The instructor was impatient, and seemed unwilling to break down the basics in a coherent way, even though it was a beginning class. She spent an inordinate amount of time telling the story of her own life. She spoke to me like I was stupid in front of the class, not a fun experience. I'm a good student, but had never done any sewing before. I won't be taking any more classes there. read more

I inherited my mother's top of the line computerized sewing/embroidery machine that frankly scared me to death. I called the dealer in Walnut Creek where I purchased my previous machine to ask about paying for lessons on the new machine. They informed me that unless I bought the machine from them they do not give lessons, even for a fee. Then I called Cecelia at Sew Images. Not only was she willing and able to give me lessons, she gave me lots of phone support before my first lesson. Contrary to what another reviewer said, I did not feel at all left out or ignored by Cecelia even though I did not buy my machine from her. She has been wonderful to me with lessons, support and encouragement. She is a true teacher. She enjoys sharing her knowledge with enthusiastic students, regardless of where you bought your sewing machine. Her subject knowledge is incredible too-basic sewing to digitizing custom embroidery designs. Her shop is small, much of the time she is by herself, but never fear, she is a dymano. read more

Cecilia is great. She fixed my 20 years old Singer machine, gave me a lesson on how to use each element and now I am sewing and making clothes again. Happy customer read more

I love this place.... Cecilia is very helpful and super knowledgable about her machines. She is a no-nonsense lady, and she knows her stuff! They carry great and reliable products at a fair price. Awesome local business! read more

This place is so great! I was trying to sew bike tubes into fun upcycled things, but was having a tough time with the old Singer I had bought just for that purpose. After an online search, I determined I needed a walking foot and some sewer's aid. I went in to Sew Images 5 minutes before they closed and asked for a walking foot for my Singer. The lady that helped me was so so great- I felt bad about walking in right before closing, but she didn't show any frustration or make me feel rushed at all. She went through their different walking foot options, determined the best one for my sewing machine, and assured me I could bring it back if it didn't work. Then I asked for the sewer's aid, and pulled out one of the tubes I was having trouble with. She didn't bat an eye at me trying to sew on bike tubes, and suggested a teflon foot instead of the walking foot/sewer's aid combo. It was even less expensive than the walking foot. She also made some other suggestions (set the tension high, increase the stitch length). I bought the teflon foot and between the foot and her advice my bike tubes had beautiful stitches in no time. This store is so great! How wonderful to have a shop where you can go in with a problem and talk to people that really, really know their stuff! read more

I found Sew Images thru Yelp and registered for an overloc class It was great- thorough thoughtful and well organized, but still casual. I learned a great deal. I was impressed by the folks who own and work in the shop- no big pressure to make you purchase something. I will return for another class- I cannot remember some of the things I was taught and I know that it will be worth the trip. If you live in the east bay it's a go to place. The phone rang a great deal while I was there and every caller was helped by the woman who was answering. No short curt answers. a real find for a sewer- ask to see the book of machine embroideries it's awesome read more

Great service! The ladies who work/run the place are very friendly - just a little rough around the edges, but I appreciate that. They got my much loved old Singer back in working order in record time for less than other repair shops I have taken it to in the area, and now it runs beautifully - like new! I recommend this place WHOLEHEARTEDLY over Grand Lake Sew and Vac (the previous failed repair shop for my machine) for all your sewing machine repairs! read more

Unfortunately I never had an opportunity to use their services. I lugged my very heavy Bernina sewing machine to their shop for a much needed cleaning. Their store hours are posted as being open until 6 PM. I arrived at the door at 5:40 to be greeted by a closed sign in the window. Nothing else to explain why they were closed. I called the next day to inquire if their hours had changed. No, I was told in a cool, curt, unapologetic manner and belatedly the excuse of a "family emergency" was given. I was turned off and decided to take my business elsewhere. I definitely won't let my shadow darken their door step again. read more

Great Staff! They are very knowledgeable about sewing. They have a great array of supplies and have great classes.

Cecilia is GREAT! Another place had told me my serger was a total loss but Cecilia was able to identify the problem immediately! I will never go anywhere else but Sew Images..Honest, friendly service..Thank you! read more

I am sure others have had a good experience at Sew Images. Cecilia seems like a nice enought person, but my husband bought a $400.00 Magic Box from her.. the wrong magic card was inside of the box, she refused to exchange the card for me because I had opened the box!...How else was I to know? She said my husband ordered a different card...as he bought the machine for me..he should know which machine and she should have helped him..thats a lot of money! I will not do business with this shop again..I have now had to spend another $100 to get the correct card so I can use the magic box...otherwise all that money would be wasted. As for classes...San Lorenzo Adult School offers 6-8week classes for $30.00, and you don't have to feel negelected.....Another great place is Dublin Sewing Center and Fremont JoAnn's Super Store read more

Outstanding monogramming job on a bath sheet. Reasonable price, quick turnaround, lovely owner. I highly recommend it.

