Monday, February 18, 2008

Fibers and lungs

So I have this ongoing issue with my materials. I often use velvet (or velvety) fabric on my plushies , especially when I use synthetic fabrics. There are always tiny tiny fibers that go flying everywhere . I've tried taping up the edges of the fabrics before I cut them , I've tried keeping a fan going to blow the particles away , I've tried wearing a dust mask (which works, except I get real tired of wearing it when sewing for hours on end) . It's not the biggest problem in the world , I guess, but it bothers me to look down and see my hands and clothes and work area literally covered in tiny cotton or polyester fibers . Does anyone else have this problem ?
What do you do about it?

12 comments:

bisbee stitches said...

so...nobody else has had to deal with this? really? maybe I'm doing something wrong:)

monda-loves said...

I always sneeze when I cut up felt. I don't think you'll ever get away from this though - until someone invents a wonder fabric. Maybe in the meantime, you can get an air purifier for your work space?

Monda
x

Weird Bug Lady said...

Oh yeah, the bits of fleece I release into the air get *everywhere* and cause me to sneeze. All the time. Not much I can do except try to wipe down my desk and mop the floor.

2 said...

maybe those rollers for clothes that collect lint and fluff and stuff would be useful, at least for the clean up afterwards?

pomly said...

I am constantly zipping around my house with the dustbuster. I think I've almost killed the motor on mine and may have to get a new one soon! I've been meaning to get an air purifier too... this is a good reminder.

Holly said...

yeah--I work with wool sweaters a lot and constantly have little wool fibers in my studio and I too worry about the impact on my lungs...I think a good air purifier is the way to go...in fact, think I am going to get one imminently because the idea of wearing a mask is very unpleasant to me and would make the whole softie making process a little too industrial feeling.

Caffaknitted said...

I find that with certain fabrics, like velvet, pinking shears can help. It definitely won't eliminate the problem entirely, and you'll need a good pair to cut through something that thick, but it will reduce the fraying and lint.

Absolutely Small said...

This problem drives me a little nuts, too. But masks drive me more nuts! I wonder how quickly air purifiers would clog up? Hmmmm...Sorry, I've got nothing useful at all to add!

robyn fabsits said...

There is a product I use on synthetic material that unravels really easy. It is called Fray Check made by Dritz. It can be found at any fabric store. It's a little bottle of liquid that you squeeze onto the edge of your fabric after you cut it and prevents it from fraying. Maybe this would work for you. I also use those sticky lint rollers. : ) Robyn

bisbee stitches said...

cool! A good air purifier is probably worth the investment . thanks for the comments.

Sarah said...

I have a BIG problem with this. I've only been making furry plushies since the beginning of the year, but I had some serious breathing problems for the first few weeks and developed quite a cough. I felt like my lungs were lined with fur. I've considered a mask as well, but haven't gotten one yet. I usually just try to do all my cutting on one day for lots of different animals and then spend a few days sewing. That way at least I'm not breathing in the fuzz everyday. I also do a lot of shearing on the edges of my fabric to reduce bulk for the sewing machine so there is just a ghastly amount of debris from that. It seems like an air purifier wouldn't help the immediate problem of inhaling the lint while cutting/sewing. Or am I wrong?

Anonymous said...

I vaccuum as I cut, especially if it's a very hairy fabric like fake fur. I use my full size Kenmore with no attachment on the end--it definitely snorts up any stray fibers, but you have to be careful you don't suck up your fabric too!

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