STORAGE AND HEALTH AND SAFETY ISSUES DISTANT STITCH
Module 1
As the course is taking place in my home the following
three criteria have influenced the following decisions regarding storage and
health and safety issues:
- My own convenience and safety
- The convenience and safety of my family, and friends who may visit
- The well being of the environment in which I live – a remote rural
location where we have a private water supply and septic tank. I endeavour to recycle paper,
fabrics and am know for collecting
‘thrums’- waste threads in Scotland - from not only my own work but our
monthly sewing groupies inevitable come armed with bags of their thrums
for me. In trying to maintain a low carbon footprint car use is considered
carefully and as craft suppliers are a sixty mile drive away I do use the
internet! But again I try to look to my collection first before pressing
the order button!
I maintain two work areas:
- a wet area within the garage, where there is easy access to water
- a dry area in an upstairs study where there is access to a computer/printer
and sewing machine, threads, fabric, books and sketch pads/pencils. My
ironing area is in another part of the house
As an excuse for my hoarding tendencies I need to have
a variety of storage options.
With grateful thanks to Mike who not only allowed me a
space within ‘his domain’ the garage, but also built the bench and shelves and
cut various boards and acrylic panes I have:
- a bench, 150 x 70 x 70cms
- stool
- two shelves
A series of three plastic containers for paints/printing
inks, fabric medium and stamp/mould making and adhesive materials allows easy,
visible access.
Rollers are hung on wall, brushes are kept in
containers and cutting tools are kept in original boxes.
A plastic sheet is used to cover work surface-
particularly useful when Mike is having a wood working day or when I have a
printing/painting day
Apron and shirt are hung for easy access
Dry Area
With great appreciation again to Mike for making me
three mobile tables and a bookshelf I am able to expand and contract the area I
take up relatively easily.
Storage is in colour blocks as we use the area for
living and like to keep it ‘attractive’:
- A series of glass cookie jars hold my threads, for sewing; separate
Kilner jars hold more varied weight threads; old glass sweetie jars hold
fabrics.
- A 4 ring binder sketch book to log my progress for upload onto blog
with A5 rough note pads at my side for thoughts and ideas
- A4 plastic display folders
hold Distant Stitch module chapter notes and templates made and not
included in sketch/log book
- A3 plastic display folders hold papers and fabrics that have been
printed for project
The
key concerns that have arisen when undertaking Module One include:
Ensuring
that I work in a space that is:
·
light, well aired
·
cables for any equipment
are well concealed reducing any hazard when moving around the work area
·
all items to be used on the
specific part of the project are close to hand
·
and, take regular breaks to
help stop fatigue.
Dyes
and colourings:
My
main colouring agents have been:
·
acrylic and water colour
paints, pencils and
·
inks. Concerns on using an old set of inkjet
printer refills made me research the product and Appendix A gives the advice
that I followed. As the containers had
sharp ‘injection needles’ empty refills were disposed of at the local Doctors
Surgery where they have a ‘sharps disposal’ facility. Any other waste was disposed of away from the
water system.
·
Dylon fabric dye has been
used. The warning that it is an irritant
are heeded and gloves are warn when working with the dye. The fact that it can be an irritant to eyes,
might cause an allergic reaction and one should not breathe in the dust makes one vigilant while and after using the
dye. As the hints include the fact that
the dye may run after several washes I only use this dye on items that will not
be washed thereby ensuring no contaminated water gets into the water system. When mixing this dye I only make sufficient
quantity for immediate thereby reducing storage issues or waste disposal.
As I need to replace my stocks I have looked into more user friendly
items.
Cutting
implements:
§
Scissors – the work has
alerted me to the fact that my scissors are not particularly sharp!! I have found a person who will sharpen them
so hopefully not only will my cutting be easier but also more accurate.
§
Knives - The main concern
centred on my craft knife which was used on flat, stable surfaces with a
cutting board underneath the item. The
protective cover was replace as soon as any cutting had been completed
§
Seam ripper – While seemingly
innocuous this little implement is sharp and when used for cutting channels one
is exerting pressure and the cutting edge can slip off line so one should be
sure that they are treated with respect.
§
Sewing implements and
accessories, again simple things like pins and needles are stock and trade in
sewing but in the wrong position they can cause discomfort and wounds. To minimise risk of needles and pins dropping
into carpets or chairs I always have a pin/needle cushion to hand and tend to
‘count them out and count them back’ i.e I use glass topped pins and only have
the needles I need to hand.
Hot
Tools
§
domestic irons, this is in
a separate area and as well as using non stick baking parchment I have invested
in an ironing sheet to protect my ironing board.
§
soldering irons, this is
kept and worked with in the garage where
a work surface and stand are available and I am close to a source of
water.
Sewing the resolved sample
Time
A daily log was kept on excel, Chapter 11 certainly exceeded all other chapters! The summary below shows the tally.
Time
A daily log was kept on excel, Chapter 11 certainly exceeded all other chapters! The summary below shows the tally.
Tasks Admin Chap 1-3 4-6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Total
Hours 8 36 28.5 15 19 19 15 43 9 192.5
27 weeks Average hours a week 7.13
71 days Average hours a day 2.71
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Module 1 | Supplier | Cost | Amount used | Cost for module 1 |
| Item | ||||
| Bondaweb | Rainbow silks | 10.35 | half | 5.15 |
| Brusho | Rainbow silks | 10.50 | replacement | |
| Stationery Double sided tape | WH Smiths | 3.99 | third | 1.83 |
| A3 File | ' | 5.29 | half filled | 2.65 |
| A4 Sketchbook | ' | 4.49 | 4.49 | |
| Printing paper | ' | 4.99 | half | 2.50 |
| Silky threads | Just Sew | 11.60 | tenth | 1.60 |
| Twin needle | Butterfly | 3.55 | stock | |
| Color Work, Deb Menz | Amazon | 12.08 | stock | |
| Printerinks | Cartridge save | 75.00 | quarter | 18.75 |
| Sub total stock and module | 141.84 | |||
| Total Module 1 | £36.97 |
BIBLIOGRAPHY and EXHIBITIONS Module One C & G
Certificate Three
Bonding and Beyond, Jan Beeney and Jean Littlejohn
The art of Cutoutwork and Applique, Herta Puls
The embroiderer’s workbook, Jan Messant
Sources of
Inspiration, Carolyn Genders, A & C Black London
Art and Inspiration, Michael James, C & T
Publishing
Color Works, Deb Menz, Interweave
Encyclopaedia of Needlework, TH De Dillmont, DMC
Library
Good Housekeeping Step by Step Encyclopaedia of
Needlecraft, Judy Brittain, Ebury Press
Celtic Art the method and construction, George Bain,
Constable – London
Celtic Inspirations for Machine Embroiderers, Valerie
Campbell & Maggie Grey, BT Batsford Ltd
Pieceful Scenes, Angela Madden, MCQ Publications
EXHIBITIONS
Tapestry- Four Voices, Peebles
Joan Baxter, John Brennan, Amanda Gizzi Elizabeth
Radcliffe
Leaving your Mark, Banchory Woodend Barn
Alison King and Rosemary Campbell
Make Lace not War
Power House, Sydney ,
Australia
Special interest Lenka Suchanet – Behind the scene but
a multitude of inspiring artists http://www.powerhousemuseum.com/lovelace/index.php/country/canada/lenka-suchanek-bobbin-lace
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