This is for the attention of the mum's of children attending lessons or will be attending in the future. Also for the children/students themselves.

Your safety is my priority.

I want you to enjoy your sewing so I have listed a few do's and don'ts to hopefully ensure accident's don't happen. This is mainly for the children's lessons as they are not aware of potential hazards. Adults attending lessons will already know potential hazards and know that these are common sense practices.

Please bring a pair of clean indoor shoes to change into. We can't have wet or muddy shoes on the foot pedal of the sewing machine - water and electricity dont mix! It also helps to keep the carpets clean for the Wedding Dress fittings that I do. Outdoor shoes often have big chunky soles/heels and you won't be able to get the feel of the sewing machine foot pedal especialy as you have to control it for the speed. Indoor shoes will be flat and will have a thinner sole, so you have more control. The soles should be thick enough that a pin will not penetrate if trod on.

If you don't wear indoor shoes there is a chance that you could tread on a stray pin!

Sorry girls, getting your finger pricked by a pin or needle is inevitable when sewing, it happens to me quite often. The more you sew the more it happens and there's not much you can do to prevent it. Just make sure that all traces of blood have gone before you handle your fabric, you don't want your masterpiece getting ruined.

Do not thread the needle of the sewing machine while the machine's power is switched on. You may accidently put your foot on the pedal which will make the needle go down, and if your finger is in the way it will go into your finger. Be warned!

Do keep your fingers well away from the sewing machine needle as you are sewing, so as not to catch your fingers under the needle!

If hand sewing, do not leave a sewing needle laying around, keep it somewhere safe. Don't put it in the pin pot. I usualy thread it through the reel of thread I am working with.

If you drop a pin on the floor pick it up straight away and put it in the pin pot.

Do not walk around while holding scissors.

Do not place scissors or pots of pins on your fabric when you are cutting out or working with it, because when you move the fabric, they will fall on the floor or on you!

Do not put scissors or pot of pins on the sewing machine or in front of it as they could fall into your lap. Keep them to the right hand side of your machine.

Chairs: do sit properly in your chair - no swinging from side to side as you could have an accident.

Do not sit on the tables.

Do not move the sewing machine yourself, I will do this for you.

Any overlocking required is always done by myself. The machine has a small blade on it, and is always unplugged when not in use. Most of the overlocking I do is not in lesson time. 

If pressing of fabric/seams/finished items are required I mainly do this. Most of the ironing done is not in lesson time. Occasionaly an older girl (age 14 + ) is allowed to use the iron as long as she has done it at home. Anyone younger than 14yrs will not be allowed to use it.

Everyone, please familiarise yourself with the above.

Please do not be put off by the do's and don'ts, I am not an ogre I am just looking out for you. Our sewing lessons are happy and enjoyable.