Administration Module 5
STORAGE AND HEALTH AND SAFETY ISSUES DISTANT STITCH Module 1, 2 , 3, 4 and 5 ( new additions red for Module 5)
STORAGE AND HEALTH AND SAFETY ISSUES DISTANT STITCH Module 1, 2 , 3, 4 and 5 ( new additions red for Module 5)
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!
STORAGE
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.
Wet Area
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
When cleaning paper making equipment ensure plug holes
have a filter system over the top in order that stray pulp does not block sink.
To ensure there is no cross contamination of colours occurs
when using containers that have dyed paper or fabric in them ensure that they
are covered when not in use.
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
Ease of access on
working samples
To ensure that materials for the project I am working
on are easily accessible I have made and covered two cardboard trays:
·
one for threads being used on project
·
one for fabric that could be useful in the project
and specifically for Module 2 were lots of pieces of
paper were used a plastic envelope for papers
·
a story board, serves as a billboard for each chapter
. Key pieces are kept on it for reference and inspiration
As I have progressed I have identified a
need for flat storage of A3/2 pinboards on which I lay ideas flat and
incorporate fabrics, threads and other items to 'play on' working through ideas
as I go along. Thank you Mike for your carpentry skills!
When starting work for the day read through
work sheets of the current chapter, plus the following chapter to ensure you
have all equipment and materials that will be needed close to hand, this not
only saves time but allows you to follow thoughts that come to mind. It is
worth considering what you will do if items are left over, e.g. dye – could
other threads, fabrics or papers be used to add to your stock cupboard or use
in later chapters of the Module. I find
it useful to have waste paper, fabric and threads to hand to experiment on
before doing something with ‘treasured’ pieces.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
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. When using inks ensure that the tops are
screwed on after each use in order to avoid spillage and contamination.
·
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. In
instances where too much has been made and I have insufficient material to dye
contacted Dylon who have informed me that it can be disposed of in our land
drains.
·
Bleach is toxic and should be used with great
care. It can not only damage clothes but
make an impact on the environment. When
used to lift colour from dyed fabric I placed a small amount on a china plate
to ensure no waste remained. It is
advised that your wear gloves when using bleach and work in a well ventilated
space. While I do have a face mask I was
able to open doors so did not use it in this instance. A little bleach goes a
long way so decant into small containers. When using bleach to take off colour
be aware that it takes a few moments to lift off colour so move along and don’t
over do it!
As I need
to replace my stocks I have looked into more user friendly items.
·
When using brusho powders sprinkle sparingly at first
and build up colour depth gradually.
Adhesives:
·
Glue sticks, sellotape, double sided tapes and
PVA is easy to use and apart from
ensuring it does not stick on work surfaces.
However, I have found that is best not to use PVA on typed paper and
place in sketch book as it diffuses and turns some images green!!!
·
When working with papers I have used a spray temporary
adhesive. This is a highly flammable
substance in a pressurised container and should be kept away from heat/flames
or electrical equipment that are in operation.
It should be used in a well ventilated space and in short bursts without
extended spraying.
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
·
Olfa Rotary cutter should be kept with black click
cover on, do this between each cut, do not place on fabric or table without
cover on when not in uses to ensure that it does not have sharp edge protruding. This can cause injury. When using to cut into
fabrics or papers it should be only used on stable surface and one should push
away from the body. When handing to other people ensure cover is on.
·
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:
·
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.
·
When working with beads maintain them in a lipped
container with velvet to help position them and avoided spillage on the floor.
·
Selected the relevant sewing needle for the task to
ensure that you do not strain fabric or your hand to pull it through the fabric
·
Sewing machine – to ensure smooth running of machine,
particularly when using frequently or running thick thread, it is important to
ensure that spool area is cleared of dust.
When sewing various layers or thickness of fabric loosing tension and
using a slow speed seems to be good practice. Ensure that needles are not blunt.
Module 5 Time Records
159 hours were worked over 75days making an average of 2.12 hours on days worked
Module 5 Supplier Cost Amount used Cost for module 5
Item
A4 Sketchbook W H Smith 5.99
Beads/threads stock replacement cost 4.80
Fabric and dye stock replacement cost 12.00
Reference books Amazon 12.00
Sub total stock for module 34.79
From previous purchases
Glue sticks one third 1.00
Double sided tape 3.99 two third 2.66
Cartridge paper display kept
Printing inks Cartridge save 15.0015% 5.00
Printing paper W H Smith 1.25
Presentation folders A2
A3 Amazon 3.25 1.75
Threads
Total Module 5 £46.45
Module 5 Reference and Publications
Reference book Sources
of inspiration, Carolyn Genders A & C Black
The Art of Manipulating Fabric, Colette Wolff Krause
The Constance Howard Book of Stitches, Batsford
The Embroiderer’s Workbook, Jan Messant, Batsford
Creative Embroidery Jan Beaney & Jean Littlejohn,
Batsford
Tucks & Textures Two, Jennie Rayment ,St Richards
Press
Tucks textures and pleat3, Jennie Rayment, St Richards
Press
No comments:
Post a Comment