Wednesday, November 11, 2015

The Most Important Post You'll Read This Week


This was the picture I posted to Instagram right before it happened. I had gotten all the patterns to work just right with the piecing. I was so excited, and so happy! 



I was using a ruler, and had quilted all the way to the right in my design. I was moving back to the left, echoing the same lines. It was an awkward position. It was nearly 6 p.m., and I'd been working most of the day trying to finish. Dinner was in the refrigerator, and I was wondering if my husband would be mind if I skipped it to finish this quilt. I was SO close to being finished. (Can you hear yourself saying this stuff?) I knew what needed to go where, and some designs mirrored each other, and...

BANG!

It happened!

Some things happen so quickly you 
don't see them coming. 

Accidents happen in your sewing room and studio. We work with sharp blades, needles, pins, and power tools with moving parts, not to mention hot irons. We hurry, we multi-task, and we don't pay attention. I'm not here to point fingers at anyone--mine is much to sore to do that, but I am here to ask you what your emergency plan is. Do you have one?

Emergency Plan: 3 people I can call for help

Don't snicker at my finger thinking it will never happen to you. I have to honestly say this isn't the first time a finger got in the way. I've had multiple flesh wounds this year, but the longarm has increased my risk for serious injury. I had a plan in place after the last bad one, and I did follow it.

My cell phone is always nearby. It should be on your person, or easily accessible. You should not have to walk across the room to get it. Mine was on the table beside me.

Who will you call? If it is an emergency, call 911. I had a friend take off the end of her finger with a rotary cutter once. There was a lot of blood. It happens. I remember as a young child my mother sewed the needle through her finger. She was stuck at the machine, and I went for help. It happens.

If it is a minor accident, do you have a First Aid Kit in your studio? Is it up to date with enough Band Aids, chemical ice packs, etc.? I can't tell you the Band Aids I got through with longarm pins. (For those of you who are curious, thank Heaven I didn't bleed on that quilt!)

Do you know basic first aid? 

Do you have a current Tetanus shot? 

I didn't actually see my accident happen. What's that tell you? I was looking at the clock trying to make a decision, I felt the pain, and grabbed my finger to apply pressure. Seriously, I was too afraid to look at all, and immediately called family for help. Then I sat down so I didn't pass out. This turned into one of those sleep-in-the-chair-all-night-with-ice-packs-for-the-pain kind of night. It could have been much worse. I got off lucky.

Most of us care for other people, and we know what to do when someone else is hurt. We need to consider what we should do, and who we should call when we need help ourselves. Often we are the only one home. Be a good Scout, and Be Prepared. Think about what you need, and who will call if you do have an accident. And I hate to be the pessimist, but....it happens.

Come on, Doxie girls.
Let's go sew, and be more careful this time.


Linking up with~

19 comments:

Carole @ From My Carolina Home said...

You had a good plan, and lucky you weren't sewn to your longarm. One more idea from our longarm group, keep a set of hemostats hanging on the longarm in case you need to break a needle to remove it if the machine jams with the needle through your finger. Good tips, and even though hard to read, it is important information. Thank you for sharing your pain, hope you are better soon.

Deb Chimes said...

Ouch!! I haven't had this happen to me but your post reminds me to be careful. I wish you a speedy recovery.

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

All I could think as I looked at your photo was "Ow, ow, ow!" Hope you heal quickly and thanks for the reminder to be careful!

Marjorie's Busy Corner said...

Heavens!!!! It can happen to anyone,,,feel better

Catarina C said...

Oh, poor you, it isn´t nice at all when such things happens. Hope you gett well soon!

Hugs Catarina

Ruth said...

Ouch- hope it heals up quick!

Kate said...

Oh ouch! You make some really good points about planning and safety. I'm really careful in the sewing room, we get a lot of safety training at work so it comes home with you. I have to give a safety talk next week and had decided to talk about dealing with holiday stress and distractions. Hope the soreness doesn't last too long and that it heals really quickly.

Stitchin At Home said...

OMG I can feel the pain over here. Thankfully I've never had a serious accident yet(knock on wood). Good thing you were prepared and had a plan of action in place.

Unknown said...

Oh my gosh, Julie, how awful! Take care!!!

Jayne said...

Oh Ouch! It always happens in a split second, usually when you are trying to finish quickly! My last accident, while not sewing related, required stitches and a tenanus shot (covered for 10 years there!). My husband also works from home and I know I always have him in case of an emergency. I am so sorry and hope it heals quickly. Did you go to the doctor?

Days and colors said...

I hope your finger is healing well, that was awful. You're absolutely right, that can happen to anyone, thanks for your advice.

Unknown said...

Ouch! So sorry this happened to you!

Sharon - IN said...

How is your finger today? What a mishap, hope the ice is helping. Thanks for all the good pointers on caring for emergencies in the sewing room.

Barb said...

Gosh, I hope you are feeling better! Thanks for the reminder. I don't have a longarm, but there are many other items in my sewing room that can cause an injury. Your tips are excellent!

Angie in SoCal said...

OUCH! I cringed and bit my lip when I saw that photo. You've made me think about what to do. Hope you are better soon.

Margo Yang said...

I'm so sorry this happened to you. I hope you feel better today. I got chill while reading this blog. It's so true that we all should be prepared for minor or major emergencies. Thanks for the wake up call. I'll have to get a few things and keep them ready in my sewing room. I hope your finger heals soon.

Gina said...

Ouch. THis has me thinking. I've always got my phone close at hand and the paramedics station is at the bottom of the road, also my mother lives 5 mins away. BUT, I sew upstairs and always lock the front door so even if they came they couldn't get in. I think I'm going to have to give my mum a spare key

Unknown said...

Julie, wonderful, informative post! I am going to bring this to the attention of our quilt guild - topic will be - Be A Good Quilt Scout - Are You Prepared?!
Hope your finger and hand is better. I love reading your blog! Barbara S

Rebecca Grace said...

Oh, MAN!!! It hurts just LOOKING at that picture of your finger! I hope it's completely healed by now! No, I never thought to put any kind of emergency kit in my sewing room, but you're right -- it's just a matter of time.