William LipovskyMany Hobby Lobby locations offer classes that will teach you how to get started with a particular type of art or craft (like painting) or helping you complete a specific project (like making a piece of jewelry). Course topics include cake decorating, knitting, painting, drawing, sewing, and more. Taking a hands-on course can help you build new skills in arts and crafts, but are Hobby Lobby classes worth it?
Below, we investigate how Hobby Lobby classes work, how much they cost, when they’re offered, and how to determine whether a Hobby Lobby class will be worth it for you. We also list other ways and places you can learn these skills.
Table of Contents
Are Hobby Lobby Classes Worth It?
Hobby Lobby offers classes on a variety of craft techniques; class schedules and course offerings vary by location. Classes may meet one time or once a week for a number of weeks, depending on the skill taught or the course’s project focus. Hobby Lobby classes are generally reasonably-priced and provide several hours of instruction, making them worth it for many customers.
However, every course and every student is different; whether Hobby Lobby classes are worth it for you will depend on the instructor you work with, the content of the course, the cost per class, and other factors. Consider the following when deciding whether or not a Hobby Lobby class is right for you:
Course Offerings
One of the biggest considerations in determining whether Hobby Lobby classes are worth it for you is whether or not your local Hobby Lobby offers a subject of interest. Class offerings vary by store and instructor availability; we checked with Hobby Lobby stores in Arizona, Michigan, Oregon, Tennessee, and Texas and found that the following are the most common courses:
- Beading
- Cake decorating (Note: Some locations offer The Wilton School cake decorating classes.)
- Calligraphy
- Cardmaking
- Chalk painting (See our list of stores that sell chalk paint.)
- Charcoal sketching
- Cookie decorating
- Crochet
- Die-cutting
- Drawing
- Holiday crafts
- Jewelry-making
- Knitting
- Multi-media art
- Oil painting
- Photography
- Quilting
- Sewing
- Stained glass
- Watercolor painting
- Wirework
- Wreath making
Hobby Lobby does not usually offer woodworking classes; for other options, see our list of where to find woodworking classes.
Cost
Rates vary by course, depending on the subject, schedule, and instructor. In general, you can expect to pay anywhere from $5 to $90 for a two- to four-hour class and around $100 to $120 for a multi-week course with one class per week.
Hobby Lobby lists available courses in its store locator; just click on “Store Details and Classes” after finding nearby stores. You can check there for price information for specific classes, or call your local store if price information is not available online.
Hobby Lobby’s course prices tend to be comparable to its competitors, though there are other places that teach art skills for free. (We discuss these alternatives in further detail below.)
Materials
Each class has different requirements. Some courses will include all materials in the course cost; others will provide a list of supplies that you need to purchase beforehand. Be sure to ask about the required supplies before signing up for a course so you can determine the additional cost if your tuition does not include supplies.
Since Hobby Lobby is a craft store, you should be able to purchase all or most of your supplies (if needed) at the store. This convenience may be an additional benefit to taking classes at Hobby Lobby, particularly if you sign up on short notice.
Instruction
Hobby Lobby works with independent instructors and provides a dedicated room or in-store space for the instructor to teach lessons. Hobby Lobby doesn’t require any specific certifications for instructors but does require that they either have proven experience or some type of certification in the art or craft they teach.
You can contact your local store to find out more about the instructor’s credentials before signing up for a class. If you would prefer more traditional “expert” instruction, a continuing education course at a college may be more worthwhile for you than a Hobby Lobby class.
Difficulty Level
Hobby Lobby classes are usually designed for beginners, but you can also find some classes for advanced crafting projects. Unless otherwise stated, all ages and abilities are welcome — even if it’s your first time trying out that particular art or craft. Some stores also offer special sessions for kids, so Hobby Lobby classes may be worthwhile for your family as an after-school or weekend activity.
If you have a lot of experience in a particular art or craft, Hobby Lobby’s courses may be too basic for your skill level, and may not be worth the cost. However, you can contact your local store for more details of each course’s content — or, you may want to try a new type of craft through a Hobby Lobby class.
