Tools 101: Traditional Hand Tools
2026-08-06 18:00 - 19:30 (America/Chicago) | 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.

Beeswax Food Wraps
2026-08-06 18:00 - 19:30 | Perennial, 3762 S. Broadway, Saint Louis, MO, 63118, United States
Materials saved from the landfill:
fabric
Skills you’ll learn:
waxing fabric, cutting fabric
You don’t need to go out and buy new products to reduce waste at home — you can make them yourself from reclaimed materials! In this workshop, you’ll craft along to make a set of cloth beeswax wraps from salvaged fabric and natural materials to replace plastics in your kitchen. You’ll learn the best ratio for making your wraps nice and sticky, and lots of tips and tricks along the way. Leave the workshop with a pair of wraps sized 8″ x 8″ and 12″ x 12,” and knowledge to make many more! As we craft, we’ll also cover best practices to reduce the amount of trash coming in and out of your cabinets, counters, and fridge.

Hand Sewing 101
2026-08-08 10:00 - 12:00 | Perennial, 3762 S. Broadway, Saint Louis, MO, 63118, United States
Materials saved from the landfill:
fabrics, garments
Skills you’ll learn:
fabric identification, variety of stitches, button + patch attachment

Gone are the days of getting rid of a shirt because a button fell off, or having to run to a tailor because a seam ripped. In this class you’ll learn practical hand sewing skills that will allow you to mend your own clothes. You’ll learn how to thread a needle and knot the thread (that’s always the first step), sew a backstitch and a ladder stitch (for mending ripped seams), a blind hem stitch (for hemming pants), and how to reattach a button.

DIY Little Free Library, 8/8+8/15
2026-08-08 10:00 - 13:00 | 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 Saturdays, August 8 + 15 from 10am – 1pm each day.
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.

Upcycled Candles
2026-08-08 13:00 - 14:30 | Perennial, 3762 S. Broadway, Saint Louis, MO, 63118, United States
Materials saved from the landfill:
wax, glass
Skills you’ll learn:
techniques for turning leftover candle wax into new candles, including dipped candles + jar candles
Learn how to turn the leftover wax from old candles into new ones! Your instructor Amy will show you different techniques for using up that leftover wax from your candle jar, so you can repurpose the jar and the wax. Participants may bring used candles jars from home that are 8 ounces or smaller or can use ones we have stocked up. With candle leftovers combining in multiple melting pots, this class truly harnesses the power of community + reuse.

Tools 202: Table Saw
2026-08-11 18:00 - 19:30 | Perennial, 3762 S. Broadway, Saint Louis, MO, 63118, United States
Please note: participants are required to have taken Tools 101: Table Saw prior to taking this class.
Materials saved from the landfill:
wood
Skills you’ll learn:
advanced table saw operations, specialized cuts, working with different materials, diagnosing common issues
Build on the foundation from Tools 101: Table Saw in a class focused on deeper table saw use. We’ll cover more specific operations common to everyday shop work, along with techniques to increase accuracy, efficiency, and confidence at the saw. Participants will practice a wider range of cuts, work with different materials, and learn how to troubleshoot common table saw challenges as they come up.

Wall Mounted House Plant
2026-08-11 18:00 - 20:00 | Perennial, 3762 S. Broadway, Saint Louis, MO, 63118, United States
Materials saved from the landfill:
burlap coffee bags, wood
Skills you’ll learn:
pattern-making, sanding, hammering, leather stamping, and plant mounting
Create your own living art in this workshop! Turn a reclaimed wooden board into a unique plaque by mounting a house plant for display. You will learn the process for mounting the plant + taking proper care of it plus you’ll learn some optional design details you can add to your piece. House plants will be provided and may vary based on availability.

DIY Upcycled Picture Framing
2026-08-12 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.

Toothbrush Rag Rug
2026-08-12 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.

Tools 101: Dremel
2026-08-13 18:00 - 19:30 | 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!

Thrift Flip: Button Downs
2026-08-15 10:00 - 12:00 | Perennial, 3762 S. Broadway, Saint Louis, MO, 63118, United States
Materials saved from the landfill:
textiles
Skills you’ll learn:
simple but impactful adjustments to a button-down’s hem, waist, + sleeves
Give secondhand shirts a fresh start! In this workshop, you’ll learn how to tailor and rework thrifted button-downs into new, wearable garments that reflect your personal style. Using basic sewing techniques + creative design choices, you’ll transform everyday finds into something completely your own — and keep perfectly good clothes out of the landfill.
Note: students should be able to thread + sew a straight stitch on a sewing machine.

