perennial

Embroidered Valentine's Patches
2026-02-14 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | Perennial, 3762 S. Broadway, Saint Louis, MO, 63118, United States
Description coming soon!

Sewing Machine Basics
2026-02-14 13:00 - 14:30, 2026-03-04 18:00 - 19:30 | Perennial, 3762 S. Broadway, Saint Louis, MO, 63118, United States
Skills you’ll learn:
overview of sewing machine parts and functions
Sewing machines can be a bit intimidating. Like any other tool, once you become familiar with its pieces and parts you will have more success (and fun!) using it to your advantage. In this introductory course, Perennial staff will cover the basic parts and functions of the sewing machine. This crash course will cover threading the machine, threading the bobbin, adjusting tension, adjusting the stitch width and length, and will introduce you to basic sewing language. This workshop is a prerequisite for other sewing classes at Perennial.

Tools 101: Dremel
2026-02-14 13:00 - 14:30 | Perennial, 3762 S. Broadway, Saint Louis, MO, 63118, United States
Skills you’ll learn:
dremel
A dremel is a handy, small but mighty tool. Learn how to use it for repair tasks, tiny model-sized work, engraving, polishing, cutting screws, cutting tiles, and more!

Make Your Own Yarn
2026-02-17 18:00 - 20:30 | Perennial, 3762 S. Broadway, Saint Louis, MO, 63118, United States
Materials saved from the landfill:
fabric scraps, orts (those tiny scraps of thread + yarn from sewing and textile projects!)
Skills you’ll learn:
technique for making fabric scrap twine, coiling technique for “art yarn” developed by the instructor
Ever wondered what to do with the scraps left over from your sewing + textile projects? Textile artist Kate Hargis will teach you how to give them a new life by turning those scraps into treasures that can be used in even more projects! You’ll learn two different techniques for making yarn out of scraps; the first is a technique for making twine out of fabric scraps (pictured on the left), and the second is a technique developed by Kate to make your own art yarn – multi-colored + textured yarn to be used in a variety of projects (pictured on the right).

Craft Club
2026-02-18 17:30 - 19:00 | Perennial, 3762 S. Broadway, Saint Louis, MO, 63118, United States
Join the creative folks at Perennial for Craft Club! Each month, we host this happy hour event to test out our newest craft ideas while building a sustainable, creative community. All of the materials + instruction will be provided for a surprise, bite-sized craft. Whether you have a lot or just a little experience with crafting, we welcome you! This month we’re meeting at Perennial in our ReUse Studio. Coffee, tea, + cookies will be available, but feel free to bring your own drinks and food!
Ticket options:

Perennial members that want to use their Craft Club pass should email classes@perennialstl.org to sign up (and bring their pass with them to the event).
Members attending without a pass can select the member priced ticket.
Everyone else should choose the non-member ticket option.

DIY Upcycled Picture Framing
2026-02-19 18:00 - 20:30 | Perennial, 3762 S. Broadway, Saint Louis, MO, 63118, United States
Materials saved from the landfill:
picture frames, mat boards
Skills you’ll learn:
repairing + replacing parts of salvaged picture frames, mat board cutting + covering
Discover tips and tricks for framing your artwork with upcycled picture frames! In this class, we’ll discuss the different types of pictures frames you’ll find secondhand – from wood to metal. You’ll learn what tools are needed to take them apart and replace the artwork inside, and replace missing hanging hardware. We’ll cover some DIY mat-cutting processes and even how to cover the mat with fabric for a fresh look. This is a demonstration class. Participants will not leave with a framed artwork but the knowledge to tackle their next picture framing project sustainably.

