Even though I’ve got Spring on the brain, I’m writing to you from under 3 feet of snow in Providence RI. With my power finally back on, here is my regular quarterly dispatch, a few days later than I had hoped. I’m dreaming of warmer days ahead and, of course, the fun sewing projects that go with them. I just celebrated the anniversary of my own birth (I bet at least 10 of you are like…”So they’re an Aquarius, that tracks!”) and we’re approaching a year in the new space in Pawtucket. I’m so proud of how much it has grown and evolved. I love our sunny little mill studio and I’ve been so happy to share it with y’all.
And guess what, in all the chaos of February’s activities, our three year anniversary came and went! Whoops! 😅
So in honor of that, I included a little recap gallery below. Our third year in business was full of exciting milestones (Doing commissions again! Growing our craft night! Doing pride events!), boring administrative stuff due to moving😬, and lots of regular old studio time with great classes and beautiful projects.
I’m also just really, really excited about what the next season at Patchwork holds. Things have been steadily growing and I can’t wait to welcome you into the space for a class, a craft night, or anything else your heart desires in the crafty sphere.
We first opened our space in February of 2023 and it kind of blows my mind that Patchwork is entering its fourth year. I think my complete neglect of celebrating our three year anniversary was due to just being, well, ultra focused on the business (including our Spring class calendar which I am incredibly excited about!)
Here’s some fun highlights from our 3rd year! It started off with winding down at our old location with some sweet classes.
Then began the epic task of packing up the studio, including disassembling our custom tables and desks. It was quite the task and I took the last two weeks of March to make it happen. I had already moved to Providence in December, so I was making a lot of back and forth trips bringing small items, followed by a big Uhaul day for all the large items and bins.
Once all the stuff was moved to our new location in Lorraine Mills in Pawtucket, with the help of some friends, I set to work organizing and building and arranging. We had our official grand opening at the end of April (though classes had already begun.)
I love our new space so much and it’s been fun to watch it evolve to meet the needs of myself and the students I teach. Craft nights have been particularly popular and I’m so happy to offer a fun and inclusive third space to my community.
This year, we made t-shirts, jeans, chore coats, and vests. We drafted patterns, altered clothes, and repaired holes. We carved stamps, dyed with plans, made cyanotypes, and even reupholstered a whole chair!
I’m looking forward to what our next year can bring! So many exciting things on the horizon.
Before I get into Spring classes, did you know we still have spots in some of our final February Classes?
Have you always wanted to make a hat? Join us Saturday 28th at 4pm for the beginner friendly Sew a Beanie! No sewing experience necessary!
…and if you’re more interested in what’s inside your head, rather than on it, you shouldn’t miss our Meet Your Inner Oracle class, also on Saturday 2/28 from 1-4pm. Use journaling and collage to make your own oracle deck with the expert help of Callan Tynes of La Forza Tarot!
Alright, here we go! I’m delighted to share our stellar roster of Spring classes. I’m so excited to bring back some favorites as well as share some fun new additions to the lineup.
Starting off the month with a bang, we have our tried and true Clone Your Clothes class, Wednesday nights starting 3/11. If you have a favorite garment that you’d like to make a copy of, this class shows you how to do that without taking it apart! Magical, I know!
Later that month, we have something brand new: our Fabric Design Workshop on Sunday 3/22 at 1pm. This 3 hour workshop will teach you how to design your own seamless, repeating fabric design. We’ll work with analog methods like, painting, drawing and collage, but you’ll leave with a digital file you can print using services like Spoonflower.
If you’re a complete beginner, we of course have our Learn To Sew: Patchwork Tote workshop on Saturday 3/5 at 1pm. This is a crash course in machine sewing and you’ll leave with newfound sewing confidence and a cute tote bag. Feel free to bring your own machine or use ours!
At the end of March, we have our Slow Stitches Embroidery Workshop, beginning Thursday 3/26 at 7pm. This class is a chance to slow down, practice mindful stitching, and hang out with other creatives in a cozy space. If you’re looking for a fun, relaxing, and portable hobby, look no further!
Next up is one of our most popular classes, Cyanotypes on Fabric. This one day workshop happens at 10am on Saturday 4/11. The following weekend, we have an Alterations Workshop on Sunday 4/19 at 1pm! Bring those clothing items that need a fix or some zhushing up and leave with a refreshed outfit.
May classes kick off with our brand new Sew a Cross Body Bag on Saturday 5/2 at 1pm. What’s the difference between a cross body bag and a fanny pack? I’m not really sure there is one, but boy are they fun to make! Use your most fun fabric and repurposed zippers to make an iconic (and functional) bag.
Our long form class in May is Sew Simple Pants, Monday nights starting May 4th. If you’re pants curious, come make a pair of joggers or wide leg pants. Both have elastic waists and are easy to sew and fit. Plus, they have pockets! Great for advanced beginners looking to level up their skills or more experienced sewers who need an excuse to make themselves some comfy pants.
Last but not least, we’re doing another round of our Natural Dye: Indigo class on Friday 5/8 at 7pm. This dye technique is truly magical, come experience it yourself!
Did you know our Private Lessons are always ‘Bring a friend for free’? That means you and a friend can sign up for a private lesson and split the cost, but still get a ton of one on one support!
It’s Black History Month! In my link dump this quarter, I wanted to spotlight some of my favorite Black artists working in fashion, textiles, and other fiber crafts. I found a bunch of great interview videos and shared them below.
Weaver Diedrick Brackens creates gorgeous and moving tapestries, focusing on themes of Black and Queer identity and history.
Quilter Bisa Butler is a wizard when it comes to fabric. Her quilts need to be seen to be believed, using texture and color in layers to create vibrant portraits.
Aboubakar Fofana is renowned indigo dyer and textile sculptor. He is a preservationist of West African dye techniques.
Nick Cave is best known for his ‘sound suits’, giant wearable art sculptures that are designed to make sounds as the wearer moves in them.
The late Patrick Kelly was a visionary designer who took the world of Parisian Haute Couture by storm. His whimsical designs and fearless attitude made him incomparable.
As an alternative to using Spotify for playlists, I’ve attempted to make my own space to host playlists online. This month’s playlist is an MP3 file and you can listen and download on my website. I’m also working on archiving my older playlists. For now, they’ll be linked to the original Spotify playlist.
No posts
Comments
Nothing yet. Say the first thing.
Sign in to join the conversation.