Long Island shops host after-hours DIY craft classes
Rae Cerulean, of Lindenhurst, learns how to use a sewing machine at Chapterhouse Boutique in Lindenhurst, where owner Allison Schmidt holds classes. Credit: Newsday/J. Conrad Williams Jr.
Sometimes a shopping boutique is not just a boutique. More and more local stores around Long Island are adding after-hours do-it-yourself classes to the mix for customers to hone their skills, meet the makers and be creative.
From learning to sew to making chunky blankets, here's where artists and newbies can shop and perfect their craft:
Learn to sew at Chapterhouse Boutique
208 N. Wellwood Ave., Lindenhurst
The shop, which opened in June, sells vintage and secondhand clothing, much of which is fixed up by owner Allison Schmidt, a Broadway costume designer.
"I carry a lot of jewelry and accessories made by local artists that do small batch, slow fashion," says Schmidt, who learned to sew from her grandmother and later studied fine arts and fashion design.
In addition to the retail aspect of her business, Schmidt offers one-on-one classes on basic sewing skills and clothing construction, including sewing in a straight line, hemming and repairing pieces.
"If folks excel from there, we can get into actual practical fitting techniques: how to put darts into things, the various ways you can shorten things, be it by hand or by machine."
The boutique serves as a hub for creative classes, with Schmidt leading the way. Credit: Newsday/J. Conrad Williams Jr.
CLASSES TO JOIN
- One-on-one classes are by appointment, run from one to three hours and cost $45 per hour, if you bring your own portable sewing machine; $55 per hour if you use the store’s machine
MORE INFO 516-693-2336
Try needlepoint at The Splendid Stitch
11 Bridge St., Sag Harbor
The East End shop is a full-service needlepoint store.
"We offer a wide array of needlepoint products, canvases and threads," says owner Elizabeth Redleaf. "And we do teach classes, starting with basic needlepoint."
In addition to the basic classes, which are held three times each month, Redleaf teaches more advanced decorative stitch classes.
"After the basic class, usually all you have to bring are your scissors," Readleaf says.
Though perennially popular, needlepoint has gained new followers since COVID-19, especially with young stitchers and older people who have taken it up again.
Elizabeth Redleaf opened her full-service needlepoint shop, The Splendid Stitch, in Sag Harbor. Credit: The Splendid Stitch
"A lot of young graphic designers who had no work because of lockdowns ended up designing needlepoint canvases. So there was sort of a revitalization of the whole industry," Readleaf says.
Readleaf notes that medical studies link health benefits to doing handwork with deep focus.
"And a lot of men are stitching now," she says.
CLASSES TO JOIN
Includes all materials and instruction
- 2:30 to 4 p.m. Oct. 7: Basic needlepoint; $95
- 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 8: Project Flower Power! New Stitches for the Intermediate Stitcher; $275
- 9 to 10:30 a.m. Oct. 18: Basic needlepoint; $95
- 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 19: Project Flower Power! New stitches for the intermediate stitcher; $275
- 4:30 to 6 p.m. Oct. 21: Basic needlepoint; $95
MORE INFO 631-899-3363, thesplendidstitch.com
Join a Reiki class at Twin Flame
329 1 Broadway, Bethpage
For owners Sean Aumuller and his partner, Jessica Scarpa, the Twin Flame is a passion project: creating a mecca for wellness, well-being and happiness.
"We sell crystals, tarot cards, candles, incense, sage," he says. "We also offer classes. We do full moon ceremonies, tarot card readings, Reiki healing — anything in the metaphysical sense."
A Japanese energy healing practice, Reiki involves a practitioner placing their hands on or just above a person's body to channel energy, promote balance, relaxation and support.
Sound facilitator Andrija Nicholas leads a sound bath class hosted by Twin Flame in Bethpage. Credit: Morgan Campbell
At full moon ceremonies, the leader takes participants through journal prompts associated with the lunar cycle's energies to remove bad habits, notes Aumuller.
"You can have no knowledge of the metaphysical world at all and come into our shop and you would still feel welcomed and we could still find something that would suit you. We’re all about building a community."
CLASSES TO JOIN
Register for classes online; walk-ins welcome
- 7 to 8 p.m. Oct. 6: Sound bath meditation; $35
- 6:30 to 8 p.m. Oct. 7: Full moon ceremony; $33
- 7 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 9: Intro to tarot class; $55
- 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 10: I AM Watercolor painting class; $33
MORE INFO 631-885-1327, twinflameli.com
Take a crocheting class at The Knitting Garden
49 Green St., Huntington
In addition to selling anything and everything for the home knitter and crocheter — yarn, needles, patterns — the knitting shop also offers classes.
"We have a Square of the Month class, which happens every year," says owner JoAnn Esposito. "It’s 12 different patterns in a blanket and we meet once a month to learn how to do all these different patterns."
There are also classes for people who want to first learn how to knit or crochet, in both private and lessons for two people, as well as classes for mastering specific projects, such as baby sweaters, shawls and cowls.
In addition to classes, Esposito offers "help cards" to anyone purchasing something from the store: which gives them up to an hour’s worth of help for $30.
"If they come in for 10 minutes and we fix their mistake, we take 10 minutes off the card," Esposito says.
CLASSES TO JOIN
- Call to schedule private knitting and crocheting classes, which are available by appointment ($30 to $40). Check the website for Square of the Month class dates and times.
MORE INFO 631-923-3222, theknittinggarden.net
Make charm bracelets at Hitch
37 Main St., Babylon
The lifestyle boutique offers handmade items, including tie dye, upcycle jewelry, candles, ornaments, embroidery, bath and body products, and a charm bar.
Jessica Nastasi and Rachel Carr at the charm bar at Hitch. Credit: Linda Rosier
"Anything that you can think of that’s handmade, we have in our store," says owner Joe DeBello.
Classes are held next door at Bestea, which is also part of DeBello’s business.
"All of our classes you get a free tea and a treat with it," DeBello says.
Attendees get to learn a craft from local artisans who also sell their work in the shop.
"They get to know them, why they started, their background: the who, what, where and whys of the artist, so it becomes more personal," says DeBello.
Participants mix soy candles with essential oils during class at Hitch. Credit: Newsday/Steve Pfost
CLASSES TO JOIN
- 7 to 9 p.m. Oct. 3: "Mean Girls" night; DIY Burn Book; $58
- 7 to 9 p.m. Oct. 8: Chunky blanket; $98
- 7 to 10 p.m. Oct. 10: "The Hocus Pocus" spell craft and movie night; $68
- 7 to 9 p.m. Oct. 22: Jean pocket frame; $58
MORE INFO 516-519-2494, hitchlongisland.com