DIY Little Free Library, 2/19+2/26
2026-02-19 18:00 - 21:00 | Perennial, 3762 S. Broadway, Saint Louis, MO, 63118, United States
Materials saved from the landfill:
drawers, cabinets, salvaged scrap wood, picture frames, hardware
Skills you’ll learn:
table saw, construction, drilling, installation
Please note, this two-day workshop takes place on Thursdays, February 19 + 26 from 6pm – 9pm each night.
Learn to transform an old piece of furniture into your very own Little Free Library! In this class, participants will take reclaimed wood from old cabinets and drawers, add shelves and a door, and weather-proof it in order to create the perfect miniature library. Use the table saw and other power tools to complete this project and give your yard an upgrade with this great community resource!
Some work may need to be done outside of class to add custom finishes to your library, like paint and sealant. Perennial staff will demonstrate these techniques, as well as how to install in your yard.

Tools 101: Drills + Sander + Planer
2026-02-21 10:00 - 11:30 | Perennial, 3762 S. Broadway, Saint Louis, MO, 63118, United States
Skills you’ll learn:
power drill, drill press, belt sander, planer
Learn how to safely and effectively cut your reclaimed wood with the tools in Perennial’s wood shop. In this hour and a half demo, you’ll learn how to safely use hand-held power drills and the drill press to create joinery and attach hardware to your projects. We will also learn how to smooth and shape your wood projects with the belt sander and thickness planer. By completing this crash course, you will be trained to properly and safely use the power drill, drill press, belt sander, and planer for future projects at Perennial.

Dyeing with Indigo
2026-02-21 10:00 - 12:00 | Perennial, 3762 S. Broadway, Saint Louis, MO, 63118, United States
Materials saved from the landfill:
cotton bedsheets, natural fabrics
Skills you’ll learn:
Shibori dyeing, kumo and itajime resist techniques
Shibori, aka Japanese tie dye, is a multifaceted art where you can tie, fold, and stitch your way to a whole new look for tired linens, clothes, and more. In this class, participants will get to sample several different traditional shibori techniques, including kumo, which involves tying and binding your fabric, and itajime, which involves clamping your fabric. We will provide approximately 2 square feet of fabric for each dyeing technique. We’ll be using indigo dye to dip into a vibrant, striking blue you’re sure to love.
Use these techniques outside of class to revive your old sheets, pillowcases, or articles of clothing!

Community Clothing Swap
2026-02-21 10:00 - 12:00 | Quaker Meeting House, 1001 Park Ave, Saint Louis, MO, 63104, United States
Our next swap will take place on Saturday, February 21 from 10am–12pm at the Quaker Meeting House at 1001 Park Avenue.
Want to be the first to learn when swap tickets go on sale? Become a Reuser+ member to support Perennial’s non-profit mission and receive member benefits and updates. Join or upgrade today.
How exactly does it work?
We will be accepting clothing donations prior to the swap at the Meeting House (see dates and details below) so volunteers can pre-sort all items. No clothing donations will be accepted the day of the swap. You can donate clothes in good condition even if you are not planning to attend to ensure we have a wide selection. Volunteers will sort the clothes by item in advance and swappers will be able to browse and select clothes just like at a store. The great news is, unlike a store, you won’t pay by item for things you take home. Instead, we will weigh your clothes to know how many pounds we are diverting from the landfill.
What’s included in my ticket?

Clothes, community, coffee, and cookies!
When and where can I drop off clothes to donate to the swap?
Donations can be dropped off at the following dates and times:

Saturday February 14th from 11-5pm @ Perennial – This is the only Perennial drop-off time!
Wednesday-Thursday, February 18 + 19 from 4:00-6:00pm @ the Meeting House
Friday, February 20 from 12-5:00pm @ the Meeting House

You do not need to purchase a ticket to donate clothing!
If this is your first time attending a swap or you want a refresher, we encourage you to read all of the details and frequently asked questions here.

