Safe Working Procedures and Instruction
Textile Tools
The risk of injury when using this equipment is LOW - Level 1 Risk
The majority of tools used in the Textiles room are hand tools. The fact that the shape and
design of these tools has changed very little since their invention demonstrates their
efficiency and ease of use. These hand tools can be broken into FIVE major categories:
MEASURING TOOLS
Tape Measure:
A tape measure or measuring tape is a ribbon of cloth, plastic,
or metal with linear-measure markings, often in both imperial
and metric units. Tape measures intended for use in tailoring
or dressmaking are typically made of flexible cloth or plastic.
L - square Ruler:
The L - Square ruler is calibrated so that it can be used to
measure and set out distances at perfect right angles.
Ruler:
A ruler is the instrument used to rule and calibrated stick for
measurement is called a measure. However, common usage
is that a ruler is calibrated so that it can be used to measure
along distance markings along the edges.
Sewing Gauge:
A sewing gauge is a 6" ruler with a sliding marker that adjusts
to your desired measurement. It is handy in the marking of
hems, tucks, pleats, or button/buttonhole spacing.
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ONLY registered users of ‘OnGuard’ STP are permitted to copy this blackline master.
T-Square:
A T - Square is used for altering patterns, squaring off fabric
straight edges, and for locating cross grains on fabric
Yardstick:
A yardstick is a tool to measure distances up to three feet (a
yard). Most yardsticks are flat wooden boards with black
markings at regular intervals and metal tips. Many new
yardsticks have imperial units markings on one side (three
feet with inch and fractional inch) and metric units on the other
side (one meter with centimeter and millimeter) on the reverse
side.
MARKING TOOLS
Dressmakers Marking Wheel:
A small spiky wheel on the end of a handle. The wheel is used
with dressmaker's carbon paper to leave small carbon dots on
the fabric.
Dressmakers Pencil and Chalk:
Tailor chalk is used to mark on fabric and then is easily
brushed away. It is used for construction marking and fitting
alterations. Like any pencil, pencil chalk makes a thin,
accurate line used to mark pleats and buttonholes. The brush
end removes the chalk when finished.
CUTTING TOOLS
Dressmakers Shears:
These are large scissors with long blades used specifically to
cut fabric. They are designed to make long, even and straight
cuts.
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ONLY registered users of ‘OnGuard’ STP are permitted to copy this blackline master.
Embroidery Shears:
These are small scissors with tiny blades designed to cut
embroidery threads and tiny areas of fabric.
Pinking Shears:
Pinking shear blades are notched and mesh together to cut
fabric in a crisp zigzag pattern. Pinking shears can create a
decorative edge or help stop fabric from fraying. Some people
use their pinking shears on paper, fabric and other materials.
TOOLS FOR ASSEMBLING
Pins:
A pin is a device used for fastening objects or material
together. It is usually made of steel, and is formed by drawing
out a thin wire, sharpening the tip, and adding a head. They
are available in a variety of sizes.
Needles:
A needle for hand sewing has a hole at the non-pointed end to
carry thread or cord through the fabric after the pointed end
pierces it. Hand sewing needles have different names
depending on their purpose. Needle size is denoted by a
number on the packet. The convention for sizing is that the
length and thickness of a needle increases as the size
number decreases.
Thimble:
A thimble is a protective shield worn on the finger or thumb. It
helps to protect the finger from being cut or punctured by
needles and pins. Thimbles are most usually made from
metal, leather, rubber, wood, glass or china.
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Needle Threader:
A needle threader is used to aid the user in getting the thread
through the eye of hand sewing or machine needles.
Sewing Threads:
Needed for joining the fabric pieces together. They are
available in a wide range of colours and weight. Thread is
most commonly made from cotton, wool, silk and synthetic
fibre.
Unpicker:
An unpicker is a small tool used for unpicking stitches. The
most common form consists of a handle, shaft and head. The
head is usually forked with one side of the fork flattening out
and becoming a blade and the other side forming a small
point.
Awl:
An awl is made up of a wooden handle with a pointed, needle-
shaped piece of steel protruding from it. The handle is
typically round or cylindrical and fits in the palm of the users
hand. The awl is used in sewing to punch holes into fabric,
vinyl, or leather for keyhole buttonholes or eyelets.
Bodkin:
A bodkin is a tool shaped like a long, blunt needle. It is used
like a needle to thread elastic or cording through a casing or
large hole.
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ONLY registered users of ‘OnGuard’ STP are permitted to copy this blackline master.
Sewing Patterns:
Sewing patterns where developed so the home sewer could
create a desired garment with no knowledge of pattern
drafting. Commercial patterns come in an envelope with the
tissue pattern pieces inside.
DECORATING TOOLS
Embroidery Threads:
Embroidery is the art of decorating fabric or other materials
with designs stitched in strands of thread or yarn using a
needle. Embroidery may also incorporate other materials such
as metal strips, pearls, beads, quills, and sequins. These
threads are used to sew a design onto a piece of fabric. They
are available in a large range of textures and colours.
Identified Risks and Hazards
• Hazards that may arise when working with textile tools include:
§ moving and rotating parts
§ movement of the workpiece
§ cuts and puncture wounds to the hands
§ slip, trip and fall accidents
• Avoid boisterous behaviour; never run, always walk at a suitable pace.
• Watch where you are going – avoid bumping other students.
• Do not carry sharp tools or objects in your pockets.
• Wash your hands at the end of the lesson and after handling glues, acrylic
paints and other substances.
Operating Safety Precautions
• Hand tools are responsible for the majority of accidents in practical rooms. For
this reason there are a number of safety rules to be followed: -
• Never run or fool around in the work room.
• Carry cutting tools with the sharp edge pointing down.
• Keep your whole body behind the cutting edge of tools.
• Put all unused tools back in the storage rack where they belong.
• Use the correct tool for the correct purpose.
• Tools kept in good condition help produce a good accurate job.
• Always inform the teacher of damaged or blunt tools.
• Always remember that scissors can cut fingers easier than they cut fabric.
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ONLY registered users of ‘OnGuard’ STP are permitted to copy this blackline master.
