Finding Your Place In Space: The History Of fibre space's Community Lounge
Ever wondered what the 'space' is in fibre space? You may have noticed our out-of-this-world mural and thought of rockets and planets made of yarn. But, the reason for this name is actually rooted right here in our community (on Earth)!
Since the beginning of fibre space 12 years ago, one of the most important aspects has been creating an environment where all are welcome. We've long battled against the stereotype that only elderly women knit - check out our Stylebook article about our fibre in focus series for proof. I also wanted to create a space that made new stitchers feel comfortable to ask questions and hang out. In our shop, it's always been important to have a place where stitchers can revel in their craft, meet like-minded creatives and build their skills.
Now that we are in our third (and permanent location), the lounge area has had an evolution over the years. Not only has the location changed, but so has the entire vibe of the space. Here are a few looks:
Our permanent home at 1319 Prince is an odd shape. It is a historic flatiron building, which presented some space challenges for sure. It starts out narrow and widens as you walk further back into the space. Initially, we dropped our lounge onto the main floor. When COVID hit, we removed it entirely and used the extra space to spread our shelving apart and allow for more distancing between customers. We focused on our outdoor spaces, which would be safer for gatherings. When restrictions were lifted at the end of May, we re-installed the lounge space to upstairs near our classrooms. The second floor of our historic flatiron building is surrounded by windows that let in cozy sunlight. We've furnished it with bright and comfy chairs from our friends at ACME Midcentury and Modern, and all are welcome to sit and stitch together any time we are open. We also host a weekly stitch-in-space all day long every Friday. You can meet other stitchers and get help with your pattern or a dropped stitch.
Fibrearts can sometimes feel like a solitary craft. But, it has always been our mission to bring stitchers together to share in the joy of creating. We've seen incredible friendships grow between people who are parts of very different communities in their everyday lives. And we've been a jumping off point for people who have just moved to the area - in fact, that is how most of our yarnistas first came to fibre space!
The location of fibre space has changed over the years, but one consistent feature in each location is the importance of the lounge space as a community resource and refuge. Whether you've just taken your first class or been stitching for decades, our doors and chairs are open to you. We look forward to seeing you.
