Give the Gift of Making Stuff!

It’s that time of year where we rack our brains scrolling through Amazon and read unnecessarily long intros to blogs titled “Gifts for Dad” and go into a mini existential crisis wondering if we’re all just consumerist cogs for the elite. Well we’re gonna make it easy on yah this year. Get your partner/daughter/mail person the gift of a skill, the gift of creativity, the gift of just finally being able to fix your leaky sink (if it really is just a leaky sink, they might only need our One Time Project Checkout - it’s only $40, and if they like us, they can put that $40 toward their annual membership).

Here’s our cheat sheet of DTL Gift Ideas:

Give an Annual Membership, Household Membership, or One Time Project Checkout

Purchase

Give some bucks that can be spent on any of our classes.

Purchase

Give a ten hour punch card to our Open Workshop Hours.

Purchase

Brand New Class! Upcycling 101: Pockets & Patches w/ Jackie

Jackie, our amazing Sewing Machine Basics teacher, just released a brand new class! Upcycling 101: Pockets & Patches. The first class is on 5/12 and there are variations of the class including COVID-Cautious on 5/27 and BIPOC Only on 6/24. You can see a complete list of Upcycling 101 classes as well as our other fiber arts classes here.

In this class, you will learn how to add a pocket to a shirt and patch a rip in a pair of pants! Learning the basics of alterations and upcycling can bring so many possibilities into your wardrobe while avoiding purchasing new items or leaving clothes in the landfill. Bring one shirt (can be any type of shirt) and a pair of pants with a rip or hole (all types/fabrics welcome.) You can bring your own additional fabric & patches OR use what we have provided at the Tool Library. 

Skills you’ll learn - review sewing machine anatomy, threading & machine setup, hand-sewing techniques & tacking, vocabulary & tools review, and various stitches: straight, zig-zap, reverse, lock, and box!

Bring:

• One shirt you’d like to add a pocket too

• One pair of pants with a rip or hole 

• Optional - Fabric (new, reused, misc) to use for pockets or patch

What to Avoid:

• Shirts/Pants with fabrics like silk, linen, super thin fabrics because they can be difficult for beginner projects. 

You will leave with a fresh, upcycled fit & prepared to take the next step in your journey to upcycle thrift finds, family hand-me-downs, and more!

About The Teacher: Jackie Drummond (they/she) grew up in Colorado learning to sew from their mother at a young age. While studying Technical Theatre at Fort Lewis College, they learned techniques involving pattern making, alterations, and design and explored the historical and cultural importance of sewing over 500+ hours of learning and experience. Jackie encourages BIPOC, 2SLGTBQIA+, and Neurodiverse creators to join them in class, where they intentionally hold space for marginalized people to reclaim joy! 

Brand New Class! Intro to Knitting // 3.8.23

Our First Intro to Knitting Class is Wednesday, March 8th // 5:30pm - 8pm

We’ve added another brand new class to our Fiber Arts Department: Intro to Knitting with Diana!

Learn the fundamentals of knitting while making a basic scarf that you can start in class and take home to finish. Become familiar with basic techniques including casting on, casting off, and basic knitting stitches. Understand the language of knitting patterns, get yarn and needle recommendations, and gain the confidence to continue your knitting journey. No experience required.

Knitting has become the new go to art for new brain development and relaxation of the 2020’s. These classes are conducted in a friendly and inviting manner and you will come away feeling like you’ve joined a community of artisans.

Teacher Bio: Diana has been knitting for over 50 years off and on. She now calls it her passion and loves teaching beginners through advanced.

Give the Gift of MAKING STUFF!

We’re getting this out there early to try to save you from spending too much time racking your brain to come up with good gift ideas so you’re not getting your dad another $30 platter of fancy nuts (one year I got him fancy nuts and when I went to put it in my cart it said “you ordered this products two years ago." It turns out I had bought him the exact same thing for Christmas before. True story). Get someone something more useful than nuts! Consider a Tool Library Membership, Class Gift Bucks, or hours toward the Community Workshop.

HERE’S THE CHEAT SHEET OF DTL GIFT IDEAS:

Give an Annual Membership, Household Membership, or One Time Project Checkout

Purchase

Give some bucks that can be spent on any of our classes.

Purchase

Give a ten hour punch card to our Community Workshop.

Purchase

Brand New Class! Macramé Plant Hangers

Macramé Plant Hangers! First Classes…

Wednesday, December 7th // 5:30pm-8:30pm

Friday, December 16th // 5:30pm-8:30pm

Begin your macramé journey with Sineah! Learn fundamental patterns and bring home a beautiful plant hanger to liven up your living room, bedroom, or bathroom.

In 3 hours create a macramé plant hanger using 2-4 basic knots. A white 6" pot is included, otherwise you may bring your own planter for a custom fit. A plant is not included (I would recommend something in a 4-6" plastic pot with holes for drainage). You may bring a plant to class or finish on your own time.

We will go over sustainable shopping for materials, knot techniques and other macrame uses. This class is an opportunity to connect with your crafty community and go home with a finished product. We will push past the need for perfection and enjoy creation for the fun of it! Bring snacks, hydration needs and comfy shoes as we will likely be standing.

Sineah keeps her class sizes small to give everyone the help they need. Can't wait to see you in class!

