The maxim, “If you want something done right, do it yourself,” could be applied to recently opened Cloth Fiber Workshop (51 Thompson St., Suite D., Asheville). After all, it used to be that if you wanted something new to wear, you had to get stitching—and often the cheaply made, mass-produced apparel of popular retailers can make you wish you were handy with a sewing machine, loom or set of knitting needles.
Cloth, the brainchild of fiber artist Barbara Zaretsky, offers both a retail space stocked with gorgeous hats, scarves and DIY materials as well as a sunny, open workshop space for learning to make such items. Upcoming workshops include: Creating Felted Jewelry, beginning Wednesday, April 16; Introduction to Procion Dyes on Saturday, May 31; Creating Pattern on Fabric: Block Printing on Saturday, June 7 and Gradation Dying with Procion Dyes on Saturday, June 14. For crafters looking to try out Cloth’s workshop space, Craft On (the Asheville “Church of Craft” chapter) hosts a free gathering the second Monday of each month from 6-9 p.m. Learn more at www.clothfiberworkshop.com or 505-2958.
Try this on
• Ever wanted to learn more about makeup and skin care? On Wednesday, March 26, and Thursday, March 27, N.C.-native Gabriel Lewis (who just happens to be the top-requested artist for Estée Lauder) will be at the Asheville Mall Belk store. He’ll consult with 40 customers each day between 10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. The $50 reservation fee is redeemable in Estée Lauder products, and participants receive a gift set for booking. Info: 298-4970 ext. 266.
• National charitable organization Dress for Success (www.dressforsuccess.org) is dedicated to improving lives through fashion. Sort of. The idea is that first impressions matter, and disadvantaged women attempting to secure employment need the right office-appropriate attire to nail important interviews. Dress for Success affiliates work to make that possible—hence the “Send One Suit Week” initiative happening Sunday, March 30, to Saturday, April 5. National chain Dressbarn is taking part in that effort. Dressbarn customers can donate new or gently used suits and other professional apparel at their local stores—in Asheville it’s at 800 Fairview Road, 298-6635.
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