In the Billodue Makerspace at Seattle University, there are all different sorts of materials such as scraps of fabric, thread and yarn, along with different types of machines used for sewing, button press making, vinyl cutting and 3D printing. All these resources provided within this space can help students explore their creative freedom.
Makerspace Specialist Rachel Segrest contributes their creative expertise to this space. After taking a variety of craft classes, they then went back to school for a graduate degree in design for sustainability. With this background, they learned the necessary skills to work in other makerspaces and ultimately ended up at Seattle U.
Segrest explained how the idea of an individual lacking creativity can discourage one from coming to areas like the Makerspace, and how creativity can actually be seen in anyone’s day-to-day life.
“Every human by virtue of being alive is going to make creative decisions every day, otherwise you’d be a robot,” Segrest said.
Segrest touched on the idea that sometimes people are afraid to be judged when letting their creativity flow. So don’t fear messing up, as the Makerspace heavily emphasizes the idea of allowing your creativity to show in your own unique manner, and being comfortable with that creative freedom. Staff members are available and willing to help crafters as well.
Some of the activities students shared that they enjoy from the Makerspace are using the button press for button making, collecting scraps for bookbinding, using the 3D printers, crocheting and making jewelry.
“I find that I can’t sit still a lot, so working with crafts helps me to use that energy in some way if I can’t sit still. Because it’s an outlet it helps me direct my emotions somewhere,” Makena Sakahara, a first-year English major, said.
Besides the various activities, materials and resources they have to offer, this space often leads to strong connections between crafters.
“I have made friends that I would never have met outside of this space. It really has changed my entire college career/experience because of how wonderful the people I’ve met have been in here. It’s really just such a supportive environment and I really have loved being here and working here,” Devin Raleigh, a fourth-year mechanical engineering major and front desk employee at the Makerspace, said.
Segrest expressed that they hope to see the Makerspace grow to be more inclusive, welcoming and accessible for people of different abilities, and see community feedback get reflected in this space. They want people who come into the space and feel empowered to make a change.
If interested in trying this space out, start by attending their maker orientation, held on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 12:35 p.m., where they cover safety instructions before moving on to crafting.
Next week, a workshop for repairing clothing and gear will be held Monday at 12:45 p.m., as well as a workshop on how to make a desk organizer using the laser cutter on Tuesday at 4 p.m. Expect to build new skills, understand your interests better and meet new people through this creative space.
The Makerspace is located in the Sinegal Building, Room 130, and is open from 10 a.m. through 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday and closed Friday through Sunday.
