With everyone yammering about the economy, it’s so fabulous that Hands on Third just opened up in my neighborhood. I visited their free Sewing Rebellion Workshop on Saturday and I totally made something with my own hands (and the help of a super cute sewing machine). I’ve been a knitter since I first bought my now well-worn copy of  Stitch ‘N Bitch: The Knitter’s Handbook, but because the good weather in LA has left little need for scarves and sweaters, my needles have been gathering dust. Thanks to Hands on Third, however, my inner crafter is ready to take on the world!

Hands on Third is so many wonderful things rolled into one. They offer classes on practically everything including sewing, crochet, felting, embroidery, interior design, and even millinery (hat-making). They also offer more money-saving back to basics classes like a bi-monthly workshop on how to cut your kid’s hair: a class my brother probably really wished my mom took when he was younger. On top of classes, Hands on Third is a space for local artists to not only display their work – photography and fine art displays are rotated monthly – but also to use as studio space. Every month, Hands on Third also has a live “Artist in Residence” who works behind the front window so that so that pedestrians can see a real crafter at work. This month’s artist, a local hat-maker, has been attracting quite a crowd of Third Street gawkers. Future artists will include a crochet sculptor (hello crochet sushi!), a noted author and flamworker, and a textile artist. 

But let’s get to my Sewing Rebellion experience. I’ve always been very frightened and intimidated by the mystery of the sewing machines, but Frau Fiber (the sewing expert on hand) made sewing accessible and super fun. And seriously, within 15 minutes of arriving at Hand on Third, I was totally finishing my first project: the penny-pinching coin purse (see pics below). The philosophy behind Sewing Rebellion is simple: “Stop shopping. Start sewing.” Advice that we could all use during these tough times. Plus I was more emotionally elated from my coin purse that I made with my own two hands than I’ve ever been after a shopping trip. And I also got to leave with a genuine Sewing Rebellion patch! 

So if you’ve ever harboured an inner crafter, want to save some bucks and start making things yourself, want to buy handmade crafts from local artists, and would love to meet and hang out with some truly awesome people at the same time, check out Hands on Third’s schedule to see what classes are coming up!

8377 W. 3rd Street, Los Angeles, CA 90048; (323) 655-0515

Nicole

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