FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. ADMIN

  2. How do I sign up for a workshop?
  3. Do I need a PayPal account to register?
  4. I'm unable to attend the workshop I booked. May I reschedule or get a refund?
  5. Do you offer gift vouchers?

  6. WORKSHOPS IN OUR THREE STUDIOS

  7. How many students are in a class?
  8. Can you teach me how to make ... ?
  9. What supplies do I need to bring?
  10. Where do the workshops take place?
  11. Do you offer weekday workshops for adults?
  12. When is the next (insert name of workshop here) being offered?
  13. I'd like to learn to sew. Which class should I take?

  14. OUR RETAIL SHOP

  15. Can I purchase supplies from The Make Lounge?
  16. Do you provide or sell sewing machines/overlockers?
  17. Where can I buy fabric and other sewing supplies?
  18. Can I sell my handmade goods at The Make Lounge shop?

  19. PARTIES AND SPECIAL EVENTS

  20. Can you organise a hen party, corporate event or other group gathering?

  21. MISCELLANEOUS

  22. When can I visit The Make Lounge?
  23. Are you hiring?
  24. Do you take scraps and surplus materials?

  1. ADMIN

  2. How do I sign up for a workshop?

    That’s easy. Simply click on the Book Now button next to each workshop description. (If you haven’t already registered on the site, you’ll need to do that first; it only takes a few minutes.) Bookings are on a first-come, first-served basis (thanks to our technical wizards, you can see available spaces online). Full payment is required when you register using a valid credit/debit card or PayPal account (optional).

  3. Do I need a PayPal account to register?

    No, simply follow the links and instructions on the registration page (to the left, where the card logos are pictured) to use your favourite credit or debit card. You do not need a PayPal account to book a workshop.

  4. I'm unable to attend the workshop I booked. May I reschedule or get a refund?

    Due to the special nature of our workshops and the very limited enrollment, classes are non-refundable and we cannot issue credits for future classes. Please check your diary carefully and read our Terms & Conditions before you sign up.

    If you let us know at least 10 working days in advance of the date of your workshop, we’ll happily transfer you to another workshop (of the equivalent price) on an alternate date, space permitting. Please note that a £7 transfer fee will be charged to cover our administrative costs.

    We are unfortunately unable to accommodate transfer requests with less than 10 working days notice due to the small, specialised nature of our workshops.

    Of course, if you’re unable to attend, you may send someone in your place. Please provide us with that person’s name, phone number and email address as soon as possible and we will send them details about the workshop.

    In the unlikely event that a workshop is cancelled, you’ll receive at least 48 hours notice. We will offer a full refund or a transfer of your booking to another workshop, space permitting.

  5. Do you offer gift vouchers?

    Yes, and aren’t you nice for asking! Vouchers are available in denominations of £10, £20, £35, and £45. Gift vouchers are valid for six months from the date of purchase and may be used online to book workshops or may redeemed in our retail shop for workshops or merchandise. Purchase them here.

    We also have printed gift vouchers available to purchase in our retail shop for any denomination. Here’s what they look like.

  6. WORKSHOPS IN OUR THREE STUDIOS

  7. How many students are in a class?

    We keep workshops small (the average size is 8 people) so you’ll get plenty of help with your project plus have a chance to chat with others.

    For very popular workshops, we occasionally run a class using two teachers over two studio spaces so the teacher/student ratio remains the same.

  8. Can you teach me how to make ... ?

    If there’s a specific skill you’d like to learn please contact us and we’ll do our best to schedule a workshop in the future.

  9. What supplies do I need to bring?

    For the majority of our classes, we provide all materials – all you have to do is show up. The workshop description will tell you which materials, if any, you’ll need to purchase and bring to class to complete your project. If materials are needed, we’ll email you a list when you book so you can take it with you when you shop.

  10. Where do the workshops take place?

    Workshops take place in our three studios located in North London at 49-51 Barnsbury Street, midway between Highbury/Islington and Angel Tubes. Details and maps here.

