How to Go to Craft College
While almost every city now has knitting shops that offer knitting classes, places where you can learn other craft skills are not yet as common. However, they are starting to pop up all over. You can learn to sew, embroider, screenprint, bind books, and make all kind of stuff at these type of crafty workshops. Sometimes the most daunting part of trying out a new craft project is making the investment in all the equipment before you really know what it’s all about, so these workshops are also helpful in that they often have equipment for you to borrow.
I have listed some places I could find that offer these types of craft courses, but it’s by no means an exhaustive list, look for one in your own area as well. If you can’t find a place that is specifically a craft workshop studio, try the local art school or college and see if they offer courses that are open to the public. And if you know of somewhere great in your area, feel free to post it in the comments to share with others.
Or if you can’t find one that already exists, you could always form your own craft studio! Like the seamrippers in Vancouver, a collective that offers courses, has a drop-in centre, gallery and hosts events like craft fairs.
Also in Vancouver, Blim Arts Studio also offers courses in screenprinting, drawing, electronics (!) and other fun stuff.
In Toronto, there isn’t a central place for craft workshops, but you can take screen printing workshops at Peach Berserk, sewing classes at sew be it studio or studio opal, and classes in ceramics, glass blowing and textiles at harbourfront centre.
In Portland there’s the super cool DIY Lounge that offers classes in sewing, embroidery, photography, blogging (!), natural skin care, and tons more.
In San Fransisco, there’s the amazing craft gym, which offers courses in sewing, knitting, ceramics, metals, paper, wood and textiles. They also offer open access to the gym’s studio space and tools, so you can work on projects in your own time. This is a great resource for people who live in apartments that don’t have a lot of room for large craft equipment!
In New York, Make Workshop offers classes in everything from sewing to blockprinting to shoemaking!
In Minneapolis, there’s Crafty Planet, which has courses in sewing, quilting, knitting and crochet.
And in Somerville MA, spark craft studios, offers courses in sewing, knitting, beading and paper crafts.
Know of any more? please leave your comments…
February 12th, 2006 at 12:09 am
In Austin, TX, there’s the work*shop. http://www.theworkshopaustin.com/
February 12th, 2006 at 2:34 am
this is a really important topic/post. we all learn a lot from our fellow bloggers on how to start new projects, but sometimes its a hands on lesson amongst (real-life-breathing) craftsters for inspiration!
i’m checkin’ out the sf one….i had no idea that it existed, and i’ve searched for these things before!
February 12th, 2006 at 3:02 am
Thanks for this great post. I live in the Bay Area, and had never heard of the Craft Gym, what a great resource!
February 12th, 2006 at 3:16 am
I agree, it is so important to have other people to bounce ideas off, share knowledge and be creative and have company at the same time. My crafty friends and I are starting a craft bee at the end of the month. We will get together, drink tea (or wine!), eat yummy treats, chat and sew, paint, felt, crochet and create in any way we fancy! It’ll be a great way for us to socialise & learn at the same time.
February 12th, 2006 at 4:49 am
very interesting! i wish one of these amazing places were near me…maybe will have to start one myself!
February 12th, 2006 at 5:17 am
don’t miss the Textile Center in Minneapolis. beginner classes to master classes in all things textile related. i have taken classes and taught classes there. it’s a great place.
February 12th, 2006 at 8:07 am
Davis, CA has a craft center on the UC Davis campus that’s a fabulous craft college. Not that I’m biased or anything… (I work there).
February 12th, 2006 at 8:12 am
there is also a MAKE in Dallas – not affiliated with the NYC make & better than the NYC, in my opinion
http://www.themakesite.com
February 12th, 2006 at 8:54 am
I’ve found great classes through my local art museum. its been a great way to try a new craft (pottery)without the big investment…but now after a few semesters of classes, I feel ready and knowledgeable enough to invest in equipment.
my art museum offers an amazing variety of classes. might be a great resource for people in other areas, too.
February 12th, 2006 at 12:09 pm
Wow, how cool~ One in Austin and in Dallas, huh?
Let me know if anyone’s heard of any craft colleges in Houston! I feel left out!
February 13th, 2006 at 2:23 am
also in minneapolis are the textile center, which offers classes in traditional textile arts; the minnesota center for book arts, which teaches letterpress, bookbiinding, marbling, papermaking, etc.; and depth of field, which sells great yarn and has spinning, knitting, and other yarn-type classes.
