There’s something comforting about old-fashioned DIY, especially if you can put it to immediate use. Quilting is a particularly fall-appropriate activity. Here’s how to get started. Step one: Go to the Metropolitan Museum of Art and get inspired by the graphic quilts on view at “One of a Kind: The Studio Craft Movement” (through December 2). Step two: Sign up for an introductory quilting class at Purl Patchwork ($150 for four classes; 147 Sullivan St., nr. Prince St.; 212-420-8798). Beginners can buy the patches pictured here ($30 for twelve “fat quarter” pieces) and machine-sew a quilt in about eight hours. Step three: Display your masterpiece conspicuously. If quilting doesn’t call your name, there are plenty of satisfying alternatives on the next page.
Start Here
This compact sewing machine comes tailor recommended for amateurs (Juki 25Z sewing machine, $240 at SewMark, 307 W. 38th St., nr. Eighth Ave.; 212-239-5150).
It’s All Mental
Bend a fork with your mind, after watching the instructional DVD (“Psychokinetic Silverware” DVD, $30 at Tannen’s Magic, 45 W. 34th St., nr. Fifth Ave.; 212-929-4500).
Homeblown
Make the glassware for your next dinner party at One Sixty Glass ($560 for six classes, 160 Berry St., nr. N. 5th St., Williamsburg, Brooklyn; 718-486-9620; beehive vase, $185).
Antiques in the Making
Learn how to make an old-fashioned doll with handmade porcelain parts from Annie Arroyo ($15 for first hour, $10 each hour thereafter, 373 Broadway, nr. White St., Ste. D16; 212-343-7080).
The Art of Letters
The Society of Scribes keeps beautiful penmanship alive with calligraphy classes and workshops (up to $275 for a four-class series, various locations; 212-452-0139; Yunmei Calligraphy Brushes, from $28 at New York Central Art Supply, 62 Third Ave., nr. 11th St.; 212-473-7705).
Binding for Posterity
Preserve your writings with a bookbinding class (up to $500 at the Center for Book Arts, 28 W. 27th St., nr. Fifth Ave., Ste. 3; 212-481-0295).
Extremely Limited Edition
Design and screen-print your own ironic design at Etsy ($115 for two-day screen-printing class, 325 Gold St., nr. Myrtle Ave., Fort Greene, Brooklyn; 718-855-8874).
Home Design Your Way
Make this desk (or something like it) at 3rd Ward’s furniture-making class ($450 for six classes, 195 Morgan Ave., nr. Stagg St., Bushwick, Brooklyn; 718-715-4961).
Build Some Fashion
Sew a shift dress or trendy top following Built by Wendy shop owner Wendy Mullin’s patterns ($14.95 at Built by Wendy, 7 Centre Market Pl., nr. Grand St.; 212-925-6538).
Back to Pottery Class
Greenwich House Pottery teaches wheel throwing, kiln skills, and glazing ($480 for twelve classes, 16 Jones St., nr. W. 4th St.; 212-242-4106; Julia Galloway decanter set, $220).
Sweater Seminars
Chunky knits are in; make yours with in-store knitting classes by Wenlan Chia, designer of Twinkle by Wenlan (free two-hour class at Anthropologie, 50 Rockefeller Center, nr. 50th St.; 212-246-0386).