I cannot begin to state what a wonderful experience it is to enter this little store on Piedmont Avenue. There are passionate helpers there especially the wonderful owner.. If you want to learn to sew or want to buy the best.. "Bernina" this is a welcome home. Thanks to you all read more

Cecilia is the best. If you have a problem or a simple question, she handles both with ease

I took my sewing machine to Sew Images to be repaired so that I could make masks for the Covid 19 pandemic. After lifting the bobbin cover and removing the bobbin case, the owner told me my case was cracked and needed to be replaced. I took photos and left the machine and an $80 deposit with her. A few weeks later, she called to let me know I could pick up my sewing machine. When I got there, she charged me another $30. I was under the impression that for $110.00 she had her mechanic tune up my machine like she had promised. I received my machine in the bag I brought it to the shop in. A square piece of fabric with various kinds of stiches covered the bobbin. I assumed it was the piece of fabric she used to test the machine after it was repaired. A week later when I lifted the fabric to sew, I found that the plastic bobbin cover was missing. When I called Sew Images to find out what happened to my bobbin cover, the owner could not find it and offered to order another one. I was disappointed because now it was over a month that my machine had not been working and I needed to make Covid 19 masks for my family. She suggested that I cut and use a piece of index card to cover the bobbin. A few days later when I decided to try that, my presser foot was missing, and it was not in the machine's storage compartment. I was so frustrated by that point that I decided to cut my losses and try a new repair shop. I bought a new presser foot there, but when I got home and tried to sew, my bobbin stiches were bunching. When I took the machine in to the new shop for a diagnosis, the mechanic opened it and showed me that it had not been dusted inside. Not only was the bobbin case used, it was the wrong size, which was the reason the stitches kept bunching. Sew Images lost my bobbin cover and my presser foot, replaced my bobbin case with one that was the wrong size and used, and charged me $110.00. My machine is still in the shop to this day waiting for parts. It's costing me another $110.00 for a repair I already paid for, plus the cost of another bobbin cover and presser foot. Still no word from Sew Images. read more

This sewing supply store offers sewing classes over a series of 5 classes. The first 2 are lecture-style classes (take notes), and the last 3 are hands-on (so bring your sewing machines). If you don't buy a sewing machine from the store, be prepared to feel neglected in the class. The students that bought a machine from the store had a noticable bit of preferential treatment. During the hands-on classes, the instructor also seemed more interested in carrying-on conversations with other students that had nothing do with sewing while other students who needed help (or had questions) were waiting for the instructor to finish socializing. Sometimes, the instructor would get a little impatient also if you're not understanding all of the concepts. Try to read-up on the notes after each class. There are some sewing terms that you need to be familiarized with before the next class. Also, set aside time to work on your project too. If you don't, you will fall behind in the class, and you'll REALLY get scolded in front of the whole class. You won't find a big selection of supplies, but the store carries a lot of the essential items you'll need. read more

My experience with Cecilia at Sew Images has been consistently awful, as she is unprofessional, rude and dishonest. After an initial phone call with a very sweet and helpful person, NOT Cecilia, to determine if Sew Images could handle replacing a computer card in my Bernina, I took my machine into the store for the servicing. I made arrangements to get to Oakland from San Francisco. Cecilia was rude, abrupt and apparently took down my contact information incorrectly during my drop off of the machine. After waiting more than a month to hear from her about the status of my machine's repair, I started calling and leaving messages. She did not return my calls. When I finally got hold of her, she claimed that she had been calling me, but apparently had the wrong number. Giving her the benefit of the doubt, I traveled to Oakland to pick up my machine. My mistake was not having her run the machine before I left the shop to test that it worked after the repair. When I finally had a project that required using my Bernina, I found that it still did not work. There was a test piece with brown thread under the presser foot as if it had been tested, but the thread in the needle and bobbin was white. I have written two emails to Cecilia regarding this matter. No answer. I have been defrauded of $200.00 for a service I did not receive! BUYER BEWARE of Sew Images and Cecilia Franklin! read more

