Let's Upcycle with Kiki & Bouba
You know that forgotten pile of thrift store finds sitting in your closet? It's time to do something about it.
We'll open the session with a look at designers and artists who've made a whole aesthetic out of reworking what already exists and blur the line between high-fashion and DIY. It's meant to get your brain going before you ever pick up scissors or a grommet.
From there, we'll move into demos. We'll cover appliqué, grommet and stud adherence, bleaching, hemming, and maybe even a little airbrush. Not sure where to start with your piece? Work with us first to sketch out a direction. We love a good design conversation before the making begins.
Then the stations open up. Grab a bleach pen. Go nuts on the airbrush. Load something up with metal spikes. Move around, try multiple things, get a little competitive with yourself. The energy in the room is going to be closer to a Project Runway workroom than a Sunday afternoon craft session, and we mean that in the best possible way. In the words of the wise Tim Gunn: “Make it Work!”
Materials Provided:
Fabric patches
appliqué materials
Grommets, studs, and spikes with setting tools
Bleach pens and spray bottles
Airbrush station with colors
Hand sewing needles, thread, & embroidery floss
Sewing machines
Scissors, seam ripper, & pins
Donated deadstock to work with
What You’ll Walk Away With:
1 reworked garment, or more if you move fast
Hands-on experience across multiple upcycling techniques
What to bring: Bring 1 to 3 pieces you want to rework. Thrift store finds, old basics, something you bought and never wore are all fair game. Come with ideas or come with nothing and we'll help you find a direction. All tools and materials will be provided.
Refund Policy: Cancellations made fewer than 48 hours before the class are non-refundable.
Please Note: Participants will receive a liability waiver by email before the class begins, required to be completed prior to class. Please arrive on time so we can maximize your crafting time.
About Kiki and Bouba Craft Lab: Kiki and Bouba is an experimental craft lab run out of our private studio in East Williamsburg. Artists ourselves, we spend our days tinkering away so that we can bring you exciting and new crafts that you won’t find anywhere else!
What to expect at our workshops: This is not a paint-and-sip! We specialize in 2-4 hour workshops that teach you the fundamentals of skills that have taken us years to hone. Because of that, our classes can be skill intensive and hands-on. We have a very small seat capacity so that everyone can get the attention they need. Ditch the templates and come ready to embrace the learning curve, because the skills and satisfaction you walk away with are always worth it.