SEFAA encourages and celebrates creativity one thread at a time by cultivating a vibrant regional fiber arts community while celebrating, supporting, and perpetuating all textile art forms.
We exist to be your textile resource.
We thrive by empowering you to reach your creative potential.
OUR COMMUNITY
Your latest creation, a work in progress, a favorite class moment, something that inspires you or ...
Carmen Beggs
Board
Carmen Beggs
Carmen enjoys many diverse textile interests that range from dyeing with mushrooms to knitting to weaving. She's also an awesome co-pilot.
Her goal is to support SEFAA’s growth in the fiber arts community by working to recruit a diverse, energetic member base through community-building activities, including educational and maker-focused programming and special projects.
Linda DeMars
Facilities
Linda DeMars
I discovered SEFAA as I was entering retirement, searching for a tribe of like-minded people. I definitely found my tribe!
I enjoy attending the open studio sessions and making new friends. The inspirational space and consistent exposure to new textile techniques, media, and historical context encouraged my practice to grow. I love working three-dimensionally, with wool and woven fabrics.
I also found purpose in volunteering for projects and was invited to join the Board. It is rewarding to put my professional skills in construction and facility management to work for SEFAA.
My vision is that SEFAA will endure as a home base for the exploration and preservation of the textile arts in the Southeast. I hope that my contributions can sustain SEFAA's foundation and support its' growth.
Gale Evans
Board
Gale Evans
Hello, my name is Gale Evans, and I am currently looking after the wet studio in the SEFAA Center as well as coordinating new classes. I had a yarn and spinning fiber dye business for many years, and I now enjoy putting that wonderful life experience to work for SEFAA. I absolutely LOVE helping such a unique and special organization grow and thrive in our community. Textile Arts in all its many forms should always be fostered and I am proud to be part of it.
Jolie Fainberg
Board
Jolie Fainberg
I grew up doing various art projects instead of watching TV. I started sewing and crocheting in middle school. I taught art (silkscreen and batik) for several summers at a camp in Northern California where I met weaver Laurie Gross. My artistic interests shifted to textile arts, particularly weaving, felting, crochet, quilting, and sewing. I find it hard to pin myself down to a favorite. I have been a member of SEFAA for many years and on the board for the last three.
Linda Fetter
Membership
Linda Fetter
My Mom taught me to embroider when I was 5 years old, sitting across from her because I am left-handed. Then she taught me to sew, and when she was sure I would stick to it, I got my first left-handed sewing scissors. From there it was knitting and crochet, and any new techniques I had an opportunity to learn. I represented the Atlanta Knitting Guild at the birth of SEFAA and have volunteered as secretary and treasurer, chaired Rentals, and now membership. Fiber people love sharing their passion, and SEFAA is focused on perpetuating all the fiber arts. What’s not to love.
Suzi Gough
Executive Director
Suzi Gough
My textile passion is weaving, although I am easily and often distracted by other fiber techniques. My superpower is the ability to pack an amazing number of things in small spaces (for example, the SEFAA Center storeroom). It’s been my honor to be at the helm of SEFAA since we started – first as Board President and currently as Executive Director. My engineering background helps with the technical end of things, but you make it fun and rewarding!
Kristen Nicholas
Board
Kristen Nicholas
Kristen spins, sews, felts, dyes, and weaves who, in the past, sold her hand-dyed fibers. She is also an avid traveler who seeks out textile experiences wherever she goes.
Kristen serves on our Education team. Having been involved with various fiber arts for many years, she would like to give back to SEFAA, an organization she believes in.
Diana Quinn
Board
Diana Quinn
I began volunteering as the liaison between SEFAA and the Atlanta Sewing Guild. Now that I am a SEFAA Board member, I enjoy advancing our programming whether it be in-person, virtual, or hybrid (in-person and virtual). I bring with me both a breadth of technical skills from my years as an IT professional and a love of fiber arts - a perfect combination!
Karen SanMillan
Treasurer
Karen SanMillan
Karen SanMillan loves experimenting with different textile techniques - so far, weaving on small pin looms is a win; wet felting is not. In her spare time, she serves as SEFAA's Treasurer and does an amazing job of keeping all the numbers straight!
Swaantje Sass
Board
Swaantje Sass
Hi, I’m Swaantje Sass. I learned to crochet in 2012, started a local Crochet Guild of America chapter in 2016, served on the Board of Directors for CGOA, have taught crochet to many, and have an enormous yarn stash/collection. I also knit, spin wool on a drop spindle, and weave on a Saori floor loom. Back to crochet - if you’re looking to hang out with fellow crocheters, join The Happy Hookers Atlanta Crochet group on Facebook and attend our free, in-person meet-ups in the Northlake area (Tucker). Also, in case you were wondering, my first name is pronounced "Swan-cha."
Betsy Stark
Secretary
Betsy Stark
Hi, I am Betsy Stark. I make puppets and do some sewing and quilting. I have enjoyed SEFAA’s programs & camaraderie for about three years. The Board needed a Secretary, so I volunteered. I am learning a lot and doing the best I can to listen and take notes at the same time. I am willing to continue this role and be of service, especially during the pandemic, when in-person volunteering is discouraged.
Katrina Stone
President
Katrina Stone
My name is Katrina Stone, and I am the current President of our Board of Directors. I have been in love with fiber since sitting at my mom’s knee while she sewed clothes for our family. I made my first piece of clothing when I was eight years old and, since then, I have explored couture sewing, embroidery, felting, and macrame in depth. All fiber interests me, and I love SEFAA because we embrace fiber in all forms - from the historic to the wildest contemporary interpretation. It is my aspiration for SEFAA that we continue to embrace the old, the new, and everything in-between by providing a variety of accessible exhibitions, programming, and classes to all who are interested.
Sarah thomsen
Open studios
Sarah Thomsen
I have been a member of SEFAA for a few years now. If you come to Lunchtime Fiber you will probably meet me. Weaving is my favorite textile passion, whether it is using a floor loom or any tapestry loom in sight. Recently I have been introduced to various stitching techniques by my SEFAA friends and have enjoyed numerous workshops using different stitches. We have so many great teachers! My next project is to experiment with combining tapestry with stitching.
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Just fill out our General Volunteer Application form and, together, we'll find the perfect opportunity - one that matches your interests, skills, and available time!