I brought my sewing machine in to Cecilia of Sew Images for an advertised "FREE"Estimate. There was nothing "FREE" about it she worked on the machine without my consent and then called me and told me the machine was unfixable and I would have to pay $95 dollars for the repairman's time. Not once did I sign anything to authorize repairs to be made to the machine as I only brought the machine in for a "Free" Estimate. She knew that the machine was my mothers and that it was sentimental to me broken or not because I told her when I brought it to her for a "FREE" estimate. She used that fact to hold the Machine Hostage Until I paid. In the end my husband had to get involved and bargain with her for a service that was supposed to be "FREE" . All together we ended up with a lot of hurt feelings and a bill for $25. I would strongly caution anyone to use this women's services as they are not worth the trouble. Caution Cecilia is quick to turn to belligerent and verbally abusive behavior when questioned about her fraudulent business practices. read more

I've been misled by Yelpers yet again.... I guess I shouldn't expect quality service when it's only one lady running the show. But then again, why shouldn't I if I'm a paying customer? Anyhow... I wanted to get a couple of sweatshirts embroidered and had brought them in for an estimate but somehow, it ended up that she took in my sweatshirts to start work on them. She was kind, so I didn't think much of it. She did sort of hurry me along, as if she knew exactly what I wanted.. I told her where and what I wanted my embroidery to be, and had to interrupt her to let her know that the sweatshirts are different sizes, so that played a role in my order. She finally told me when to expect it to be ready and the amount. For the duration it took and the price, it really isn't worth coming here. I've been to a lot better places that can get the job done in half the time and cheaper. But on top of this, the embroidery wasn't exactly where I want it, and more off to the side. I'm only giving this place the second star because she is a nice lady, other than that, I can't say I'll be coming back for any other order. read more

My item (to be embroidered) was late, but this was totally forgivable. Cecelia was nice. My major complaint is that my item smells horribly of old cigarettes! Someone is definitely smoking in the store and it smells foul. I now have to pay a dry cleaner to attempt to get the smell out before my wedding in 1 week. I'm pretty upset about it and feel this is super unprofessional. read more

This lady is awesome. All of a sudden my inherited old Singer machine stopped working and she diagnosed it without even looking at it! Very friendly, machine fixed with no charge. (I had the needle in backwards, thought I was exactly following the instructions, how did she know?!) read more

I managed to get a piece of a broken needle stuck in my machine and jammed it solid. Got a tune up and removed the piece of needle for about $100. Cecelia was a delight to work with (another person does the repair work), and will definitely be visiting them again. I live in Alameda, and unfortunately it appears that our local machine repair shop has gone down the tubes, so I'm very lucky to have found Sew Images only 15 minutes away. read more

I stopped in here to get bobbins for my machine that I couldn't find anywhere. The woman that helped me was very nice and helpful, I had limited information about my sewing machine but she was determined to help me find what I needed. I will definately go back here for any of my sewing needs. read more

Just bought a Bernina from the lovely and helpful Cecilia! They have good prices on machines as far as I can tell (less than the MSRP that I found on the Bernina website), and Cecilia wasn't annoyed that I got the lower-end model. She spent some time helping me with tips about sewing zippers etc. read more

Went to this Bernina dealership to get my machine serviced. The owner is friendly and knowledgable. My machine was cleaned and ready in three days which was less time and a better price than what I could find at other places in the Bay Area. read more

Cecilia is great! Knowlegable, helpful, friendly, reasonable. A no-nonsense resource for your special projects!

I think this store is fantastic. I met Cecilia many years ago when my mother purchased a machine from her. I called a few days later and ordered a machine too. She has always been very helpful and answered any and all questions. I have been bringing my machines in for tuneups for years and they always run better when I get them back. As for the classes you get back what you put in. Do your homework step up and ask questions you will get the info you need. Cecilia continues to amaze me after all these years read more

I went into Sew Images to purchase an item that had to be ordered. I observed the proprietor reviewing the item on her computer and it was $41...she told me that my cost would be $49. I purchased and ordered a number of things that day and the proprietor placed the receipt in the bag. A few days later when I looked at the receipt she had charged me double for the product I ordered ($82). When I called her she said the $49 was her cost yet she never mentioned that the product I ordered would be $82. I told her if I knew that I would never had order the product she said she would credit my card. In addition to not being truthful and forth coming about the cost of the part the crediting of my account has been a nightmare (which I plan to report to the BBB). I have called and been in that store three time to this resolved to no avail. The first time she rang the credit she recharged me for an item that did not arrive and was canceled. I went in again to get that fixed and it was not credited to my account immediately. When I checked my bank I discovered she had also debited the $82 + tax instead of crediting it to my account. She ended up owing me more that $200 that took time for her to credit my account correctly. I found it hard to believe that with each transaction she would make a mistake that took more money out of my checking account via my debit card. read more