Alternatives to Hobby Lobby Classes
If you don’t have a Hobby Lobby near you or can’t find a course you’re interested in at your local Hobby Lobby, there are several alternatives to help you build a new skill.
In-Person
JOANN
- Courses: Crochet, knitting, jewelry, paper crafts, quilting, sewing, cake decorating
- Cost: Varies by course; ranges from $20 to $120
- Find in-person classes at your nearest JOANN
Michaels
- Course offerings: Cardmaking, knitting, drawing, crochet, jewelry, paper crafts, Cricut, painting, woodburning, block printing, and small, kid-friendly crafts like face painting and friendship bracelets
- Cost: Varies by course; usually between $10 and $50 per session
- Find in-person classes at your nearest Michaels
The Home Depot
- Courses: Do-It-Yourself workshops; Do-It-Herself workshops for women; kids’ workshops (Note: These courses focus more on woodworking and home improvement than crafts.)
- Cost: Free, but you must purchase your own materials for workshops that involve building a project
- Find in-person workshops at your nearest The Home Depot
Online
Hobby Lobby Project Ideas
Hobby Lobby lists DIY project ideas on its website. These include home decor, kids’ crafts, needlework, and more. Its online guides and PDF downloads give you inspiration and instruction for crafts you can do independently. The guides will tell you exactly how to do it and what you’ll need.
Creativebug
JOANN partners with Creativebug to offer online craft classes for a monthly subscription fee of around $10. Skills include embroidery, painting, drawing, weaving, crochet, knitting, cookie and cake decorating, jewelry-making, sewing, and papercrafts. There is a one-month free trial, and if you sign up you’ll receive a 30% JOANN.com discount. You can browse JOANN’s online classes on the Creativebug website.
YouTube
Craft instruction on YouTube is free to watch and allows you to pace yourself, going back over any steps you find difficult or confusing. You can watch videos as many times as you’d like and see examples of work being produced in real-time. For example, TheArtSherpa has over 500,000 subscribers and offers detailed painting tutorials, plus tips for using tools like traceables and acrylic paints.
Your Local Community
Check places like Facebook, Twitter, Craigslist, local newspapers, noticeboards, and local schools or colleges for individual tutoring, continuing education classes, or other group-learning alternatives. Independent instructors often rely on word of mouth, so you may also want to ask fellow crafters in your local community for recommendations.
In Summary
Hobby Lobby classes may be worthwhile for you if the subject you are interested in is available, you like the instructor, the difficulty level matches your skill level, and you can afford the cost. Hobby Lobby’s tuition costs are comparable to classes and JOANN or Michaels, so the best option for you will largely depend on the type of class you are looking for and your experience level. Hobby Lobby classes are open to all skill levels but generally targeted toward beginners.
If your local Hobby Lobby, JOANN, or Michaels doesn’t have the class you’re looking for, additional course options are available in stores and online at places like The Home Depot, Creativebug, and local schools or colleges. You can also teach yourself arts and crafts by watching YouTube tutorials for free.
Interested in other services available at Hobby Lobby? See the custom framing prices at Hobby Lobby.
Cathy Desmet
Kait Scirri
Sonya Bateman
Erika Crawford
Lindsey Desmet
Loren Eaton
Joseph Cho
Maria R. Riegger, Esq.
Great website for a variety of locations and what each offer. Also, like the referenced information of different topics. Pinning this this to my taskbar! Thank you!
Thank you, Rhonda! We’re glad to hear that you found our article helpful!
Do you ever offer pottery classes with a potter?
Hi there!
Hobby Lobby offers pottery classes at locations throughout the country. Use the store locator to find the Hobby Lobby near you, and then click on the number on the map provided. You will then see a link for “stores and classes.” Click on this link to find upcoming pottery classes.
When is your next cake design class?
Hi Mariah,
You can search for upcoming classes on the Hobby Lobby site by entering your zip code in the store locator. Once you click on your closest Hobby Lobby store, it will provide you with a hyperlink to view upcoming classes, including cake decorating classes.
