The Workroom

I dropped in this week to purchase material for a project. I had called and spoke to someone on the phone that was enthusiastic and very welcoming. Upon my arrival the girl behind the register was ANYTHING but friendly. She was clearly NOT the same person I had spoken to over the phone. I’d liken this girls attitude to that of a wet blanket. Too bad, the shop is beautiful but I’ll think twice about buying my supplies due to this crabby pants

The store carries a good selection of fabrics (all quilting fabrics – no fashion fabrics) but I have experienced the same sense of not-​so-​friendly that others have mentioned in their reviews, but certainly not every time I’ve been in there. I go there occasionally to buy needles or fabric.
I wanted to take a serger intro class there but every time I checked for a newly scheduled class it was always already full, and the website didn’t offer any way to sign up to be notified of new classes. Eventually after 6 months or so and getting myself on a wait list, I got called after a last-​minute cancellation. I agreed to come in so they emailed me a list of what I’d need to bring, and, believe it or not, you are supposed to bring your own scissors or rotary cutter *and* mat. Seriously? That’s a bit nuts. I ended up not going, and phoned The Make Den instead to find out if they had serger classes. They only had 6-​week classes listed, but when I said I was really just interested in a one-​off intro to get me started, they were super-​accommodating and said they could arrange something for me and all I needed to do was let them know when I was available. What a difference!

I had a terrible experience here. I’m sure there are a lot of perks to this little shop but the service I experienced makes me never put foot in this store again, and I’ve told my design student friends to never come here.
Basically I was in desperate need of a serger for my school project and all of the school sergers were either broken or in use. So my boyfriend found this store online and saw that they offer the use of sergers for $ 7/​hr. What a fantastic idea! Especially for design students like myself who don’t own a serger and need immediate access to one.
I called ahead of time and asked if I could use their serger and mentioned that I had my own serger thread with me. The girl on the phone was very nice and said I could definitely use one before they closed at 5pm. I was stoked. Once I got to the store, there seemed to be a class going on, which was fine, I was quiet. A lady with black hair and bright blue eyes saw me and I said hi and asked how her day was. She said hi and disregarded my friendliness. I then asked if I could use the serger. She became irritated and she immediately asked «have you ever used one before?» in a very unfriendly tone. Yes, I have, many times. I told her I brought my own serger thread and she seemed pissed off, glared at me and said «do you know how to change it?» Yes I do. She turned around and began to walk to the back of the store where the sergers were. I assumed she wanted me to come so I followed. While she was back there, she ordered me to wait at the front in an unfriendly tone again by saying «you can go to the front.» I was taken aback and immediately walked to the front.
She was extremely unfriendly and made me feel very unwelcomed in her store. I felt as if I had done something wrong when all I did was ask for one of their advertised and provided services. Fair enough, sergers can get broken easily or can be a pain to rethread, but you should be prepared for this if you’re advertising and providing this service. And you should respect your customers. I hadn’t even used the serger yet!
I didn’t end up serging my pieces because the serger ruined some of my fabric and the ambience of the shop made me feel very unwelcomed. It was honestly more trouble than it was worth, plus I didn’t want to have to talk to this woman again.
Needless to say, it was an epic failed attempt to serge my pieces and what I got from the store was a very unpleasant and horrific experience. The customer service is horrible. I hope that other customers have a much better time there than I did. But for now, I will never enter this store again and neither will any students from my school.

Just took the Sewing Machine Essentials class with Kristiann, and it was great. I liked that she didn’t just tell us how to complete the pillow case project, but even explained how the whole machine worked and why we were doing certain things the way we did, so that we could use the skills for other projects. I can’t wait to go back to complete some projects of my own!

When I called to see if I could drop in, the person who answered asked me sceptically if I knew how to use a sewing machine (I have one, but was there for the sergers) and said unapologetically not to come in even though they were open because there was a class.
When I arrived to work on my project during non-​class hours, quite excited to play, the staff person pointedly emphasized their closing time in a way that suggested I should probably just go away. I’m also pretty sure she rolled her eyes when I wasn’t entirely sure how many metres of material I needed.
Despite dropping $ 200 on fabric as well as booking work time, I received no orientation to the space and had to poke around or tentatively ask for basics. I worked in uncomfortable silence except when I needed to buy more fabric, enthusiasm gone.
If only I’d had the same quality of experience at the Workroom as most of you Unilocalers! But if you need a sewing machine, serger or rotary cutter and mats, brace yourself and head in to the Workroom. And when you take a break, Boreal Gelato just down the block offers a warmer vibe as well as chilly gelato.