Tools 101: Lathe
2026-02-21 13:00 - 15:00 | Perennial, 3762 S. Broadway, Saint Louis, MO, 63118, United States
Skills you’ll learn:
lathe woodturning
Learn how to safely and effectively shape reclaimed wood with the lathe in Perennial’s woodshop. In this hour and a half hands-on demo, you’ll learn how to safely use the lathe to turn wood to make bowls, spindles, vessels, and more (with lots of practice!). You’ll discuss the different tools used on the lathe, including different gouges and the parting tool. By completing this crash course, you will be trained to properly and safely use the lathe for future projects at Perennial.
With any woodworking project, it takes practice to master the skills necessary, but this course will introduce you to the tools and safe practices.

Home Repair: Electrical
2026-02-21 13:00 - 15:00 | Perennial, 3762 S. Broadway, Saint Louis, MO, 63118, United States
Skills you’ll learn:
Basic electrical work
Quash your fears of working with electrical basics in your home! Join us for this demonstration class to learn what’s safe to do yourself and when it’s time to call in the professionals. Our instructor Joel, an electrical engineer, will take you through the steps of replacing or installing a grounded light fixture using common tools needed for the job. Along the way, he’ll help you gain an understanding of what makes an electrical system safe or unsafe and how to assess common issues yourself.

Toothbrush Rag Rug
2026-02-24 18:00 - 20:30 | Perennial, 3762 S. Broadway, Saint Louis, MO, 63118, United States
Materials saved from the landfill:
bedsheets, fabric
Skills you’ll learn:
buttonhole stitch, starting + finishing a circular rug, cutting fabric strips from bedsheets
Also referred to as “Amish knot” rugs, toothbrush rugs get their name from the tool used to make them. Toothbrushes, which were once wooden, had a hole in the handle giving early rag ruggers the idea to sharpen a used handle to a point creating the perfect tool for weaving scraps of fabric into a rug. In this class, you’ll learn how to begin a circular toothbrush rug, how to make the Amish knot or buttonhole stitch with a Perennial-made replica of the toothbrush needle, and how to finish off your project. You will leave class with a small rug that you can either use as a trivet or continue to build at home as large as you want it to be! We will also show you how to make fabric strips out of repurposed fabric or bedsheets for your project.

Serger Basics
2026-02-25 18:00 - 20:00 | Perennial, 3762 S. Broadway, Saint Louis, MO, 63118, United States
Materials saved from the landfill:
textiles
Skills you’ll learn:
serger parts, threading a serger, serging
Level up your sewing game by learning the basics of using a serger! Sergers, or overlockers, are used to create clean + strong seams and finished edges in a sewing project, often in garment making. They are a great partner to a sewing machine since they can speed up a project by sewing, trimming, and finishing the edges of fabric all at once. In class, you’ll practice using a serger to finish an edge of a reusable paper towel. After class, you can come back to use our sergers for your personal projects in Open Studio.

Vintage Hardback Bookbinding
2026-02-25 18:00 - 21:00 | Perennial, 3762 S. Broadway, Saint Louis, MO, 63118, United States
Materials saved from the landfill:
paper, vintage books
Skills you’ll learn:
bookbinding signature sewing, paper tearing, proper gluing methods
A self-taught bookbinder, Katie will teach her personal method of upcycling vintage books. This method conserves the detailed embossing and character of hardback books while giving participants a chance to fill them with new interiors using recycled papers. In this class, participants will learn how to carefully extract the original book innards from its cover and replace it with hand sewn signatures. Participants are welcome to use their own vintage books and/or supplement the insides with their own papers, prints, or use the materials provided.

Intro to Alterations: Tailoring
2026-02-26 18:00 - 20:00 | Perennial, 3762 S. Broadway, Saint Louis, MO, 63118, United States
Photo + description coming soon!

Tools 101: Table Saw
2026-02-28 10:00 - 11:30 | Perennial, 3762 S. Broadway, Saint Louis, MO, 63118, United States
Skills you’ll learn:
table saw, circular saw
Learn how to safely and effectively cut your reclaimed wood with the tools in Perennial’s woodshop. In this hour and a half demo, you’ll learn how to safely use Perennial’s Saw Stop table saw to rip long boards and make cross cuts. You’ll learn how to identify when a circular saw would be a better fit for your cutting needs and how to safely clamp your wood and utilize this tool to make your projects come to life. By completing this crash course, you will be trained to safely and properly use the table saw and circular saw for future projects at Perennial.

