The Make Lounge

I went to the flexible journal workshop found it a really good experience had a great time and picked up some really good ideas and knowledge girls running the workshop were great and will definately go again. Money very well spent and I laughed alot too! It must be great for Hen parties and outings with a difference. Well done to the whole team.

I’ve been to the make lounge 3 times.
First time was brilliant, the second absolutely terrible (but rather the fault of one particular attendee) and the third just fine.

Personally, I tend to be a bit quick on the crafting front, and would love some more advanced things that I could do while I wait for others to finish. Those seldom exist at the Make Lounge, I suppose so as not to intimidate people.

Their courses are very nice and simple, designed to appeal to a large public with a small bug for crafting. Anyone beyond “beginner” may find the topics boring (and over-priced). However, if it’s people you’re going for, then it’s a different story all together. Also, I would definitely recommend it if you truly are a beginner, as they explain absolutely everything from scratch, making no assumptions about what you may or may not know. Great work on that!!

Socialising while crafting is often a challenge (as you stick your tongue out and try to get that glue-line / stitch / cut perfectly straight, talking doesn’t come easily) but at the Make Lounge, it is encouraged.

When I first discovered The Make Lounge, I was like a kid in a toy shop. There were so many things I wanted to do there that I didn't know where to start! The first class I took was Creative Alterations, designed to help you re-work clothing that you no longer wear. I headed to the venue with a bag of old clothes that needed some love and returned home armed with two finished projects, plenty of ideas and some expert advice. The best thing about those evenings was setting aside time to make things and doing it in a fun friendly atmosphere. It certainly means you can't stop at one class! Especially if, like me, you just can't seem to find the motivation when you're home alone.

Next I did the beginner's overlocking workshop where I discovered that the machines are far less daunting than they appear to be at first, and look like they'd be extremely useful for finishing seams and speeding up alterations. After that came the surprisingly straightforward Knockout Knickers workshop, which was loads of fun, and then I took the plunge and went for a more advanced sewing class (the winter shift dress) that added to my dress-making skills. They have a nice mix of workshops on different subjects and aimed at a variety of skill levels, but it's the friendly atmosphere and excellent tutors that mean you just can't help going back. To top it off, they now have a shop... so you can stock up with all your sewing and craft essentials before you head home!

Absolutely adore this place! I was lucky enough to get a gift voucher for my birthday last year so after what seemed like hours of agonising, I finally chose the snap frame purse workshop on a Saturday afternoon.

I was a bit scared of turning up on my own but I needn't have worried - the tutor and the other girls in the class were all really lovely and welcoming. First we got to choose our fabrics from the selection in the shop (not good if you are indecisive as me - there are loads of beautiful fabrics and I ended up wanting them all!). Then our tutor showed us all step by step how to make the bags. It looks really complicated at first but was surprisingly easy once it was broken down and explained. I'm hoping I'll be able to make the bags at home for presents now that I have managed to do it once (and you get to keep the pattern and instructions used in the class).

The shop attached to the studios really is lovely. they sell everything you need to make the projects in the classes and there is a great selection of fabric, crafty bits and bobs and cake decorating supplies. I will definitely be popping in for some edible glitter amd pretty material soon!

All in al I had a lovely day at the Make Lounge and can't recommend it enough.

Have attended two classes, luxury skincare and soap making, and I have loved both. Highly recommend The Make Lounge as it's fun, easy and a great environment to learn something new without being preached at. I went to the first class on my own and was made to feel welcome so if anyone is worried about going on their own, don't be!

It's a great way to learn some new skills and to pass the time away doing something fun.

Try it, I dare you!

I took a class where I learned to sew zips into things at the Make Lounge and it was fab!

In one evening, I learned three different ways to put zips in, and how to make them look professional.

It was great fun and I learned loads. I've reccomended the Make Lounge to all my friends!

I've been dying to come to the Make Lounge ever since I heard about it last year on Twitter, so I was overjoyed when my sister booked us on the cupcake decorating course.

