The Attic Community Workshop

Some folks have been asking us what we have now and what difference the results of our current funding campaign will make. We've been pretty focused on getting the physical space up and running for the time that we've been open so our equipment capabilities are fairly limited. So far we have:

• a pleasant space for working and teaching classes of up to 10-12 students
  
• a TV that we use for presentations and screenings
  
• textile/fiber-related equipment like a spinning wheel, swift, and ball winder
  
• one early 20th-c industrial treadle sewing machine that cme is working on fixing up
  
• two soldering irons with holders, clamps, etc.
  
• a power drill
  
• miscellaneous hand tools--wrenches, tiny screwdrivers for detail work and hardware, etc.
  
• a growing library of reference books
  
• a scroll saw, once we get a non-carpeted area to use it in
  
• a Wacom tablet.

Education and collaboration are our main focus at the Attic, so we want to provide members and students with equipment that reduces the barrier to getting started on something new. We also want to provide more experienced members with the tools that they need to carry out their projects. Our founding members' interests broadly break down into computer-based (open-source programming, digital media, and art); hardware and electronics; and various types of fabrication, including woodworking, 3D printing plastics, spinning, weaving, knitting, leatherwork, and jewelry making.

We have the equipment to do hardware work, but no electronics parts; we'd love to get some Raspberry Pis and a stock of electronics parts so that hypatia can start teaching hardware classes. We don't have any computer workstations in the space; we'd like to set one up so that new developers can contribute without having to set up their own development environments, and we'd like to provide video and illustration software so that members can work in digital media and remix video as desired. As far as other equipment goes, we're going to be offering sewing classes starting in January; a few members can loan machines, but having a designated Attic machine will both make the classes run more smoothly and allow members to practice those skills after they end. A machine that doubles for embroidery will save space and let our more advanced sewers do the work they have in mind. The same goes for the woodworking tools and the 3-D printer we're hoping to fund in our stretch goals--I personally have projects that I'd like to make with those and I'll certainly be leaning on the expertise of other members for motivation and help with the equipment itself.

Want to help us make this a reality? Donate here: http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/launch-seattle-attic/x/5420183. Even a few dollars helps us create this space.