Learn new skills with Fabrication

Whether you have caught the sewing bug from Great British Sewing Bee, want to try an new skill like making a beautiful crystal tiara, or simply want to "tart up your tat" then Fabrication has a workshop for you.

Workshops are running through the summer for sewing, lampshade making, jewellery, perfumery, darwing, chocolate making... the list goes on and on.  Workshops are run by Fabrication's dedicated and talented craftspeople, each has a passion for and knowledge of their craft that is second to none.

You can find your perfect workshop and book on line at Fabrication's website. Booking is essential as class sizes are limited.

Learn a new skill yourself or treat someone to a gift card so they can pick their own workshop - a great gift for a loved one!

Fabrication cited as model business incubator

A report commissioned by Leeds City Council and Leeds Metropolitan University has praised Fabrication as "a model that could be used to grow the [independent] sector"
“Rising costs, fierce competition and growth of internet sales have taken a heavy toll on the UK high street, with independent retailers coming under increasing pressure. 

The report, launched on 25th April, calls for more support for independent businesses in the city


“There’s a real need for traditional business support in the form of mentoring and financial advice, together with more sector-specific support with things like merchandising, customer service and in-store promotion."

Councillor Richard Lewis, Leeds City Council’s executive board member for development and economy said “Independent retailers make a major contribution to the city’s vibrancy and attractiveness. We need to support their entrepreneurial flair and, if we are going to reverse the trend of recent years, create more opportunities for independent and small traders to open new shops and succeed, both in the city centre and in local communities.”

Dawn Wood, Fabrication founder, who attended the launch, welcomes the report and calls for more independent retail representation on the city's retail association. 
You can read the press release for the report here.

Spotlight on the Seller - Bexicles Crafts and Accesories

Established in 2008, Bexicles supplies hand crafted crystal and silk/foam flower bouquets and corsages, tiaras and hair accessories, jewellery and unique cards for special occasions. They can also supply other crafts such as knitted and sewn scarves, hats and household goods such as quilted bed throws and blankets.

Most of Bexicles' stock is made to order particularly the crystal and silk/foam flower bouquets and corsages, tiaras and hair accessories.   They make for any special occasion in colour/design of choice.

Prices for the crystal and silk/foam flower bouquets and corsages start from £10, tiaras and hair accessories from £12, depending on the design and crystals used. All crystal and silk/foam flower bouquets and corsages contain Swarovski Crystals and colourfast flowers.

Bexicles was initially set up as a mother and daughter enterprise in Cleethorpes by Christine and Rebecca Fiddler following a road traffic accident that left Christine unable to return to her previous work . The name is taken from Rebecca - Bexicles.

On returning to West Yorkshire Christine was looking for a suitable outlet for the crafts and applied to join Fabrication in January 2013.  Fabrication and its artists have renewed Christine's love of craft making and she has recently started to knit and sew again. The shop and its sellers provide an enthusiastic and supportive base that enables ideas to flourish whilst importantly giving an outlet for the various artists that display and sell through the shop. The support received has been excellent from all the artists involved. Special mentions go to Dawn Wood, who runs Fabrication and Lisa Holkner from Our Little Craft Company. Dawn works tirelessly to ensure the shop and the enterprise keeps going. Lisa has provided Christine with some fantastic ideas, in particular branding, marketing and craft skills.

Bexicles will be providing workshops through Fabrication. These include making crystal hair clips and barrettes; tiara making; and how to make a crystal bouquet. Further details can be found on the Fabrication website at: www.fabric-ation.co.uk.

Website: www.bexicles.co.uk

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bexicles/240723269308729

If you have a wedding, prom, or other special occasion coming up the pop into Fabrication in The Light, Leeds,  and have a look at the Bexicles range.

Still here!!

If you have been following us on Facebook or Twitter you might have been a bit confused about whether the shop was staying open or not. Don't worry, so were we!!
Fabrication is currently based in The Light in Leeds. This was for a six month contract. Negotiations to stay on took us right up to the wire, we were ready to pack up and hire a van. But don't worry, Fabrication is still in business in The Light.

The outpouring of support on Twitter when it looked like we might have to close was very heartening, it really showed that Leeds has an appetite for independent retail and doesn't want to be just another clone-town. To keep us going, keep shopping with us!

