tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302142022228564326.post376975662373085455..comments2023-07-25T11:48:39.285-04:00Comments on The Free Motion Quilting Project: Is your sewing space toxic?Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03674869334249298532noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302142022228564326.post-892884093405155922014-07-24T16:11:28.322-04:002014-07-24T16:11:28.322-04:00The fillers and finishes on new cloth can be highl...The fillers and finishes on new cloth can be highly toxic for some. They can also cause uneven stitches and gunk up your needle. Best practice is to wash and dry all cotton fabrics before they enter the sewing space. I use hot water and a hot dryer, mild soap like Orvus paste. <br />This is not practical for your commercial operation. You might want to look into commercial cutting solutions. Also, packing materials can outgas chemicals. External storage for your goods and supplies might be wise. Whatever you have in the air downstairs is contaminating your home and child. We love you guys and need you all to be healthy!RGal 50https://www.blogger.com/profile/15727699836231692953noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302142022228564326.post-37017379345572771832014-07-21T14:27:28.596-04:002014-07-21T14:27:28.596-04:00Wow, this is definitely something I hadn't tho...Wow, this is definitely something I hadn't thought much about at all!! Thanks for posting this reminder and info. Laurahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09484580635886199686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302142022228564326.post-76275153546571698822014-07-20T21:02:16.799-04:002014-07-20T21:02:16.799-04:00Also, please check your basement air for radon. ...Also, please check your basement air for radon. Radon causes lung cancer and if you are in your basement hours on end sewing sucking in radon, that is not good either. But the key to diffusing radon is also air circulation, which it sounds like you are doing. Lorrainehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14649399998160803340noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302142022228564326.post-83024671028172954162014-07-19T23:48:40.016-04:002014-07-19T23:48:40.016-04:00Thanks for a great post, Josh. This is also great...Thanks for a great post, Josh. This is also great information to take into consideration when renovating a space. Closed storage is a great idea for limiting spaces for dust to accumulate. If we want to see our stuff, we can always consider glass-front cabinets. One of these days, we'll get our basement done (which is where my sewing room is and will continue to be). I have my Mom and Dad's antique china cabinet and plan to use it for fabric storage. It's a sentimental piece and the closed, glass-front storage will be great for fabric and other things I store in it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302142022228564326.post-34336110278815130502014-07-19T10:25:29.129-04:002014-07-19T10:25:29.129-04:00Great input about an impt issue. Like you, Josh, ...Great input about an impt issue. Like you, Josh, I'm sensitive We have a huge HEPA furnace filter. My sewing room on our main floor has better air circulation. But my longarm, 2ndary cutting table & batting are in the basement. I use a microfiber dust mop on the concrete floor. A vac just picks up all that dust & blows it out the back end again. I need to dust the concrete block walls more often, tho.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09792199073694986034noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302142022228564326.post-78354627542915343442014-07-16T18:40:05.916-04:002014-07-16T18:40:05.916-04:00I use an electric leaf blower and it is fabulous t...I use an electric leaf blower and it is fabulous to get all of the dust. I also do not use any pledge, etc on my surfaces as it makes the dust stick worse. I use canned air to blow out from under the cabinets at the end of the day, then I have a robotic vacuum that I turn on and it gets all that is floating on the floor. <br /><br />Love the idea of using a filter and a box fan.. will be giving that a try. <br /><br />I don't like aerosol starch either. I have been making my own from sta flo concentrate and a repurposed spray bottle. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04384853249910042611noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302142022228564326.post-20958880413308065332014-07-16T16:44:11.001-04:002014-07-16T16:44:11.001-04:00I have a Honeywell Air Cleaner in my room. I see h...I have a Honeywell Air Cleaner in my room. I see how much dust is in the air every time I wash the filter. It is astonishing. Great topic to shed light on. Thank you for all your wisdom.Themeltladyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08587298736550850376noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302142022228564326.post-18197939297938522592014-07-16T16:03:18.120-04:002014-07-16T16:03:18.120-04:00My husband and I have owned a heating and air cond...My husband and I have owned a heating and air conditioning business for over 30 years. One of the best things you can do is keep the furnace filter clean. If you can afford a high efficient air cleaner for your furnace, I would highly recommend it. Another thing anyone with central heat/or air can do is turn the fan switch on the thermostat to the "on" position. This will circulate the air in the entire house through the filter all the time and is very inexpensive to operate. A bonus is that you will feel cooler in the summer. Stand alone filtration systems cannot filter air that is not passing through them and most have a limited range.