Have you ever thought about how community care and tote bags go together? In this workshop, participants of all sewing levels will learn to create their own unique tote or foraging bag. Whether you're a novice or seasoned sewer, join us to explore sustainability and community care through crafting. We'll cover sewing machine basics like threading, bobbin winding, and sewing straight lines. Bring your own machine or use ours as we guide you through fabric cutting, pinning, and stitching. We hope to cultivate a safe creative space for everyone on their learning journey. ** Please bring 1 1/2 yards of either 16oz or 22oz duck canvas fabric for the project.

This class meets on Thursday 11/21 and Thursday 12/05 from 6pm - 9pm at the Design Gym Road on 7 Ramsey Street in Upham's Corner. This class will not meet on Thursday, 11/28 due to the Thanksgiving holiday.

What if we could change our communities by changing the ways we move and feel ourselves move, inside our bodies, with others and through space?

This movement workshop is for anyone who wishes to deepen their relationship to their body and explore creative expression through movement with others. Guided exercises and reflection will make space for us to play and build curiosity with our individual and collective attention. Together we will experiment with aspects of gravity, touch, proximity and witnessing to uncover new and old connections that we can follow into new ways of sensing and being with the world.

No experience necessary. All bodies are welcome! 

This class will be held on 11/14 at the Design Gym (7 Ramsey Street in Upham's Corner) from 6-9pm.

This workshop is designed for individuals interested in managing their own personal pain or the pain of their family members and loved ones. We will discuss the differences between acute and chronic pain, inflammation in the body and the impact of diet. Taking into consideration personal boundaries and honoring one's body, we'll explore strategies for managing pain through hands-on practice and interactive exercises. We recommend wearing loose-fitting clothing such as shorts, tank tops, or a loose-fitting dress that exposes your skin in order to better understand your pain patterns. Participants are invited to explore intuitive touch with others with their consent or they can focus solely on themselves.

The techniques and strategies presented in this workshop are suggestions based on the personal experiences and professional knowledge of the instructor who was a former massage therapist specializing in myofascial pain, Swedish massage, deep tissue, and sports and post-surgery therapy. Participants are also invited to bring clothing and change on site at the Design Gym.

This workshop will be held on 11/09 from 12pm-4pm at the Design Gym on 7 Ramsey Street in Upham's Corner.

In this workshop, we will explore intermediate bookbinding techniques that use sewing to hold the pages of the book together. We will use an awl, needle, and thread to create durable book structures. Good for small to medium-sized books, we will focus on Japanese Stab Binding and Kettle Binding with Coptic Alteration. Japanese Stab Binding features decorative stitches along the exposed spine of the book. The Kettle binding technique, when combined with coptic elements allows the book to open completely flat. We recommend enrolling and completing the Intro to Bookbinding: Non-Stitch Books workshop to build a solid foundation, but it is not mandatory. We will provide guidance and support to ensure all participants can successfully engage with the advanced techniques in the subsequent sessions of our bookbinding workshop series.

This class will be held on 10/31 from 6pm-9pm at the Design Gym on 7 Ramsey Street in Upham's Corner.

In this class, students will learn the fundamentals of screenprinting, including the tools and techniques needed to gain a solid understanding of this popular printing technique. Students will learn how to use a squeegee, mix ink, and properly coat, expose, and prepare a screen for printing. We will practice printing on various surfaces, including paper and fabric. Throughout the class, we will explore the art of screenprinting and its role in protest and promoting social justice. Limited to 10 students.

This class meets for two consecutive Saturdays: 10/26 and 11/02 from 12pm - 3pm at the Design Gym on 7 Ramsey Street in Upham's Corner.

Join us for a celebration of cultural heritage and an exploration of identity with a make-your-own nameplate jewelry workshop! Learn how to create personalized metal nameplates that can be transformed into necklaces, earrings, or rings.This workshop is open to anyone and all skill levels. Whether you're a seasoned jewelry maker or a curious beginner, we invite everyone to join us for this hands-on workshop that combines creativity, culture, and craftsmanship.

This class meets on two consecutive Thursdays: 10/17 and 10/24 from 6:00PM - 9:00-PM at the Design Gym Road on 7 Ramsey Street in Upham's Corner between CVS and Chase Bank.

Dive into the world of bookbinding in this introductory hands-on exploration of non-stitch books. Non-stitch books do not use sewing or stitching to hold the pages together and instead, rely on adhesives, folding, or other mechanical means to bind the pages. Participants will gain foundational bookbinding skills and knowledge to create their own simple books. We will cover zines, meandering, accordions, Flag Books, and also explore Lotus and Turkish fold books. No bookbinding experience is necessary.

This class will be held on 10/10 from 6pm-9pm at the Design Gym on 7 Ramsey Street in Upham's Corner.

In this workshop, you will discover the art of the wooden spoon. Learn to design, carve, and finish your own kitchen spoon using hand and light power tools with guidance from the instructor. We'll cover wood grain, shaping techniques, and finishing touches. Join us for a creative, hands-on experience and leave with a unique, handcrafted spoon perfect for cooking or serving your favorite dish. No woodworking experience necessary.

This workshop will be held on Saturday 10/05 from 11am-5pm at the Design Gym on 7 Ramsey Street in Upham's Corner.

Street art not only tells stories about our relationship to our neighborhoods, but also disrupts the oppressive order of concrete and white walls. In the first half of this part-storytelling, part-skillshare workshop, join us as we explore the history of graffiti and its cultural significance as a medium for self-expression and social commentary. In the second half, we will walk over to the old location of the Design Gym and use spray paint to tag the walls alongside some of Boston’s own graffiti writers.

This workshop meets on Saturday 09/28 from 1pm - 4pm at the Design Gym Road on 7 Ramsey Street in Upham's Corner between CVS and Chase Bank.