Whether you’re making jewelry, apparel, embroidered patches, leather handbags, or even a fursuit for next year’s Anthrocon, HackPGH has all the machines and accessories to “make it work”!
FABRICation Arts is comprised of three areas: Sewing, Embroidery, & Sergers, aka “Fiber Arts”; Leatherworking; and Jewelry Making.
At the push of a button, this 96”x40” table can drop as low as 24” and rise as high as 50”. Topped with self-healing mats, this heavy-duty table is great for sewing, cutting fabric, or pattern-making.
Our 59”x22” oversized birch ironing board is topped with a pressing pad and provides an expansive area for pressing while folding up in seconds when the work is done!
We have a sturdy sewing table with dropdown platform that allows standard sewing machines to sit flush with the tabletop for comfortable, even sewing.
As of September 2026, we have eleven active fiber arts machines. They are regularly cleaned and oiled, and kept in dust-proof cases or trolleys when not in active use. Members must be trained or complete a safety checkoff before independently using any of these machines!
Heavy-Duty Mechanical Sewing Machine with Quilting Features
These “vintage black” heavy-duty sewing machines are loaded with features to allow several sewing applications like quilting, home decor, basic sewing and household repair needs. They are made with an aluminum frame, a strong motor for heavier sewing, and all the popular stitches to meet your sewing needs.
Rules for use: Must be 11+, requires training or safety checkoff before independent use!
Industrial high-speed, single-needle, lockstitch sewing machine
Designed for straight stitching on light- to medium-weight fabrics. It reaches speeds up to 5,500 stitches per minute, features an automatic-lubricating rotary hook, and is mounted on a heavy-duty workstation with LED light. Motor: Sew Quiet servo motor with variable speed control and synchronizer. Donated in June 2026, refurbished with new motor in July 2026.
Rules for use: Must be 18+, requires training or safety checkoff before independent use!
Computerized Sewing & Quilting Machine w/ extension table
The CS7000X is designed for ease of use with its LCD display, an automatic needle threader, threading diagrams, and adjustable sewing speed control. With 70 built-in sewing stitches, including decorative stitches, quilting stitches and seven styles of one-step, auto-size buttonholes, the possibilities are endless.
Rules for use: Must be 11+, requires training or safety checkoff before independent use!
Serger/Overlock machine
The perfect overlocker machine for beginners. Lightweight and portable, it creates perfectly finished edges on garments. The Vibrant is capable of 4/3/2 thread serging and features an easy color-coded threading chart. Add ruffles to garments and home decor items using the differential feed dial, and complete rolled hems by simply removing the stitch finger.
Rules for use: Must be 16+, requires training or safety checkoff before independent use!
Air-Threading Serger/Overlock Machine
Bring finishing touches to your sewing projects! Sew, cut, and finish seams all in one pass with this sturdy and versatile machine. Its jet-air threading technology makes changing the looper threads a breeze - no more threading frustrations or tangled gears!
Rules for use: Must be 16+, requires training before independent use!
Dedicated Coverstitch machine
The CoverPro 2000CPX specializes in creating a single needle chain stitch as well as two or three needle hemming stitches. These are professional-looking finishes used for hemming and attaching necklines - especially on stretchy fabrics like knitwear. This machine does not cut the fabric like a serger. Instead, it focuses on creating a strong, durable stitch.
Rules for use: Must be 16+, requires training or safety checkoff before independent use
Computerized Embroidery & Sewing Machine
This modern computerized machine has it all! Edit your own stitches and embroidery designs on-screen, or download your own via WLAN. It has an automatic needle threader, automatic thread cutter/trimmer, 291 built-in stitches, and 258 built-in embroidery designs. Hoop sizes: 4”x4”, 5”x7”, 6”x10”
Rules for use: Must be 16+, training or safety checkoff required before independent use!
Single-needle tubular free-arm embroidery machine
The PRS100 is a commercial embroidery machine designed for versatile, high-performance crafting. It features a unique tubular free arm for easy access to tight spaces like sleeves, caps, and bags. Despite the single needle, it can hold up to four spools of thread, allowing users to “tie off” one pre-threaded color of thread to another and pull it through to avoid re-threading the machine. New to HackPGH in 2026!
Rules for use: Must be 16+, training or safety checkoff required before independent use!
A two-part magnetic system to hold fabric taut for embroidery, replacing the traditional process of clamping an inner ring into an outer ring. Three magnetic hoops plus adjustable Hoop Master fixture, FreeStyle Arm Portable Base, and T-square.
These frames work by using adhesive stabilizer to “float” fabric in place instead of a traditional two-ring hoop. You apply the sticky stabilizer to the underside of the frame, peel off the backing, and press your fabric onto the adhesive. Six frames between 2”x4” & 8”x8” plus the Cap Back/Radium frame.
Beginner-friendly rug-making kit with a lightweight, safety-oriented tufting-gun and all the necessary supplies to start a project immediately! Frame size: 39”x25” – clamps on to any table and stores away flat. Includes primary tufting cloth, backing cloth, 10 colors of milk yarn, threading tools, cleaning brush, and lubricant. Cut-pile tufting only; does not support loop-pile tufting.
Our cabinets and shelves are filled with needles, bobbins, specialty and electric shears, glue, zippers, bias tape & bias, haberdashery, and just about every other accessory you can think of to complete your latest project. We ask that members bring their own fabric and raw materials for personal projects, although we keep a drawer of shared fabrics and scraps that are “up for grabs.”
Leatherwork has been growing in popularity at HackPGH. We’re adding new tools and classes all the time!
Industrial Leather Sewing Machine · Maximum stitch speed: 1500 SPM
This cast-iron industrial workhorse is built to withstand the most rigorous sewing projects. From leather to upholstery to canvas - even marine vinyl - the Cowboy can handle any material up to a quarter of an inch! This machine is built into its own mobile sewing table with foot pedal base, and has functions like fully operational reverse, adjustable thread tensions both top and bottom, adjustable presser foot tensions, and adjustable stitch length. The Cowboy 797 has safety features such as its bright LED light and servo power motor with adjustable speed control.
Rules for use: 18+ only, must be trained on this machine to use independently or demonstrate prior outside experience to a Shop Lead
Industrial table-top manual lever press and/or standing foot press
Designed for setting rivets, grommets, snaps, magnets, and studs. Can also punch holes. This convertible press is a versatile, heavy-duty press designed for leathercraft, canvas, and webbing. It can be operated as a handheld press or full kick press with its pedal system and stand. The latter allows for 5 different height adjustments, suitable for both seated and standing positions. It features a 180-degree reversible handle, 5.5” throat depth, and comes with three adapters to fit most global die specifications.
Rules for use: 16+ only, must be trained on this machine to use or demonstrate prior outside experience to a Shop Lead
Our leatherworking tools and accessories are kept in a 60” workbench as well as a metal toolchest. We keep leather scraps, straps, and samples on which to practice, but the leather stock at HackPGH is reserved for class use only.
Our jewelry-making tools are kept in a dedicated hardwood workbench. We hope to add more equipment and classes over the next year!
HP Victus 16.1” Gaming Laptop
13th Gen Intel Core i7, GeForce RTX 4060, 144 Hz 1080p, Windows 11. Memory: 32 GB. SSD size: 1 TB.
It is equipped with Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office, Clip Studio Paint EX 5, Hatch Digitizer 3, PE Maker 11, and Cricut Design Space with a Cricut Access Premium subscription.
Wimus P62 Projector w/ Wi-Fi & Bluetooth.
Eventually, we hope to mount it to the ceiling or the wall to create projected patterns. Maybe you can join and help us make that a reality.