Highlights from Go Green Craft Night

Crafty sounds as usual, were provided by DJs The SpinningYarns

Hands down one of our most creative craft nights yet. We challenged our three guest tutors Tree from Stitchless TV, Alison Beadnell and Purple Claire to come up with some nifty ideas to re-use, recycle and remake and they proved that anything is possible with a bit of imagination and some leftovers...

Knitting t-shirts into coasters using just a pair of pencils with Alison Beadnell

The T-shirt coasters project was designed by Alison who was modelling a sweater she made from her son's old t-shirts

Step 1: Cutting t-shirts into a long narrow strip to create yarn

Stage 2: Knitting the strip into a coaster using pencils

The finished items

Recycling maps into decorations with Purple Claire

Collage stash

A peek inside Claire's sketchbook showing just our lovely envelope liners are

One of the collages created on the evening - a combination of music paper and maps

Sewing bags & customising clothes with Tree using fabric offcuts

Tree brought along her mini sewing machines for this fabric recycling workshop

We were donated a sack of fabric offcuts and with help from Tree they were turned into patchwork tote bags

Neha's first attempt on a sewing machine and she made a purse with a zip

Nifty re-creation, this sweater was turned into a hat and wrist gloves

Getting down to the knitty gritty in our knitting corner

As usual we had special guest tutors on hand to guide newbies how to knit - this always results in happy faces

We were also visited by East London Lines who filmed a short report about our night which you can watch here.

In keeping with the theme The Make Escape's Momtaz and guest tutor Tree both wore homemade green dresses, Momtaz's used to be a curtain!

Join us for our next craft night just after the Easter Bank Holiday weekend - where we will be having a Super Hero themed craft night to celebrate the release of the movie Batman v Superman  - get your capes at the ready! (or perhaps make your own).

Full details coming to the blog nearer the time but pop March 29th in your diary now.

Coming up: Indian Summer Craft Night 30 September

design by: Sal Hughson (www.styledbysally.co.uk) 

The sun is still shining and we're still in summer mode! Join us for an evening of South Asian inspired craft projects at our Indian Summer craft night. Try your hand at weaving, stitching and collaging and create a sparkling masterpiece with our stash of sequins, glitter yarns shimmering scraps.

Rickshaw art

This month's Collage Corner is being taken over by artist/illustrator Matt Ponting in this colourful & creative workshop where you can design your own modern, rickshaw style art. 

Peg-loom weaving

Learn how to use a peg loom and weave a sample of fabric using shimmering yarns guided by the creative and colourful Purple Claire Textiles. 


Bollywood brooches

A long, long time ago (when craft wasn't that cool) our founder Momtaz Begum-Hossain wrote a booked called Bollywood Crafts about her two big passions: craft and Bollywood. This month she's running a workshop which takes inspiration from her book - sew yourself a Bollywood brooch. You can also buy signed copies of her book for £5 which are now limited edition.


Kuhmihimo braiding

Jewellery designer Louise Reed will be running her popular braidmaking session which this time features some shimmering yarns. Learn a new skill by mastering this traditional technique.

Plus join our knitting nook where we teach beginners the art of using needles, sending them off on their first adventures in yarn, or bring along a project you're working on at home and knit, crochet or make in a friendly environment. Soundtrack as ever provided by The Spinning Yarns and we've got a bar. Food served on the ground floor which you can order to be delivered to you. 

Doors open: 7.30pm. FREE ENTRY. All workshops are drop-in. 
Collect a ticket from the box office upon arrival to gain entry: Hackney Attic, 5th floor Hackney Picturehouse Cinema, 270 Mare Street, Hackney, London. E8. 

Come alone with friend, family, work colleagues, dates, random strangers - all welcome! 

Highlights: It's A London Thing Craft Night

Maybe it's because we're Londoners? Or maybe it's because we all love craft? When our It's A London Thing craft night was threatened by a tube strike we were worried no one would turn up but we were so wrong! You made an effort to come and support us and in return we offered you FIVE incredible free workshops led by some very special guests.

Sewing Oystercard holders with Crafternoon Cabaret

The amazing Hannah who runs a monthly craft event at the swanky Hospital Club joined us to run a stitching your own oyster card holder session. Crafternoon Cabaret have just turned 1! Check them out as they have some very fun workshops AND live cabaret guests. Momtaz went along to its old home in an Islington pub. See what she made here.

And here's what you got up to. WOW!

Probably the most glamorous oyster card holder in London!

Making 3D Cityscapes with City Pop Outs

Matt from City Pop Outs is a regular Make Escaper & had previously run our live stage drawing sessions but this was his first workshop and it was so much fun!

Participants made their own incredible London landscapes inspired by Matt's own artwork...which was also on sale at our Maker's Market.

Designing peg dolls with Use It Up Wear It Out

How sweet is this little chappie?

Karen and Jo who are experts in up-cycling showed us what to do with our left over red and black fabric scraps...turn them into queen's guards or course! These ones smile more than the real thing!

Embroidering buildings with Purple Claire

Claire brought along pieces of coffee sack which made the ideal base to embroidery London's finest landmarks. It was the most popular workshop of the night!

Bridges were especially popular!

Knit & Knatter

Resident knitting guru Beryl was on hand to teach newbies how to knit and as ever we had some people pick up needles for the first time.

Collage Corner

We also plied you with inspiration to do your own London themed collaging and modelling.

Music

Finally we'd like to say a huge thank you to our ever fabulous DJs - we were joined by 2/3 of The Spinning Yarns and the city soundtrack was spectacular - they thought of everything!

Join us on May 27th for our 2nd BIRTHDAY! Woop! Woop!

Our humble little craft night is turning 2 and we have a mega prized filled event planned. Same time, same place, same free entry, lots of fun new workshops! Full event details coming soon!