Cool craft cafés in London :: Things to do in London

Interior of Drink, Shop & Do - Craft cafes in London - Country&travel - allaboutyou.com

Drink, Shop & Do, Islington

Drink, Shop & Do (left) has a simple yet ingenious concept. It’s a café by day, bar by night and riotous venue for craft workshops, swing dancing sessions, musical bingo and comedy sketches in between. The DASH cafe’s Peruvian espresso and rustic sarnies are sure to stave off mid-morning munchies, but we recommend rocking up for the ‘Mrs Sparkles’ afternoon tea of unlimited ‘Canal Grando’ Prosecco, savoury scones slathered in herb butter and more finger sandwiches than you can shake a loaf at. Before consuming too many glasses of bubbles, settle down to silk screen printing with textile artist Zeena Shah or craft paper stencils to jazz up plain tote bags and tea towels.
For more information or to book events, visit www.drinkshopdo.com or call 020 7278 4335.

Sew Over It, Clapham

If you’ve been working on a sewing project at home but have lost all motivation, get yourself to Sew Over It sharpish. Founded by London College of Fashion graduate Lisa Comfort, who was concerned that sewing was becoming a lost art, this Clapham shop-cum-café has sewing machines you can rent by the hour for the princely sum of £6. As well as plying you with unlimited pots of tea to keep fingers nimble, Sew Over It’s team of experts is on hand to help if things get tricky. Once your project’s finished, continue to hone your skills by signing up to one of their 30 classes, which range from stitching clothes (lace dresses, tulip skirts and kimono jackets to name just three) to making soft furnishings (all manner of blinds, bolster cushions and log cabin quilting).
For information or to book classes, visit sewoverit.co.uk or call 020 7326 0376.

Homemade London, Marylebone

For crafters bored of knitting and needlework, Homemade London’s roster of workshops is worth a gander. While its self-styled ‘craft salon’ has sewing machines and workstations you can hire for an hourly rate, we recommend grabbing a gaggle of friends and signing up for one of their designer-taught perfume brewing (which includes afternoon tea), candle making, appliqué or hand embroidery sessions. Mystery craft workshops are some of Homemade London’s most popular events, where attendees haven’t a clue what they’re making until they arrive. One thing we do know – you’ll leave this emporium for all things crafty with a head buzzing full of ideas and something one of a kind in your hands.
For more information, visit www.homemadelondon.com or call 020 8616 0771.

Creative Biscuit, South Woodford

Mix up coffee mornings with friends by congregating at Creative Biscuit (right) instead of your nearest Starbucks. This café’s customers slurp tea and dispatch delicious homemade cakes with rolled-up sleeves and furrowed brows. Why? Because they’re deep in concentration, daubing paint on their ceramic items of choice, which range from simple vessels (egg cups, bowls and mugs) to more challenging ornaments (we imagine the garden gnome requires some patience). The café has its own kiln, firing and glazing whatever you produce within 72 hours, and also hosts a monthly craft workshop. Upcoming sessions include how to make teacup candles, beginner’s embroidery, screen printing and lampshade making.
For more information and to book workshops, visit www.creativebiscuit.co.uk or call 020 8532 2824.