Embroidery Social - Open-Air

A Morning of Creative Connection and Cultural Celebration
Join us every four Saturdays for rejuvenating mornings with , set in some of Los Angeles’ most inspiring locations. This is more than an embroidery gathering—it's a sanctuary where creativity, community, and cultural storytelling come alive through needle and thread. Whether you're just beginning or have been stitching for years, you're invited to bring a project or start something new, and immerse yourself in a circle that nurtures both skill and soul.
Let’s celebrate the rich tapestry of global stitch traditions, honoring Armenian, Ukrainian, Russian, European, Scandinavian, Japanese, Pacific Islander, Asian, Iranian, Palestinian, Middle Eastern, Tusian, Moroccan, Ethiopian, African, Mexican, Guatemalan, Peruvian, and Indigenous American heritage. Every culture and thread tells a story, and together, we weave new connections and memories.
Come as you are, and leave inspired. Post your stories and photos with #folklounge, and be part of a vibrant, growing community that cherishes craft, culture, and connection.
Nourish Your Spirit

• Craft with heart
• Commune with the land
• Forge friendships
• Discover color and texture
• Meditate in motion
• Meet people
• Play with arts
• Make things
• Share knowledge
• Heal in conversations
• Explore traditions
• Build a community
• Ground with nature
• Discover LA
  ✥✥✥ "Every stitch carries a whisper from the past, a light from the future. I created this series to connect generations through shared spaces where we can learn, create, and celebrate together. With roots in Armenian and Russian culture, I’m drawn to the language of ornament—and when I started embroidery, I knew it would be far more joyful as a collective experience." — Shagoh, Founder