Sineah has been teaching beginner woodworking classes at the Denver Tool Library since 2018. She grew up in Maine, constantly curious to do things independently. After moving to Denver in 2016, Sineah discovered the Tool Library and soon after began encouraging others to safely use tools and build things with their own hands. She started teaching friends in her own backyard until we opened up the workshop. She has taught stool/ plant stand, bookshelf, leaning shelf, cutting board workshops and more. Sineah will encourage you to creatively problem solve and by the end of class, will send you home with a project intended to impress your friends and yourself. Check out Sineah’s work at www.facebook.com/denverdiyworkshop or @DenverDIYWorkshop

Brand New Class! Sewing Machine Basics

Sewing Machine Basics! First Class: Wednesday, November 30th // 5:30pm - 8:30pm

Sewing empowers people to transform the world and the materials around them! Whether you are curious about clothing design, creating functional items, or upcycling fabrics - you need to know the fundamentals! The purpose of this class is to develop or deepen your understanding of basic sewing machine techniques. You will leave prepared to take the next step in your journey with a one-of-a-kind tote bag you created and the pattern you'll need to make it again and again! Bring 5-10 items of old clothing or various fabrics from around the house and we will upcycle them into a handy tote bag to store all your future sewing projects or Holiday goodies. Don’t worry, we’ll also provide a collection of funky fabrics to choose from and practice with. We will learn: vocabulary & tools of sewing, hand sewing, and various stitches: straight, reverse, lock, and box!

About The Teacher: Jackie Drummond (they/she) grew up in Colorado learning to sew from their mother at a young age. While studying Technical Theatre at Fort Lewis College, they learned techniques involving pattern making, alterations, and design and explored the historical and cultural importance of sewing. Jackie encourages BIPOC, LGTBQIA+, and Neurodiverse creators to join them in class, where they intentionally hold space for marginalized people to reclaim joy!

Brand New! Midmod Candlesticks Woodturning Class

Midmod Candlestick Woodturning! First class Saturday, December 3rd // 4pm - 7:30pm

Working with the wood lathe is simultaneously exciting and meditative, and this class is perfect for you if you’ve been wanting to try it out without committing to the full day Intro class. Or, if you’ve already taken Intro and just want to take this class for more practice and a cool project, that’s all good too!

You’ll learn the basics of shaping a spinning block of wood on the lathe using just one tool- the spindle roughing gouge, and then you’ll use your new skills to craft an elegant midmod inspired candlestick with a brass accent.

The cost of the class includes practice wood and all the materials necessary to craft your candlestick including a hardwood blank, the brass accent hardware, sandpaper, and an oil finish.

This class is taught by Chris Hoehle, one of our community workshop monitors and a professional woodturner with over fifteen years of experience on the wood lathe. In addition to teaching woodturning for nearly three years here at the Denver Tool Library, he has also taught week-long workshops at the Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in Gatlinburg Tennessee, and he sells his work at local galleries and art festivals. You can check out his work on his website, studiocsh.com, or on Instagram @studiocsh.

Brand New! Bowls Woodturning Class

Bowl Turning! First Class is Sunday, November 20th // 10am - 5pm

*Intro to Woodturning or equivalent prior experience is recommended but not required. If you are determined, you can start with bowl turning!

Craft your very own wooden bowl using the lathe!

Bowl making is one of the most fun and captivating things you can do with the wood lathe. While the basics can be learned in just a few hours, you can spend a lifetime exploring the infinite artistic possibilities and refining your technique. We'll give you a head start on that creative journey in this class with some tips and tricks that will help you get off to a good start. You'll learn how to cut effectively on face grain projects such as bowls with gouges and scrapers. We'll discuss different methods of holding work on the lathe such as chucks and faceplates, and sanding, finishing, good form and design, and sharpening the tools with the grinder will be covered as well. We'll take a one hour break for lunch, so bring your own snacks or explore some of the nearby options on Santa Fe!

The cost of the class covers all materials and equipment, including food safe finishes, abrasives and a bowl blank (cherry, maple or other domestic hardwood apprx. 8" x 3").

Chris Hoehle is one of our community workshop monitors and a professional woodturner with over fifteen years of experience on the wood lathe. In addition to teaching woodturning for nearly three years here at the Denver Tool Library, he has also taught week-long workshops at the Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in Gatlinburg Tennessee, and he sells his work at local galleries and art festivals. You can check out his work on his website, studiocsh.com, or on Instagram @studiocsh.

*Intro to Woodturning is required to use the lathes after class during open shop hours.

Brand New! Plumbing: Knowing Your Home Renovation Class

Brand New Class: Plumbing! How do I fix my leaky sink? How can I make my shower hotter/stronger? How does a toilet work? This class is part of our growing Knowing Your Home Series which now includes Electricity, Tiling, and Plumbing.

In this class, we will look at faucets and toilets as systems with various parts performing different critical roles. We will dismantle and discuss the inner workings of various types of faucets, sinks, and toilets and develop a set of questions for quickly analyzing and identifying the real problem. At that point, you will be well on your way to fixing the problem yourself. The good news is that repair parts are often inexpensive and are readily available; you just need to determine what is needed.

After completing the class you will be able to: Understand and repair nearly any faucet. Remove and replace existing faucets in kitchens and baths. Understand how shower control valves work.Adjust or replace toilet ballcock filler assemblies and toilet flapper assemblies. Remove an existing toilet and install a new one in its place including a new wax seal.