When asking yourself about something to do near me in Chicago with a group of friends or family, consider
Pop Craft Studio & Tufting in Chicago
Why Pop Craft Studio & Tufting in Chicago is a fun option when searching for things to do near me with friends and family
Pop Craft Studio & Tufting in Chicago is a vibrant and engaging art studio located in the lively Wicker Park neighborhood, offering a unique DIY crafting experience centered around rug tufting. This studio is a fantastic place to meet up with friends because it combines creativity, learning, and socializing in a relaxed atmosphere with great music. Visitors get hands-on access to top-of-the-line tufting guns and expert guidance to create their own customized rugs or wall hangings, making it an interactive and memorable group activity. The studio accommodates all skill levels, making it perfect for birthdays, bachelor and bachelorette parties, team-building events, family reunions, or casual days out. Participants bring a design idea or image and receive help tracing and crafting their tufted creations. Finished pieces are professionally finished and ready for pickup a couple of weeks after the class, adding a special element of anticipation and personal accomplishment. The well-curated assortment of rug sizes and styles, the helpful staff, and the welcoming community environment make Pop Craft Studio a standout venue for creative meetups in Chicago.
Here's what people think of Pop Craft Studio & Tufting in Chicago
As of recent, Pop Craft Studio & Tufting in Chicago holds a 4.6-star rating based on 116 reviews.
Reviews of Pop Craft Studio & Tufting highlight a highly positive overall experience, reflected in its 4.6-star rating across 116 reviews. Many users commend the welcoming and utopian atmosphere created by the staff, especially praising the instructors' kindness, professionalism, and willingness to assist throughout the crafting process. Visitors enjoy the hands-on nature of the tufting classes and appreciate how beginner-friendly the setup is. Positive reviews also emphasize the studio's vibrant ambiance combined with relaxing tunes and the joyful community spirit, making it a fun spot for both locals and tourists. On the downside, some guests found the pricing to be on the higher side but acknowledged it as justified given the quality of supplies and instruction offered. A few noted minor inconveniences, such as difficulty booking online and needing to schedule by phone, but these were generally addressed promptly by the staff. Overall, reviewers recommend Pop Craft Studio for anyone looking to have a creative and enjoyable experience in Chicago, supported by a friendly and helpful team that ensures a satisfying visit.
Highlights from reviewers (Most Relevant)
krystal weah
My cousins and I had such a great time rug tufting! Kylie was amazing from start to finish, so patient and willing to answer all of our questions. You can tell she truly loves what she does. She even stepped in to help make sure our rugs turned out perfect. I’m giving this 5 stars because she made my birthday rug tufting experience unforgettable!
Rashad Singletary
Had you asked me a couple of days ago what tufting was, I probably would have assumed that you were mispronouncing another, more familiar word. Thankfully, the good folks at Pop Craft Studio cured me of my ignorance! I had the pleasure of being introduced to this wonderful art form in a very hands-on yet relaxed environment. The learning curve for using the tufting gun is practically nonexistent, but I still appreciated how thoroughly my guide (whose name I seemed to have forgotten) explained best practices. Pricing was a bit steeper than expected, but, taking into account how many supplies are potentially consumed by a single patron in one session, it's a justifiable expense. My only complaint (and I use the word very loosely here) is that the website wasn't accepting reservations when I booked, so I had to call the store to verbally schedule a visit. Beyond that, everything went off without a hitch.
raven tho
my bf & i did the cream glue class~! here’s my overall thoughts and takeaways: • 2 hours is plenty of time to comfortably choose your 10ish charms,(if you are doing a phone case) design a rough draft/layout, practice your craft, and then glue everything down. • there were so many charms to choose from, it was the most exciting part for me! also as a goth person i did find quite a bit of charms to fit my aesthetic. • at one point a person working there informed us there wasn’t any pipping tips. so we wouldn’t be able to achieve the icing look. super upsetting, i wish i got a call before hand and rescheduled or something. it was my birthday i was hoping to get for what i paid for. although!! luckily as we were picking charms they got a shipment of piping tips. so it worked out. but still in the future they should keep track of supplies and inform people coming that day what they don’t have, as there aren’t many elements to this class anyways. • also this place did feel a little hectic. every tufting section was filled. it was hard to get an employees attention to help, as they were helping everyone. but not blaming them, i just ended up helping myself haha. just know if you are coming on a weekend, expect to figure stuff out on your own. • and lastly, the phone case has already fallen apart!!! i could kinda tell this was going to happen as i was creating it. the examples they provided popped off the phone case easily. i wish they had a glue you could put down before hand?? i don’t know. this stuff just don’t stick to the phone case at all! so i think im just going to use a strong glue to super glue everything down. so sad. not even an hour with the phone case and i lost a charm. grrrr.
Carla Alegros-Buchanan
As part of my bachelorette weekend my girls got us a 3 hour session tufting to make rugs and it was so much fun! Lukas was so helpful and patient with our whiny and needy group LOL. Altogether we each made our rugs and they'll be ready for pick up in 3 weeks. This is absolutely an activity I would recommend. I'm planning on taking my fiance for us to get our tufting on!
Amy Singh
I made a same day appointment to come in and do a medium sized rug. It was very fun, but a time consuming activity. It took about 4 hours for the medium rug, and I think I finished quite quickly because I chose a basic design. The staff was so helpful in teaching me what to do, and ensuring that my project was done well so when complete it would look great. Note that it’s going to take 2+ weeks for me to be able to go back and pickup my finished item, you don’t get to take it home the same day.
