Here’s a selection of some of the best regualr workshops and classes in London if you’re one of those crafty creative types with oodles of imagination…
Fabrications, Broadway Market
Apart from selling cushions, upcycled homeware, haberdashery and an array of questionably-ironic Hackney souvenirs, Fabrications also runs a packed list of classes, workshops and events. There are knitting sessions for all levels as well as patchwork quilting, embroidery, felt making. They also run a nifty party service (you can book the girls to come and throw a craft party at your house), plus they run a craft club over cocktails at the nearby Off Broadway bar every Wednesday from 6pm.
Open Tuesday – Sunday
7 Broadway Market, E8 4PH
fabrications1.co.uk
Tube: London Fields
Beauty Product Making Sessions, Chiswick
Indulge yourself and dramatically enhance your bathtime with a beauty product making session. Learn how to make your own bergamot and rose petal bath soak as well as a geranium and orange-infused body scrub using only pure essential oils and natural ingredients only.
October 8, November 19
3 Bond Street, W4 1QZ
imadeitmyself.co.uk
Tube: Turnham Green
Wool Modern with Elizabeth Bradley, Pall Mall
The Wool Modern exhibition focuses on innovative and cutting-edge uses of wool in the creative industries, with work from the likes of Alexander McQueen, Paul Smith, Burberry and Sonia Rykiel. High-end tapestry kit supplier, Elizabeth Bradley will also be hosting demonstrations and talks on crafting wool tapestries upstairs on September 13.
September 8-29
Royal Opera Academy Gallery, Pall Mall, SW1Y 4UY
campaignforwool.org
Tube: Piccadilly
Stitch Balham, Balham
A group of knitters, sewers and crocheters who meet weekly. They welcome all levels and it’s a great place to learn if you’re a beginner.
Wednesdays, 7.30pm
Balham Bowls Club, SW12 8QX
facebook.com/stitchbalham
Tube: Balham
Crafty Fox, Brixton
The Crafty Fox is a platform for designer-makers to showcase their work. They usually hold events at The Dogstar bar and cafe in Brixton selling their handmade treasures and vintage finds while punters enjoy a drink and a dance.
Various events
389 Coldharbour Ln, SW9 8LQ
craftyfoxmarket.blogspot.com
Tube: Brixton
Crafternoon, Hackney
Hire out London Crafternoon for a three-hour monster making session with craft fanatic Gabby Shiner-Hill at a venue of your choice. All materials are supplied and prices are on request.
Available all year round
ldncrafternoon.com
Creative Biscuit, Woodford
Design, create and paint onto ceramics while chowing down on cake and drinking tea. If it’s a special occasion sign a plate, write a message and leave it to Creative Biscuit’s team of artists to hand paint the gift. They also take bookings for parties.
Tuesday to Saturday 10am-5pm
61 George Lane, E18 1JJ
creativebiscuit.co.uk
Tube: South Woodford
Entanglement: the ambivalence of identity, Shoreditch
For his installation in this exhibition on cultural identity, belonging and affiliation, Anthony Key etched the names and addresses of a different Chinese restaurant onto 8,000 chopsticks by hand.
September 14 – November 19
Rivington Place, EC2A 3BA
iniva.org
Tube: Old Street
Shoreditch Sisters Women’s Institute, Shoreditch
This has to be the coolest Women’s Institute group in the country. The sisters meet every month to get stuck into a making session or do some serious activism. They do it all from sushi rolling, quilt making. life drawing and tie-dying to campaigning against domestic violence and rallying support for cancer charities. Founded in 2007 and set up mainly through word of mouth, most of the members are in their twenties – making them the youngest WI group in Britain. The joining fee is £30 a year, plus extra costs for some meetings.
Meetings every fourth Tuesday
The Tea Building, 56 Shoreditch High Street, E1 6JJ
shoreditchsisters.blogspot.com
Tube: Shoreditch High Street
Beginners’ Origami class, Holborn
Perfect your crane-making skills at this course in the Japanese art of paper folding. You’ll make beautiful shapes from a sheet of paper in no time.
Saturday February 11 2012
Keeley Street, WC2B 4BA
citylit.ac.uk
Tube: Holborn
Screen Printing Workshop, Islington
Whether you plan on going for a geometric design or 70s floral pattern, create your own textile wonders at The Make Lounge’s beginnerss workshop on screen printing. Begin by drawing your own design (or bring your own picture of a pattern you’ve always loved), then transfer it to paper stencil before getting your ink screen ready to print onto a tea towel, tote bag or a T-shirt. The best bit is you’ll be learning techniques that you can use in a home studio. But if screen printing isn’t your thing, there are also make do and mend classes, plus jewellery making and bespoke lampshade classes. Several sessions per month
41 Barnsbury Street, N1 1TP
themakelounge.com
Tube: Angel
Drink, Shop & Do, King’s Cross
A design shop and cafe bar that holds crafty events – try your hand at crocheting a vintage hat, making an ice cream sundae or knitting a scarf. For real inspiration try the Play with Clay Dolly Parton Style, where you can make models out of clay to the singer’s legendary tunes. If you’re not in the mood for making they serve hand-made cakes and cocktails and sell quirky crafts and vintage homeware.
Open all week
9 Caledonian Road, N1 9DX
drinkshopdo.com
Tube: King’s Cross
Hackney City Farm Arts and Crafts Market, Hackney
For anything made by hand in Hackney, check out Hackney City Farm’s bi-monthly arts and crafts market. While you’re there visit the animals, chill out in the garden and get some grub from the cafe, which is stocked with produce from the farm, no less.
Sunday October 2, 11am-4pm
1a Goldsmiths Row, E2 8QA
hackneycityfarm.co.uk
Tube: Hoxton
Paper Cutting and Collage Class, Holborn
Learn to cut and layer paper images with different textures.
June 22 2012
13 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, EC2A 3BP
soane.org
Tube: Holborn
Dulwich Craft Fair, Dulwich
With over 20 exhibitors, selling crafts such as homewares, furniture, clothes and accessories.
Saturday November 26, Saturday December 10
St Barnabas Church Hall, Dulwich Village, SE21 7BT
dulwichcrafts.co.uk
Tube: North Dulwich Rail
Come Get Felt Up, Shoreditch
Get your crafty mitts at the ready to enter a making competition with silly prizes like Dolly Parton records and a baked bean jigsaw. This night has been described as “Blue Peter meets Art Attack while Anne Robinson watches on”.
Thursday September 29, 8pm-2am
100-106 Leonard Street
wearetbc.com
Tube: Shoreditch High Street
Crafty Pint, Tooting
From charm bracelet making to creating handmade book covers, Crafty Pint hold monthly workshops at the Tooting Tram and Social. October’s is ceramic painting and November’s will be upcycled jewellery. All materials (plus cake) are provided.
First Saturday of every month
46-48 Mitcham Road,
SW17 9NA
handmadeintooting.wordpress.com
Tube: Tooting Broadway
The Third Pamflet Salon: the craft starring Jazz Domino Holly, King’s Cross
A craft-themed evening at Drink Shop Do with the doyenne of DIY and Shoreditch Sisters founder, Jazz Domino Holly. She’ll be reading from her book, The Queen Of Crafts – which teaches how to make bunting, bake jam tarts, plant a herbal tea garden and make your own lip balm. She’ll also explain why making stuff means so much to her. You’ll be hosting tea parties before you know it. Tickets include cake and wine.
Tuesday September 27, from 8pm
9 Caledonian Road, N1 9DX
drinkshopdo.com
Tube: King’s Cross