You can browse some of the loveliness on offer on our facebook photostream but we's love you to pop in and say Hi! Remember, everything on sale is hand made in the UK by independent craftspeople, no sweat shops involved!

While we are in The Light for the foreseeable future, it won't be our permanent home. The Light is mostly bars and eateries, so we are still on the lookout for a central, affordable retail space. If you know of anywhere then drop us a line. In the meantime, see you at The Light!

June at Fabrication

9th June Make a summer dress Following on from our trouser making class you will learn how to cut out and make a simple summer dress with either a halter neck or straps Please note this is not a beginners class and you will need to know how to use your machine and have experience of sewing seams, zips etc Please note all our classes need to be prebooked cost £ 45+ materials. please bring your own and a pattern. Refreshments, but not lunch, included

9th June Basic Leatherwork This is an introduction class to give people enough skills and info to start working on their own leatherwork Leather types, basic tannages and identification/useage Basic leatherwork tools : what you need and sources of supply Basic stitches- marking out and awling, saddle, back, butt and box stitches, threads thypes and needles Cutting, shaving and edge finishing : tools and methods Dyes and finishes : chemical, acrylics and vegetable Making a belt, with buckle, slide keeper and edging decoration you will come away with a finished item £55 includes materials and refreshements but not lunch

June 10th Introduction to Patchwork Are you an absolute beginner who wants to get started with hand sewn patchwork? Have you always wanted to make a hand sewn patchwork quilt? Or do you have an existing, half-finished project that you would like some advice on? Then come along to our class where you will learn the basics of making a hand-sewn patchwork project. Hang onto your Christmas cards to make templates, and if you want to bring any cloth pieces to incorporate into your project make sure that they are pre-washed and ironed to prevent shrinkage. Your starter project will be either a cushion cover or a bag, and depending on how quickly you pick these sewing skills up you can then move onto an intermediate skills class incorporating padded quilting and beading skills that can enhance your hand-sewn patchwork projects. Alternatively bring along a nearly complete project and learn how to finish it refreshments but not lunch included £40

June 10th Tart up your Tat A short day course showing techniques for updating your furniture Bring a piece of furniture, and if you have a specific colour in mind then paint mixed to that shade, otherwise we'll provide the rest. please note the class is held upstairs and the shop is not immediately next to a loading bay when you are deciding what to bring

16th June Make a Bustle Frame

17th June Summer Holiday Lotions and Potions Get yourself ready for summer We will be making bug unfriendly candles, bath bombs, body scrubs, shower jellies and lip balms using very simple recipes you can replicate at home. With essential oils and paraben and sls free ingredients in sunny and tropical scents. Make as many or as few items as you can fit into the day Please note all our classes need to be prebooked £45 including materials. Refreshments, but not lunch, included

23rd June Pewter Casting for Jewellery and Crafts Intensive 1 day class looking at gravity and spin casting in pewter or white metal. Mould making and mould cutting in cuttlefish, vulcanising rubber and RTV for white metal casting Gravity and centrifugal spin casting. Tools, techniques and materials Cast item finishing, looking at cleaning, polishing, patination and plating methods. Limited to 3 students £65 includes materials and refreshements but not lunch

24th June Summer Textiles It's summer and time for picnics, parties and decorating On our Textiles bring along lovely fabrics, scraps of lace, old buttons etc and turn them into gorgeous gifts, from beach and lavender bags, pinnies, bunting, beach bags, covered hangers, corsages, pincushions, pj cases and many other ideas, the choice is yours, make as many or as few items as you can fit into the day Please note all our classes need to be prebooked £40 + materials includes refreshments but not lunch

30th June Learn to Crochet following on from our basic crochet class, learn how to introduce different colours into your crochet using a simple pattern you will make a 2 colour crochet item to take away £40 inc materials includes refreshments but not lunch

March at Fabrication

Please find listed below the classes for March at Fabrication. All the classes are now nearly full

We also have a couple of places left on our recycled clothing class this coming Saturday

To book any of the classes go to our website, www.fabric-ation.co.uk where you can pay by PayPal or print off a booking form and send a cheque

