DIY Your Halloween at the Innovation Lab

With Halloween right around the corner, it is not too late to craft your own Do-It-Yourself (DIY) costume or spooky decorations! Saint Paul Public Library’s Innovation Lab, opens a new window gives you access to free tools, materials, and equipment that bring your Halloween dreams to life. Whether you’re stitching up a classic costume, fabricating sci-fi armor, or cutting out crisp decorations, the Innovation Lab has what you need to make it happen. Learn about some of the equipment you can use to DIY your Halloween:

Sewing machine 

Create an outfit from scratch or enhance an existing costume with sewing machines. Use a variety of materials such as fabric, buttons, ribbons, and sewing patterns, or bring your own if you can’t find what you need.

3D Printer 

Need pieces for armor or a ghostly decoration? Almost anything made of plastic can be replicated with a 3D printer! Even some items can be created with metallic filament! Use sites such as Thingiverse or Printables to use existing designs or make your own with Tinkercad. Filament is free at the Innovation Lab. 

Laser engraver 

Cut perfect circles (a cosplayer’s worst nightmare!) and other intricate shapes from materials like wood, acrylic, felt, leather, EVA foam, paper, and more. You can also engrave custom designs for that extra wow factor.

Vinyl cutter 

Create Halloween decorations with vinyl or cardstock, perfect for Halloween signs, wall decals, and more. For costumes, cut heat transfer vinyl to iron personalized graphics onto fabric. 

Other tools and supplies 

The Innovation Lab provides free access to paint, glue, jewelry supplies, leatherworking kits, and cutting tools for your finishing touches. From first draft to final detail, you can find all the necessities at the lab.

Media Lab 

Once your masterpiece is complete, immortalize your costume with a professional DSLR camera, lighting, and backdrops. Feel free to bring multiple outfits and use a changing tent!

To get started, all you need is a library card and a short orientation to get access to sewing machines, 3D printers, laser engravers, vinyl cutters, and more. Learn more on becoming an Innovation Lab member at sppl.org/Innovation-Lab. 

Happy Halloween!