Arts and crafts ideas in London: 10 places to get crafty in the capital

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Ailis Brennan9 May 2018

Ever fancied yourself as a crafty little sew-and-sew?

If there ever was a time to get your hands dirty (and sticky, and fluffy, and glittery) then it’s this week, which is known in PVA-conscious circles as London Craft Week.

From printing to pom poms, firing pots to feminist embroidery, here are the best classes and workshops for getting crafty in London.

Knit With Attitude

Knitting isn’t just for your Nan. Knitting is cool now. This Stoke Newington store is inviting you to Knit With Attitude at their regular workshops, ranging from beginners knitting classes to Amigurumi, the Japanese art of 3D crocheting stuffed animals. It’s even cuter than you think.

127 Stoke Newington High Street, Stoke Newington, N16 0PH; knitwithattitude.com

London Craft Club

If the crafty urge hasn’t manifested itself in a particular discipline yet, then let London Craft Club guide the way. They’ll help you learn anything from pyrography (the art of burning patterns into wood) to bookbinding, from pom pom making to feminist embroidery – that’s right, fighting the patriarchy stitch by stitch.

Various locations; londoncraftclub.co.uk

Drink, Shop and Do

Come for the crafts, stay for the cocktails at this café-meets-bar-meets-craft-club on the Caledonian Road. Add a beverage to your bookbinding, or nurse a negroni while you needle a nipple tassle, with near-nightly activities ranging from the leisurely to the downright wild. Ever wanted to ice Keira Knightley’s face onto a biscuit? Now is your moment.

9 Caledonian Road, Kings Cross, N1 9DX; drinkshopdo.co.uk

Print Club London

Julian Love

Andy Warhol was good, but are you better? You’ll never know if you don’t get down and dirty with a squeegee (yes, that’s a real thing) and try your hand at screen printing. London Print Club opens up its studio for public workshops where you can learn how to print your own posters, t-shirts and tote bags.

Unit 3, 10-28 Millers Avenue, Dalston, E8 2DS; printclublondon.com

The Workbench

Colin Ross

If glitter just doesn’t cut it anymore in the glamour stakes, then why not get crafty with precious metals? Jewellery designers Katie Woodward and Kirstie McLaren guide you through the process of wax carving your very own ring design. They’ll then take your design, turn it into a silver or gold ring and send it back to you – et voilà!

Various locations; theworkbenchlondon.com

The Kiln Rooms

Throw down like you know how to hoedown at The Kiln Rooms in Peckham where the mission is to drive London potty. If you just want to dip your toe in the clay then try their one-off pottery taster sessions, or dive right in with a four week course or more advanced classes.

9C, 133 Copeland Road, SE15 3SN; thekilnrooms.com

Poppy’s Papercuts

Poppy Chancellor has wowed fashionistas from Adidas to Cath Kidston with her sassy, sexy and stunningly intricate papercut designs. You too can have a go at creating a cutting-edge cut-out of your own at one of her monthly workshops.

Various locations; poppyspapercuts.com

The Goodlife Centre

If you’re going to spend hours fiddling over your creation, you might as well make something that you’ll actually use. The Goodlife Centre offers a whole host of homely workshops, from upholstery to spoon carving, DIY basics to basketry, as well as an abundance of woodwork.

49/55 Great Guildford Street, SE1 0ES; thegoodlifecentre.co.uk

Pottery Café

Since it was set up by ceramics sensation Emma Bridgewater, the Pottery Café has been quite literally feeding London’s craft habit for twenty years now. Try your (steady) hand at painting pots, decoration dishes and giving some oomph to a ceramic unicorn or two. There’s also cake – lots of cake.

SW6 and SW11; pottery-cafe.com

Bamboo Bicycle Club

Thinking of taking your crafting skills to the next level? Then put down the Pritt Stick and upgrade to building your very own bicycle – from bamboo nonetheless. The Bamboo Bicycle Club are based in Bow and are ready to school you in constructing your new ride out of panda food. You’ll be moving a little faster than a panda when you’re done.

Autumn Road Studios, E3 2TT; bamboobicycleclub.org

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