We foolishly decided to drive in from Reading, which led to us being 25 minutes late. Luckily the teacher was friendly and warm, and bought us up to speed with the rest of the class.

Armed with a glass of wine and some biscuits, we set about learning the basic techniques of using an icing bag, the different styles of icing and creating a pretty batch of multicoloured sparkly sprinkles.

All in all, it was a fabulous evening, and we're already looking into signing up for the knickers class!

Great for craft virgins and the experienced alike, I'd wholly recommend this to anyone!

I have to be honest, I'm a huge fan of the Make Lounge and have been since it opened. I've done quite a few courses - leather belts, jewellery, embroidery, knockout knickers and quite a few of the one off craft nights too. I think it's great value for money when you add up that you're making something to take home, you come away with a new skill and you also get to spend time in a cosy, purpose-fit space, eating biscuits and drinking tea or having a glass of wine - it's a pretty good deal!
The retail shop is also one of the best sources for craft paraphernalia in London, especially for a nicely chosen selection of craft books and fabrics. Ooh, and edible glitter! I mean, who doesn't need edible glitter?

Ever wanted to make something but didn't want to sign up for a lengthy course? The Make Lounge has the answer: short-term contemporary workshops with expert instruction and materials included - in a stylish, modern setting. Arrive, socialise, learn, then take away a chic, hand-made product to keep or give as a gift. We've also added a retail shop filled with contemporary craft supplies and handmade goods.

Absolutely brilliant place for anyone who has ever thought, I'm pretty sure I could just make that.

I've taken 3 sewing classes here (cushion cover, a-line skirt and reversible sling bag) and after each one I've left clutching something I'm very proud of and a bag full of sewing confidence. That's what's so great about the classes - in just one evening you learn skills but also make something useful. The teachers are great, very patient when you make even the most basic mistakes, and the selection of materials available (usually included in the course price) means you make something personal you really love too.

Best of all, they now sell sewing materials too. So when you're totally inspired after your first class you can buy a sewing machine and a heap of fabric and get sewing. Perfect.

i came here for the first time on Tuesday and well, it might just be my new favourite place. It’s lovely!

I was late for my cocktail ring workshop (don’t walk up Upper Street to get here from Angel - go up Liverpool Street instead, it’s about five minutes quicker). But I arrived to a lovely, minimalist space full of people making all sorts of things! In one room was a knicker making workshop, and we were downstairs making jewellery.

There’s something nice about the clean white space getting all messed up with ribbons and beads and jewels, and we had a great time (tea and coffee are provided, but so was a very welcome glass of wine!)

As for the classes, well I’ve made a fabulous cocktail ring. I know how to make them, and I’m pretty certain with a bit of fiddling, I could make one at home if I had the tools (my plan is to create my own jewellery and open an Etsy shop in a couple of months). I’ve signed up to another class on Saturday. The Make Lounge rules. They’ve got a huge range of courses on their cite, choose the one that best suits you and go and have a great time. My course was about £40, but it’s worth every penny with the materials that are included. I like everything about Make Lounge.

My daughter had her 10th Birthday party here with 7 or so girls in tow and from all accounts they had a fabulous time there.

The owner Jennifer was a total pro with the kids and had the right level of control over the potential riot. The girls came away having made 'bath bombs’ and they all said they’d had an awesome time.

Well done on creating a truly unique and engaging new venture. Great for all ages too.

I've been meaning to book a workshop at the Make Lounge for months but a combination of unpredictable work schedule, inability to choose between all the great sounding classes and plain dithering meant it was only last week that I made my first visit. I took a few fellow Qypers along with me for the special Valentine's themed night featuring kits and tuition from the Craft Guerrilla and had a lovely evening sipping red wine and sewing up my very own anatomically correct heart pincushion.

I was impressed by the space itself - bright, clean and homely with plenty of space round large wooden tables for people to settle in for some serious crafting time. Inspiring books sit on the mantelpiece, underwear samples from the Knockout Knickers workshop hang from one wall and shelves groan under the weight of sewing machines, jars of buttons and ribbon and all sorts of goodies that make me want to spend many hours here fiddling about with fabric.

