About

About the Fab Lab

The Fab Lab is a joyful, playful, and welcoming third space for creative people who want to live artfully, swap stress for presence, and have more freaking fun.

We keep our finger on the pulse of the community and lead with creative vision to meet the needs of passionate sewists, devoted quilters, and total noobs. We believe everyone deserves the chance to experience creative fulfillment—and that access to an open-hearted, supportive community is the key to living (and making) their best life. At Fab Lab, we support your creative visioning, skill-building, and empowerment in a vibrant, inclusive space.

Inspired by the bold authenticity of the B-52’s, we encourage everyone who walks through our doors to show up as themselves—and to be inspired to make magical things that reflect their values and nourish their well-being. Our obsession with gorgeous fabrics, cool tools, and stress-free making is more than a hobby—it’s our version of making the world a shinier, happier place.

About our Founder, Allison Mondel

I’m a recovering professional soprano who, after relocating from Washington, DC to Acton, MA, is starting a brand-new creative chapter. The Fab Lab is my happiest place—a space to help folks live artfully, authentically, and colorfully.

I first learned to sew in Home Ec back in the late 80s and spent my teen years futzing on my mom’s machine—making my own clothes and “classy” décor for my room. Fast-forward to 2024, when I stumbled into modern quilting and thought: I bet I could do that. About a week later, I found my late mom’s sewing machine tucked in a closet and taught myself to quilt. Perfect timing.

Many mistakes—and many friends—later, I rediscovered my love of fabric, color, and creating unique and beautiful things that are literally stitched with love. More importantly, I revived my struggling inner artist, who desperately needed a fresh outlet (and a whole lot more fun!).

For the record, I’m obsessed with the B-52s and their pure radiation of goodness. Kate Pierson has been my muse ever since I read Michael Stipe’s quote in Sassy magazine that she “hung the moon.” (She totally did.)

Over the years, I’ve had a portfolio career across many creative outlets—music performance and teaching, jewelry design, graphic and web design, museum store buying and merchandising, and more. Once upon a time, The New York Times even called my little DC shop “not to miss.” I’m at my best when I get to play, make art, and help people at the same time. The Fab Lab is the dream I didn’t even know I had—until it came true.

Love, Allison