The Workroom is great. The girls are laid-​back and helpful when approached, and they stock a small but well-​curated selection of patterns, notions, fabrics, books, etc.
I enrolled in Sewing Essentials a month or so ago, and it was a great way to get back into sewing. I’m currently doing Beginner Pattern Sewing and it’s equally great. Kristiann has been my instructor both times, and she’s super knowledgeable and patient. Plus, they always have tea and cookies on hand! Cute.
It’s a great place to hang out, find awesome stuff, or enroll in a class. If you want to improve your skills and have some fun, I’d definitely recommend them!

Today I successfully made a pillowcase. I’m so proud I had to tell Unilocal.But seriously, I love this little store, and I’m sad that it took me so long to visit, but I anticipate visiting more frequently in the future.
I took the Basic Sewing Essentials class on a whim, and now I can’t wait to take more. The classes are small (just 6 people) and easy to follow. The instructor was helpful, with good advice on troubleshooting machine problems, threading issues, and other sewing machine stuff. I left feeling like I had learned something that I could actually do again without being confused. Karyn, the owner, was our instructor and came around regularly to check on everyone and offer help or advice.
There is a store dog, and initially, that was weird, but in a good way. I usually don’t like dogs, but this one is laid back, friendly (but not too friendly) and spent most of her time on the couch in the back.
The fabric selection is awesome. So many different colours and textures. They have fat quarters in various styles and colours, notions, patterns, and other supplies.
Really positive experience, and I would recommend it if you’re looking for fabric, or if you’re looking to start taking sewing classes.

I visited during their holiday S&B, so the generous helping of treats can’t be expected on every visit, but their stock makes up for it.
I expected fabric, and their selection is lovely. What I didn’t expect was the huge selection of crafting books, especially the Japanese sewing books. Well priced and so nice to be able to browse them before buying.
Great notions wall, and lots of patterns to inspire you. It made me want to pull out my sewing machine after years of inactivity. And the pack of precut squares I bought will give me a reason to use it!

I love this little shop! It totally inspires me to be more crafty and creative!
The fabric selection is great, but what I really love is all the fantastic classes that are offered, for all levels of crafters and sewers. I have now taken 3 classes — the intro class (Basic Sewing Essentials, which taught me how to be more comfortable with the sewing machine, and as a bonus, we all made pillow covers during the class), as well as the Sewn Mens’ Tie and the Snap Coin Purse. I have always loved the output! And believe me, I’ve had my fair share of knots, tangled material and thread, stalled sewing machines, missed stitches… I’ve become quite friendly with the stitch-​ripper. But no matter what, you’ll come away from the Workroom feeling very satisfied with your newly accomplished skills!
It’s a great little shop in an unexpected block of West Queen West. The owner, Karyn, does everything she can to make the shop comfortable and welcoming. You are encouraged to help yourself to a variety of teas, and there is always a little jar of cookies available to munch on too. (Maybe the last place in Toronto to offer anything for free!).
The shop also offers sew-​by-​the-​hour use of the sewing machines, which is especially useful for all the nearby condo-​dwellers with no space to set up a machine at home! The shop is equipped with all the other tools you might need while in the midst of a project too (such as steam irons).
Get on their email list, and you’ll be notified of craft sales and other workshops that take place in their space as well.
Oh — and several people have mentioned the dog. It is true, there has been a dog there on most of my visits. But I should mention that I am TERRIFIED of dogs, and this particular dog has never bothered me. It seems to be fairly timid and doesn’t really come near the customers (Thank Dog!)