We are now also running a number of in-house and outreach classes for community groups as well as hen and birthday parties, corporate events etc and all our classes, past and present, can be adapted to suit various situations. If you would like a list and prices then please lmk
Next Steps in Sewing
March 6th 10.30-5.30
Advanced Skirt Making using your own machine
Following on from our basic skirt making class, this one covers, pleats, gores, godets, yokes and other style details
Please note this is not a beginners class and you will need to know how to use your machine and have some basic experience of cutting out, sewing seams, zips etc and making a basic skirt.
Please note all our classes need to be prebooked
cost £40 + materials, please bring your own and a pattern featuring some of the above style details.
Refreshments, but not lunch, included
2 places left
Make a Regency Dress
March 13th-14th 10.30am-4.30pm each day
Learn how to cut, sew and finish a regency style dress with costume maker Dawn Wood
You will learn how to adapt a pattern from extant clothing information, to fit you and learn historical stitch techniques to get the correct finish.
You will then be given information on how to use this basic pattern to make a variety of regency style garments covering the period 1795-1815
The class takes place over days.
Please note all our classes need to be prebooked
£70 plus materials, please bring your own. Refreshments, but not lunch, included
1 place left
Next Steps in Sewing
March 20th 10.30-5.30
Make a pair of Basic Trousers using your own machine
You will learn how to cut a trouser pattern, make pockets and a fly front fastening
Please note this is not a beginners class and you will need to know how to use your machine and have some experience of cutting out, sewing seams, zips etc and basic garment making
Please note all our classes need to be prebooked
cost £40 + materials, please bring your own and a pattern. Refreshments, but not lunch, included
2 places left
Make a Simple Summer Dress
Following on from our trouser making class you will learn how to cut out and make a simple summer dress with either a halter neck or straps, vintage or modern
Please note this is not a beginners class and you will need to know how to use your machine and have experience of sewing seams, zips etc
Please note all our classes need to be prebooked
cost £ 40+ materials. please bring your own and a pattern. Refreshments, but not lunch, included
1 place left
Our Club Nights
Crochet Club 1st Thursday every month 6.30-9.pm
There seems to be lots of knitting clubs around these days but what about those of us who want to crochet. Well we have the answer. Come along to Crochet Club and bring your projects, wool, cake, gossip and tea. If you Knit, macramé, lace make etc you are also welcome
Cost £6 inc refreshments and cake
You will need to prebook this event so we have an idea of numbers
Costume Clinic is for those making their own burlesque, theatre or historical costumes, of any description, who may need a hand to sort out problems they are experiencing with floppy bows, quick release systems etc or just an extra pair of hands and eyes to help them.

It will run the 2nd thursday of every month
Crafty Club 3rd thursday every month 6.30-9.pm
Because we all have projects we want to start/finish/ stop being bored of but get distracted by the telly/kids/hubby once a month we can get together, get inspired and finally finish them all with the addition of cake and gossip.

This is not a teaching workshop for a specific craft but a fun creative night just getting on with stuff 3rd thursday every month. Cost £6 inc refreshments and cake
You will need to prebook this event so we have an idea of numbers

Weekend Workshops for 2010

Jan 16th tbc

Jan 23rd Learn to Sew more...

Jan 30th Make do and Mend, How to reline a coat more...

Feb 6th and 7th Vintage Hair and Makeup more...

Feb 13th Valentines Candles and Potions more...

Feb 20th Make a Basic Skirt more...

Feb 27th Make do and Mend, How to revamp and recycle your wardrobe more...

March 6th Make an Advanced Skirt more...

March 13th tbc

March 20th Make a basic pair of trousers more...

March 27th Make a Simple Dress

April 3rd Vintage Hair and Makeup more...

April 17th Spring Clean Swap and Alter day

April 24th Make a Blouse or Shirt more...

May 8th Make a tailored dress more...

Please note all these workshops take place in an upstairs room with no lift facility

All classes must be prebooked and paid for prior to the day. Places are ltd to 6 for clothes making classes so we can give you more attention

If there is a class you want to us to run then let us know and if enough folks also want it then we will try and organise it. If you really want to attend one of our classes but work weekends etc then we may be able to run in an evening if enough people want to