Sherrod Library News

Photos From a Successful Makers Week

 
3-D Printed Busts 

This past November, the Innovation Commons in the Sherrod Library hosted Makers Week, a week-long series of workshops designed to engage students in hands-on activities, crafting, designing, and making. 

Students using Studio 205’s top-of-the line computers 

No experience was required of participants signed up for a session. All workshops were designed to be introductory and friendly to beginners with easy, entry-level projects that allowed participants to both create and take home their own personally-crafted item. 

Using a sewing machine to create a tote bag 

One such item students were able to craft was a cloth bag, stitched using the Innovation Common’s sewing machines with library-provided supplies. Cataloging librarian Katy Libby ran the session and was pleased with the outcome. “The students picked up the skills very well. I gave them printed instructions, but also demonstrated and talked them through the project, and helped when they had difficulties. They all left with completed or nearly completed bags that they could finish at a later time. The main reasons for not finishing were time constraints (some of them had other commitments) and the fact that we only had two machines.” 

Libby went on to say, “I think it's great that we can offer workshops that teach students skills that can prove useful in the long term, even if they only use the skills for fun.” 

As was the goal for all the maker sessions, participants in the cloth bag workshop gained a new skill. In this case, one they should be able to use for the rest of their lives, even if only at the novice level. “The students walked away with a basic knowledge of how to use a sewing machine, how to sew a seam, and how to sew a hem. I hope they also learned that sewing is not a difficult skill to learn and that once you know the basics, you can expand on them. I tried to remind them that mistakes can be corrected, and everyone makes them, even experienced people. I also hope they learned that it can be fun!” 

Stitching the base! 

Throughout Maker’s Week students could participate in a 3-D printing workshop, a session to create a basic crochet stuffie, a button, and a leather patch. Sessions were also offered which taught tech basics such as podcasting and silhouette design 101, providing students of all disciplines with tech and design skills their own majors may not provide. 

Though Makers Week is now over, this spring semester remember to keep an eye on the library calendar for one-off workshops and events! 

Library employee Aaron Castle and IC Student workers assembling  a 3-D printed wreath