of Pasadena, I’d be willing to drive if someone starts a group.
Apr 16, 2009, 01.38 PMby sewingida
Anyone in Portland, Maine?
Apr 16, 2009, 04.51 AMby heavenly0674
fantastic!!! anyone in philadelpia pa???
Apr 15, 2009, 06.53 PMby fleurdeternite
This is a great idea. I LOVE the idea. I am living in NYC.
Apr 15, 2009, 04.29 PMby plankton
I’m in Salt Lake City, Utah, too!
We should use meetup [dot] com…way easier.
Apr 15, 2009, 10.20 AMby lizette28
Thats a good idea! How do I find out if anyone started a club in my area?
Apr 15, 2009, 09.52 AMby yamigarcia
I,m from Honduras, city San Pedro Sula that´s in Central America, anyone from around here?? I love this idea!!
Apr 15, 2009, 08.39 AMby santacruzchick
Hey KathleenS, I’m like 30 minutes North of SLC, UT at Hill AFB. Maybe we can try to figure something out?!?
Apr 15, 2009, 07.33 AMby sdixon2523
Hello Hello, i am very super extremely novice at sewing but I love picking patterns, notions and such… I would love to get together with people that know more than or as much as aI do and start a local North Houston sewing club… It could be a hoot.. we’ll have drinks, play games, make things for special events… Cheerio.. Anyone interested.. and from Houston, TX?
Apr 15, 2009, 07.27 AMby textilet
I live in /close to Wrexham or Chester in North Wales and would love to start one up – but how to get it organised?? I’ll investigate the info from this site – would anyone be interested in coming along I wonder?
Apr 15, 2009, 02.08 AMby dovenest
Apr 14, 2009, 11.35 PMby emadden
I’m in London (W2) would love to join/start a sewing club!