Filling the Gap in Craftsmanship: The Sewing Atelier Bridges the Chasm in Craft Retail Options

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Marnie Kaler, a serial crafter with a passion for various crafts such as quilting and cross-stitch, has opened a new handcraft studio in Anchorage. The shop, named "Cloud City" by Marnie herself, is located in an airy second-floor space near Midtown, at 400 West Potter Drive.

Winter Solstice Sewing & Crafts officially opened its doors in November 2024, offering classes on creating Ukrainian eggs (Pysanky), a craft Marnie has long been passionate about, learning it from her mother. The shop aims to be a local "go-to spot for all things crafts and sewing."

Marnie saw a gap in Anchorage's offerings for random craft classes and decided to fill that void. The shop offers a variety of classes, including block printing, sewing, sewing machines, and crocheting. Instructors with deeper knowledge in specific areas are brought in to teach these classes.

The shop is equipped with a variety of sewing machines, fabric, sewing aides, notions, and craft items. Marnie also plans to offer a space for people to bring in unfinished objects and work on them in a group setting for a nominal fee.

The Winter Solstice Sewing & Crafts sign welcomes visitors to the Potter Drive location. For the latest news and class schedules, visitors can check the shop's website (wintersolsticecrafts.com) or Facebook page, which is frequently updated by Marnie.

The shop is open on weekends, with potential for expanded hours in the future. Marnie's dream is to grow Winter Solstice Sewing & Crafts into a thriving community hub for crafters and sewers in Anchorage, despite the patience required for its growth.

Interestingly, just a few months after Winter Solstice Sewing & Crafts opened, Joann Fabric announced the closure of its Anchorage store in February 2025, and subsequently all Joann Fabric stores worldwide. This unexpected turn of events could potentially bring more crafters to Marnie's shop, seeking alternative resources for their crafting needs.

With the closure of Joann Fabric, Winter Solstice Sewing & Crafts may just become the new go-to spot for all things crafts and sewing in Anchorage.

Filling the Gap in Craftsmanship: The Sewing Atelier Bridges the Chasm in Craft Retail Options