Let’s
Review Quilting Safety
Are you like me? Mesmerized by the process of quilting...I get to working on a
project and ignore television, phone, cats wanting dinner, and the next thing
you know it’s tomorrow!
But
I try to quilt safely every day. As quilters, we handle potentially
dangerous tools in dangerous circumstances. We owe it to ourselves and to
those whom we teach to use the best safety practices.
So
let’s review some important quilting safety points:
Sharps
Rotary
cutters, scissors, pins, needles, and other sharp objects (metal or plastic)
are a constant hazard. Handle them all with respect. The best
safety tip for rotary cutting is to close the cutter every single time you make
a cut. If it helps you to use a cutter that closes automatically, that’s
a good solution for you. They drive me crazy. So I have accustomed
myself to pushing the blade protector closed every time I set it down.
I’m so used to it now that I’m uncomfortable if I don’t do it, just as when I’m
sitting in the car without my seat belt fastened.
Take
a class in rotary cutter care and feeding. It’s well worth the time and
it is essential for beginners.
I
keep close track of the pins and needles I’m using and account for them all
when I finish for the day. Don’t stick them in the chair arm. Use a
handy pin cushion or thread catcher. You will use fewer pins and get
stuck less often.
Invest
in a telescoping magnet to do a quick sweep of the floor around your chair if
you drop a pin (or think you have).
Use
a small plastic container for used/bent pins and needles. A prescription
pill bottle works great! When it is full, the whole thing can go in the
garbage without risking a stick.
Remember
to wrap rotary cutter blades for disposal, too.
Don’t
share needles with other quilters. A prick can leave blood on a needle
and exchange of body fluids is a bad idea.
Pets
I
used to have a cat who would pull pins out of the pin cushion with her teeth
and spit them out on the floor. So I got in the habit of tracking all
pins carefully and putting all pin cushions in cat-proof storage when not in
use. The first time I saw her do it I almost had a coronary.
Pet-proof
your quilting areas with as much care as you would for small children.
Cats are notorious for swallowing thread, which can cause a life-threatening
condition. Use zip-closing plastic bags to store thread and floss for projects
in progress, although don’t put textiles in sealed containers for long-term
storage.
“Ironing
and pets” is a bad combination. Large pets can knock over the whole
ironing board. Cats can – and will - jump up on the board and send the
iron flying. That dangling cord is a temptation for pets and kids.
And when you are ironing, be careful stepping backwards to go to the
construction area, as that sleeping or hungry pet behind you will cause a fall
or mutual injury.
Motors
and electricity
A
sewing machine needle is powerful. Ask anyone who has sewn through their
finger. I haven’t, but it’s my greatest fear in quilting. Use safe
practices to keep your fingers away from the needle. The needle shaft
also has things protruding from it that can pound your finger bloody.
I
never leave an iron plugged in, even if it is turned off. If the iron
falls to the floor and breaks open (that pet!), the coils inside can heat and
cause a fire. Never leave the house with the washer or dryer
running.
Irons
use more amperage than you think, and more than other small appliances.
It’s best to plug an iron into a circuit by itself. Using electrical
gadgets that require more amperage than the circuit supplies is a recipe for
overheated wiring and fire in the wall. Ask for advice from a
professional if you have questions. Each electrical appliance has the
required voltage and amperage printed on it. Make a list of the items you
normally use at one time and add up the amperes required. If you’re
setting up a quilting room or studio, get professional advice on how many circuits
of what capacity you need.
Ergonomics
Invest
some time in reading about ergonomics for quilters and determining the best
height and placement for your cutting and sewing surfaces. Take frequent
chocolate breaks, rather, stretching breaks and walk around to give all those
muscles a chance to operate. There are so many options for quilters with
regard to chairs, frames, tables, and tools that you can find the right
combination to let you quilt for hours without one sore moment!
Shopping
In
addition to using safe practices for handling your credit/debit cards and money
(to avoid identity theft and maybe avoid overspending…) be sure to safely lift
those 10 bolts you are taking to the cutting table. Bend your
knees! Use a cart or a helper. During a great sale, if you wrest a
bolt out of another quilter’s hands, give her/him fair warning and plant your
feet firmly. Don’t twist.
Be
aware of your surroundings whenever walking to and from your car. It’s
always better to shop with a friend. Put purchases out of sight in your
car; if thieves see bags of new items in your car they will break in,
regardless of the contents.
Summary
It
is easy to get excited about starting a new project or finishing a UFO!
That’s when safety takes a holiday and you become at risk for quilting-related
injuries. Maximize your enjoyment and productivity by planning for
safety. The easiest way to remember safe practices is to say to yourself,
“How would I teach a child to do this task right now?” and then follow your own
good advice.
