Sew Much to Do in the Practical Arts

By Elise Prouix
Photography by Lori Eanes


The domestic arts have come a long way since Betsy Ross picked up a needle and thread to sew the nation’s first flag. For one, they’re no longer solely the domain of the fairer sex. And, it’s now officially hip to knit, sew, bead and more. Here’s a guide to some of the best spots for both raw materials and how-to power.

High Strung
If you’re looking for the makings of your dream necklace, a new batch of earring backings or a specific bead to replace a lost one, head to this Rockridge spot. It is crammed with color-coded beads galore, ranging from a few pennies to upwards of $8. The store also stocks charms, pendants, jewelry hardware and good advice. Go here to tackle your own repair jobs or to find do-it-yourself gem inspiration. And, if you want to learn how to make glittery baubles, check out the classes in soldering glass, crafting a cluster necklace or basic stringing. Individual classes are $25 per hour; group rates range from $35 to $155 plus materials. 5461 College Ave., (510) 923-9482, www.highstrungbeads.com.

Knitting Basket
This cozy Montclair shop has oodles of yarn of all types, conveniently color-coded. Want to make your baby nephew a turquoise sweater? Head to the blue wall. The shop has all the latest yarn styles, such as cotton tape and fat, multi-hued wools and an array of sample sweaters hanging from a wall, taking some of the guesswork out of following a pattern. And, natch, the shop has a variety of baskets to choose from. Knitting Basket hosts a number of classes, mainly for beginners, including a scarf workshop, poncho class, sock class and crochet basics. Class fees range from $35 to $70. Hmmm, I’ve been thinking about picking up crochet … 2054 Mountain Blvd., (510) 339-6295, www.theknittingbasket.com, closed Sunday.

Sew Images
Poppy Fabric may be the Oakland Mecca for those launching a sewing project, but this Piedmont Avenue shop is the place to go if you’re looking for hardware to let out your inner seamstress. The shop stocks a wide variety of sewing machines, from the casual $300 model to fancy-pants $7,000 versions. Sew Images also has quilting supplies, notions, measuring tools, scissors and more. Proprietor Cecilia Franklin teaches classes in beginning sewing and pattern fitting ($25 to $175, plus materials), but sign up early, as classes without takers will be cancelled a week before they’re scheduled to begin. g 4172 Piedmont Ave., (510) 601-8739, www.sewimages.com, closed Sunday.

Article Pract
Its name is a spoonerism for “practical art,” and this Temescal shop is as clever as its moniker. On a recent visit, there was literally a line out the door, and the hip quotient was mighty high. AP’s yarn selection is vast, but organized by type and brand rather than color. It also boasts a cool selection of bags to tote your knitting around. The classes here are a bit advanced. Offerings include a Beginning II class and a workshop on felted clogs (fancy for “slipper”). Class fees run $25 to $50. The shop hosts a Thursday night knit from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. ($17). Check out the Web site for free patterns and class info. 5010 Telegraph Ave., (510) 595-7875, www.articlepract.com, closed Monday.

Scrapbook Territory
If you’re one for stickers, stationery and scrapbooking, head to this Berkeley shop nestled in the midst of the Fourth Street shopping district. The warehouse-like store has literally thousands of different types of paper, also known as scrapbook walls, and other tidbits like photo corners, glitter and hundreds of stamps (from a few dollars to more than $20) featuring flowers, leaves, architectural icons, travel images and more. In the middle of it all is Wilbur’s doghouse—a real home for the shop’s mellow dog. Classes—in embossing, matting, card making, etc.—range from $10 to $25. 171-A Fourth St., Berkeley, (510) 559-9929, www.scrapbookterritory.com, closed Monday.

If you’d like your shop to be included in this column or have a favorite shopping destination to recommend, please contact Retail Therapy at retailtherapy@oaklandmagazine.com.