Due to maintenance, some services may be interrupted at these times:

  • Saturday, April 20, 6 p.m.-midnight: library website will be unavailable
  • Sunday, April 21, 7-10 a.m.: library catalog, user accounts, e-media will be unavailable

Sewing Machines

Sewing machine on a table

Sewing Machines

The Octavia Lab has two different brands of sewing machines. Design and construct your own clothes. Mend and repair articles of clothing. Craft puppets or custom throws. Use our serger to edge, hem, and seam your sewing projects. Lab members may use/reserve a machine for a single two-hour session each day.


How does it work?

Lab members will have access to counter space to design, lay out, sew, and construct their projects. You will be limited to one machine per session. If you are learning how to sew, the lab will provide access to the following resources:

  • Instructional manuals for each model of machine.

  • A small in-house collection of instructional books.

  • Lab instructional videos on using Octavia Lab equipment.

  • Interested lab members may request additional information prior to their visit by emailing us at octavialab@lapl.org.

How much does it cost?

Access to the lab’s software/equipment/tools is free, but limited to lab members only. Lab membership is free.

What do I need to bring?

The Octavia Lab does not provide materials for member projects. Lab members will need to bring their own fabric and thread. Members who intend to use the computerized embroidery machine will also need to bring a USB drive for their design, and stabilizer for their fabric. The lab will provide replacement needles as needed.


Hardware

Sewing Machines

  • Brother Sewing & Quilting Machine CS6000i
  • Singer Heavy Duty Sewing Machine #4423
  • Serger

  • Brother ¾ Thread Serger #1034D

Serger

  • Brother ¾ Thread Serger #1034D

Tools (by request)

  • Dress Form
  • Fabric Shears
  • Rotary Cutter
  • Iron
  • Rulers
  • And more...

Software

Sew Art

Sewing Machine Titles

  • Debbie Shore's Sewing Room Secrets: Top Tips and Techniques for Successful Sewing / Machine Sewing

    Debbie Shore's Sewing Room Secrets: Top Tips and Techniques for Successful Sewing / Machine Sewing

    Shore, Debbie
  • First Time Sewing With a Serger: The Absolute Beginner's Guide

    First Time Sewing With a Serger: The Absolute Beginner's Guide

    Hanson, Becky
  • How to Sew: With Over 80 Techniques and 20 Easy Projects

    How to Sew: With Over 80 Techniques and 20 Easy Projects

  • Layered and Stitched Pictures: Using Free Machine Embroidery and Appliqué to Create Textile Art

    Layered and Stitched Pictures: Using Free Machine Embroidery and Appliqué to Create Textile Art

    Essam, Katie
  • Machine Sewing: 25 Quick & Easy Projects to Build Your Skills

    Machine Sewing: 25 Quick & Easy Projects to Build Your Skills

    Grabler-Crozier, Debbie von
  • Purr-fect Patchwork: 16 Appliqué, Embroidery & Quilt Projects for Modern Cat People

    Purr-fect Patchwork: 16 Appliqué, Embroidery & Quilt Projects for Modern Cat People

    Morgan, Pamela Jane
  • Serger 101 : From Setting up & Using Your Machine to Creating With Confidence: 10 Projects & 40+ Techniques

    Serger 101 : From Setting up & Using Your Machine to Creating With Confidence: 10 Projects & 40+ Techniques

    Walker, Katrina Ann
  • Sew Step by Step: How to Use Your Sewing Machine to Make, Mend, and Customize

    Sew Step by Step: How to Use Your Sewing Machine to Make, Mend, and Customize

    Smith, Alison
  • Sewing Essentials Serger Techniques: Sewing Secrets for Getting the Most from Your Serger

    Sewing Essentials Serger Techniques: Sewing Secrets for Getting the Most from Your Serger

    Leggett, Pamela
  • Sewing Machine Basics for Children: A Fun Step-by-step Guide to Machine Sewing

    Sewing Machine Basics for Children: A Fun Step-by-step Guide to Machine Sewing

    Pressley, Angela
  • The Complete Manual of Sewing: 120 Visual Lessons for Beginners.

    The Complete Manual of Sewing: 120 Visual Lessons for Beginners.

  • The Serger's Technique Bible: From Hemming and Seaming to Decorative Stitching, Get the Best from Your Machine

    The Serger's Technique Bible: From Hemming and Seaming to Decorative Stitching, Get the Best from Your Machine

    Hincks, Julia
  • The Sewing Machine Manual: Your Easy Guide to Machine Stitching

    The Sewing Machine Manual: Your Easy Guide to Machine Stitching

    Gardiner, Wendy

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