- Storage and Health and Safety
- Records Time
- Records Spending
- Books and references used
- Authentication
STORAGE AND HEALTH AND SAFETY ISSUES DISTANT STITCH
Module 1, 2 , 3 and 4 ( new additions turquoise
for Module 4)
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....this is now work in progress for Mike!
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. Oil pastels need to be used with care as crumbs seem to migrate over any work surface- ensure a complete wipe down of all work space is undertaken if you want to avoid 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.
Tips for sewing:
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.
As
I progress through the course I will add notes to this report that identify
concerns and actions taken.
RECORDS
Time 151.5 hours were recorded for this module. I was rather surprised as it felt like alot more! I think it occupied my thoughts rather more than previous chapters and I posssibly forgot to record some days! A total of 33 weeks were taken and 72 days were worked giving an average time each day of just 2.10 hours.
RECORDS
Spend
| Module
4 |
Supplier |
Cost |
Amount used |
Cost for module 4 |
| Item |
|
|
|
|
| A4 Sketchbook |
W H Smith |
5.99 |
|
5.99 |
| Beads/threads |
stock replacement cost |
|
4.80 |
| Fabric and dye |
stock replacement cost |
|
6.30 |
| Sub total stock for module |
|
5.99 |
|
17.09 |
| From previous purchases |
|
|
|
|
| Glue sticks |
|
2.99 |
one third |
1.00 |
| Double sided tape |
|
3.99 |
one third |
1.33 |
| Cartridge paper |
|
|
display kept |
|
| Printing inks |
Cartridge save |
59.18 |
5% |
3.00 |
| Printing paper |
W H Smith |
quarter |
|
1.25 |
| Presentation folders A2 |
Amazon |
9.97 |
one third |
3.32 |
| A3 |
Amazon |
3.25 |
one third |
1.08 |
| Threads |
|
completed |
4.20 |
| Total Module 4 |
|
|
|
£28.07 |
BOOKS AND REFERENCE
A b c of lettering, Carl Holmes, Walter Foster, Art
Books
The Knock News Issue 66
Cover to Cover, Shereen La Plantz
Creating Handmade books, Alisa Golden, Sterling
Altered Books, Holly Harrison, Rockport
Alphabet Album, Jeanette Stone Crews, Leisure Arts
The Book of Kells, described by Sir Edward Sullivan,
Studio Editions
Celtic Inspiration for Machine Embroiderers, Valerie
Campbell Harding & Maggie Grey, Batsford
The Encyclopaedia of Papercraft techniques, Paul
Jackson, Headline
Step by Step Encyclopaedia Needlecraft, Judy Brittain,
Ebury Press
Exhibitions
Love and Devotion – From Persia
and Beyond Bodleian Library, Oxford
Websites
Research Artists
