Spool of Thread

Amazing team, amazing fabrics and amazing classes. I am a total beginner on sewing machine and have already done 2 classes for the pillow cases and the apron. We were a small group and the instructor was really clear and friendly. I am really happy with the results, the machine are so easy and comfortable to use. The fabrics are affordable and not more expensive than other places in Vancouver.
I already signed up for my 3^rd class!

SOT is the best spot in Vancouver for quilting cotton. They also have a nicely curated selection of other types of fabrics, and are happy to help you find an appropriate fabric for your project. I hope they expand their selection in the coming years!

Oh, THANK you, owner/​manager of this place, for creating it! I like to sew but have NO room at home for machine or cutting. I can come in here and use the machines, but even better, there’s a HUGE table/​workbench for cutting fabric etc. My only complaint: the work table has a wooden top and I wish it were canvas-​topped so that I could pin things to it. But whatever. The staff are super nice, friendly, and helpful. And if you buy the card, it’s even cheaper to sew here ($ 4/​hour compared to $ 8/​hour). They also do lessons. Again, owner: I thank you!!! And thanks to the staff for always being so nice. Oh last comment: website is not always current for sew-​in times so phone first if you want to be 100% sure.

I love the fabric selection here! The prints are beautiful, trendy and fun. It’s mostly cottons though, and it’s on the pricey side. I took the zippered pouch class and the perfect tank top class with them. The classes are fast paced, and it’s great to finish a project in one sitting.

I am very familiar with spool of thread as I have seen their table at many craft fairs throughout the years. Whenever my friends ask about my pin wheel pin in my hair I tell them that I made it at the Spool of Thread table at _​_​_​_​_​_​craft fair. I went into their actual store front which is nice and spacious with some cool cotton fabrics. The sell mostly basic cotton in contemporary hipster styles.
I want to come and join some of their classes in the future to make some cool stuff for my vacation this summer.
The lady at the til was super sweet and super helpful.
For $ 40 you can make your own tote bag… total DIY fun. Cost of fabric is extra.

I took the sewing 101 class (tote bag)
I came without any sewing knowledge. I left with a beautiful project made by myself.
Everybody can learn in this class.
I will totally come back to learn in more advance projects

Spool of Thread is super awesome!
They have so many incredible classes and a fantastic selection of fabrics. The classes combine hands-​on learning with demonstrations, and usually include take-​away instructions. They also rents out studio time or sewing machine use at the store.
Spool of Thread have had book launches for crafty books and Henry and Lili are helpful, friendly, and inviting.
The classes are a bit pricey for my budget, but considering the work involved, time, and space, they make sense. Most/​all of their fabric is cotton, which is a bit disappointing for me, however I think that they have made a conscious choice about offering contemporary and unique fabrics, and I understand.

I signed up for their Tote bag sewing class a few years ago (yup, this review is long overdue) and absolutely loved it. As a sewing novice (I had never touched a sewing machine before), Lili was a kind, patient and encouraging instructor and before I knew it, I had sewn a reversible tote bag! I loved the class so much I even went out a few weeks later and purchased my own sewing machine. I love the selection of vintage inspired fabrics as well as the Kona cotton solids displayed against the wall. They are definitely pricier than if you were to go elsewhere, say Dressew or Fabricana, but the selection is so good and unique you’d be hard pressed to find most of them in other stores. The last time I was there they were selling quarter bundles which are great for smaller projects or quilting. They also sell some books, sewing notions, clothing patterns, and used sewing machines from their classes.
Unfortunately I moved away from Vancouver but whenever I come home to visit I try to make an effort to visit. I love this store. They often take photos of their new fabric shipments and post them to their Flickr, but I’d imagine you’d have to rush over to buy some before they sell out! I only wish they had online shopping available.

After not using a sewing machine for literally decades, I recently picked up a good basic machine from Spool of Thread. The awesome staff were able to answer all of my questions and set me up and it didn’t break my bank.
I will probably come back for a class or two, too, to bone up on some lacking skills. Really nice people.

I signed up for their sewing 101 class the tote bag which is $ 40. I went in a couple of days before with my husband to pick out my fabrics. Yes, the fabrics are on the pricier side… some about $ 20ish per yard. BUT, the choice of fabric is first of all unique and CUTE and of good quality. And they do have a sales bin with equally nice fabric.
The class started right on time (I was the last one to arrive) so as soon as I sat down, the class began promptly. Heather was our instructor and she was enthusiastic and fun. She went around to make sure we were on the right track. It seems my latent sewing skills surfaced during class because I had no trouble and was one of the first ones to finish. The tote bag is awesome!
I’ve also signed up for their Ready, Set, Quilt class and can’t wait!
The store is well organized. I love their selection of fabric and the ladies that work there are friendly, helpful and knowledgeable.
Yes, I love this place and will be looking to take their other classes. The classes are really popular and they seem to sell out and their website is up-​to-​date on the availability.

I’m up to date on how to use a sewing machine, and not one drop of blood was spilled – I’m thrilled!
I took their throw cushion cover class and successfully completed two covers over the the 3-​hour session. Why couldn’t high school sewing have been this enjoyable?
The class started on time, Lili’s explanations were easy to follow, she did rounds making sure everyone was «getting» it, and I loved the way she made the process relaxed and fun.
The fabric choices at the store are WONDERFUL. Worth a trip just to check them out. I paid about $ 20 for my choice for the covers.
I’m so glad I found this store! I’ll be back to take advantage of their by-​the-​hour machine rentals.

