DIY Holiday Gifts at the Main Library's Paja

The Main Library makerspace offers sewing machines, overlockers, a vinyl cutter, a heat press, 3D printers, and a laminator for your use. Using the equipment is free of charge. Equipment must be reserved through the Varaamo booking system and cannot be borrowed for home use. You can find more information about booking and using the equipment in Varaamo.  

Upcycle the Old into Something New  

Before buying a new textile item, take a look in your own closet. You may already have a fabric tote bag or T-shirt in good condition that could be transformed into a unique gift with a custom design made using a heat press. Suitable materials for heat-press printing include cotton, polyester, and cotton-polyester blends. 

Alternatively, you can personalize an existing notebook cover or storage box with a custom-made sticker. The vinyl cutter creates single-colour stickers and heat-transfer designs by cutting along the outlines of an image file. Simple one-colour images, silhouettes, and text work best as source designs. Only materials provided by the library can be used with the vinyl cutter. Sticker and heat-transfer materials are available in black and white.

Turn Old Fabric into a Holiday Gift 

Do you have an unused curtain or leftover pieces of fabric tucked away in a cupboard? They could be transformed into a pillow cover, a small pouch, a scrunchie, or another handmade gift. An overlocker is especially useful for finishing seams neatly and sewing with stretchy fabrics. A thoughtful gift could also be as simple as repairing a loved one’s favourite garment. 

Gift wrapping can be part of the gift itself. Sew a reusable fabric bag from repurposed material and use it as gift wrapping or for everyday storage long after the holidays. When using the sewing machines, please bring your own fabrics and thread. The library can provide black, white, and red thread if needed. 

Sewing machines and overlockers are available for self-service use at the library. As no instruction is provided for these machines, users should have basic sewing skills before making a reservation. 

Sewing machines and overlockers are also available at Pansio Library, where reservations can be made directly through library staff.  

Thoughtful 3D Printing, Not More Clutter 

A custom-designed keychain or a Christmas ornament that can be brought out year after year makes a wonderful holiday gift. A 3D printer can create almost anything from a digital model. To print an object, you will need a 3D model file, which you can either design yourself or find online. 

The library provides printing material for trial use only. Plan a small, thoughtful project and book an introductory session when using the equipment for the first time. Please make sure that your chosen model can be completed and collected during your reservation period. 

A laminator can be used to create stylish bookmarks or to preserve a favourite recipe for the gift recipient. For laminating, please bring your own materials whenever possible. The library can provide A4 and A3 laminating pouches if needed, with a maximum of three pouches available per person. 

From Idea to Finished Gift 

Start with a single gift idea, check what materials you already have at home, and explore the information for the equipment you need in the City of Turku’s Varaamo booking service. There you can find available time slots, user instructions, and detailed information about material requirements. 

If you are using the 3D printer, vinyl cutter, or heat press for the first time, be sure to book an introductory session. Guidance for these devices is available on weekdays between 10:00 and 16:00 only. 

If you are still looking for inspiration, borrow a craft or DIY book from the library. Remember that a library book itself can also make a thoughtful holiday gift. Just include a note with the due date when wrapping it.