Some of our best DIY project posts came way by special guests post from local Los Angeles crafting specialist and friend, Jenny Ryan. If you're ever in the vicinity of Silver Lake's Sunset Junction, it's highly recommended you drop by her new shop, Home Ec., a crafter's shangri-la. Jenny took time to discuss her new store, recommendations and advice about setting up a crafting space below…

Tell us a little about what one can expect when they walk through the doors of your store, Home Ec.

Hopefully they'll feel welcomed and cozy—that's definitely what I'm going for. I want Home Ec. to feel like your home away from home...or at least your craft room away from home. It's a functioning workshop with space for creating always at the ready, but it's a retail space as well offering a selection of unique fabrics, sewing patterns, all kids of how-to books, as well as some fun gift items from indie designers.

Can anyone come in and work on their crafting projects? What about classes if I’m a beginner?

Absolutely! If you're looking to rent studio time, you can schedule machine rental time on an hourly basis. This gives you access to our PFAFF sewing machines, cutting tables and tools, iron and ironing boards, etc. Or course our cozy seating area is also open to anyone who wants to come in and sit a spell with their embroidery, crochet, or other handwork projects. We do offer a variety of entry-level craft classes, from sewing to crochet to paper and fabric crafting. Upcoming classes this fall include bookbinding, paste paper making, and more!

Tell us about some of your favorite products/supplies you carry.

I think the handmade porcelain buttons from Poodlebreath have a gorgeous storybook like charm...they would be the perfect addition to a hand-knit capelet or scarf.

Lotta's Printing Studio by the amazing Scandinavian designer Lotta Jansdotter is a perfect starter kit for anyone interested in printmaking. You can customize many items in your home, from walls to furniture, along with clothing and paper too.

I love Japanese fabrics and offer a selection of prints, such as Nani Iro's amazing patterns that look as though they were painted right on the fabric. Closer to home, a carry some reproduction 1930s and '40s prints that are wonderful to use in quilting projects and the like.

Any advice for creating a crafting space at home?
I'm lucky to have a husband who also needs creative space at home, so we've split the dining room into a work area we can both use. If your options are more limited space-wise (or if you're the kind of person who doesn't want to look at your supplies when you're not using them) it's all about the armoire. I've seen some efficient and cute sewing areas set up inside vintage armoires (the book Weekend Sewing features one), which works well since you can close the doors when you're not working. Otherwise I'd say my craft organization/decor must-haves include vintage suitcases, glass jars and card catalogs or thrifted metal file drawers for small items, and of course baskets and bins galore: metal, fabric, or wooden.

Thanks Jenny for sharing about your new store and advice about crafting in the home. Be sure to check out Jenny's book Sew Darn Cute: 30 Sweet & Simple Projects to Sew & Embellish and her posts here at Apartment Therapy for inspiration (pssst...she occasionally even has cupcakes from nearby Lark that she shares with customers, because she's wonderfully friendly that way!).

Home Ec.
3815 W. Sunset Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90026
323.906.8826
www.homeecshop.com

Home Ec Shop

http://www.homeecshop.com/

3815 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026, USA

323.906.8826

Visit the store page

Comments (10)

What a fun shop! I'll definitely have to stop by here on my next visit to LA.

Home Ec charges EIGHTY DOLLARS for a two-session sewing class. In this economy that only spells elitism. As cute as it is, it caters only to those with disposable income -- not people who really want to create silk out of a sow's ear. I want to loe it but there's something kind of enraging about it too -- it's almost too cute for words and a bit too precious for its own good. If they brought the prices down, maybe.

"i want to Love it..." (typo!)

in response to the price: the class is the same cost as taking a sewing class at a community college, but in a much more inviting and intimate setting.

i've taken the needlefelting class and the class sizes are small and there is lots of one-on-one time. i highly recommend taking classes there and can't wait to take more!

pugluv: to be fair, in this economy independent businesses like Home Ec. especially need your support, as they don't have the sheer volume to bring down prices to big-store retail prices. This is hardly a case of elitism; Jenny is honestly the farthest from "elite" as one could be (and I try to say this as impartially as one could be being a friend). I'd much rather pay a fair price for personal and local service occasionally than be fixated on always getting the cheapest deal.

"...it caters only to those with disposable income"
Wouldn't this charge apply to most every decor-store, unless you narrow it down to the largest of retailers who depend upon volume and foreign manufacturing? There's no issue of occasionally shopping anywhere in my book, but the issue of "disposable income" seems an unfair label considering the neighborhood supports a cheese shop, boutique kicks store, spa boutique, fancy coffee spot, gelato shop and a fashion-oriented population. Of all the stores there, besides the wonderful Music Conservancy, a neighborhood craft shop where anyone can get advice, rent work space or purchase goods seems as far from elite as I could imagine.

why do people get so angry about the price of everything? just don't go to the class.

@pugluv It may not be your style, but to call Home Ec. "enraging" seems a bit extreme! I find the shop quite welcoming and cheery and admire the fact that Jenny is providing a space for people to teach and learn (should the instructors not get paid fairly for their time and talent?). And many of the items for sale are handmade by local artists and crafters. How is supporting our neighbors "elitist"?

I haven't had a chance to visit Home Ec. yet (I'm about 8-9 hours away) but I have been checking into local sewing classes as well as crochet classes. $80 seems totally reasonable for a 2-session class compared to the big name craft stores I've looked into. And yes, it's cheaper (or around the same) as a community college course - plus more convenient and a smaller group of students, I'm sure. Just wanted to chime in since I have been pricing sewing classes recently ;)

Eighty bucks for anything in this economy is pretty steep, I'll agree. But it's a cost/benefit thing. I'm not an elitist with disposable income, but like a lot of people, I have a couple of inexpensive indulgences here and there that add up. It pains me that I buy terribly constructed mall clothes instead of saving my money and taking another dress class here.

ANYWAY, Home Ec is on my way home and I love passing by that window. The storefront is becoming the podiatrist foot sign for me, only homey and comforting. And the fabric selection is fabulous.

My son & I stopped in a few weeks ago (there is a comic book store next door to placate him) and this store is stocked with fantastic Kokka fabrics from Japan which were priced accordingly (the same as Superbuzzy or Michael Levine's downtown, but without the hassle.)

It was nice to be able to shop in the neighborhood, and the owner was very knowledgeable and nice to boot.

I'm not sure about the whole class pricing thing, but honestly in this economy learning to sew seems like a good thing to know!!