Hobby Lobby Temecula California classes offers every week Friday nights Thursday Saturday afternoon $15 per session 2hrs . Thank you
How much is it for cake decorating classes?
Hi Kristina,
Find the Hobby Lobby store near you using their online store finder. Once you locate your store, click on the number it is associated with. You will see a hyperlink that says “Store details & classes.” Click on that link for upcoming classes and prices. Have fun decorating!
When are sewing classes available for Beginners? How much does it cost?
Hi Melissa,
The available classes and when they are scheduled vary by each store location. To find out which classes are available at your local Hobby Lobby store, you can visit the Hobby Lobby location finder and type in your zip code. Then click on the push pin on the map for your location, and choose “Store details & classes” to see the calendar of classes at that location. Prices will vary by class; most are roughly $20, while some may be up to $55 and some may even be free. I hope this helps!
Hello..Hobby Lobby in sherman Texas,I want to know if they offer Cake and pastry class?
Hi Eva,
Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like there are any events currently scheduled at the Hobby Lobby located in Sherman, TX. You can check to see if that changes on this page of the Hobby Lobby website. Sorry I couldn’t bring you better news!
Do any of your stores in the Charlotte nc area offer any cricut classes
Hi Sherry,
It looks like there are 10 Hobby Lobby stores in the Charlotte, NC area. You can find a map of all the Hobby Lobby stores in your local area here. Once you’ve found the store or stores that are most convenient, you can click on the push pin marking the store’s location, then choose “Store details & classes” to see a calendar of upcoming classes at that store. I didn’t see any cricut classes coming up at the stores where I checked, but the calendar will be different at every location, and there could always be a cricut class coming up in the future. The calendar usually only displays classes for roughly the next month, so it’s worth checking in every few weeks to see the updated schedule. I hope this helps!
When withwill you have a crochet classes for beginners and what it will cost.
Hi Sandra,
The calendar for classes will be different at each Hobby Lobby location. To check out the classes at your local store, visit the Hobby Lobby store finder and choose your nearest location. Then click on “Store details and classes.” Scroll down, and you’ll see all of the classes that are scheduled for that location for the next month or so. Costs will also vary by location and class (some are free!). I hope this helps!
When is your next beginner sewing class and also the cake decorating class? I live in the 37934 zip code area.
I don’t think you live close to me. I’m in Winchester, Virginia. Please check with your local HB Store.
Sewing is awesome – hope you find someone.
O can’t find classes near me I like to learn how do with glass please tell me
Elizabeth Chavez
Hi Elizabeth,
If there were no glass blowing classes listed for your store (using the store locator and then looking at the store class calendar) there must be none in the near future. What you can do is use the phone number listed and inquire about a glass blowing class. If they know you’re interested, they may start doing glass blowing classes. Or, they may offer you private classes. If you still can’t find an easy way to learn glass blowing at a Hobby Lobby near you, try some of the other ways to learn listed in this article. Colleges are an especially good place to learn glass blowing as they often have the equipment in the art department.
For the Richmond Va Hull St Rd location
I’m interested in taking a level 2 knitting class. When will one be available and what is cost?
Hi Janice,
Unfortunately, this location doesn’t offer any sort of knitting classes at this time. I understand it’s not the same but private sewing classes are offered in-store for $40 per session if you’re interested.
How do I find the classes available now. I would like a sewing class or egg painting class or jewelry. We would be interested in the Southlake store or Grapevine or North Richland Hills–this area or nearby.
Hi Dixie,
You can use the Hobby Lobby store locator to find a location near you. Then simply call to see what classes are currently being offered. I hope the classes you’re interested in are available. Let me know if you have any other questions!
When is your next beginners sewing class
Hi Audrey,
Simply follow the steps in this post for finding one near you!
I will be starting classes in Winchester and Leesburg the first week of September. You would need to bring your sewing machine to each class. Let me know if you are interested.