New craft shop at the Merrion Centre

New craft shop at the Merrion Centre to offer creative classes in everything from crochet to candle-making
 
Fabrication Crafts Ltd, a social-enterprise set up three years ago to provide a workspace for designers and crafts people, has found a permanent home on the Georgian Mall at the Merrion Centre in Leeds city centre.
As well as offering a wide range of classes for individuals who want to learn a new skill and groups such as hen and birthday parties, Fabrication also works with Leeds City Council to run weekly classes for adults with learning difficulties and other community groups.
In addition to the classes, Fabrication also showcases and sells work by local craftspeople, designers and makers including clothing, lingerie, artwork, soaps, jewellery, homewares and leather goods.  The makers contribute to the running of the shop allowing customers to meet the people who designed the goods they buy. The shop, which opens on 1st February, will be open from 10 – 5.30pm Monday – Saturday and 11am – 4.30pm on Sundays.

Classes are held during the day and at weekends, as well as a monthly Craft Club. Lessons include traditional craft skills from basic sewing, dress making, leather work, crochet and patchwork to more advanced sessions. This term there’s also a range of wedding classes from bridal lingerie to making wedding favours, fascinators, corsages, ruffles, bows, flowers, hair and make-up.   

Fabrication founder and owner, Dawn Wood, who is a tailor and designer said
 “We’re a unique enterprise in Leeds, and since we established in 2008, have run hundreds of classes from everything from T-Shirt painting to making your own wedding dress.  The recession has created a make do and mend culture, so learning craft skills has never been more popular as people revamp and recycle old clothes and jewellery or make gifts for friends and family. The shop runs alongside our classes and gives craftspeople and designer the opportunity to sell their work while offering shoppers the chance to buy one-off pieces that make lovely, affordable presents.  
“We have found the hen party activities particularly popular.  They allow groups of girls, who may have travelled from all over the country, to bond over bath bombs, pink fizz and chocolate cake,  before heading out on the town in the evening."

Helen Beckett, Associate Director at Town Centre Securities who own and manage the Merrion Centre said:
“This is a fantastic social enterprise that offers a range of fun activities that enable people to develop skills and be self-sufficient no matter what their ability.  They also offer a shop window to makers, designers and crafters whose micro businesses would never otherwise have a presence in such a prominent city centre location.  This business also complements another popular Merrion Centre tenant, Craft Wise, which is one of the biggest suppliers of craft materials in the UK and is opening a new shop on Wade Lane next month."

Hen party activities are for up to 12 people and a three hour session costs from £25 per person including champagne and cake.  The bespoke session can be tailored to suit the group and any of the workshops can be adapted to suit the theme of the event including vintage hair and make-up and burlesque dancing. 

To enquire or book classes or to arrange Hen Party activities call 0113 243 9140 or email info@fabric-ation.co.uk.   For information on classes and activities offered by Fabrication visit www.fabric-ation.co.uk.

For more information on the Merrion Centre visit www.merrioncentre.co.uk and for more information on TCS visit www.tcs-plc.com.