My trip to the Make Lounge has already made me dust off my sewing machine and start building up my fabric stash - let it inspire you too!

- check out forthcoming workshops here
- read more about the Valentine's craft night, see photos and watch my video blog post here

I went along to the Valentine’s Craft Night a few days ago, which was really good. I was impressed by the wide variety of craft kits available and luckily there were quite a few 'tutors’ to hand should you attempt something new or tricky.

I’ve been on the Survival Sewing and Apron Sewing workshops and they were fantastic as well. I definitely plan on attending more classes and social evenings in future!

The Valentine’s Craft Night was the occasion for me to discover a very cute workshop of knit and hand-made craft!
A lovely place where you will find very friendly tutors and helpful advices to made your own brooch, lavender mini bag and many other nice things in a well selected fabric :)

Simple and nice. A bit back in the smoothy childhood world.

If you want a real break, just to be back on a simple enjoying activity, go there :)

Enter a bright warm labyrinth of rooms filled with all types of craft materials and smiling women with wine and cupcakes, and on any other day you would be forgiven for assuming you had taken leave of your senses and were quietly hallucinating up a wonderful paradise. No so!
The makelounge is fantastic venture born of the desire for quality crafts people to spread their knowledge in a fun and sociable way.
Forget the cold rented classroom with the elderly lady teaching you back stitch, this is a change to chat to the young hip creatives about their designs, and get some help/tips if you need it.
At the Valentine’s night you could purchase funky little packages with all the materials, from 3 to 7 pounds, complete with easy to follow instructions. After that you collect your beverage and nest in a corner to start on your pieces and get to know the others.
One thing I want to stress about this place is that it isn’t intimidating. They keep it simple and offer a variety of options for all skill levels- plus the array is not of the toilet roll holder ilk. For example there were anatomical stuffed hearts, apple of my eye magnets, tattoo style stitched heart banners, heart necklaces… imagine what they can whip up with any other theme?!
Cheap and inviting crafts that assure you of your creative core? When I break down the experience like that I feel like a fool for not getting here sooner.

I was invited along to the Valentine’s DIY Craft Night by Laura through Qype (a Qype Guru!) and it was a lot of fun!

The Make Lounge is very inviting! It’s modern frontage with a dress maker’s dummy and craft freeze on the windows makes for a very warm welcome and isn’t in the least intimidating if you’re going there for a workshop on your own (which I was initially!).

The evening gave all those attending (all women, but I’m sure there are many men out there who would also like to get creative and improve their craft skills!) the opportunity to make their Valentine a gift (even if that Valentine was yourself!).

The team (Tutors from the Craft Guerilla - a collective of indie designer/makers specialising in quality handmade goods) were really welcoming and had kits available for us to make anything from knitted amigurumi hearts, fabric lovebird on branch swings, anatomical heart pin cushions, felt egg cup covers (one of my faves!) felt ‘apple of my eye’ brooches to stealth moustaches (very cool and qwirky!) and starter knitting kits. Craft kits ranged from £5-£7 each.

The Tutors were all on hand to help out when you needed it (which I did quite a few times!) and there seemed to be just the right number of crafters so everyone had enough space and the tutors were also able to help everyone when and if they needed it.

This was a free event to Qypers (thank you Laura and Qype!), but for others attending it was £5 on the door which included your first drink of wine, orange juice or coke; Lovely handmade cupcakes were also available to buy, but were £2 a shot, which I thought was a little steep, but maybe reflected the time that went into baking and decorating them (they did look v.pretty!)

I had a great evening last night at the Valentines 'Craft Guerilla’ event, there was loads of choice of what you could make and plenty of teachers on hand to help you if you needed it. I was pleased to see that numbers had been restricted from the previous months knitting class where it was so popular people were sitting on the floor and windowsills!
The Make Lounge is a lovely place to unwind after work and meet fellow crafty types. I’d highly recommend it!