Trip West to 091labs

Last weekend members headed west to visit the new 091labs hackerspace in Galway. They moved into their space only four weeks ago. They’re making great progress growing their members and setting up their new space. They have a community night on Tuesdays and a projector night on Sundays. They have loads of ways to contact them, on their website 091labs.com, on boards.ie and there twitter feed. While in 091labs the TOG members helped out running two soldering workshops for the people of Galway in the space. The workshops were well received with all involved learning to solder to a reasonable  level. If your in Galway check them out, they’re a great group of people.

Sewing Workshops

Thinking of hooking up some shiny electroluminescent wire to your top for a night out? Interested in Lilypads or other wearable tech, but don’t know how to get started? Maybe you’d just like to be able to make a simple skirt, repair your jeans, or even just finally figure out how to thread that sewing machine?

Well, we’ve got what you need; basic sewing classes, like they don’t teach outside of school. There will be two workshops, the first on Sunday, 24th January, which will focus on basic hand sewing techniques. You’ll learn a bit about fabrics, choosing threads, basic stitches, and what they’re called. If you bring some damaged clothes we’ll have a look at how to go about mending them. And finally, if you’re interested, a little bit about clothing construction, and how the pieces go together (helps you figure out how to put them back together). The idea is just to get you used to the basics, and ultimately help you understand all those books and tutorials that treat it like assumed knowledge.

Group size will be very small, limited to a maximum of 6, so that everyone will get the help they need. The whole workshop will be very informal, it’s all about a hands-on approach, and having things make sense to you. And just so you know, I’m not an expert by any means. I learned to sew originally in Home Ec, have done a course in pattern construction, and every year make my own Hallowe’en costumes. So, I’ll be able to help get you started, after that it’s your determination and imagination that will keep you going.

Cost: There will be a fee of €10 for non-TOG-members. Feel free to bring your own kit if you have one, otherwise one can be provided (that you get to keep) for cost.
Materials: Pack of hand-sewing needles, needle threader, wheel of pins, thread, etc.
Provided: (Although it’s okay if you bring your own.) Scissors (that need to be returned, sorry but they’re quite expensive). Fabric. Bits and bobs. Tea, coffee, hot chocolate, biscuits.

Date: Sunday, 24th January.
Time: Between 2pm and 6pm.
Place: TOG space. See: http://www.tog.ie/location/

If the time doesn’t suit, don’t worry, if people are interested another set can be arranged.

Participants and visitors must be at least 18 years of age. It’s first come, first serve. Attendance at the two workshops are independent, you don’t have to go to both. And there are only a couple of places left for the basic hand sewing workshop! So if you’d like to attend please use the form below.

Workshop is full now. But if you would still like to attend another workshop some time in future feel free to use the form below to register your interest. Thanks guys, and I look forward to seeing you all.

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Melting Point with TOG

As part of Science Week, TOG will be hosting an afternoon soldering workshop with DIY circuit board demonstration.

Workshop Description:

This hands on workshop will cover various aspects of soldering; from the basic techniques of soldering, to soldering electronic components to make simple circuits, right up to manual techniques to solder surface mount chips.

This workshop is split into levels so we can work with you to increase your skills. We are ready to work with both absolute beginners and those who would like to move onto more advanced surface mount soldering.

Demonstration Description:

The demonstration will cover the steps involved in DIY circuit board fabrication, showing the processes and the chemicals used to produce a circuit board at home.

Update Nov 1, 2009.

Saturday 14th booked out.

Update Nov 6, 2009.

Sunday 15th booked out.

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TOG does Electronic Fashion

We will be holding two electronic fashion workshops over the weekend of Innovation Dublin week.  These workshops will be hosted in our space on Arran Quay on Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th of October from 2pm to 6pm.

There will be a €15 (€12 students/unwaged, €10 TOG members) participation fee to take part in the workshops.  Non-members are welcome to participate in the workshops.

The participation fee includes a basic electroluminescent wire kit and an item of clothing from an Irish menswear fashion label which is a canvas for your creations.  A range of sewing materials (including conductive wire), extra el wire, LilyPad’s and other electronic devices will be available for use during the workshop.

No experience of electronics or sewing is required, though it would help.

The number of places in each workshop will be limited to 12, so please reserve a place by posting a comment to this blog post, giving details of which workshop you would like to attend.

Participants and visitors must be at least 18 years of age. Continue reading “TOG does Electronic Fashion”