  11. Do you offer weekday workshops for adults?

    Not currently, but we’re exploring the possibility. If you’re interested, please get in touch.

  12. When is the next (insert name of workshop here) being offered?

    We add new classes all the time, so if you want to be kept in the loop, please sign up for our monthly e-newsletter. (You can register here.)

  13. I'd like to learn to sew. Which class should I take?

    We have a variety of workshops for sewers, depending on your skill level. Our levels are as follows:

    Absolute beginner
    If you’ve never used a sewing machine before (or you used a machine once years and years ago), sign up for one of our Intro to Sewing Machine workshops for absolute beginners: Cafe Apron or Cushion Cover or Tote Bags.

    Intermediate
    Once you’ve done taken one of our Introduction to Sewing Machine workshops, or if you already know your way around the sewing machine without assistance, you’re ready to move on to Knockout Knickers, A-Line Skirt, Zippers Clinic, Fabric Manipulation, Creative Alterations or Reversible Sling Handbag.

    For intermediate workshops, you should have the following skils:

    *Threading the machine.
    *Winding, loading and bringing up the bobbin thread.
    *Backstitching.
    *Following seam allowances accurately.
    *Understanding basic pinning, cutting and ironing instructions.
    *Are generally comfortable using a sewing machine (you don’t feel intimidated).

    Advanced:
    For advanced workshops, you should have the following skills:

    *Creating a button hole.
    *Inserting a centered zipper.
    *Sewing straight, curved and eased seams.
    *Sewing basic hems and finishing methods such as French seams and binding.
    *Working with interfacing.
    *Top-stitching, gathering and pleating.

  14. OUR RETAIL SHOP

  15. Can I purchase supplies from The Make Lounge?

    Yes! We sell gorgeous cotton printed fabrics, haberdashery, craft books and magazines, contemporary craft kits, jewellery tools and supplies, Janome sewing machines and overlockers and much, much more. For opening hours and other information, click here.

  16. Do you provide or sell sewing machines/overlockers?

    We have 20 Janome sewing machines and 8 Janome overlockers for use by students at The Make Lounge. However, if you have a sewing machine you’d like to learn on during class, please bring it with you (along with the power cord and foot pedal and instruction manual, if available).

    We’re also a registered retailer of Janome sewing machines and overlockers, for sale in The Make Lounge shop.

  17. Where can I buy fabric and other sewing supplies?

    The Make Lounge sells fabric and other sewing supplies (have a peek here). Here are some other resources in and around London:

    • Berwick Street. There are lots of fabric shops in and around Berwick Street in Soho. The Cloth House has two shops, one that specialises in cottons and linens and another one that stocks silks, jerseys, wools, gorgeous prints and some very special and unusual fabrics.
    • Joel and Sons on Church Street carries exclusive dress fabrics, including great prints, silks, cottons, beautiful devore velvets, and tailoring fabrics.
    • MacCulloch and Wallis sells most types of fabric as well as haberdashery and trimmings.
    • Liberty is well known for its traditional prints but also stocks bright, colourful modern Rowan cottons, including Amy Butler and Kaffe Fassett designs.
    • For strong, clean graphic cotton and linen prints, visit Marimekko at St. Christopher’s Place in Marylebone or IKEA (various locations) for less expensive options.
    • To find nice fabrics at bargain prices, try rummaging in little local shops – you never know what you might find. Markets are also good, try Shepherd’s Bush, Ridley Road in Dalston or Brick Lane.

  18. Can I sell my handmade goods at The Make Lounge shop?

    If you’re interested in submitting your work for possible sale at The Make Lounge shop, please email ‘shop AT themakelounge DOT com’ and include the following information (see below). Be sure to include ‘HANDMADE GOODS’ in the message’s subject line to be considered.

    -Contact Name
    -Company name
    -Info about your work (100 words)
    -Your wholesale prices and suggested retail price points.
    -Images of your work (e.g., links to your Etsy shop, Flickr site or attach three JPGs, maximum size of email 2MB).

