Felt Pennant Sewing Workshop at Maker Lab Empowers Students
On October 1st, students from all sorts of majors showed up at the Steel Plant’s Maker Lab at Marist University. They came for a sewing workshop hosted by textile specialist Elsie Mele.
The event aimed to teach the basics of hand sewing. Attendees grabbed felt, needles, thread, and ribbon to make colorful pennant flags—a trend that’s been all over TikTok and Pinterest lately.
The Maker Lab covered all the materials, which made it easy for anyone to join in, even if they were on a tight budget. Elsie Mele, who picked up a lot during her summer internship in product development, wants to help students pick up practical sewing skills and just play around with ideas in the Maker Lab.
Table of Contents
The Maker Lab: A Hub for Creativity and Learning
Marist’s Maker Lab is a flexible, open space where students from any major can try new things, learn, and just make stuff. Elsie Mele, the lab’s textile specialist, says the goal is to keep things welcoming and accessible, especially for students who can’t always afford pricey materials.
Materials and Resources
The Maker Lab stays stocked with things like:
- Markers
- Rulers
- Felt
- Sewing materials
These supplies matter, especially for students who might not be able to get them on their own. The lab tries to level the playing field, so everyone has a shot at being creative and trying new projects.
Elsie Mele: The Driving Force Behind the Workshop
Elsie Mele, a sophomore at Marist, works as the Maker Lab’s textile specialist. She got her start in textiles during a summer internship in product development.
That experience pushed her to pitch her current role to Ais Oisín, who manages the Maker Lab. Now, Mele tries to help students from all majors get comfortable with textiles and maybe even discover a new hobby.
Guiding Students Through Projects
Mele gets hands-on with students’ projects. Recently, she helped a student figure out which fabrics would work best with the laser cutter.
She’s also helped a friend fix up a Halloween costume, adding things like boning and grommets for better structure. It’s clear she’s all about sharing what she knows and making sure others can learn, too.
Future Workshops and Opportunities
If you missed this last workshop, don’t stress. The Maker Lab has more events lined up.
Elsie Mele’s next workshop will dive into sewing machines—both heavy-duty and regular ones. It’s another shot for students to pick up useful sewing skills.
Why Attend a Sewing Workshop?
There are plenty of reasons to join a sewing workshop:
- Skill Development: You’ll learn sewing techniques you can actually use in real projects.
- Cost Savings: The lab provides materials and tools, so you don’t have to spend extra cash.
- Creativity: It’s a chance to mess around and make something unique.
- Community: You get to meet other students who are into the same stuff.
Conclusion
The Maker Lab at Marist University isn’t just a space. It’s a place where students gather, share ideas, and actually make things happen.
Elsie Mele leads the way, helping students pick up practical skills and get access to tools they might not find elsewhere. Maybe you’re curious about hand sewing, laser cutting, or just want to try your hand at a sewing machine—there’s something here for you.
If you’re even a little interested, why not check out one of their workshops? You might find yourself coming back for more.
For details about the Maker Lab and what’s coming up, take a look at the Marist Circle.