ask crafty response: sewing machine repair, cake decorating classes, and london area silversmith classes

A heads up to newer readers: you can write in with your questions concerning Toronto and craft/diy and we will try to answer them for you. See the sidebar for ask crafty archives to see if your question has been addressed previously, or just to glean a whole bunch of handy info.

So here’s a new batch of questions for you all to answer in the comments to this post or via email.

x Can anyone recommend a sewing machine repair shop? I have a White machine, about 8 years old, and it needs some TLC. Any advice? - Elana

• Try the sewing center on 2144 Yonge street, one block south of Eglinton across from the ArtShoppe. Joe is very nice and honest. He fix all my domestic machines and stuff. the number is 416-487-4438
• i had my sewing machine fixed at a teeny tiny place on queen street west at augusta. the place is downstairs so you have to look for a door directly between the "second cup" and a fabric store on the south side of the street (just a few doors down from arton beads). i'm pretty sure he usually has a sandwich board outside that says "sewing machine repairs" to help you find it easier. i was very happy with his work and i think it cost about $80 for maintenance and to have a minor part or two replaced.
• YES - I'd *highly* recommend going to Sewing World at Victoria Park & Danforth (in Shoppers World, S.W. corner of this intersection)...it's near the Zellers in the mini-mall. A bit far in the deep-East/borderline Scarborough, but worth the pilgrimage. I've had my oldest/fave/over-worked machine (a 1969 Singer) repaired/tuned up there a couple of times now. Teresa, the manager is very helpful and has talked me through a few crisis situations via telephone (eg. when I had a bobbin fiasco out days before the One of a Kind Show & it totally conked out).The repair service is quick and reasonably priced - plus they can pick up/drop off machines for a small fee. The shop doubles as a sewing school and they also sell quality new & used equipment (free lessons with any machine purchase). I recently got my new favourite domestic machine there : the Janome JS-1004 Limited Edition. It's excellent for working with thick or layered fabrics, including denim and leather. I love it so much that I snagged a second one to teach beginners on at my studio. Here are the details: Tel. 416-699-7119 or www.torontoschoolofsewing.ca Shoppers World Plaza, 3003 Danforth Ave. - near Vic Park subway station.
  

x Does anyone know of cake decorating classes that are not $500? I'm dying to learn! - Roxanne

• I think that there are affordable cake decorating classes through the Toronto School Board. They have a ton of evening classes. There is a guide available on their website!
• I know people who have take cake decorating classes at:

McCall's: http://www.mccalls-cakes.com/school/main_shedule.html about $155
George Brown College: http://coned.georgebrown.ca/section/culi/cake.html about $250
Michaels Crafts: check stores for class info

x I was wondering if anyone could help me find some courses in metalsmithing? I am from London Ontario looking to start into it. Is there any art shows dealing with silversmiths? Please let me know! - Lisa

• George Brown has an Intro to Silversmithing. If you are looking for jewellery courses check out GB, The Devil's Workshop or Nanopod. I do not think there are shows that focus only on metalsmithing (you may
  want to check SNAG Society of North American Goldsmiths web-site)....check out the craft fair list for local shows.