About

Fabricate originated from a love of textiles and all things handmade. It is a place of craft inspiration and education in lovely downtown Boulder, Colorado, and was founded in 2011 by fabric aficionado, Linda Spillmann. At Fabricate we aim to inspire people to learn to sew, quilt, knit, embroider, felt, mend, upholster, up-cycle, in a word: create. We set ourselves apart with our offering of carefully sourced designer knit, quilt-weight, and home décor fabrics. We also supply unique sewing patterns, books, and notions, as well as embroidery, felting and hand-sewing kits, yarn and knitting notions, which are all chosen with the purpose of inspiring people to create.

Our cozy, light-filled studio on the east end of the Pearl Street Mall, has an assortment of craft tools for use, including sewing machines, sergers, cutting mats, rotary cutters, irons, threads, books, and more. Our talented team of instructors offer a wide range of adult classes, as well as private and semi-private sewing lessons, and kids classes and camps.

We invite you to visit us and ask our friendly staff any questions you may have, or for any assistance you may need. We hope our offering of beautiful fabric, yarn, craft supplies and kits, and hand-made items from local artists, kindles your curiosity and motivates you to take on your own craft. We love “show-and-tell” and chatting with other crafty-minded souls and we’re thrilled to play a part in the growing do-it-yourself movement.

Marlene Swift

We are thrilled to introduce you to Marlene Swift, Fabricate’s newest sewing instructor. She has a Master of Science in Textile Science and Design from Colorado State University. Her background is in teaching in both nutrition and textiles. Her specialty is in apparel sewing and she teaches most of our dress-making and serging classes

She’s a sewing ninja, gentle soul, and cheerful friend, we could not be more excited about what Marlene brings to Fabricate!

Shannon Conover

Shannon loves vintage style garments, fancy seam finishes, and the logic puzzle challenge of executing a complicated sewing project for the first time. She started out making strangely shaped clothes for her dolls as well as her little sister, who wore them with enthusiasm and good humor.

Shannon sewed her first zipper as a student at Fabricate and got serious about garment sewing after finishing her Master’s Degree at CU Boulder i. Interested in all things fiber-related, Shannon also enjoys knitting, needle felting, embroidery, spinning, and cosplay and leads Knit Night, After School Workshops and Summer Camps as well as many garment classes including the Wiksten Jacket, Coco Dress, and Circle Skirt.

Sarah McGarr

Sarah McGarr began taking classes at Frabricate with her friends in middle school. She so impressed us we asked her to assist in our summer camps when she was in highschool. Sarah is currently a Freshman at Tulane University and is loving exploring New Orleans. When she’s home in Boulder she loves hiking Mount Sanitas with her new puppy and running along the Boulder Creek path. We’re thrilled to have her back teaching this summer.

Jen Mabbett

Jen Mabbett is a local artist and the inspiration behind Let’s Go For a Ride Handmade. Coming from a long line of inventors and creators, she’s dabbled in differing mediums throughout her life from drawing and watercolor to graphic design and photography. Working in a darkroom sparked a love for photography and her first business as a wedding photographer. She loves capturing moments from a journalistic standpoint as well as knitting, sewing bookbinding, even creating furniture! She keeps a sketch book close to capture her ever flowing ideas. Jen teaches Modern Ragdoll Workshops and two very special weeks of the popular Fabricate summer camps.

Lynne Troup

Lynne has seen the world of quilt-making change dramatically since she took her first quilt class in 1993 in London, England. Her own taste and skills have evolved from the very traditional–like grandma used to make–to today’s modern approach where the sky’s the limit and the possibilities infinite.  Over the years she has taken countless classes and workshops, learning new things and finding new twists on things she already knows.  For her, there is nothing better than sharing my love of creating quilts with others who have a similar passion and an eagerness to learn.

Jenifer sher

Born in London, England, Jenifer is art school trained in Fine Art Painting and Printmaking at Harrow School of Art, University of Westminster, London and Winchester School of Art, University of Southampton, England. Jenifer is co-founder and executive director of the acclaimed Lemon Sponge Cake Contemporary Ballet. Jenifer is a lifelong master knitter who loves to help people learn this craft.

Sarah Sanderson

Sara Sanderson is an immensely talented local artist who graciously shares her time with our students when she isn’t teaching Art at Alexander Dawson School, participating exhibits, and chasing her adorable toddler.  She brings a breadth of knowledge and skill to all of her classes and is adored by all. You can find some of her work at the annual Open Studios, The Messinger Gallery, and the William Havu Gallery.