Spring Workshops now open with Rivtak

In this Newsletter:
-Private lesson Schedule is open!
-Upcoming Workshops for Spring
-Workshop Recaps!
-Studio Process Shots- Observable Universe Residency
-Newsletter Coupon Code for products
-A note and picture from River Takada

Book Now on Setmore Calendar

Schedule your private lesson for the spring now! Books are open for a limited time! A lot of the spring is already filling up with private lessons and group workshops. I know a lot of people have expressed wanting to learn to sew, now is your chance to start planning your projects! Almost all my weekends are filled up for spring, but you can still grab a date now!

Book Now on Setmore Calendar

M + L came over to the studio to sew with me as total sewing beginners at just 6 years old! Look at the adorable Cats they made hand sewing for just 2 hours! Private lessons are great for all ages and small groups! Contact me for larger group rates.

Mark your calendar for our first Free Collage Night of 2024!

Monday, March 11th, 6:30pm-8:30pm: Come as you are! We have everything you need to make and take a collage! Scissors, paper, lots of materials, glue sticks and friends!
Pizza from pie Pushers is $5 but collage is free!

Upcoming Workshops:

Join us on TUESDAYS this spring, March 26- April 23rd* for 5 weeks of sewing to make another comfortable and beginner friendly M#7969 Puff Sleeve dress or top! (*I moved the dates back for this workshop from the last newsletter.)

Spring Puff Sleeve on Tuesdays

Intro to Cyanotype with UV lights hosted at Observable Universe!

Saturday, March 30th, 1pm-3:30pm

Improv Patchwork Sewing on the Machine- great for all levels of sewing! Join me for a playful Saturday Session April 6th. 1-3pm. Only 8 spots available.

Join River for Japanese hand embroidery, Sashiko intro mixed with mending to make beautiful intentional stitches to revitalize your loved clothing and textile goods. Only 8 spots.

Sunday, March 7th, 12:30-3:30pm

Bring 2-5 well loved textile items from home (clothing, home decor, bags, etc) that need mending and join River Takada as she helps troubleshoot and guide the group through the many different techniques of textile repair. We will use scraps of fabric to patch and thread to embellish- we will bring your beloved items back from the mending pile of doom so they can continue to be utilized for years to come.

RIVTAK Workshop Registration

Mark your calendars (see the whole calendar online):
Upcoming all workshops hosted at Observable Universe:
-Free Collage Night - Mon, March 11th, 6:30-8:30pm
-YART- Art Yard Sale- Sat, March 23rd- Sun, March 24th
-Puff Sleeve Sewing series on TUESDAYs- March 26-April 23
-Cyanotype- Sat, March 29th, 1pm-3:30pm
-Improv Patchwork Sewing- April 6th, 1-3pm
-Sashiko & Visible Mending- April 7th, 12:30-3:30pm

More workshops to come with the Durham Arts Council, Peel Gallery, Duke Arts, and more! Stay tuned for links next time!

Want to get involved with more at Observable Universe?

Become a Patron on OU’s Pateron here, and get monthly updates from Heather starting at just $3/month.

We will be hosting a community YART- ART YARD SALE March 23rd-24th, Sat + Sun. EMAIL ME if you are interested in joining and selling some seconds art, materials and supplies.

Recent Recap of workshops:

Check out the results of the Sewing Workshop hosted this past month at Observable Universe- mostly beginners ! We made McCall’s #7969 Puff Sleeve Dress. I love how everyone’s pieces came out. The Next Puff Sleeve workshop will be starting at the end of March!

Functional Sewing @ the Eno River- folks sewed patch samples!

Just some fun moments working at the Scrap Exchange- including the Mini Quilt workshop with local celebrity Kimberly Cartwright!

Recent work I’ve been creating for my Observable Universe Residency: Dyeing Indigo on a rare warm day and preparing hand dyed fabrics to sell at Quilt Con!

Dyeing Indigo on a rare warm day. Dipping white cotton fabric 1-5 times to get a range of Indigo Blue.

The results of the Indigo Gradient! Lightest blue was dipped one time, and the darkest blue was dipped 5 times!

Ironing and preparing hand dyed fabrics to sell at Quilt Con!

Thanks to my helpers for ironing over 20 yards of hand dyed fabric!

Here are the results to take to Quilt Con in Raleigh this weekend! I’ll be selling Fat Quarters, Half yards, and 1 yard pieces of ice dye and indigo dyed fabrics! I’m lucky to be apart of the Freeman’s Creative Booth!

Just for newsletter members: Use the code SWEET16 to get 16% off your total purchase to celebrate RIVTAK’s 16th anniversary with me! I love the idea of you having and gifting my handmade items! Thanks so much for your ongoing support! *Discount code will be disabled for a limited time when NEW MOBILES are launched in the next few weeks! Grab you vulvas and calendars at a discount now!

Shop Online

Lots of fun books were read in 2023. I’ve stared some of my favorites for comfort and entertainment.

I’d love to hear about your recommendations! I love lots of different fiction:

-Historical Art
-Science Fiction
-Cozy Romance
-Lady Detectives
-Creative Inspiration
-Fantasy
-Mystery

This handcrafted wooden floor loom is perfect for scarves, runners and other panel weaving!

Thank you for reading all the way to the end!

I’m thrilled to get to connect with you all one-on-one this spring and keep working in Observable Universe for the rest of my residency, ending this summer!

Send me your book recommendations- I’m a dedicated Hoopla and Libby Library borrower!

Cheers, River Takada

New haircut! Loving my bangs!

February has been a month of keeping my head down so far and knocking out some big lingering projects. I’ve taken a break from social media to really get some stuff done with limited distractions. Here’s a peek at some of my favorite simple things.

You are on this mailing list because at some point, you, I or someone you know has signed up thinking you’d enjoy updates about upcoming workshops and community happenings. You can unsubscribe at anytime with the link below. Join us again anytime! Thanks for reading!

R I V T A K