Maker Services
Wilmette Public Library offers a range of services and programs for patrons interested in using hands-on equipment to learn, create, and imagine. Our maker offerings encourage you to DIY (do-it-yourself) and explore the intersection between technology and arts and crafts.
Maker Fest 2024
Wilmette Public Library is organizing a festival to showcase local makers and making opportunities. Demonstrate what you do and offer interactive experiences for attendees! We welcome businesses, schools, clubs, or individuals who teach, create, or advocate for do-it-yourself activities in art, design, or technology.
Submit a 3D Print
Submit your project to be 3D printed here.
Turn your ideas into reality using the library’s 3D Printing service. Create tools, toys, prototypes, replacement parts, scale models, figurines, jewelry, and more! Design an object yourself using a 3D modeling tool such as TinkerCAD, or find a ready-made file at Thingiverse.com.
Objects cost $0.10 per gram and are printed using PLA filament in 12 available colors.
For more information about the library’s 3D Printing service, contact Digital & Maker Services at digital@wilmettelibrary.info or at 847.853.6566.
Maker Appointments
Make stickers, design 3D prints, metal stamp jewelry, and more! Book an appointment with the library’s maker equipment. A staff member will be on hand to show you how to use the equipment. Basic supplies are available at no cost.
Appointments last an hour-and-a-half and take place in the Youth Program Room most Monday evenings, most Saturday afternoons, and selected weekday afternoons. They are open to all ages and are available for groups of up to four people, or small family groups. We can accommodate two groups at one time. Register on the library's events calendar.
For more information about maker appointments, email Janet Piehl.
Maker Appointment Equipment
Library Equipment and Supplies
3-inch diameter button maker, Neil Enterprises
- Mylar, shell, and pin backs
- Magnet back parts
- Adjustable rotary cutter
1 1/2-inch button maker, American Button Machines
- Mylar, shell, and pin backs
- Circle cutter
- Hand-held punch cutter
- Graphic punch
Information
- Our equipment and supplies allow you to make 3-inch buttons and magnets, and 1 ½-inch buttons.
- The library will supply letter-weight paper.
- Limit: ten buttons or magnets of each size
Resources
If you would like to prepare and print your button design at home, use regular letter-weight paper, photo paper, or magazines. The library offers printing services, and a color inkjet printer is available during maker appointments.
Templates for both the 3-inch and 1 ½-inch button maker can be found on UMakeButtons.com. We suggest downloading the Word template if you wish to edit your design before printing.
If you would like to make more than ten buttons or magnets, please bring your own supplies, from these sources.
- 3-inch button maker
- 1 ½-inch button maker
If you are unsure about which button parts to buy, please contact us.
Library Equipment and Supplies
- Prusa i3 MK3S and i3MK3S+ 3D printers
- Projects designed in maker appointments can be printed with PLA filament in the following colors: red, pink, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, white, black, gray, bronze, and clear.
- Design your project using the Tinkercad app.
- Find out more about the machines on Prusa’s website.
Information
- The library will print projects designed during maker appointments free of charge.
- The library will supply PLA filament. Please do not bring your own.
- One project per person per session; projects must follow the design guidelines for our public 3D printing.
- Projects designed during maker appointments will be 3D printed outside of the appointment. We will notify you when your project is ready to be picked up, usually within a week.
Disclaimers
- The library cannot guarantee product quality, satisfaction, equipment availability or stability, confidentiality of design or specific delivery times.
- The library reserves the right to refuse a print.
- The 3D printer may only be used to make objects for lawful and appropriate use.
Library Equipment and Supplies
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Cricut EasyPress 2 heat press
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Siser EasyWeed, rainbow colors
Information
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First use the Silhouette Cameo 4 to cut out a design. Then use the heat press to permanently apply the design to fabric. A heat press quickly and evenly applies heat at an accurate, adjustable temperature.
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Limits: One 12 x 12 inch piece of heat transfer material, or the equivalent, per person per session. Two 8.5 x 11 inch sheets printable heat transfer material per person per session
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If you wish to cut additional or other heat transfer material, please bring your own, and consult with a staff member before cutting it and applying it.
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Bring your own fabric item (or blank). Cotton and cotton/polyester blends work best. If your blank is made of another material, please consult with a staff member.
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Before your appointment, it's a good idea to prewash garments or other blanks that will be machine washed.
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For care after application, consult the directions for your heat transfer material. Wait 24 hours before washing most garments.
Resources
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See Cricut’s website for more information about the EasyPress 2 and a heat guide.
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We suggest the following heat transfer material products and sources:
Siser EasyWeed: available on Amazon and at Michaels
Silhouette printable heat transfers: available on Amazon
Library Equipment and Supplies
Information
Use the library’s WeDo kits and computers to program and build your own cool contraptions. The library supplies everything you’ll need. There’s no need to bring your own Legos. Recommended for ages 7 and up.
Library Equipment and Supplies
- Stamping blocks
- Hammers
- Letter and design stamps
- Pliers and cutters
- Aluminum stamping blanks (rectangular and circular tags)
Information
- The library has safety goggles available if you wish to wear them.
- The library provides aluminum blanks. If you wish to bring in other materials to stamp, please consult with the librarians.
- Limit: six blanks per session per person
Resources
- Michaels carries stamping blanks, jewelry pieces and beads.
- Aluminum stamping blanks from RMP are available on Amazon.
- impressart.com and beaducation.com both carry supplies as well as provide stamping tutorials.
Library Equipment and Supplies
- Janome 2212 Sewing Machine
- Thread—black and white
- Fabric scissors
- Rotary cutters
- Measuring tools
- Marking chalk
- Seam ripper
- Needles sizes 11, 14, and 16
- Presser feet: standard, zipper, sliding button hole, blind hem
- Iron
- Ironing board
Information
Please bring your own fabric, thread, patterns, and other materials for your project.
Resources
- Sew on Central in Evanston is wonderful resource for sewing instruction and fabric and other supplies.
- How to wind the bobbin
- How to thread the machine
- How to insert a front-loading bobbin
- Making your first stitches
Library Equipment and Supplies
- Silhouette Cameo 4 machine
- Silhouette Studio Basic Edition software
- 12 inch x 12 inch cutting mats
- Hooks, pick, spatula, scrapers
- Permanent vinyl, 12 inch x 12 inch sheets
- Removable vinyl, 12 inches
- Colored cardstock
- Printable white sticker paper
- Transfer paper
Information
- We will supply permanent and removable vinyl, as well as paper, in standard rainbow colors.
- Limit: Two 12 inch x 12 inch pieces of vinyl, or the equivalent
- If you wish to cut additional vinyl, please bring your own.
- If you wish to cut other media, such as heat transfer material, please provide it yourself, and consult with the librarian before cutting it.
Resources
Please see Silhouette’s website for information about supplies, as well as the free downloadable software, Silhouette Studio.
Silhouette sells premade designs in its Design Store.
We suggest the following vinyl products and sources:
- Permanent vinyl: Vinyl Ease Permanent Adhesive Vinyl, 12 inch x 12 inch sheets. Available on Amazon.
- Removable vinyl: Silhouette Matte Vinyl, 12 inch. Good selection and price is available at Silhouette’s website. Also available on Amazon.
- Transfer tape: Silhouette Transfer Tape, 12 inch x 6 feet. Available from Silhouette or Amazon.
Creativebug
Creativebug offers art and craft video tutorials taught by recognized design experts and artists.
Gale Courses
Available 24/7, Gale Courses provides more than 360 six-week long, online programs taught by college instructors.
LinkedIn Learning
LinkedIn Learning offers video tutorials on business, creative, and technology topics.