We’ll provide shirts for you to work with, but if you have one that could use a refresh, you’re encouraged to bring it along!

Community Clothing Swap
2026-08-15 10:00 - 12:00 | Quaker Meeting House, 1001 Park Ave, Saint Louis, MO, 63104, United States
Our next swap will take place on Saturday, August 15 from 10am–12pm at the Quaker Meeting House at 1001 Park Avenue.
Want to be the first to learn when the next 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 August 8th from 11-5pm @ Perennial – This is the only Perennial drop-off time!
Wednesday-Thursday, August 12th + 13th from 4:00-6:00pm @ the Meeting House
Friday, August 14th from 12-5:00pm @ the Meeting House

You do not need to purchase a ticket to donate clothing!
Can I volunteer?
Yes! We will be accepting additional volunteers for Friday before the swap and Saturday Clean-Up. Click here to see available shifts and sign up!

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.

Make Your Own Yarn
2026-08-18 18:00 - 20:00 | 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).

Tools 101: Power Saws
2026-08-18 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.

Intro to Punch Needle
2026-08-19 18:00 - 20:30 | Perennial, 3762 S. Broadway, Saint Louis, MO, 63118, United States
Materials saved from the landfill:
bed sheets, pillow cases, fabric scraps, salvaged yarn
Skills you’ll learn:
punch needle
Learn how to use a punch needle using salvaged fabric scraps + yarn! In this workshop, participants will use a selection of pre-cut fabric scrap yarn and salvaged yarn to “punch” with into a woven fabric base, creating a loop textured fabric patch. You’ll learn how to cut down your own reclaimed fabric yarn, and which sizes of salvaged yarn work best. We’ll discuss finishing your piece and turning into an item like a pillow or purse, or you can leave it on the frame. A punch needle tool will be used in the class, and you can purchase one at the shop for future projects!

Craft Club: Macrame Water Bottle Slings
2026-08-20 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 bite-sized craft: Macrame Water Bottle Slings. 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.

Tools 101: Drills + Sander + Planer
2026-08-20 18:00 - 19:30 | 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.

Upcycled Lighting + Wiring
2026-08-22 10:00 - 11:30 | Perennial, 3762 S. Broadway, Saint Louis, MO, 63118, United States
Materials saved from the landfill:
electrical parts
Skills you’ll learn:
electrical work, upcycling
Searching for a new way to brighten up a room? Join this workshop and be inspired to create unique lighting for your home! Instructor Jenny Murphy will share a presentation bursting with creative ways to upcycle items into new light fixtures and lamps. Once you’ve taken in these new ideas, you’ll learn the step-by-step process of wiring a lamp so you can transform your favorite objects into new lighting features!

Darning + Mending: Weaves
2026-08-22 10:00 - 12:30 | Perennial, 3762 S. Broadway, Saint Louis, MO, 63118, United States
Materials saved from the landfill:
clothes and other household textiles
Skills you’ll learn:
darning, repairing holes in clothing
Never worry about damaging your favorite pair of jeans again! In this class, students will learn how to repair small holes in woven, non-stretch fabric garments using traditional mending + darning techniques. Students will be provided with hole-y sample swatches to practice on, creating your own visible mending samplers to take home with you. We’ll discuss how to use the skills learned in class to repair your woven clothing yourself at home, visibly and invisibly.

Home Repair: Small Appliances
2026-08-22 13:00 - 15:00 | Perennial, 3762 S. Broadway, Saint Louis, MO, 63118, United States
Materials saved from the landfill:
small appliances
Skills you’ll learn:
assessing a repair job, desoldering + soldering, multimeter, safely opening an appliance
Learn to triage your small appliance’s wounds yourself! Electrical engineer Joel Schad will take you through a simple repair (and what to do when a repair becomes not-so-simple) on a common household small electrical appliance. You’ll get hands-on learning with small appliance surgery from opening up an appliance, to soldering + dressing its wires, to using a multimeter to read its pulse.

