A 3D-Printed Ceiling Mount for Sewing Projectors

In addition to 3D printing, sewing is one of my hobbies. Tracing sewing patterns is a necessary but often time-consuming step in many projects. To simplify this process, a projector that projects patterns directly on the fabric on the sewing table is possible. There are many dedicated projectors on the market, but they come at a high cost. When I came across the web tool “pattern projector” which allows to use any projector for calibrating and projecting patterns, I decided to give it a try. I bought a cheap beamer, and, after not finding a pre-made mount to 3D print, decided to design & print my own.

Materials & Tools

For this project, I used:

• 3D Printer: Standard FDM printer
• Filament: PLA
• Mini projector: A budget-friendly mini beamer (I used this one from Amazon)
• Additional materials: Foam padding (to absorb vibrations), some glue, two screws (in my case I just took two large screws that I had lying around and that had the right size)

Design Features

The design focuses on practicality and stability. The mount secures the projector with a screw mechanism and includes a stabilizer to hold it snugly in place. To reduce noise and prevent minor vibrations, I added a piece of foam to the stabilizer, ensuring the projection remains clear and steady.

While the projector’s fan noise might be a drawback in other settings, it doesn’t interfere with its use for pattern projection. The lightweight design of the mini projector also makes it ideal for this application.

The Pattern Projector Tool

One of the key tools for this project was the discovery of the Pattern Projector tool. It allowed me to easily calibrate the projector, ensuring that patterns were perfectly aligned and scaled to my workspace. The user-friendly interface of the tool made setup straightforward, and I was ready to start cutting patterns in no time. This tool is free, open source and requires no sign-up: https://www.patternprojector.com/en

Printing & Assembly

The mount is entirely 3D-printed and designed to be lightweight yet sturdy. The components include:

1. Base mount: Attaches securely to the ceiling.
2. Projector holder: Includes the screw mechanism and stabilizer for a snug fit.
3. Foam padding: Glued to the stabilizer to absorb vibrations.

Assembly was quick, and the mount was ready to use in just a few hours.

Final Thoughts

This project has transformed my sewing experience, making it faster and more efficient to work with patterns. The ceiling mount not only saves time but also helps create a cleaner and more precise workspace. If you’re into sewing and have been considering a similar setup, I highly recommend giving this a try!

I’ve uploaded the STL files for the mount on Printables—check them out if you’d like to create your own. Let me know if you’ve used a projector for your crafts and how it’s worked for you!