Went here today to pick out some fabrics and get some tips on quilting.
Sarah was awesome and very helpful! I had a ton of questions since I am new to the world of quilting and she was very patient with me.
I only wish this place was closer to me!

When I left fabric shopping to the last minute and realized that the places I had planned on hitting up later that day would all be closed around 5 I panicked. Until I found out that Spool of Thread was open until 8. PERFECT. Plus, I had been meaning to check them out for a long time.
It is such a cute shop! All the fabric and notions are at the front, all the sewing tables are at the back. I think they have classes here from time to time. All the adorable prints are organized by colour. I probably spent about an hour in here ooohing and aaahhing everything. Unfortunately they don’t cut swatches. The smallest amount you can get is ¼ yard. I ended up getting about 10 different giant «swatches».
It isn’t cheap, but it is definitely the most interesting and great selection I’ve seen in awhile. Everyone kept asking me where I got my fabrics.
They recommend buying a LOT of something if you think you’ll need it again. The prints come and go quickly here.

I LOVE it here.
After spending two days in the craft buyer’s rabbit hole, aka Etsy, carefully considering all 250 pages of pricey cushion covers, I decided to try my butterfingered hand at making them.
A few clicks on Unilocal and I was led to Spool of Thread, where magically they were offering a class in making 18×18 inch (the exact size I was looking for) cushion covers! I signed up and the rest is history (I can hear them say, after I establish my cushion cover-​making empire).
It’s true what’s been said about Lili, the instructor. She was full of «Awesome“s and «Sweet“s and helpful advice as I wrestled with my fabric and almost despaired that this craft project would go the way of the others (discard bin). But, with Lili’s encouragement and my grim determination to see this thing through, the end result was beautiful, polished-​looking cushion covers that are just as nice as the ones on Etsy and even nicer than the ones they’re selling at Pottery Barn.
I have since made an additional cushion cover at their workspace ($ 4−8/hr) with another of their beautiful fabrics and have plans to make more.
Cushion covers for everyone!

I can’t believe I thought I wouldn’t be able to sew. Under Lili’s patient, steady hand, conversational tone and a supportive class full of perfectionists trying hard not to worry so much, I sewed two throw pillows. The array of classes seem to be designed to teach you how to master various sewing situations — hems, zippers, garments. they are all covered and well worth the cost to me. I was a little nervous to take a class at first — mostly because I thought it might be difficult, but turns out it can be easy with help. Outside of having a great time with a group of ladies who were in the same boat I am, taking a class also means you can buy sewing machine rental time at ½ price. And I did!
The machines are new and easy to use, putting my mother’s 1970s robin egged colour one to shame. They even have a variety of speed settings, from turtle to rabbit. True story! Spool of Thread’s fabric selection is dearer and more refined than most of Dressew’s (my one main point of reference) in two ways — one, yes it’s pricier and two, it comes with stories. Like the print I picked that is a reprint from a museum in London — classy and pretty!
Do I want to go back for pajama pants, make up bag and tote bag classes? That would be a big fat YES!

I took a fantastic sewing lesson at Spool of Thread last night, and made an adorable reversible tote bag. The instructor, Lili was amiable and patient, going over the same instructions again and again to make sure that those of us who were lagging behind were able to follow along. Lili never rushed us, and was very encouraging.
The fabric selection was so varied and enticing, it took me about twenty minutes to make my choice. I spent a good deal of the lesson admiring the fabric selections of my classmates.
A great shop with friendly and knowledgeable people.

I am trying to learn to sew and decided to take a Sewing 101 class here. So last week I took the Throw Pillow 101. Lili is a great teacher and although I had some basic knowledge from teaching myself there were a lot of things I didn’t know.
The shop is nice and I love the rental space concept for those who either don’t have the space or aren’t going to be in the area long enough to justify purchasing a sewing machine.
There is an array of very nice fabrics but definitely not the selection you would find at your local Fabricland but that doesn’t take away from the place at all. The selection they do have is high quality cottons in both solid and prints.
I am definitely looking to take another class so that I can learn more and start making my own home accessories.
What I didn’t like about the shop was that it wasn’t the easiest to find for someone not from the area, like myself. From the sidewalk on Kingsway the name of the shop isn’t very clear on a sunny day.

holy fantastic! a sewers dream!
I’ve taken a handful of the sewing classes here, they have all been terrific, I’ve learned new techniques and had so much fun with other sewers.
In addition as the other reviewers have stated, the fabric selection here is second to none. High quality cottons with amazing prints, fabulous solids and hard to find fabrics.
Can’t say much more other than I love Henry & Lili! They make the place that much more special.

I love this place. I’m actually terrified of sewing machines, but I took Sewing 101 at Spool of Thread. and while I’m still afraid of sewing machines, I made an AWESOME TOTE BAG! Lili and Henry have an awesome place here — they’re friendly as can be, crazy knowledgeable, have the cutest damn fabrics ever, and really know their stuff. I can’t wait to take more classes — I WILL conquer my fear, and make some adorable stuff while I’m at it. Spool of Thread is exactly want I needed!
Keep an eye out for their table at Got Craft events, too — they’ve always got something fun going!

For the sewers out there — this is the place to be.
You know how you want really pretty fabric and you know what you have in mind but you just can’t find it. or the only place you find it is online… or on etsy? Well look no further, shopowners Lili & Henry have the best collection of pretty, pretty fabric.
Want to know whats even better?
ITS COLOR COORDINATED!!!
They also have sewing machines you can rent by the hour and sewing classes for the newbies out there (which include me!)
It’s an akward place to go to because of the location but definitely worth the extra few mins to find a parking spot.