Check out our Hours / Calendar pages for current open hours and our Events page for upcoming events.

The Fábrica: a Community Textile Arts & Salvage Workshop in Santa Cruz, California

WHAT IS THIS PLACE?

The Fábrica is community workspace where folks can learn and share knowledge about textiles arts. This includes sewing, knitting, quilting, embroidery, crochet, mending, clothing repair, bookbinding, and weaving, among other arts. The workshop is operated by volunteers and funded by donations from participants. We have sewing machines as well as generous amounts of fabric, zippers, notions, and the other tools and supplies one needs for most sewing and yarn-based projects.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

We value the participation of everyone regardless of their financial contribution. There is no charge to use the shop. No one is ever turned away for a lack of funds. However, we need some money to pay rent each month. Please consider a $5-10 donation to help us cover our expenses. Larger contributions are much appreciated and we will provide donors with our tax ID number upon request.

We also have fabrics, yarn, and notions available to buy at discount prices. These are materials that have been donated to the shop, so yardage and quality vary.

WHERE AND WHEN?

We’re located at 703 Pacific Avenue in downtown Santa Cruz in the Hub complex, which we share with the Bike Church and other organizations. Here is some more information about the Hub. Our entrance is on Pacific Avenue. Here’s a map.

You can check out our Hours / Calendar page to see our current hours and holiday closures.

A COLLECTIVE OF ARTISTS:

The Fábrica is also a collective of artists who design, create, and curate works and experiences in the Santa Cruz area. We host art shows at our physical workshop location. We design and orchestrate construction of protest banners with community members and comrade organizations. We engage and collaborate with public art projects, including the Crochet Coral Reef, printmaking events at Little Giant, and educational craft events at local museums. Our work is rooted in creative re/use of salvaged materials and creative collaboration. Our work is often inspired by liberation struggles at home and throughout the world. Follow us on social media or subscribe to our posts to hear about what we get into in The Future.

THE PROTEST BANNER LENDING LIBRARY:

We have amassed a collection of handmade protest banners which are available to be borrowed. The idea of lending out the banners is inspired by the work of artist and activist Aram Han Sifuestes. For more information about our banners, click here.