Crash Course: Crafting In a Flash

CRAFTING ISN'T making a comeback — it's already back. For years, students, hipsters and other DIYers have been reclaiming sewing and such from the crocheted tea cozy group. With that in mind, Karen Kormondy at Ipso Crafto in D.C. has recently begun offering quick classes on techniques from embroidery to stamping. A recent class covered, in 30 minutes, "shisha" embroidery — a technique seen on Indian clothing in which stitchers attach colored mirrors to fabric.

» The Basics
Classes are for beginning to intermediate adult crafters. Supplies are provided, and Kormondy doubles between demonstrating the technique to crafters and helping troubleshoot individual work. "That looks really good," Shivani Kamdar said, looking at fellow student Tiffany Heath's shisha. "She did most of it," Heath replied, pointing to Kormondy and laughing.

» What You'll Learn
Easy to learn, hard to master: That's the feeling crafters seem to have after a few minutes of poking at fabric with their needles. Kormondy is optimistic: "If it went a little haywire the first time, maybe you found a new way of doing it," she laughs. Practice is important, because these skills are acquired, just like anything else highly detail-oriented. "Think of the first time you did arithmetic ... or calculus." Once you have the basic stitches down, it's a matter of patience and precision. Extra supplies can be purchased at the shop for more practice at home.

» What's the Deal?
Free classes are offered at Ipso Crafto most Wednesday evenings. Tonight is Embroidery Basics: Blanket Stitch. Next week will be a mini-scrapbooking class. Supplies are included, but preregistration is mandatory.

» Ipso Crafto, 733 8th St. SE; 202-546-4329.

Story and photo by Rachel Kaufman