Sewing Lab Safety Rules & Guidelines!

Sewing Notions

NEVER put pins in your mouth, use a pin cushion!

SHARP OBJECTS Keep shears and scissors closed when not in use! Pass sharp objects, handle first, to another person. Walk with blades pointing toward floor Do NOT try to catch if dropped!

Seam Rippers are sharp and can cut too! Cut away from you! Do NOT cut toward your other hand

Rotary Cutters Close Safety Latch EACH AND EVERY time you put cutter down! Handle replacement blades with care Don’t throw old blades directly in trash can – put in old case or wrap in heavy paper Cut away from your body

Rotary Cutters Always cut standing up ALWAYS USE A RULER! ALWAYS USE A ROTARY MAT! Keep fingers away from rulers edge

Correct Way to Rotary Cut

General Concerns Keep floor area clean to prevent accidents. Keep shoes on at all times – you do NOT want to accidentally step on pins & needles! Your sewing area must be CLEAN before leaving class.

Report ALL ACCIDENTS to Mrs. Fanning immediately! Any problems with the sewing machine – stop and ask for help. Do not try to keep sewing, the problem will not just go away.

Ironing Rules

Only touch an iron on the handle! Keep your fingers and face away from the steam.

Ironing Concerns Rest the iron on its heel, not flat down on its soleplate. Turn the iron OFF at the end of class!

Sewing Machine Safety Rules

Always use SLOWWWW speed when learning to sew! Keep your fingers away from the needles!

Do not lean your face too close to the machine – just in case a needle should break. Remove pins before sewing over them.

Serger Rules

Never sew over pins with a serger – the cutting blade could cut the pins causing damage to machine and injuring you! Always use the correct needle. Do not pull or push fabric while stitching. This could cause the needle to break.

Instead of using pins to hold fabric together – use a glue stick or basting stitches.

Keep fingers away from needle and ALL moving parts!

Electrical Concerns

Unplug electrical equipment by the plug – NEVER by the cord!

NEVER operate equipment that has frayed cords! Place all electrical cords out of the way so it isn’t a tripping hazard.

All electrical equipment must be turned OFF and UNPLUGGED before you leave the classroom! Make sure equipment is OFF before changing needles or any other parts.

DO NOT SET WATER OR LIQUIDS NEAR ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT! ELECTROCUTION!

DRYER & WASHING MACHINE SAFETY

Keep flammable type liquids that could explode away from the laundry area! DO NOT WASH items that are spotted, cleaned, or soaked in gasoline, wax, paint, or other flammable liquids. HAND WASH those items and AIR DRY!

DO NOT reach into washing machine if basket is spinning or agitator is moving! Use detergents and laundry aids ONLY AS INTENDED! READ DIRECTIONS!

FIRE! Clean lint filter before and after drying each load Clean back of dryer where lint can become trapped! DO NOT dry items that have come in contact with flammable substances! They can IGNITE!!!

Keep dryer door closed at ALL times Keep dryer door closed at ALL times! (small children and animals find the dryer to be a fun hiding place – DANGEROUS!)

WATER HEATER Set temperature no higher than 120 degrees Fahrenheit Keep area around water heater free of combustible & flammable materials If water heater has not been used in two weeks or longer – turn on and run ALL hot water faucets for several minutes – This allows dangerous gases (hydrogen) to escape!

KEEP LAUNDRY AREA FREE OF COMBUSTIBLE & FLAMMABLE MATERIALS!!!!

SAFE & HAPPY SEWING!