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…
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