The Esche Lab

new since January 2025

On January 19, 2025, on time for the opening weekend of the European Capital of Culture Chemnitz 2025, the Esche Lab was opened.

The Esche Lab is a workshop for creative textile work, with a focus on knitting, embroidery and clothing, and also offers space for meetings and exchanges. The workshop is located on the 3rd floor of the ESCHE and is complemented by an intervention in the permanent exhibition of the Esche Museum. The "Kniterate", a digital flat knitting machine, will be available in this newly designed area. Here, textile designs can be turned into knitted fabrics or finished individual pieces. Visitors experience modern knitting alongside the museum's historical machines and can follow the technical development. The Kniterate knitting machine can be used by interested parties after registering.

he Esche Lab is one of the new maker hubs in the Capital of Culture region, the new places where people can tinker, experiment and create together on a wide variety of topics. The maker hubs are part of the Macher:innen² program area of ​​the European Capital of Culture Chemnitz 2025.

Workshops, courses, meetings and other formats will take place in the Esche Lab in the future. Designers, artists and other textile enthusiasts and creative people can use the workshop on request. Detailed conditions and fees for use are still to be determined. Nevertheless, inquiries are accepted at any time.

The following equipment is available in the Esche Lab:

  • Hand carding machine for fiber preparation
  • HILO electronic spinning machine
  • HILO E-Spinner
  • cutting plotter
  • hot transfer press
  • digital embroidery machine
  • sewing machine, high-speed seamer, industry standard
  • sewing machines coverlock
  • sewing machine overlock
  • knitting machine, 5mm - double bed, pattern machine
  • knitting machine, 4.5 mm - push button
  • knitting machine, 9 mm - double bed
  • knitting machine, 5 mm - double bed
  • a selection of other knitting machines from the brands Brother and Veritas available
  • digital knitting machine Kniterate
  • button machine
  • textile equipment and creative material
  • professional literature
  • tables for meetings
  • "Esche hall" for larger events with event technology via the Limbach-Oberfrohna city administration
  • small event room "Mauersberger room" without event technology via the Limbach-Oberfrohna city administration