By Marisa Dawson
On Saturday, January 10, the Bennington Public Library hosted its popular monthly Craft Circle from 9 a.m. to noon, in partnership with Third Space. The event featured a hands-on sewing machine class led by Nicole Daberkow of Third Space, drawing participants eager to build confidence with their machines while enjoying a relaxed social crafting atmosphere.
The morning began with a structured group session from 9 to 10 a.m., where Daberkow taught attendees how to operate their sewing machines. Participants brought their own machines to learn practical skills such as threading, changing needles, and adjusting tension. The focus was on understanding the “why” behind each step, making the process less intimidating than following a standard owner’s manual.
“The class was all about operating a sewing machine and how it works,” Daberkow explained. “I tried to explain the ‘why’ behind everything we were doing instead of just listing steps, like an owner’s manual might. Many participants stayed after the class to work on sewing projects they were too intimidated to start on their own!”
Heather Luth, representing the Bennington Public Library, highlighted the strong community response to the sewing-focused session. “Our latest class was a class geared towards helping people become familiarized with their sewing machines, and helping them troubleshoot issues that they had encountered,” she said. “This was especially well received and helped us understand there is a need in the community to help people develop further sewing skills. We will be looking to build some classes to help meet this need.”
Following the hour-long instructional portion, the event transitioned into an open “come-and-go” crafting time for the remaining two hours. Attendees were encouraged to bring their own ongoing projects to work on alongside others, fostering informal conversation and inspiration.
“I love when people think they’re just coming for the class, but end up staying to meet and chat with other crafters after,” Daberkow shared.
The partnership between the library and Third Space continues to offer diverse monthly programming. “The highlight of arranging classes is working with Nicole at Third Space to try and come up with ideas for classes that will appeal to our patrons,” Luth said. “We are always looking to offer a variety of options to keep people engaged, and hopeful that people will join us for the community crafting aspect. We love when people bring their current projects and come hang out and craft! It is a great time to visit, and we love seeing everyone’s projects for inspiration.”
Daberkow emphasized the broader value of these gatherings. “Crafting does more than lower stress levels (it’s true!). Having the skills to make something, mend something or modify something can save money, resources and reduce waste, in addition to creating beauty in the world,” she said. “The social aspect is so important, as well. Crafting can easily feel like a solo hobby, but connecting to other people with similar interests, showing off each other’s projects and sharing ideas promotes a sense of belonging and community that can be hard to find in our digital-focused lives.”
Both organizers noted the welcoming environment and community impact of the events. “First of all, the library staff is wonderful! They are all so welcoming and fun, I can’t think of a better venue to host these craft circles,” Daberkow said. “Second, partnering with the Bennington library has allowed Third Space to reach more people in the community than would have found us by other means.”
Luth expressed similar hopes for participants. “I hope participants take away encouragement to try a new skill or craft. I hope they make a new connection or friendship. And I hope that they continue to come back to the library to try new things.”
The Craft Circle benefits the community in multiple ways, from pure socialization (especially for new residents) to building practical skills and encouraging creativity. Past highlights have included crochet, embroidery, collage, cyanotypes, and even a popular craft supply swap in November.
The Bennington Public Library and Third Space invite community members to join future Craft Circles for continued opportunities to learn, create, and connect. They take place on the second Saturday of each month from 9 a.m. until noon. The monthly events provide all materials for the featured group project, making them accessible to beginners and experienced crafters alike.
Photos By Marisa Dawson
