Barbara Kelly

Well-designed and beautifully constructed garments have always been an inspiration to Barbara Kelly. While in high school she received several awards for her sewing ability, thus prompting her to direct her college education to the further exploration and development of those technical skills.

With a minor in education, a love for fashion, and a want to share her expertise, Barbara began teaching sewing classes. Realizing that sewing goes hand-in-hand with the ever-changing world of fashion, she was always searching for more information about fabrics and related sewing techniques.

During her pursuit of classes and workshops she joined the staff at The Sewing Workshop in San Francisco. There she became a fitting and sewing consultant and an instructor of series-type classes, workshops, and private sessions ranging from beginning sewing skills through advanced tailoring, including specialized classes involving pattern work, fittings, fabrics, and construction techniques.

Barbara was the contributing writer and sample maker for two publications: Vogue & Butterick’s Designer Sewing Techniques (Butterick Company / Simon & Schuster, 1994) and Sewing Secrets from the Fashion Industry: Proven Methods to Help You Sew like the Pros (Rodale Press, Inc., 1994).

In 2008 CCA awarded Barbara a faculty development grant to learn a CAD-based pattern-making application. She is an active member of the Association of Sewing and Design Professionals. For eight years she was on its local board and produced its newsletter. For more than a decade Barbara has been on the fashion advisory board at Cañada College in Redwood City.

Currently Barbara is secretary of the Textile Arts Council, an affiliate support group of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco and forum for artists, aficionados, and collectors of weaving, rugs and tapestries, baskets, costumes, and wearable art. Additionally she coordinates its newsletter activities.