They say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, but Dubai’s crafts groups and gurus beg  to differ…

SEWING at REMADE DXB
When it comes to bringing vintage bang up to date the ladies at Remade DXB know their stuff. The self-dubbed sewing parlour, created by friends Theresa Tsui and Paula Horstall, offers a hub for likeminded individuals to gather daily to enjoy a spot of stitching, swap tricks of the trade or just have a chinwag over a cuppa and a biscuit. Expect an equally warm and friendly welcome for newbies or those who are defter with a needle.
Objects & Elements, Al Quoz, Dubai
Tel: (055) 6155711. Taxi: Al Serkal Avenue.
Daily 9am to 4.30pm, price depending on classes and materials. 
remadedxb.com

Sewing

QUILTING at DUBAI QUILTER’S GUILD
Mention quilting and you probably think of the Waltons. You can revive this antique hobby while doing a bit of socialising at The Quilting Guild.  They meet once a month during quilting season (yes, there’s a quilting season) from September to May, offering classes and workshops from visiting teachers and participation in the annual Guild Show, which, in the quilting world, is kind of a big deal.
Baker Finch Room, Arabian Ranches Golf Club, Arabian Ranches, Dubai
Tel: (04) 3663000. Taxi: Arabian Ranches Golf Club.
Dhs30, Dhs150 for yearly membership.
dubaiquiltersguild.wordpress.com

CRAFTS FOR KIDS at THE CRAFT STUDIO
The Craft Studio specialise in arranging group craft sessions in the comfort of your own home. They do a variety of themes such as making felt puppets, and play dough. This is a winner if you want to inject a bit of creative fun into birthday parties that will have your little one dubbed the cool kid in school.
The Craft Studio, Dubai
Tel: (050) 5586061.
Mon to Sat 9am to 6pm.
craftstudio.ae

Kids crafts

KNITTING at DUBAI INTERNATIONAL ART CENTRE
Although it may seem a little barmy to be whipping up a winter wooly in the desert, getting your knit on has never been cooler. With none other than Ryan Gosling claiming to be a fan of fancy wool work, being spotted with knitting needles poking out of your bag is now a fashion statement. The friendly team at the Dubai International Art Centre run a six-week course, which will teach you basic stitches and how to read patterns.
Villa 27, Street 75b, Jumeirah 1, Dubai
Tel: (04) 3444398. Taxi: Next to Town Centre.
Tues 9.30am to 12.30pm, Dhs930. 
artdubai.com

POTTERY at ABU DHABI POTTERY
Put your self in the capable hands (pun intended) of Homa Vafaie-Farley, who will introduce you to the potter’s wheel and help you earn your pottery stripes. You can join classes at any time during the term but it’s best to book early to avoid missing out.
16th Street, Zayed the First Street, Khalidiya, Abu Dhabi
Tel: (02) 6667079.
Sat to Thur 10am to noon and 6pm to 8pm, Dhs110. 
abudhabipottery.com

Pottery

U-KNITTED AMIRAS
The U-knitted Amiras is a group of ladies who like to knit and eat. Sounds good, right? This informal group meets on the second Friday of every month and is perfect for those who have midweek commitments but fancy something that has more of a focus on socialising, than a strict teaching schedule.
Rubicons Coffee Shop, 3rd floor, Al Wahda Mall
Taxi: Al Wahda Mall.
Free. 
u-knittedamiras.blogspot.ae