Intro to Papermaking
2026-02-28 10:00 - 12:00 | Perennial, 3762 S. Broadway, Saint Louis, MO, 63118, United States
Materials saved from the landfill:
matte board, scrap paper
Skills you’ll learn:
pulling + pressing sheets of paper using a mould and deckle
Create beautiful, handcrafted papers! In this workshop, participants will make handmade papers using discarded paper waste. The class will cover the basics of papermaking techniques, including fiber and pulp preparation, how to form sheets using a mould and deckle, and pressing and drying techniques. Each participant will make as many sheets as time allows. No papermaking experience required. Expect to get messy!

Intro to Natural Dyeing
2026-02-28 13:00 - 15:00 | Perennial, 3762 S. Broadway, Saint Louis, MO, 63118, United States
Materials saved from the landfill:
fabric, onion skins/food waste, rusty nails
Skills you’ll learn:
processing dye materials, dye resist techniques
Natural dyes are a beautiful and sustainable way to bring color to textiles. In this workshop, natural dye artisan Erin Luna will show you how to create dye baths from locally foraged plant matter. Participants will learn how to process a few readily accessible dye materials, like black walnuts, goldenrod, and onion skins (subject to seasonal availability), to create hand-dyed fabrics in a neutral color palette including shades of yellow, olive green, brown, and black. Participants will be able to create test strips from each dye bath to keep for future reference. We will also provide a few larger pieces of fabric, such as repurposed bandanas made of 100% natural white cotton that have been prepared in a mordant. Participants will learn some dye resist techniques as well as the use of an iron modifier to change the dye color results.

Home Repair: Electrical Level 2
2026-02-28 13:00 - 15:00 | Perennial, 3762 S. Broadway, Saint Louis, MO, 63118, United States
Description coming soon!
Please note: students should complete Home Repair: Electrical before attending.

Mending with Embroidered Patches
2026-03-03 18:00 - 20:00 | Perennial, 3762 S. Broadway, Saint Louis, MO, 63118, United States
Materials saved from the landfill:
textiles
Skills you’ll learn:
embroidery stitches, securing a DIY patch
Use original embroidery designs to revive stained + hole-y clothing. You will learn several embroidery stitches and use them to create an original embroidered patch perfectly fit to your garment and personal style!

Intro to Upholstery: Dining Room Chair
2026-03-04 18:00 - 20:00 | Perennial, 3762 S. Broadway, Saint Louis, MO, 63118, United States
Materials saved from the landfill:
chair, fabric
Skills learned:
pattern-making, webbing, upholstery
In this demo-based class, you’ll get an introduction to basic upholstery as you explore the tricks to re-covering the seat of an old dining chair and learn to create a new seat structure with webbing. Plus, you’ll learn how to make your own handmade webbing stretcher. With all this knowledge, you won’t be able to stop re-envisioning and reupholstering where you sit when you get home!

Intro to Crochet
2026-03-05 18:00 - 20:00 | Perennial, 3762 S. Broadway, Saint Louis, MO, 63118, United States

Tools 101: Power Saws
2026-03-05 18:00 - 20:00 | Perennial, 3762 S. Broadway, Saint Louis, MO, 63118, United States
Skills you’ll learn:
chop saw/miter saw, band saw, jig saw, circular saw
Learn how to safely and effectively cut reclaimed wood with the power tools in Perennial’s woodshop. In this hour and a half hands-on demo, you’ll learn how to safely use the chop saw (miter saw) to make square and angled cuts. By learning the band saw and jig saw, you’ll be able to make unique cuts of virtually any shape. By completing this crash course, you will be trained to properly and safely use any of the power saws listed above for future projects at Perennial.

