Textiles Area
Contents
General Information
MakeICT's Textiles area is in the front part of the makerspace across from the Artist/Maker Studios. This area was created and setup by Studio Arts BD Jess Bechtelheimer, Geoff Kisch and a handful of other volunteers in 2016. It has several home sewing machines, small looms, irons, padded work table for ironing and pinning, mannequins, a full-length 3-way mirror, a serger, an industrial sewing machine, and more.
Donations are currently being accepted in the form of fabric, thread, machine needles, sewing/fabric scissors/shears, large lint roller refills, distilled water, sewing notions (such as zippers, buttons, etc), adjustable dress forms & mannequins, pins, bobbins, hand sewing needles, yarn, tape measures. etc. Please contact the Area Lead to make arrangements for donations.
Malissa Long is the new Textile Area Lead for 2017.
Access Policy
- Those who wish to access the textile room must read and follow the Textile Room Guidelines posted on the Wiki. (The guidelines will likely be updated and evolve over time. Users are expected to review and comply with the current guidelines.)
- Use of the equipment requires authorization by one of the approved authorizers listed on the wiki.
Approved by the board on December 4, 2016
Textile Room Guidelines
Guidelines will be updated periodically at the discretion of the Textiles Area Lead.
The Room
- The Textile Room is a CLEAN SPACE. No food, drinks, or any other messy/dirty/liquidy/greasy substances, are allowed in the room.
In particular, do not place anything besides the clothes iron, clean laundered fabric, pins and notions on the padded work table. If something has been on the floor or anywhere dirty, it should not be on the work surface.
- Put things back where you got them (or put them in their proper place if someone else happened to leave them out).
- Clean up after yourself. (Lint roll the table, sweep, etc)
- Children under 6 are not permitted to use the equipment and must be supervised.
Ironing:
- The padded table is for cutting, ironing, and pinning projects together
- Always use the distilled water provided in the Textile Room to fill the irons and spray bottles.
Cutting:
- Use only scissors, shears or fabric rotary cutters on the cutting mat. Use a light touch when using a rotary cutter. Do not use a box/utility knife on the cutting mat.
- Textile scissors and shears have been labeled as “Fabric Only” and are only to be used to cut the following Acceptable Fabrics. Do not cut material from the Unacceptable Fabrics list below. If the material you would like to cut is not on either list, ask the Area Lead if it is safe.
Acceptable Fabrics: are woven or felted up to ⅛” thick. Some examples are cotton, linen, wool, cashmere, polyester, rayon/viscose, nylon, spandex, silk, leather... Unacceptable Fabrics: Some examples are heavy metallic, kevlar, fur, faux fur, or anything above 12 oz per square yard… (Fur and faux fur are cut from the back side with a straight edge knife or ripped on grain.)...
Serging:
- We currently have 2 sergers one set in black and one set in white thread. Anyone can use the sergers.
- If the thread breaks please let the areal lead or an assistant know.
- You may use the sergers, authorization is only for changing the thread or repair and up keep.
- You can get authorization to change the thread by demonstrating the ability to change it, by taking the authorization class, or taking the Know Your Serger Class.
- 2018 Authorization Classes will be held on the 15th of the month 2 hours limit 5 people 7-9 on weekdays 10-12 on weekends.
Techsew and Sailrite:
- Authorization is required on these machines.
- 2018 Authorization Classes will be held on the 26th of the month 2 hours limit 5 people 7-9 on weekdays 10-12 on weekends.
Sewing:
- All our current machines are Brother cs-6000i you can find a video in the equipment list.
- If a machine is broken, place a sticky note on the machine and email the Area Lead asap so we can work to get it up and running again.
- Machine needles are available on the honor system for $2 pack. Machines will typically be found without a needle. If you take or break one, please deposit the appropriate amount in the Needle Fund jar.
- Long pile furs such as rabbit require a furrier machine which we do not possess at this time.
- If using a fusible web such as Heat and Bond please use silicone on the machine needle to prevent build up while sewing and a Teflon sheet when ironing.
Equipment List
| Picture | What | Manufacturer | Model | Status | Authorizers | Video link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Industrial Sewing Machine | TechSew | 5100 | Working | Malissa Long | watch |
 |
Portable Walking Foot | Sailrite | LSZ-1 | Working | COMING SOON | watch |
 |
(4)Sewing machines | Brother | cs-6000i | Working | NA - Read Guidelines | watch |
 |
serger | Elna | 704 DEX | Working | NA - Read Guidelines | watch |
 |
BabyLock Serger | BabyLock | Imagine | Working | NA - Read Guidelines Malissa Long | watch |
 |
Padded Work Table | Geoff & Jess | 001 | Good Condition | NA - Read Guidelines | |
 |
Iron | Black&Decker | IR1350S | Working | NA - Read Guidelines | |
 |
Iron | Rowenta | DW2090 | Working | NA - Read Guidelines |
Authorized Users
| Machine | Authorized User | Date | Authorizer |
|---|---|---|---|
| TechSew 5100 | Jess Bechtelheimer | 2016-12-28 | Jess Bechtelheimer |
| TechSew 5100 | Geoff Kisch | 2016-12-28 | Jess Bechtelheimer |
| TechSew 5100 | Paul Wilson | 2016-12-28 | Jess Bechtelheimer |
| TechSew 5100 | Tim Collins | 2016-12-28 | Jess Bechtelheimer |
| TechSew 5100 | LaLana Webster | 2017-07-09 | Jess Bechtelheimer |
| TechSew 5100 | Brian Norton | 2017-08-20 | Jess Bechtelheimer |
Textiles Wish List
A list of equipment or tools that the Textile area would like to obtain. If you would like to donate one of these tools please contact the Textile Lead before dropping the tools or equipment off or having it shipped.