I came here for my 2^nd time this weekend for the Sewing Essentials Class. This class is an excellent way to introduce yourself to a sewing machine. There are 6 machines to use in the class and this also limits the class size and allows for one on one teaching.
Karyn, the owner, was the teacher today, and she was really attentive, patient and explained the basics really well. I liked how she came around without me asking to help me out.
After this class, we made a pillow cover for a 16×16″ pillow. I actually feel I have to confidence to play with a machine on a own, now that I have the foundations.
Sure, you can learn a lot of things from Youtube these days, but nothing replaces one-​on-​one troubleshooting and someone looking at what you’re doing wrong on the spot when you have a certain mindset.
Part of the class requires fabric, a pillow to stuff inside your pillow case and thread. You can bring your own or find some at the store to purchase. I am a noob so I don’t know how much these things cost — however, they have tons of interesting and nice patterns to choose from — the one I chose was about $ 7.00 for the size to make my pillow over (with some scrap left over) and $ 2.85 for the thread (good quality). I still have to buy the actual pillow (they sell it here too but they ran out).
The cost of the class is $ 50 for 3 hours, register by getting the form and schedule online. Best to try for at least 2 months ahead because they book quickly!
The only thing they are missing, is a class to show me how to hand sew.
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Now, the first time I was here, I took the Easy Alterations class. I was looking for a sewing class that taught me to hand sew. I was unaware that sewing can also mean machine — but the description of the class seems like they would be doing most it manually.
They taught us how to do pants and jeans, but keeping the original hem. BUT — I DIDN“T KNOW HOW TO USE A MACHINE. I had no idea it was for experienced machine users or at least someone who had taken the prerequisite Sewing Machine Essentials class (above).
Actually they do ask you on the form, and i had a huge X on the part that says I have never used a machine before. I was in the class, and I wanted to cry because I had no idea what I was doing, and learning things that don’t mean anything to me.
I wrote the owner, and apologized (their fault for overlooking, and mine as well) and offered me 25% off the cost of the Sewing Machine Essentials class. Now that I have taken it, I feel like I should also get a discount to retake the Easy Alterations class like it’s never happened, but that’s okay.
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Pros:
–Sunny, bright, open space to work
–Classes that are low-​key and project-​based
–Unique fabric selection
–Well matched fabric bundles.
–Nicely curated book and pattern section. If you’re looking for Japanese pattern books, this is a good place to go.
–Store has built a community around it.
–Stellar quilting classes, really high quality instruction.
Cons:
–There’s a dog. She’s a friendly dog, but she’s a dog. Animals in fabric stores aren’t uncommon and it’s not a deal breaker for me, but it is something you should know if you have allergies and plan on being in the space for an extended period of time, like if you’re going to take a 3-​hr class.

A call to all creative souls. Although I’ve only been to The Workroom once as I tagged along with my co-​worker who was kind enough to invite me along to their free Stich ‘n Bitch event which happens every second Tuesday of the month from 6−8pm, I was impressed by the people I met and was awed by the infinite possibilities that could potential await anyone who has a creative bone in their body. This event is an open forum for sewers, knitters, quilters, and makers of all kind. They say to bring something to work on, do a show and tell, or just bring yourself.
When I got there, I was introduce to a group of approximately 15 girls who all had some kind of work in progress. One girl was working on the collar of a dress shirt, another girl wowed us with a partially completed quilt, and another one was making a rag doll.
The atmosphere at the Workroom is very relaxed. Everyone there is nice and friendly. It is more a atmosphere of cooperations, sharing, and collaboration rather than cut throat competition. Its a venue for creative and carfty women that form a small community of an emerging creative force.
The shop itself is one big room with several rows of sewing machines and the walls were lined with colorful fabrics, books, and samples of items that you could make if you choose to put your mind to it. You become enticed and awed by what can be created by simply sewing scraps of fabrics together.
This is definitely the place to go if you are interested in learning about sewing, practice your sewing skills, taking a sewing class, or if you simply want to meet people that are interested in working various creative handmade projects. Its a nice social place to unwind after a long hectic day at work.
They also have Quilt Sunday with is the last Sunday of the month from 1−3pm. This event is also free.

This is a very nice place to go, I especially love their dog there (very friendly!) They carry lots of pretty fabrics such Amy Bulter and Japanese ones. Oh well, the price is not cheap, but you will want to buy some for some pretty projects, won’t you? It worths!
They also carry some sewing tools, and purse frames, I bought few of them with quite reasonable price. Since purse frames are not easy to find in Toronto, I highly recommended you to go there and check them out.
So that you can make your own little purse (they have different sizes and styles)
Parking is not a big issue, you should able to find a spot on the street.

The workroom is a cosy space that enables you to complete that DIY craft project you’ve always meant to finish. The atmosphere is light and relaxed and inspiring.
Upon entering the store/​workroom you are greeted by a wall of colour. The fabric lined wall draws you into the space and you can’t help but dreaming up a new project or reason to visit again.
I highly recommend this space on a cold rainy night!