07 August, 2014

Sharp Advice!

Your sewing space is fraught with dangerous, sharp, objects; you already know that. We always think that we're exercising caution around our tools; but, as quilters, we're so accustomed to picking up and handling the rotary cutter that it's almost like an extension of our own hand. We use them without always thinking about the risk, we become mindless to the fact that we really are handling a rolling razor blade...herein lies the potential problem; believe me, I am just as guilty of this lack of respect for the rotary cutter as anyone else. I've learned something this week that has changed my thinking however, a lesson that will haunt me (and you, too) for a long time to come.

A friend dropped her rotary cutter last week, it innocently bumped (blade exposed) on the edge of  a table, causing her to lose her grasp on the handle, and ended up blade-side-down in the top of her foot, her bare foot.  What she thought was a superficial laceration has turned out to be much more. She has suffered a cut to a tendon; at this point she's not even sure if the tendon is severed, there's too much swelling to know that yet. In the meantime she is sidelined; immobilized and awaiting surgery with her foot elevated.  She's out of work while this waiting happens; adding insult to injury, quite literally.

I'm posting these three rules today as a warning. Why? Because this could happen to any one of us!
1.  Pay attention to your rotary cutter, only expose that cutting blade when you have your cutter poised over your fabric to make that one cut and then slide the guard back into position. Every. Single. Time.
2.  Wear shoes in your sewing space, real shoes... no more bare feet, sandals or flip-flops; it's not worth the risk.
3.  Clean up your sewing/cutting area frequently: you'd be amazed at how quickly those piles of accumulating scraps can obscure your workspace and cause you to lose sight of your rotary cutter or other sharp objects... if you can't see them you don't have control of them.

Develop a heightened awareness and exercise caution around all of your tools; remember: they stay sharp, especially when we don't!  Please join me in a prayer for complete and speedy healing for my friend; she is eager to get up on her feet and back to work soon.


Life is Good!

16 comments:

Quiltdivajulie said...

WELL SAID!!

Paula, the quilter said...

Thank you. I will proceed with caution.

LizA. said...

I'm faithful about #1 but #2 & 3.........

quiltkeemosabe said...

And don't forget to dispose of old blades properly, someway that the sharp edges are not able to cut anything! Another friend, gathering trash at a LQS, was seriously cut when the trash bag bumped against her leg....inside of the bag, an old blade that had just been tossed in with out being in a container or wrapped in layers of cardboard or paper and tape.
And make sure all fingers and finger tips are on top of the ruler away from the blade as you cut! My daughter's thumb is a little shorter these days, you know.

NanaNor's said...

Hi there, Good reminder; when I used to do Calligraphy, a friend cut her hand with an exacto knife.
Another area we need to watch is dropping pins-hubby is always concerned because if we, or a dog or grands, step on it it might break off into our foot.
Have a wonderful evening; praying for your friend right now.
Hugs,
Noreen

antique quilter said...

well said, I have a jar in my sewing room that I put old pins and rotary blades in then the jar lid gets placed on and screwed tight and disposed of. I was always more afraid of blades in the garbage after I saw a friend just toss the old one in her garbage.
thanks for all the tips,
Kathie

Kathy ... aka Nana said...

Wow! Scary! Thanks so much for the reminder.

AnnieO said...

Yikes, your poor friend! I have the habit of always closing my blade except for those few times I don't:). My used blades go into the plastic container that they come in--but I like Kathie's idea of a jar too. Good watchwords.

Janet O. said...

I am so sorry for your friend. Could have happened to any of us. Even if we think we are careful, we all have those careless moments, don't we?
Very good advice here, Mrs. G.
I hope all goes well for your friend.

Anne Heidi said...

That is so true, and we all need reminders! Hope your friend will recover soon.

Elita@Busy Needle Quilting said...

Oooooh, so sorry about your friend! All very good advice! As you say, we are so used to having the tools around and we know we're usually careful. It's still good to remind ourselves that they have inherent dangers. I hardly use those straight rotary cutters anymore because I think the the ergonomic curved ones that automatically close (unless locked open, which I almost never do)are safer & feel better. I usually have thick house shoes on but do slip one off to press on the foot pedal of my machine. As for cleaning up, I think that only happens when my mum comes to help. :D

Debbie Lou said...

Great reminders...we all need them. Thank you!

Quilt crazy said...

One additional warning; be extra careful on step stools. I was reaching for a block on my design wall and fell off a three step stool, breaking my tibia at knee. 3 months later I am just starting to walk again! Also be sure you have your phone nearby, especially if you are home alone!!

45th Parallel Quilter said...

May I please copy your blog on this subject for our guild newsletter? I think it is VERY well said and we are ALL guilty of being cavalier in our workspace at times. Good points Mrs. Goodneedle!

peg said...

Exactly. Same thing happened to me with one of those pressure sensitive cutters. The one where the blade is exposed when pressed. Yeah, pressed right on the top of my bare foot, right to the bone.

Lindah said...

Good advice; good rules. I usually kick off my shoes in the sewing room, but my bare feet tingle a warning when I pick up that rotary cutter.