Evaluation
STORAGE AND HEALTH AND
SAFETY ISSUES DISTANT STITCH Module 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
and 6
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 pinboard 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
is heeded and gloves are worn 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 are 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 is 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.
·
When different thickness of
threads/cords are being used it is important to consider the use of different
machine feet, e.g. cord or braid foot to ensure
easier and safer sewing takes place. The use of drinking straws on the
thread, placed either side of the machine foot, also maintains more accurate
positioning of the thread through to the needle.
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.
·
Test iron a small sample of
fabric if you are not sure of its fibre content
·
If using steam be aware
this can cause burns
·
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. In
Module 5 I was specifically tasked to burn/melt fabric so for this exercise I
had a container of water on the work surface so that items could be dropped in
to prevent flames becoming unmanageable.
As
I progress through the course I will add notes to this report that identify
concerns and actions taken.
Time spent on Module 6
- 219 hours spent
- over 92 days giving average of 2.44 hours a
day.
- Of the total time taken 50% has been spent on
resolved sample chapter 11
Records Spending
|
Module
6
|
Supplier
|
Cost
|
Amount
used
|
Cost
for module 4
|
|
Item
|
|
|
|
|
|
A4
Sketchbook
|
W H Smith
|
|
|
5.99
|
|
Beads/threads
|
stock
replacement cost
|
|
7.65
|
|
Fabric
and dye
|
stock
replacement cost
|
|
32.53
|
|
Soluble
fabric/paper
|
|
28.55
|
|
14.00
|
|
Reference
books
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sub
total stock for module
|
|
|
|
60.17
|
|
From
previous purchases
|
|
|
|
|
|
Glue
sticks
|
|
|
one third
|
1.00
|
|
Double
sided tape
|
|
|
two third
|
2.66
|
|
sugar
paper
|
|
|
|
2.37
|
|
Printing
inks
|
Cartridge
save
|
|
15%
|
15.00
|
|
Printing
paper
|
|
|
|
1.25
|
|
Metallic
crayons
|
|
2.29
|
one third
|
0.75
|
|
A 3
Portfolio
|
|
|
|
3.25
|
|
Subtotal
|
|
|
|
26.28
|
|
Total
Module 6
|
|
|
|
£86.45
|
·
Books, websites and references, exhibitions
Sources of inspiration,
A Complete Guide to Creative
Embroidery- Design, Textures, Stitch
Jan Beany & Jean Littlejohn, B T
Batsford Ltd, Publisher
Surfaces for Stitch, Gwen Hedley, B T
Batsford Ltd, Publisher
Mary Thomas’s Dictionary of Embroidery
Stitches, Brockhampton Press
Machine Embroidery Stitch Techniques,
Valerie Campbell Harding Pamela Watts,
Batsford
Previous Modules Workbooks from Distant
Stitch, Sian Martin
The Geology of Auchernach, James E
Smith, Stevenson Buchan, Arthur G Hutchinson, Milne & Hutchinson, Aberdeen
Ordnance Survey Maps
National Library of Scotland
Television BBC Maps
-Power Plunder Possession Professor Jerry Brotton
