1. Wash or sanitize your hands before touching fabric.

2. Get your bin and project folder from your class shelf.

3. Ask Mrs. Chehrehsa before taking fabric. Take only what your project needs.

4. Measure and cut at the cutting table only. Machines are for sewing; the ironing board is for pressing.

5. Keep bags, drinks and food away from fabric, tables and machines.

6. Clean up 5 minutes before the bell: threads in the trash, scraps in the scrap bin, tools back in place, machines covered.

• Tape measure: soft and flexible, for bodies and curves.

• Clear ruler: for straight lines and adding seam allowance.

• Seam gauge: a small 6-inch ruler with a slider, for hems and seam allowances.

• Tailor’s chalk / fabric marker: to mark fabric; test on a scrap first.

1. Start at the 0 end of the tape; keep it flat, not twisted.

2. Read to the nearest 1/8 inch.

3. Write every measurement down right away.

4. Measure twice, cut once.

More: How to Read a Tape Measure for Beginners

• Fabric shears: long blades and a bent handle so fabric stays flat. FABRIC ONLY – paper makes them dull.

• Paper scissors: for cutting paper patterns.

• Thread snips: small clippers for thread ends.

• Pinking shears: zig-zag blades that stop edges from fraying.

• Seam ripper: removes wrong stitches. Always rip away from your body.

• Rotary cutter: a round, very sharp blade. Use it only on a cutting mat with a ruler.

Scissors

1. Keep fabric flat; keep the lower blade on the table.

2. Use long, smooth cuts. Don’t lift the fabric.

3. Carry scissors closed, points down, held by the blades.

4. Pass scissors handle first.

Rotary cutter, ruler and mat

1. Always cut on the self-healing mat – never on the table.

2. Hold the ruler flat, fingers away from the edge.

3. Cut AWAY from your body, along the ruler edge.

4. Close the safety guard EVERY time you put the cutter down.

5. Stand while you cut; one person cuts at a time.

More: How to Cut Fabric Straight, Square and On Grain

Ironing slides the iron back and forth to remove wrinkles. Pressing lifts and presses down on seams and hems so the fabric doesn’t stretch.

1. Set the heat for your fabric (silk/synthetic low, cotton high, linen highest).

2. Test on a scrap first.

3. Press seams flat first, then open or to one side.

4. Use a press cloth on dark or delicate fabric.

5. Keep fingers away from the steam and soleplate.

6. Stand the iron on its heel – never face down.

7. Keep the cord off the floor; turn the iron off when you finish.

More: Pressing vs. Ironing Fabric for Sewing

1. Tools stay in the studio and in their place.

2. Never run with scissors, pins or rotary cutters.

3. Pins go in the pin cushion, never in your mouth.

4. Close the rotary cutter guard every time.

5. Irons stand up and get turned off.

6. Report broken tools or injuries to Mrs. Chehrehsa right away.