Judy Grivich has been a member of GBACG since 2005 and has been costuming since her grandmother provided her first (Hasbro) sewing machine. She served on the board as Secretary from 2014 to 2016 and after a break to catch up on sleep, returned as Treasurer in 2021. She has a fancy degree in Contemporary Shakespearean Criticism, and currently works as a federal regulator.
Judy’s cosplay passion is all about expanding her horizons. Part of that journey is not only learning about new techniques and inspirations for her own use, but also, bringing those discoveries to others. As treasurer, she hopes to continue crafting the guild into a welcoming place for new members, communities, voices, experiences, periods, places, techniques, and media.
Lynn learned to sew at the age of eight but did not learn how to make hats until her late 20s. She blames historical reenactment for her passion for millinery. It was then that she saw a real need for hat patterns so that costume makers could make hats as well as clothing. The more research she does on any historical period, the more she wants to make the hats from that period… and so it goes. Her “…Out of a Portrait” hat pattern company now has over 60 patterns covering eight historical eras. But of course the making of hats leads to the decorating of hats and an attempt to master the transformation of the feathers, fabric and ribbon into beautiful millinery decorations. Once the techniques are figured out Lynn loves to pass them on via her website, Facebook page and in workshop classes. To view Lynn’s patterns check out http://outofaportrait.com.
Chang is a jack of all trades except when it comes to writing a short bio.
Sarah has been working leather for many years, having started with bookbinding and later branching out to handbags and custom armor. She is passionate about the craft and loves to share her knowledge.
Rachel enjoys sewing everything from fashion garments to costumes and cosplay (for both her and her dogs) to quilts to bags and more. Not satisfied with the current fabric options for her ideas, she started designing her own to meet her needs. In addition to working with fabric, Rachel bakes voraciously, gets dirty with clay, almost finishes knitting projects, escapes from rooms, and runs regularly (often in costume). To fund her myriad hobbies, she has a PhD in computer science and works as a software engineer. Keep up with her online at www.pigsinpajamas.com or on Instagram at @pigsinpajamas.
Catherine Scholar read “Little House on the Prairie” at age five and has been obsessed with historic clothing ever since. She learned to sew at her mother’s knee and to embroider at her grandmother’s. In high school she discovered vintage dance, the Northern Renaissance Pleasure Faire, and Dickens Fair, and was amazed to learn that she could combine her passions for dance, costume, history and theater. Catherine served on the board of the Greater Bay Area Costumers Guild for 10 years as Newsletter Editor, Events Coordinator, and President. She has taught many costuming workshops for GBACG, Lacis, Renaissance Fabrics, 1886/Costume On, Costume Skills Institute, and Costume College.
Natalie is GBACG Secretary. She has been sewing and making costumes since she was a child. Natalie particularly loves the detail and specificity of traditional techniques, from spinning and knitting to embroidery and fine handsewing.
Halsey has been collecting vintage since she was knee-high to a grasshopper. An inveterate cheapskate, she has always been drawn to damaged items with the hopes of fixing them up. And sometimes she succeeds!