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11347879658186854095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302142022228564326.post-13792013319195756722014-07-16T14:12:48.007-04:002014-07-16T14:12:48.007-04:00Great post! I have never seen this addressed befor...Great post! I have never seen this addressed before. Thank you for a timely reminder to clean. And I'll have to try the dust mask when I cut fabric.Lisa Ehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08223393910300108218noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302142022228564326.post-80320260896103650292014-07-16T09:29:36.700-04:002014-07-16T09:29:36.700-04:00Hi Sarah - I've actually always used the Niaga...Hi Sarah - I've actually always used the Niagara in the spray bottle because I hate aerosol cans. So most like Josh and Dad aren't reacting to propellant or chemicals from the starch, but from the dust being kicked up by the fabric.Leahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03674869334249298532noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302142022228564326.post-49765413081482600752014-07-15T23:48:21.209-04:002014-07-15T23:48:21.209-04:00Thank you for this interesting post, Josh. Not som...Thank you for this interesting post, Josh. Not something I'd ever really thought about. My studio is upstairs with windows and a ceiling fan (that could use some dusting now that I look at it!), so I think the pollen coming in the window probably bothers me more, but I never considered the dust while cutting and sewing. Just curious - do you use the non aerosol Niagara? I wonder if it's the propellant or actual starch. Do you react to homemade starch, like vodka starch? I use that for cost and to avoid aerosol, but just did a quick search and see Niagara offers a regular spray bottle version which I wasn't aware of. Sarah @ Berry Barn Designshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16345151888451657055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302142022228564326.post-86812011246325681752014-07-15T23:03:58.496-04:002014-07-15T23:03:58.496-04:00Very good post. I have a sewing room upstairs. ...Very good post. I have a sewing room upstairs. I find if I pickup when Iam done for the day, i am more productive the next day. I cover my machines to help keep the dust down there. We have ceiling fans to citculatr the air. Thanks again. I follow your and Leah's post daily. LAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04672072686517040055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302142022228564326.post-64397355504591204492014-07-15T13:20:53.018-04:002014-07-15T13:20:53.018-04:00I have found after a heavy cutting session I use t...I have found after a heavy cutting session I use the vac with the dusting brush them wipe off flat surfaces with a wet wash cloth. It picks up much more residue. Also we clean the furnace and change filters every 4 weeks even though they are 90 day filters. I also wash all the fabric that comes in the house to get the excess lint out before I cut it. Allergies to dust and dyes are a problem in my house. The only other thing I do is leave ceiling fans running all the time to make air circulate Summer and Winter. We live in the middle of a farm field and along a river that has it's own dirt to deal with. Way of life. Cleaning is on going. Chris Sewing Junkiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16848603221577664193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302142022228564326.post-43211042921995731192014-07-15T12:46:44.874-04:002014-07-15T12:46:44.874-04:00Monica, Leah uses Niagara starch spray, and that i...Monica, Leah uses Niagara starch spray, and that irritates my nose almost like nothing else. Thanks for the tips! The "clean desk" policy is definitely something Leah and I need to work on.<br /><br />Andrea, glad to hear your husband takes care of that for you. When I vacuum, I wear a respirator--also when I mow the yard. It makes a huge difference. I'm working on convincing Leah to wear a respirator when she cuts fabric!<br /><br />Leah's dad Max and I just got back from the hardware store, with three box 20" fans and three 20" house filters. We're going to make a blow-out system for our back door with leftover lumber. Will post again with photos of the system once we make it.Josh Dayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12558573851875174188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302142022228564326.post-7978118250283083622014-07-15T12:39:48.323-04:002014-07-15T12:39:48.323-04:00This is actually something that is HUGELY overlook...This is actually something that is HUGELY overlooked. Good for you! I'm also sensitive to dust & other airborne things, so my husband does the vacuuming on a schedule. My sewing room is in the basement and with an old carpet, but we rent. :( We have spoken to the landlord about replacing the carpet and he's up for it. We just have to schedule it. And clear out my stuff! Yikes. <br /><br />That's a huge job and it does take time (and away from sewing time) but even notice what dust collects on the top of the sewing machine. I don't cover mine; I probably should.Andrea Rhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10555940591810773230noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302142022228564326.post-26956771060219057922014-07-15T12:29:19.916-04:002014-07-15T12:29:19.916-04:00Great post, Josh, and a good head's up! I am a...Great post, Josh, and a good head's up! I am also very allergic, and sensitive to the chemicals in fabrics as well. It may be the size and dye in the fabrics that makes you sneeze, rather than the dust.<br /><br />I pre-wash all my fabrics, and they are stored in closed bins in a separate room in the basement. I also have managed over time to make closed-door storage for everything in my sewing area, so nothing is on open shelves. And I keep a "clean desk" policy from my days in banking, so everything is put away at the end of the day.<br /><br />And, I just bought a Dyson cordless vacuum, which is awesome. My room has never been so clean!<br /><br />Good luck with your reno. :)Monicahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12224346283881001640noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302142022228564326.post-49008732250125002542014-07-15T12:27:25.575-04:002014-07-15T12:27:25.575-04:00Wow. Something I've never thought about . . ....Wow. Something I've never thought about . . .Lisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04818955996580088733noreply@blogger.com