One of Sydney's newest art spaces. Sew Make Create has been around for almost a couple of months…read morenow. The owner, top Sydney designer Melissa Tan-Lu and Sew Make Create's resident dog Pepper are just adorable. The whole shop is quite funky :) I was fortunate to have been invited (through another blog) to experience their beginners crochet course with Bronwen. I arrived on a Wednesday night at 7pm a little tired yet eager as anything to learn, and learn heaps. My manual dexterity skills deflated me for a while, yet I was amazed with the crochet stitch and getting into a granny square so soon with confidence. The class sizes are rather small which is great. Lindt chocolate balls were provided with water as stunning refreshments, as well as biscuits and tea. This course is also available on selected weekends. Sew Make Create also run a variety of other craft courses. After the beginners crochet course, if you wish to take things further, then the crochet clinic is for you. Instead of yarn, turn that yarn into 'plarn' with a plastic bag crochet course. Sew Make Create is a dynamic arts space that also rents out sewing machines, and hence provides ample working space to design some pretty clothes. Sew Make Create also sell sewing machines and craft supplies. Sew Make Create (from the request of many parents) have put together a fantastic course schedule for the kids school holidays coming up, as at the time of writing this. Beginners crochet is also covered, and kids can also learn cupcake decorating and also learn how to make these adorable felt brooches. Located in Chippendale right near the Broadway Shopping Centre. If you're curious (in more detail) as to how my beginners crochet experience went recently, then follow this link: http://www.weekendnotes.com/crochet-for-beginners-sew-make-create/ For more information on the various courses put on especially for kids these school holidays, then follow this link: http://www.weekendnotes.com/crafty-school-holiday-activities-sew-make-create/ With many initiatives to ensuring that Sydney is an arts and crafts focused city, when is now a better time to learn a new craft? Go on, unleash the craft master within!

From the owner: Sew Make Create aims to encourage learning and creativity through providing the right environment,…read moreassistance and facilities

I used Fabric Gardens to buy a Christmas present.The passion of the owner (Sue) & her attention to…read moredetail was very good. I recommend this company.

From the owner: Fabric Garden is an online business supplying modern quilting and patchwork fabric and is located…read moreon the lower north shore in Sydney, Australia.

This place is superb! Great service and the highest quality…read moreI've seen. After a lot of experience with T-shirt printing shops I can recommend this place as one of the best. They delivered a high quality in a short time and most importantly the staff was really helpful and knew exactly what I'm in need for. Definitely go there if you need a shirt or anything other to be printed on.

From the owner: EmbroidMe is the world's largest Uniform, Embroidery, Screen Printing and Promotional Products…read morecompany. Our products include corporate uniforms, work wear, sportswear, embroidered apparel and personalised promotional products.

This is such a great concept - an activity crafts and art space where kids can learn something…read moreother than how to tweet or shoot a space alien. Run by a pair of lovely sisters, this is a great spot for mums and their tweens, especially. The only downside is Ernest Street is hell noisy. I found the coffee a bit pedestrian - poor crema and no secondary notes so the flavour won't linger (a bit like what you might get out of a good vending machine). But that's not why you'll come here, if you have a child you want to show the finer points of macrame or some other dextrous skill.

Great concept indeed! Sydney's north shore has a new coffee & craft location with a cool deco and a…read moregreat vibe that doesn't feel hype wanna-be like some other places. Try the inviting couch or the big shared table for a nice brekkie with family/friends. Menu is reasonably priced with regular changes depending on what's fresh as everything is pretty much home-made on the premises. Kids gotta try the milk & cookie combo for a nice morning or afternoon treat :) Ernest St can get a bit noisy but inside seating is always available & quiet while cars are parked outside and provide shelter on week-ends. The owners sisters are always smiley and happy to help along with their kitchen staff & very talented kids. PS: Dogs welcome outside with a water bowl ready to quench their thirst. There is also a big park just at the front for a walk before/after your brekkie/lunch.

Very nice shop with wonderful things, many hand knitted, plus a small but excellent selection of…read morelocally-produced yarns. Just off George St down a delightful pedestrian alleyway called Nurses Walk. Absolutely worth a visit!

From the owner: The Australian Alpaca Barn was originally established to sell and promote Australian Alpaca…read moreproducts made from alpaca fibre grown in Australia and manufactured by the strategic partners of the Australian Alpaca Fleece Limited. Since then we have grown with the industry and now specialise in the sales and promotion of quality alpaca products manufactured in Australia, New Zealand and Peru. Aligned with the top manufacturers of alpaca in Peru the Australian Alpaca Barn now offers a comprehensive range of alpaca products designed for the discerning buyer.

Excellent service with super friendly and knowledgeable staff. A large selection of art supplies at…read morereasonable prices and a generous rewards program. This my shop of choice for art supplies and advice. i highly recommend this strore

This is definitely my kind of arts and crafts store. Positioned across the street from Lincraft…read more(the generic, mega-chain of the art supply world), Erckrsley's provides style and quality that far surpass the competition. I was recently in the neighborhood looking for supplies to make my fascinator for Melbourne Cup. I was able to find my base materials at Lincraft, but was looking for some speciality origami paper to make paper cranes out of for the purpose of affixing to my fascinator. The Lincraft staff sent me across the way to Eckersley's and I was able to find exactly what I was looking for. Their individual paper selection here is incredible. Not cheap though, that's for sure. I think each individual paper sheet I chose was around $3 a piece. Eckersley's also has a great selection of painting supplies, brushes, canvasses, etc. This is a shop for the serious artist or the crafter who wants to ensure their hard work is accented by only the finest materials. I wouldn't personally be able to afford sourcing all materials for a project here, but it's definitely worth dropping a dime on crucial accent supplies. The staff is friendly, the store is well stocked and the quality is high.