Tag: event

Open day: knitting

Our first open day of 2024 is on Saturday 6th January, 12-2pm – and as you can see, this time we’ve picked a theme. Avery and Cassian will be hosting, and they knitted all the items above. They can help you get started, and they can probably help you with knitting pattern questions or advice with mistakes, too.

It’s a drop-in for members and non-members (ages 11+), so feel free to pop by anytime between noon and 2pm. If you’re into the theme you can bring your own knitting project(s), or learn the basics from Cas and Avery. Machspace has a stash of donated yarns and a collection of knitting needles, or you can bring things with you. And you’re very welcome to bring anything else to make instead, or just come to hang out and drink tea and eat leftover mince pies.

Please be aware that you can take yarn away with you afterwards, but you won’t be able to take Machspace knitting needles with you. (We recommend checking out the local charity shops, who often have a good supply of knitting needles for cheap, but they usually keep them behind the counter and you have to ask at the till to have a rummage.)

Event: Winter Holiday Open Day

Wednesday 20th December 2023

6pm – 9pm (drop-in, open day)

This open day is a little longer than usual, because of the festive season!

We’ll have mince pies, hot beverages, and spiced berry cordial (hot or cold). You’re invited to bring sweet and savoury snacks to share, and festive crafts to work on together. Tell us in advance if you have any dietary requirements, so we can make sure there’s stuff you can eat and drink.

With any luck we’ll have been organised enough to get some decorations up! Any members who would like to mastermind any decorating sessions are invited to email us: hello AT machspace DOT org

Who can come?

  • Any adult (18+), regardless of whether or not you’re a member.
  • People aged 11-17, accompanied by one responsible adult each.
  • Assistance animals, provided they can sit quietly beside their human throughout the visit.

It’s free to attend, and food and drinks are free – donations welcome but not required.

Event: T-shirt stencil-bleaching

Sunday 3rd December 2023

11am – 1pm (drop-in, members and guests only)

Facebook event here.

Here’s what it looks like:

You should bring (if you can):

  • A cardboard box
  • A newspaper
  • A pair of rubber gloves
  • Any t-shirts, clothing or other fabric (non-white, containing natural fibres) that you’d like to enhance
  • Warm clothing – we’ll have the front door wide open for ventilation

What we’ll do together:

Avery will walk us through the process of designing a stencil, cutting it out, preparing the t-shirt and stencil, and spraying the bleach onto the t-shirt. Different dyes and fabrics react differently, so Avery can also share his advice and experience about that.

Dress warmly, because it’ll be cold in the space! Bring a good face mask if you’re not into the smell of bleach. If you already have stencils you want to try out for this (or share with others), feel free to bring them along!

Any natural-fibre fabric will work, but maybe bring a t-shirt that you don’t mind destroying, because as with pancakes and any other craft, the first one is always rubbish.

Who can come?

This is a members-and-guests event. That means if you want to come, you need to be a member already, or be the one guest of an existing member. Guests must be 11 or older. If you want to become a member by Sunday, email us ASAP – we can accommodate that! hello AT machspace DOT org

It’s not a private event, so the space will remain open to members and guests who want to do other activities, but please be aware that it will probably smell very bleachy in there and it might be a bit cold.

It’s free to attend, and it’s free to become a member.