Flow Together

• Come & Go Freely: This is a relaxed, open event—arrive and leave as suits you.
• Seating: We gather on large blankets in shaded areas; feel free to bring a chair or cushion for extra comfort.
• Bring Essentials: Water, snacks, and sun protection (hats, caps, or long sleeves) are recommended as the day warms. This is a substance-free space.
• Parking: We choose spots with accessible, free public parking. Carpooling is encouraged! On busy weekends, lots may fill up, but additional free parking is usually available nearby.
• Weather: Rain or shine, we continue! If it rains, we'll gather indoors or under a sheltered area.
  For Beginners: All levels and genders are welcome! Just a needle, thread, and fabric square will get you started. First-timers can use our starter kits, and if you already have supplies at home, bring them along for more options. Have extra supplies? Donate them to our community! Check out Remainders, a local reuse shop with free and discounted materials.
  For Experienced Crafters: Bring your favorite supplies and whatever inspires you.
  For Parents: This event is kid & teen friendly and neurodivergent-inclusive. Parental supervision is required, and many venues have nearby playgrounds to accommodate little ones.
  For Elders: Bring your loved ones! Make sure they know about the setup so they can bring anything they need for comfort. We’d love to welcome them and hope they’ll join us again.
  Threads Of Legacy
  Born in Vladivostok, Russia, Shagoh is of Armenian and Russian heritage and has traveled the West Coast from Seattle to Los Angeles. With a background in luxury fashion, wearables, and human-computer interaction, she is a seasoned multidisciplinary design leader, blending creativity and innovation with global teams. Her artistry spans textile arts, leatherwork, painting, and illustration, grounded in her MFA in Human-Computer Interaction (California College of the Arts) and a Fashion Design degree (Oregon State University).
  As the founder of Folk Lounge, Shagoh is dedicated to uniting people through the exploration of ornamentation and sacred symbolism across cultures. A trained facilitator, she is passionate about fostering community, collaboration, healing, and shared learning.
  Sacred Ground
  We recognize that the land we occupy today is the traditional and ancestral homeland of the Tongva, Tataviam, Serrano, Kizh, and Chumash peoples. We honor their elders, past, present, and emerging, for their continued stewardship of these lands, waters, and communities. We acknowledge the deep and lasting impacts of settler colonization, including the displacement, violence, and trauma experienced by Indigenous peoples, and commit to the ongoing work of truth, reconciliation, and healing. As we gather and create here, we are grateful for the opportunity to learn, grow, and live on these sacred lands, and we support the elevation of Indigenous voices and cultures.
  Urban Sanctuaries
  Plaza Las Fuentes, Pasadena CA: Spanish arches and cascading water define this hidden courtyard oasis, designed by Lawrence Halprin in 1989 as Pasadena's answer to old-world plazas. Here, hand-painted tile fountains create melodic ripples that echo against terracotta walls, while Mediterranean plants frame intimate gathering spaces with dappled light. The plaza fulfills a century-old vision of a public garden worthy of the nearby Beaux-Arts City Hall. As afternoon shadows lengthen across decorative paving, visitors find themselves transported to a quieter era—a respite where the fusion of architecture and nature creates a distinctly Californian poetry of space, inviting contemplation amid the urban rhythm. We meet by the central fountain with the colorful ceramic tiles & fish sculpture.
  Mayors Bicentennial Park, Glendale CA: Curved wooden bridges and towering trees characterize this secluded hillside retreat, visible yet hidden from the nearby 2 Freeway. Established as a neighborhood park, its 5 acres feel expansive through clever pathways that reveal quiet alcoves and unexpected vistas. Birdsong filters through leaf canopies, creating natural sound barriers from urban life just minutes away. The park's modest play area invites families, but its true magic lies in solitary corners where creativity and reflection flourish. As seasons shift, this woodland enclave captures California's enduring connection to natural spaces—a place where city dwellers can reconnect with quieter rhythms and find inspiration in the gentle rustling of wind through branches. We meet by the curved wooden bridge where the path crosses the dry creek bed.
  Exposition Park Rose Garden, Los Angeles CA: Seven sunken acres of vibrant blooms transform this historic garden into a fragrant canvas where over 20,000 roses have replaced a once-notorious racetrack. Established in 1927, the garden's classical design features marble gazebos at each corner and a central fountain that anchors four symmetrical pathways. Once a testing ground for prestigious rose awards, this protected landmark has survived numerous development threats to remain a public treasure. Morning light illuminates dewy petals in an ever-changing palette while nearby museums and university buildings frame this floral refuge. In a city defined by reinvention, the rose garden stands as a testament to preservation—a living artwork where time slows and visitors can trace Los Angeles' evolution from frontier town to cultural metropolis. We meet to the left of central fountain at the heart of the garden in a gazibo.
