Many years ago, people always learned to sew by hand. However, with the invention of the sewing machine, many people go right to this method. Although there are ways in which using a sewing machine is easier than sewing by hand, it can be dangerous if you don’t know the basics of sewing machine safety.
As long as you follow these safety rules, you can relax and enjoy learning to use a sewing machine to make all kinds of products. Continue reading to learn the rules for sewing machine safety and other tips to keep in mind when you are sewing.
When you are using a sewing machine, you should follow these important safety tips. It can be a rewarding endeavor as long as you stay safe.
- Set your work space up correctly.
- Always keep your eye on the needle.
- Unplug the sewing machine when you change the feet.
- Unplug the sewing machine when you clean it.
- Make sure that you are using the correct needle at all times.
5 Sewing Machine Safety Rules for Beginners
When you are using a sewing machine, you need to take care to make sure that you are safe and don’t suffer an injury. Follow these five safety rules to have a positive experience when you sew
1. Choose a Safe Setup for Your Workspace
It is important to set your workspace up safely so that you have the lowest likelihood of suffering an injury. You want to have everything within arm’s reach, while also making sure that you won’t accidentally knock anything over.
You should have one table with your sewing machine on it. Make sure the table is clear, and have a chair at a comfortable height. Then, set another table behind the chair. The second table is at standing height so that you can stand while you cut and iron.
You need to make sure that you don’t have electrical cords running across the floor because you can trip on them. You can also pull a hot iron or the sewing machine off if you trip over it. It can be very dangerous if a hot iron or a sewing machine falls on someone.
2. Always Keep Your Eye on the Needle
The next sewing machine safety rule is to always watch the needle. This is particularly important for beginners. If anything distracts you while you are sewing, you should take your foot off the pedal first. This will cause the needle to stop moving, and you can resume as soon as you are focused again.
When you are working on the sewing project, make sure that there is a minimum of one inch between your fingers and the needle. Your fingers will feed the fabric into the machine, and you don’t want to get your finger or hand caught.
3. Unplug the Sewing Machine When You Change the Feet
It is very important to unplug your sewing machine when you change the presser feet. You don’t want to hit the pedal by mistake and hurt yourself. It is very important because if you hit the pedal, you could cause the needle to go into your finger.
In addition, you should make sure that the sewing machine is unplugged when you finish. You should never leave your sewing machine plugged in when you aren’t actively working with it.
4. Unplug the Sewing Machine When You Clean it
Another important sewing machine safety rule is to unplug it before you clean it. Part of cleaning your sewing machine is opening up the bobbin case, and your hands will be in the area where the needle is. You should never do this until you unplug your sewing machine.
5. Make Sure That You Are Using the Correct Needle at All Times
You need to use the needle that is the right size and type for your sewing machine. Your sewing machine will come with a guide that lets you know what kinds of needles you can use. You may be limited to very specific needles, or you might have more options. Either way, use one that is the right size and type for your machine and your project.
Injuries That Can Come From a Sewing Machine
When you practice sewing machine safety, you are taking steps to avoid different injuries that can happen when using a machine. There are a number of injuries that you can suffer when you are using a sewing machine.
The most common is sewing through your finger. The needles in a sewing machine are absolutely sharp enough to go through your finger, and you can really hurt yourself if this happens. This is why you should always be completely focused on the needle when you are sewing.
Another potential injury can happen if the needle snaps off and part of it hits you in the face, or even worse, if it hits you in the eye. This can happen if you sew over a pin or some other hard object. You can wear glasses when you sew to protect your eyes.
One of the reasons why you always need to make sure that your cords are not in the way is because you can trip over it. This can cause the machine to possibly fall off the table, or you can get hurt from falling.
If you don’t keep track of the pins as you remove them, you can lose one, and you might step on it. They are very sharp and you might need a tetanus shot if this happens. You should wear shoes and have a pin box to place the pins in to avoid this injury.
Another injury that happens is that people swallow pins. Some people put the pins in their mouths when they are sewing, and you could accidentally swallow it. This could lead to a need for surgery. You should always have a box or a pin cushion available for your pins, and keep them out of your mouth.
What Should You Have in Your Sewing Room?
In addition to setting up your sewing room safely, there are certain items you should have to make it safer and easier to use. You need to have excellent lighting. In addition to a soft light that keeps the entire room well lit, you will want to have task lighting available for all of your close up work.
Another way to improve your sewing room is to have good storage solutions. You will want a place to store your fabrics, and you can get storage drawers for your other supplies. The more organized your sewing room is, the fewer distractions you will have.
You can also set up an idea board for your projects. This is a great way to brainstorm. You can pin up different fabrics to see how they look together. You might want to have a calendar and mirrors in the room, and you will want to have files for your patterns.
In Summary
Many people enjoy sewing, but you need to practice sewing machine safety when you do. By following five simple rules, you greatly reduce your risk of injury. A sewing machine may not be the most dangerous machine you will use, but you can get hurt if you aren’t careful.