    Due to the large numbers of submissions, we can only reply if we believe your work is a good fit for our shop and our target market (generally individuals age 25-45 seeking to create unique projects or purchase personal/gift items with a stylish, contemporary focus). Please keep in mind that we are a very small company so please understand that we cannot respond to every submission and cannot accommodate in-person requests.

  19. PARTIES AND SPECIAL EVENTS

  20. Can you organise a hen party, corporate event or other group gathering?

    Absolutely! We are happy to help organise a bespoke event for your group of adults. Please see our parties page for more information.

  21. MISCELLANEOUS

  22. When can I visit The Make Lounge?

    The best way to see what The Make Lounge is all about is to visit our retail shop, located alongside our three studios.

    You can also view some images of our premises, shop and workshops via our Flickr page.

  23. Are you hiring?

    We’re currently looking to fill the following positions. Please apply to jobs AT themakelounge DOT com, following the guidelines below. All jobs are paid freelance positions.

    Studio Assistant

    We’re looking for a couple of enthusiastic, passionate, all-round crafty people to work part time at The Make Lounge evenings and weekends. Duties include helping prepare/set up for workshops, meeting and greeting guests as they arrive, assisting instructors with classes, and pinch hitting where needed. Knowledge of various crafts, including machine sewing, preferred. Outgoing personality, strong initiative, and a keen attention to detail required. Payment to be discussed at interview stage.

    If you’d like to join our team, please email at the address above with ‘PART TIME’ in the subject line and include the following: 1) A bit of info about yourself (if you craft, please include a link to your online portfolio or shop or attach three small JPGs); and 2) details on why you’d like to work at The Make Lounge and what you could bring to the company. If contacted, please be prepared to provide references. No phone calls, please; as we receive so much email only qualified applicants will be contacted for interviews.

    Sewing Instructors

    Sewing instructors are proficient in beginning to advanced hand-sewing and machine-based techniques, including alterations, garment construction, and home accessories. Instructors work both on current workshops and suggest new ones. Passionate, outgoing, friendly individuals with a knack for leading groups of 8-10 people preferred. Please take a look at the types of sewing workshops we currently offer before applying. Payment to be discussed at interview stage.

    If you’d like to join our team, please email at the address above with ‘SEWING INSTRUCTOR’ in the subject line and include the following: 1) A bit of info about yourself (if you craft, please include a link to your online portfolio or shop or attach three small JPGs); and 2) details on why you’d like to work at The Make Lounge and what you could bring to the company. If contacted, please be prepared to provide references. No phone calls, please; as we receive so much email only qualified applicants will be contacted for interviews.

    Other Instructors

    We’re always looking for passionate, knowledgeable, friendly people to lead workshops at The Make Lounge. We welcome all suggestions, but please explore our web site before applying as our classes are much different than traditional adult education courses. Payment to be discussed at interview stage.

    We’re especially looking for teachers in the following subject areas:

    -beaded and other types of jewellery
    -leather accessories
    -contemporary polymer clay techniques
    -non-toxic resin jewellery
    -glass etching
    -floral decorating
    -indoor gardening (window boxes, terraria)

    If you’d like to join our team, please email at the address above with ‘WORKSHOP TEACHER’ in the subject line and include the following: 1) A bit of info about yourself (include a link to your online portfolio or shop or attach three small JPGs); and 2) an example of the kind of workshop(s) you’d like teach. If contacted, please be prepared to provide references. No phone calls, please; as we receive so much email only qualified applicants will be contacted for interviews.

  24. Do you take scraps and surplus materials?

    Absolutely! If you have contacts with businesses who produce textile and other craft waste (particularly those in and around North London) we’ve love to hear from you. We’re always happy to receive fabric scraps, beads, buttons, sequins, zips and more! We make good use of items by recycling them during our children’s and adult’s craft workshops. Please contact us for more details.

Contact us

create@themakelounge.com

020 7609 0275

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