February 13th, 2006 at 3:15 am
i’m taking a knitting class right now in Bedford, Va I love it. I love the idea of going to craft college. I’m addicted to knitting. It is so much fun!
February 13th, 2006 at 5:27 am
In Australia most colleges have evening classes which are advertised each term in the local paper, you can also take classes at CIT (formerly TAFE), also check out your local art school at the UNI, I know at ANU the art school runs classes in the textiles, woodwork and screen printing workshops. most patchwork shops do quilting classes, check out other craft supply shops and fabric shops for classes as well – Spotlight has a craft class schedule which includes making bags and simple clothes amongst other things.
February 13th, 2006 at 8:12 am
A few more to add:
In TO – The Japanese Paper Place has interesting workshops:
http://www.japanesepaperplace.com/goings_on/workshops.htm
And in Vancouver both Paper-Ya and Maiwa Handprints offer workshops.
February 13th, 2006 at 8:51 am
I was wondering about the Australian equivalent! Could you be a bit more specific? :)
Aside from that, though, having looked at the various links you provided above I am scratching my head regarding how places such as Peach Beserk manage to operate screenprinting classes within the confines of OH&S if their operation is small and “home based”. Even if using water based paints, screenprinting (silkscreening to the oldies *s*) requires a lot of hardcore chemical usage which requires some heavy duty plumbing and disposal equipment as well as Council clearances. The reason for this is that these materials are not only highly toxic but extremely corrosive. Left untreated and allowed to be dumped via domestic systems, they have the potential to seep into water systems and foul the ground, rendering it useless. Classes as a private enterprise are very difficult to conduct as a result both in Canada and Australia. Ones I have attended in both countries have been attached to an educational institution with the financial ability to provide the appropriate equipment and clearances. Those that aren’t I have found have been ‘backyarders’ which are both a danger to us as well as themselves.
As a blogger, I would be very *very* wary about recommending any businesses conducting screenprinting classes if they are not clear on their environmental position regarding these important (and legally required) considerations.
The price for the accompanying pollution is just way too high.
Great blog, btw :)
February 14th, 2006 at 4:03 am
thanks for the post! I’d hoped that there would be more than one source in NYC for craft classes but i’ll definitely have to check it out.
February 15th, 2006 at 1:00 am
I love this site and have become so motivated to start really getting hardcore into my crafting and ideas. Did not know of these locations in Minneapolis…..I am sooooooooo excited :)
February 15th, 2006 at 7:24 am
What a great post! I love that all these crafty places are cropping up all over the U.S and beyond;-> In San Fran there is the Stich Lounge!
http://www.stichlounge.com for all the sewing bees!
February 15th, 2006 at 1:19 pm
Rock Paper Scissors (http://www.rpscollective.com/) in Oakland, CA has a bunch of free to super inexpensive classes from a Wednesday sewing class (free access to a serger) to a Fiber Circle and a bunch of other fun classes.
March 18th, 2006 at 2:15 am
This website has made it obvious that it has been made from heart.
December 26th, 2008 at 6:47 pm
Don’t forget The Make Lounge in London, UK! :)
December 27th, 2008 at 7:10 am
This is something I’ve been interested in lately too. Most of my friends are scrapbookers, but I’m feeling the urge to branch out. I think I just need to start! Love your blog!
December 28th, 2008 at 1:37 am
Hi, Your site rocks and major kudos to you. I’ve been seeking a list of resources for awhile and find it difficult to find much (if anything) in the SouthEast. Upon moving here from AZ I learned that the U.S. has a very diverse level of artistic outlets and creativity is harder to express in the South East corridor.
Is it possible to create a list of resources? By media and/or geography?
I’m all for college and YAY for bringing it out. I’ll help compile or whatever….is there a need/place to have this data so we can all get our creativity on?! Thanks.
January 18th, 2009 at 1:21 pm
Unfortunately, Spark Craft in Cambridge, MA has shuttered it’s doors.
February 11th, 2009 at 11:40 pm
I am in agreement with everyone, this site rocks!!! I have tried quite a few things I’ve seen on here. I’ve really branched out from making blankets. Thanks to all who post! Also, anyone know of any classes in the Maryland area?
April 15th, 2009 at 3:52 pm
Hey rem! I’m Sarah from Sew Crafty in Houston – don’t feel left out! We have a crafty place for you too!