  LA River Center & Gardens, Los Angeles CA: Mission-style courtyards and flowing fountains honor both water and heritage at this transformed cultural center near the confluence of the Los Angeles River and Arroyo Seco. Once the bustling Lawry's California Center (1953-1992), today's serene complex celebrates the river's ecological renaissance through educational exhibits and demonstration gardens. Wrought-iron gates open to reveal intimate patios where ivy climbs terracotta walls and pepper trees cast shifting shadows across Spanish tile. Water—once channeled away in concrete—returns as a celebrated element, with fountains that speak to the site's role in watershed restoration. This riverside haven embodies Los Angeles' evolving relationship with its natural systems—a place where community gathers to reimagine urban spaces as interconnected ecosystems rather than conquered landscapes. We meet behind the Main Courtyard on the green lawn.
  Barnsdall Art Park, Los Feliz CA: Hillside terraces and modernist architecture crown this cultural sanctuary where Frank Lloyd Wright's iconic Hollyhock House anchors 11 acres of creative space. Donated to the city in 1927 by oil heiress Aline Barnsdall as an arts complex, the park continues its founder's vision through gallery exhibitions and community programs. Ancient olive trees frame panoramic views of the city below, while open lawns invite contemplative wandering between art installations. The interplay of structural innovation and natural contours creates dialogues between built and organic environments—conversations that have defined Los Angeles' artistic identity for generations. As sunset bathes the distinctive architecture in golden light, visitors experience the rare harmony of artistic vision, historical preservation, and public accessibility that makes this hilltop retreat a testament to the city's cultural aspirations. We meet at the top of the picnic area overlooking the city skyline.
  Brand Library & Art Center, Glendale CA: White Spanish-colonial towers emerge from lush foliage in this 31-acre cultural enclave at the foot of the Verdugo Mountains. Originally the 1904 mansion of wealthy developer Leslie Brand, this transformed estate has served as a specialized arts library and exhibition space since 1956. Japanese gardens with koi ponds and curved bridges complement the Mediterranean architectural elements, creating trans-cultural dialogues through landscape design. Recital halls fill with chamber music while art galleries showcase emerging talent, fulfilling the property's bequest as a public cultural resource. Trails wind upward from manicured grounds into chaparral-covered slopes, offering both refinement and wilderness within a single visit. This multifaceted retreat embodies California's embrace of global influences—a place where diverse artistic traditions converge to inspire new creative expressions. We meet in the middle of the central staircase towards the shade of the hill and the trees.
  Lewis MacAdams Riverfront Park, Frogtown CA: Native willows and riverbank vegetation define this 3.9-acre naturalized park along the Glendale Narrows, one of few sections where the Los Angeles River flows over a soft bottom rather than concrete. Named for the poet-activist who championed river restoration, the park represents a radical reimagining of urban waterways as living ecosystems rather than flood control channels. Bicycle paths trace the water's edge where herons wade and native butterflies find habitat among carefully restored plant communities. Educational pavilions interpret the watershed's ecological significance, while strategically placed benches invite contemplation of water flowing past downtown's skyline. This riverside refuge embodies Los Angeles' environmental awakening—a testament to community activism and the persistent power of natural systems to regenerate when given space to thrive among dense urban development. We meet at the back of the park by the long curved cement bench.
  Arlington Garden, Pasadena CA: Winding gravel paths and drought-tolerant landscapes transform this former estate site into Pasadena's only dedicated public garden. Created in 2005 on land once slated for development, the garden's Mediterranean design showcases sustainable beauty through climate-appropriate plantings arranged in outdoor rooms. Spring poppies and salvias attract pollinators, while citrus groves reference the region's agricultural heritage. A classical labyrinth invites meditative walking, and hidden benches offer quiet moments among native chaparral plants. Without fences or admission fees, this democratic green space embodies a different kind of civic treasure—not a manicured showpiece but a working demonstration of resilient beauty. As climate challenges intensify, this horticultural haven offers a forward-looking vision of urban gardening where water conservation and ecological function create new definitions of landscape aesthetics. We meet at the gazebo hidden between the top and the bottom of the park.
  LA State Historic Park, Los Angeles CA: Thirty-two acres of open meadows stretch across what was once Southern Pacific Railroad's cornerstone in Los Angeles, the city's industrial birthplace transformed into undulating parkland. Opened fully in 2017 after decades of community advocacy, this reclaimed space preserves traces of railway infrastructure while creating contemporary connections between downtown, Chinatown, and the LA River. Sculptural landforms create subtle reminders of the watershed's original contours, while native plantings restore ecological functions to industrialized land. Historical markers and art installations tell layered stories of immigration, labor, and urban development that shaped modern Los Angeles. As afternoon light casts long shadows across grassy expanses, the downtown skyline provides a dramatic backdrop to this breathing space—a democratic forum where residents reclaim industrial history while collectively envisioning the city's future. We meet by the bridge overlooking the park and downtown.
  Mindful Making
  