Tools 101: Router
2026-03-07 10:00 - 12:00 | Perennial, 3762 S. Broadway, Saint Louis, MO, 63118, United States
Skills you’ll learn:
hand router, table router, trim router
Learn how to safely and effectively shape reclaimed wood with the router tools in Perennial’s woodshop. In this 2-hour hands-on demo, you’ll learn how to safely use a handheld and table router to add appealing decorative finishes to your woodworking projects. These tools will allow you to engrave, carve, and cut wood to give your project a professional finish. Participants will leave with a small sampler of routered wood scrap.
With any woodworking project, it takes practice to master the skills necessary, but this course will introduce you to the tools and safe practices.

Intro to Chair Caning
2026-03-07 10:00 - 12:30 | Perennial, 3762 S. Broadway, Saint Louis, MO, 63118, United States
Materials saved from the landfill:
chairs
Skills you’ll learn:
caning, seat-weaving
Learn the art of chair caning from multidisciplinary designer and craftsperson Rob Morgan who grew up working in his parents’ antique business and has been hand-caning chairs since he was ten years old. In this class, you’ll have an opportunity to learn about different types of caning and seat-weaving as well as understand more about the history of the materials that have been used for this purpose over the years. Participants will get to practice chair caning on a small 6″ square seat that you can take home with you! The sample will help remind + guide you in restoration and repairs at home.

Open Studio
2026-03-07 13:00 - 17:00 | Perennial, 3762 S. Broadway, Saint Louis, MO, 63118, United States
Have you learned a skill at Perennial and are ready to put it into action? Get to work in the shop and make your DIY dreams a reality! Come with your own ideas, designs, and materials (or purchase some here) and craft alongside other sustainable makers.
In order to use Perennial tools, you must be trained on safety and proper usage from taking a Perennial class. For example, to use the Chop Saw in the woodshop you should have taken Tools 101 Power Saws, to use a soldering iron in the ReUse Studio you should have taken a soldering class.
For more information about Open Studio, check out our FAQ page.
Each 2 hour session is $15.
Tools available in the Woodshop include: table saw, chop saw, jig saw, drill press, power drills, belt sander, planer, lathe, and traditional hand woodworking tools.
Tools available in the ReUse Studio include: sewing machines and sewing/quilting tools, soldering irons, upholstery tools, leather working tools, mosaic supplies, blenders, dye pots, pans and bowls, hot plates, measuring spoons, cutting mats, tapestry looms, paper-making supplies, wine bottle cutters, mark-making tools, and more!

Tools 101: Traditional Hand Tools
2026-03-10 18:00 - 19:30 | Perennial, 3762 S. Broadway, Saint Louis, MO, 63118, United States
Skills you’ll learn:
back saw, hand saw, pull saw, coping saw, jack plane, block plane, wood chisels
Let’s go back to basics! Learn how to safely and effectively use a variety of hand tools in Perennial’s woodshop. In this hour and a half hands-on demo, you’ll learn the uses of traditional hand tools and gain a greater understanding of modern versions of those tools, including power tools. By completing this crash course, you will be trained to properly and safely use any of the tools listed above for future projects at Perennial.

Woven Wall Hanging
2026-03-10 18:00 - 21:00 | Perennial, 3762 S. Broadway, Saint Louis, MO, 63118, United States
Materials saved from the landfill:
t-shirts, bed sheets, reclaimed yarn, picture frames
Skills you’ll learn:
warping a loom, create fringe, weave stripes and shapes
Embellish your walls with your very own woven wall hanging! This introductory class will cover everything you need to know from setting up the loom to taking off your finished weaving and so many fun things in between. You’ll learn how to warp a loom, create fringe, weave stripes and shapes, and once you’ve created a masterpiece, how to take it from the loom to the wall. Class fee includes a handmade tapestry needle and frame loom to keep.
