Summer 2025
Announcing our first Maker-in-Residence: Amber Adams-Fall!
Amber is a Fiber Artist working out of a home studio in Parchment, Michigan. Her primary focus is on three-dimensional embroidery featuring butterflies, moths, flowers and birds found in North American Gardens and natural spaces. Sustainability has always been a huge focus for her work, and she utilizes as much recycled fabric or materials as possible in her work, along with many different mediums such as hand and machine embroidery, screen and block printing, needle felting, sewing and beading. She also teaches sewing and works part time at a small local fabric and sewing machine store.
Maker-in-Residence Drop-in Hours
During Maker-In-Residence Drop-in Hours Amber will work with patrons to create unique, individual blocks that we will assemble into a group quilt that represents all of us together. Depending on age and ability, blocks can be made using quilt piecing techniques, applique, embroidery, or drawing with fabric markers. Patrons may visit the Makerspace during any of Amber’s scheduled hours to construct and sign their own personal block for the quilt.
It is our goal to create this quilt using entirely recycled materials, we will be accepting donations of clean, medium weight fabrics to be used for this project. Pieces should be at least five inches square and can be dropped off at the Makerspace during regular Staffed Hours.
The finished quilt will be displayed for patrons to enjoy and then will be stored in the Heritage Room as an artifact for future generations.
Maker-in-Residence Workshops
In addition to the quilt project, Amber will also lead two Maker-in-Residence Workshops. Seating is limited, so registration is required for the workshops.
Saturday, July 26th – Recycled Denim Whale Workshop ***Registration is Full***
In this workshop you will recycle an old pair of jeans to create a plush denim whale. Attendees will use a pattern to pin and cut out pieces, sew them together by machine, add fiber fill, and then hand stitch an opening closed. We encourage patrons to bring their own pair of jeans for this project, though we will have extras on hand for anyone who is not able to bring their own. If you would like to donate jeans ahead of time, they may be dropped off to the Makerspace during open hours.
Saturday, August 16th – Recycled Plush Owl Workshop
In this workshop you will use either a combination of hand and machine sewing, or hand sewing alone to create a mini plush owl out of recycled scrap fabrics. Each owl will measure about three inches tall and two inches wide, with a hand embroidered beak and button eyes.
Patrons will learn to pin and cut out a pattern, sew the pieces together, and add features using hand stitching. All necessary materials will be provided for the class. Feel free to bring your own scrap fabrics for this project or to contribute to the community quilt project.
About the Maker-in-Residence Program
The Portage District Library’s Maker-in-Residence program brings creativity, innovation, and hands-on learning to our community. This program invites makers, artists, and creators from all backgrounds to work on a project, share their skills, and engage with library patrons through workshops and events. Each residency lasts eight weeks and includes a $1,000 stipend, access to library resources, and a dedicated space to create.
Makers of all kinds—whether working with fiber, wood, metal, digital design, code, or experimental media—bring new ideas to life and inspire the next generation of creators.