Tools 101: Lathe
2026-08-25 18:00 - 20:00 | 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.

Cold Process Soapmaking
2026-08-25 18:00 - 20:30 | Perennial, 3762 S. Broadway, Saint Louis, MO, 63118, United States
Materials saved from the landfill:
spent cooking oil, plant materials
Skills you’ll learn:
cold process soapmaking
Learn the cold process soapmaking technique with a few natural + sustainable tips! In this class, we’ll demonstrate how to clean + repurpose old cooking oil as the basis for your soap. We’ll also discuss way to incorporate natural materials into your soap like infusing color and scents from plants, or using dried botanicals. Participants will learn to use upcycled milk cartons and yogurt containers to create their own soap.
Please note, cold-process soaps take around 6 weeks to cure before they can be used.

Copper Rings + Bracelets
2026-08-26 18:00 - 19:30 | Perennial, 3762 S. Broadway, Saint Louis, MO, 63118, United States
Materials saved from the landfill:
copper wire
Skills you’ll learn:
wire-stripping, wire-shaping techniques, jewelry sizing
Impress your friends with your handmade copper jewelry. In this class you’ll practice techniques to source, strip, and shape upcycled copper wire for jewelry making. Korey will share examples from her own resourceful jewelry business and demonstrate multiple designs and creative ways to size jewelry. You’ll leave class with at least one ring and bracelet of your own.

Vintage Hardback Bookbinding
2026-08-26 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.

Home Repair: Doors + Drawers
2026-08-27 18:00 - 20:00 | Perennial, 3762 S. Broadway, Saint Louis, MO, 63118, United States
Materials saved from the landfill:
wooden doors, cabinet drawers, hardware
Skills you’ll learn:
paint stripping, refinishing wood surfaces, restoring and reinstalling doors and hardware
Bring new life to old doors and drawers! In this class, you’ll learn techniques for restoring both interior and exterior wooden doors, as well as cabinet fronts and hardware. We’ll cover safe paint stripping methods, refinishing, and reattaching handles and hinges. Perfect for anyone looking to refresh their furniture or give salvaged pieces a second chance.

Serger Basics
2026-08-27 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.

Fresh Indigo Dyeing
2026-08-29 10:00 - 12:30 | Perennial, 3762 S. Broadway, Saint Louis, MO, 63118, United States
Materials saved from the landfill:
stained textiles
Skills you’ll learn:
techniques for growing and dyeing with indigo plants
Have you ever dyed with a indigo kit? Try something new or take your natural dye skills to the next level by learning how to cultivate and use the indigo plant. As with many natural dye classes, this is a great skill for refreshing and repurposing old or stained textiles made with protein fibers such as silk or wool. Perennial is excited to offer this unique class in collaboration with teaching artist and farmer, Erin Luna of Black Rat Farms. Materials will be provided, but be sure to bring your indigo dye questions!

Intro to Cyanotypes
2026-08-29 10:00 - 12:30 | Perennial, 3762 S. Broadway, Saint Louis, MO, 63118, United States
Materials saved from the landfill:
fabrics, papers, slide film, transparencies
Skills you’ll learn:
cyanotype process
Discover the vintage photographic method of cyanotype printing! Cyanotype printing uses light from the sun to create photographic or silhouetted images in beautiful shades of blue. Class participants will learn how to alter scrap paper, fabric, and clothing into unique prints using just the sun to develop the images. Participants will learn how to process their own exposures and use found objects and transparencies to make one-of-a-kind designs. The class will also cover the process of transforming digital images into cyanotype-ready materials for transferring.

Intro to Papermaking
2026-08-29 13:00 - 15:00 | 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!

Eco-Friendly Screen Printing
2026-09-01 18:00 - 20:00 | Perennial, 3762 S. Broadway, Saint Louis, MO, 63118, United States
Materials saved from the landfill:
tights, embroidery hoops, textiles
Skills you’ll learn:
creating an image on a screen, printing the image onto textiles, caring for your printed textiles
We’re talking eco-friendly, DIY alternatives to the traditional screen printing process! You’ll learn how to use 100% reclaimed materials to create a screen for your image that you can use again and again. Students will practice printing on various textiles such as tote bags, jeans, and t-shirts from around the shop. You can even bring in your own tired textiles to jazz them up!