How to reach Pop Craft Studio & Tufting in Chicago
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Why Pop Craft Studio & Tufting in Chicago may become Your Favorite Meetup Place for Catching Up, Celebrating or Just Hanging Out
Why rally at Pop Craft Studio & Tufting in Chicago with your friends? Pop Craft Studio offers a unique, interactive crafting experience centered on the art of rug tufting, which makes it an ideal destination for group meetups. The studio provides a welcoming, vibrant environment where creativity flows freely, making it perfect for friends or family wanting to bond over a shared creative endeavor. Unlike usual meetups at restaurants or bars, here you’re actively engaged in making a tangible, beautiful piece of art together—whether it’s a custom rug, wall hanging, pillowcase, or tote bag. The hands-on, beginner-friendly nature of the workshop means even those new to crafting can join in confidently. Moreover, the studio staff guide you every step of the way, ensuring a smooth, enjoyable experience for everyone. You also have the satisfaction of leaving with a one-of-a-kind craft that serves as a lasting memory of your special time spent together. This combination of creativity, socializing, and tangible rewards makes Pop Craft Studio a standout place to rally friends and family for an unforgettable outing.
What activities can your group enjoy at Pop Craft Studio & Tufting? The centerpiece activity is rug tufting, a fascinating textile art where you create plush rugs or wall hangings using a tufting gun on a canvas backing. Pop Craft Studio offers four rug sizes to suit different interests and time commitments: small (19" x 19"), medium (24" x 28"), large (35" x 35"), and mega (36" x 60"). These range from quick accent pieces that take a few hours, to larger statement rugs requiring a half-day investment. Before your session, you select or design your artwork, which you then trace and fill with yarn using professional tufting equipment under expert guidance. The studio supplies all materials and tools, including a latex-based glue for finishing your creation, and trims it to ensure a polished look. Beyond rugs, you can also customize items like tote bags, mirrors, or pillowcases, giving groups diverse projects to spark creativity. All participants aged 14 and above can enjoy these offerings, ensuring a broad appeal for family or friend groups. The sessions typically last 2 to 6 hours depending on project size, allowing groups to relax and socialize in a creative atmosphere.
Why is Pop Craft Studio & Tufting perfect for group meetups? The studio’s layout and setup foster interaction and collaboration. It’s designed to accommodate multiple participants simultaneously, each at their own project but still sharing the same artistic energy. This promotes natural conversations and mutual support as you learn and craft together. The patient and friendly staff are praised for their help in making the experience approachable, which ensures no one feels overwhelmed or left behind, even first-timers. The guided process means you spend minimal time figuring out tools and techniques, instead maximizing fun and creativity. The studio also offers flexible scheduling and rescheduling, supporting group plans that might change. Costs include materials and professional finishes, so the price reflects a full-package creative outing rather than a simple craft class. Importantly, completing a project together creates a shared sense of accomplishment and joyful memories, far beyond a passive group meet. For groups seeking a meaningful, creative way to connect in Chicago, Pop Craft Studio stands out as an engaging, fun venue with a 4.6-star rating from over 100 reviews applauding the enriching experience.
What makes the environment at Pop Craft Studio & Tufting welcoming for all skill levels? Whether you're a seasoned DIY artist or someone who has never picked up a tufting gun before, Pop Craft Studio makes everyone feel included. The comprehensive guidance provided ensures that all participants can succeed, making the creative process smooth and encouraging. Reviews highlight the friendly and knowledgeable instructors who patiently answer questions and demonstrate techniques clearly. The studio atmosphere is intentionally vibrant and inspiring, cultivating a positive vibe that fuels artistic passion. Unlike intimidating art classes, here the emphasis is on fun and exploration, without pressure to create a perfect piece. This relaxed, supportive approach encourages experimentation and allows group members of varying abilities and interests to enjoy the activity side by side. The hands-on nature also keeps everyone actively engaged, preventing boredom or frustration. This beginner-friendly ethos is essential for group settings where participants' levels vary widely, ensuring that everyone leaves satisfied and proud of their work.
How do the logistics and planning work for hosting a group at Pop Craft Studio? Booking is straightforward with online and phone options, and the studio accommodates flexible scheduling to fit group needs. Each session has a studio fee plus the cost of the craft project, depending on the size of the item you choose to create. Group organizers can help everyone pick their designs beforehand to streamline the session, or individuals can select on arrival with guidance. Projects take between 2 and 6 hours, so groups can plan for an afternoon or day of creative fun. The studio is open late into the evening on weekdays and weekends, providing convenient time slots for meetups. After crafting, rugs and other goods are finished and ready for pick up or shipping within two weeks, so your group has something tangible to show for its effort. Additionally, the studio provides all necessary materials, eliminating the hassle of bringing supplies. The central Chicago location makes it easily accessible by public transportation or car. All these factors combine to make for a low-stress, high-enjoyment group outing with logistical ease.
What unique benefits does Pop Craft Studio & Tufting offer compared to typical meetup locations? Unlike common social venues that focus on eating, drinking, or passive entertainment, Pop Craft Studio centers the experience on creativity and making. This transformative experience encourages deeper interaction and shared achievement among groups. The ability to customize your projects means each member can express personal style within a communal activity, strengthening bonds. The studio also supports skill development, offering a sense of growth and accomplishment that typical hangouts rarely provide. Furthermore, the permanence of your creations means the memories extend beyond the event itself, displayed in your home or gifted to loved ones. The setting’s artistic vibe also inspires future creative pursuits, potentially sparking lasting hobbies. Together, these factors make Pop Craft Studio an enriching alternative to conventional gatherings, perfect for groups seeking something both distinctive and meaningful in Chicago’s vibrant cultural scene.