At our events, we prioritize your comfort and safety while creating space for creativity and connection. Here’s how we can all help each other have a fun and safe experience:

• Ease In: If you're new or trying something unfamiliar, take your time to get comfortable. There’s no rush—this is your space to learn and create at your own pace.
• Stay Focused: Keep your eyes on your work to avoid accidents. It’s okay to step away from a conversation to center yourself—just let us know if you need space.
• Handle with Care: Always treat sharp tools with caution. Keep them safe and secure when not in use.
• Passing Scissors: Pass scissors with the handle facing the recipient, ensuring safety with every handoff.
• Ask for Guidance: If something doesn’t feel right with your supplies or equipment, don’t hesitate to ask for help. We’re here to support you!
• Organize Thoughtfully: Keep your space tidy and be mindful of where your tools are. Staying organized helps prevent accidents.
• Needle Safety: Use one needle at a time and store it safely when not in use. If you lose one, let us know—we’ll help you find it.
• Breaks Are Essential: Remember, textile work is meant to be relaxing. Take breaks when you need to, and come back refreshed and ready to create.
• Family Safety: If you're with family, especially children, please supervise to ensure everyone is practicing safe guidelines and respecting the space.
• Speak Up: If something feels uncomfortable or unsafe, please let the organizer know immediately. We want you to feel supported every step of the way.
• Feedback Welcomed: Your thoughts and feedback are invaluable. Each event helps us improve, and we love learning together with you!
  By practicing these simple safety tips, we ensure that everyone can focus on what truly matters—creativity, connection, and community.
  Weaving Belonging

Creating a warm and inclusive crafting club involves actively embracing, celebrating, and cherishing diverse experiences and identities within our community. It's about gently challenging any unconscious biases we may hold about what's considered "normal" in crafting circles and opening our hearts to the beauty of diversity. Just as each unique thread adds depth and richness to a tapestry, every individual brings their special touch to our crafting family. We all seek to belong, be included in our communities, and see ourselves reflected and welcomed.
Inclusive language in our crafting club means more than just using kind and affirming words; it's about understanding how language can unintentionally overlook or exclude certain members, and making a conscious effort to ensure everyone feels seen and valued. When weaving a tapestry of inclusivity with our words and actions, we create a space where every member can feel at home. Come craft with us!
✥✥✥ "There are days when I think there is some huge great tapestry of a plan out there and we're all woven into it - this fabulous, complex pattern of life and death, full of recurring motifs and waves of color, and we're each one tiny thread in the weave.”― Jane Johnson
Participation Agreement

By purchasing a ticket or attending any event hosted by Folk Lounge at any of the locations or venues, you acknowledge and agree to the following terms:
Introduction
These Terms & Conditions apply to all events hosted by Folk Lounge ("the Organizer"). By registering for a ticket and attending the event, you agree to comply with these terms.

• Scope of Events: Folk Lounge events may include a variety of activities such as sewing, crafting, dancing, music, and more. Participation is voluntary, and attendees are encouraged to engage responsibly. You grant the Organizer permission to use photos, videos, or other recordings made during the event for promotional purposes.
• Assumption of Risk and Waiver of Liability: By entering the event premises, you acknowledge that participation is at your own risk. You assume full responsibility for any bodily injury, property damage, or loss resulting from your participation. You waive any claims against the Organizer, its staff, and agents for any injuries, damages, or loss incurred during the event.
• Indemnification: You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Folk Lounge and its staff from any liability, including legal fees, arising from your participation or actions at the event.
• Compliance with Laws and Regulations: All participants must adhere to applicable local, state, and federal laws while attending the event.
• Service Animals and Accessibility: Only service animals, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), are allowed on event premises. We are committed to providing accessible accommodations for all participants in line with ADA guidelines.
• Prohibited Items and Behavior: Participants are prohibited from bringing illegal substances, weapons, or any dangerous or inappropriate items onto the event premises. The Organizer reserves the right to remove any disruptive or unsafe individuals from the event without refund.
• Event Changes and Cancellations: Folk Lounge reserves the right to modify event schedules, activities, or terms, or to cancel or postpone events as necessary. Efforts will be made to notify participants promptly in such cases.
• Governing Law: These Terms & Conditions are governed by the laws of California. Any disputes will be resolved within California’s courts.
  By registering for this event, you affirm that you have read, understood, and agreed to these Terms & Conditions. If you are a legal guardian or have authority to make decisions for a registrant, you assert that you are authorized to enter into this agreement on their behalf.

Host or Publisher Folk Lounge