When most people think of crafting, they think of doing things by hand. In reality, technology has been steadily changing the crafting process for years. Below are just three of the ways that technology has impacted the world of crafting.

It Provides for Better Planning

On a basic level, technology provides for a better planning process when it comes to crafting. You can now model almost anything you want to make on a computer, often in stunning detail. This allows you to spot problems before they appear in the real world and helps you to keep down the amount of waste you generate on your projects. Technology isn’t taking creativity out of the hands of the individual, but rather helping the individual to maximize what he or she can do when crafting. 1

It’s Allowing for More Customization

Technology is also helping crafters to customize their crafts in new and interesting ways. The rise of the 3D printer has been amazing for some hobbyists, allowing them to print out customized parts that otherwise might not be able to be made. Even the rise of the internet has put often-obscure pieces in the hands of professionals who might otherwise never see them. Technology makes it easier for people to get what they need so that they can make the most out of their skill sets. As technology progresses, even more amazing crafts will be made possible through wider-ranging access.

It Automates the Boring Parts

Finally, technology is going a long way towards automating some of the less pleasant aspects of crafting. There are now embroidery machines that can run off patterns for the creator, for example, which allows individuals to spend more time creating and less time searching for (or creating) patterns themselves. Vinyl machines can also help to do some of the cutting for the crafter, allowing more time to be spent on design and decoration than painstakingly cutting out patterns. While there’s something to be said for doing all of the work on your own, it’s amazing to see how machines have made crafting easier.

Machines have made crafting more accessible, more creative, and easier for hobbyists. It still takes a great deal of creativity to craft, but now some of the tediousness has been reduced. If you are new to a crafting hobby, it might be a good idea to look at the technology that’s coming to your field. You never know how your favorite crafts might change.