Resource Sharing

Spotlight on Sharing: Crafting, Creating, and Making

By Amy Hitchner: Published on
Resource Sharing

The rise of the library makerspace, a popular emblem of the DIY culture, is often associated with tools like 3D printers, video equipment, and laser cutters. But makerspaces don’t have to be high-tech to be places for making and creating. Many libraries now offer tools and programs for all kinds of crafting: sewing, knitting, quilting, and even bookbinding. These types of creative activities have a culture all their own, with opportunities to tap into the unique skills of community members.

In this Spotlight on Sharing post, we’ll see libraries around Colorado that are supporting crafting by offering resources, space, programs, and expertise. After all, crafters are makers, too!

Crafters Café

  • Silt Branch Library, Garfield County Libraries
  • Next meeting: Thursday, August 18, 6:00 pm
  • “Crafters Café is a casual group that meets every third Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. to explore fun crafts. Contact the library to find out what this month’s craft will be! Materials are provided at this free program, but space is limited. Please reserve your spot.”
  • Event site

Pajama Studio

  • Poudre River Public Library District
  • “The Pajama Studio is the most recent addition to the Poudre River Public Library District’s innovative STREAM programming for kids. As part of the Library District’s Mobile Makerspace, the Pajama Studio partners with The Matthews House and their Homework Helpers after-school enrichment program to introduce kids to the sewing machine and fundamentals of sewing. The four-week long program met for about 2 ½ hours each week and covered everything from following safety precautions to cutting fabric and patterns, and from performing the stitches to creating hems and casings.”
  • Program info

Makerspace and Quilting Class

  • Castlewood Branch Library, Arapahoe Libraries
  • The makerspace at Castlewood houses several sewing machines, dress forms, sergers, and other crafting equipment, in addition to their high-tech equipment. They also offer a popular 6-part quilting class that ends on August 11.
  • Quilting class event site
  • Makerspace site

Drop-In Crafts

  • Basalt Regional Library
  • Saturday August 6 & 13, 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
  • Events calendar

Bookbinding

  • Mamie Doud Eisenhower Library in Broomfield
  • Saturday, August 6, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
  • “Create a Coptic Stitch journal with laser-cut wood covers and journal pockets. All supplies included.”
  • Event site

UFO Crafternoons

  • Mesa County Libraries, Central Library
  • First Thursday of the month, 1:00 – 3:00 pm
  • “Bring your unfinished objects (UFOs) and join us to relax and work on whatever craft project you have going. Work on completing that scrapbook, scarf, quilt or jewelry while chatting with other crafters.”
  • Event website

MAKE @ East

  • Pikes Peak Library District, East Library
  • MAKE is a makerspace with high- and low-tech equipment for public use. It includes several sewing machines, sergers, and other crafting equipment. It also houses ongoing classes for knitting, sewing, and painting.
  • Website

Crafts Group

  • Cedaredge Branch Library, Delta County
  • Every Tuesday, 10:00 – 11:30 am
  • “Crafters meet each Tuesday to share ideas and show & tell.”
  • Library website

Adult Craft Classes – Tips for Programming

  • Denver Public Library
  • “We’ve streamlined our adult craft classes. Before we had branches plan lots of one-off programs. Now we have two staff that create 6-10 crafts, purchase all the materials, make kits, and write descriptions. Programmers at branches can book what craft they want and when. It saves money and allows a fun project to be repeated. Also helpful for staff that aren’t crafty, but want to provide them to customers. They simply pick what they want from a menu that is ranked “easy”, “intermediate”, or “difficult”. We’ve had great feedback from staff and customers alike.”
  • Thank you to Jenny LaPerriere for sharing this information about crafting classes at DPL.

This post is part of the Spotlight on Sharing initiative, which aims to increase the visibility of resource sharing in Colorado libraries. How does YOUR library support crafters, creators, and makers? Let us know by filling out this super short form or emailing ahitchner@coloradovirtuallibrary.org. If you’re on Twitter, tweet @hitchlib or use the hashtag #spotlightonsharing.

Amy Hitchner
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