having an open house to exhibit these machine at my house Feb 3. RSVP slipcoverlady@juno.com McLean Va 22101 if you map quest, to give you rough idea.
here's a video of one in action: http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/965306
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Monday, January 15, 2007
Saturday, January 13, 2007
Clean up Toxic Dry Cleaners
Clean Up Toxic Dry Cleaners
Over 11,000 Americans Tell EPA to Clean Up Toxic Dry Cleaners
Cleaner, safer alternatives available,
but EPA refuses ban of cancer-causing solvent
Washington, D.C. -- Over 11,000 Americans have petitioned EPA to adopt stronger protections from toxic chemicals released by dry cleaners nationwide. Environmental groups, pollution experts and dry cleaners themselves agree that a phase out of the harmful chemical perchloroethylene (PCE, or perc), a solvent used primarily by the dry cleaning industry, is feasible and vital to reducing serious health and environmental threats.
The wave of comments were lodged to protest EPA's proposed decision to leave millions of Americans at risk from toxic perc emissions. More than 27,000 dry cleaners across the country still use old machines that clean clothes with PCE. Although some cleaners have successfully switched to non-toxic alternatives like wet cleaning, EPA in a proposed rule issued last December refused to consider a phase out of PCE machines. The agency has classified PCE as a probable cancer-causing chemical that has been linked to liver, kidney and central nervous system damage. Over half of federally identified Superfund sites are contaminated with PCE.
"PCE can be phased out and replaced with machines that work as effectively and do not pose the serious health and environmental threat," said Jane Williams, a national leader and air toxics expert for the Sierra Club. "EPA is ignoring these possibilities and the evidence that shows alternatives exist and actually work. There are so many dry cleaners in so many towns that EPA should be making a phase out of PCE a top priority."
Because PCE dry cleaners are located throughout neighborhoods in virtually every city and town in America, millions of Americans are exposed to their toxic emissions. In many cities, dry cleaners operate in the same buildings where peoples' homes, schools, and day care centers are located. People are exposed to PCE through breathing emissions from dry cleaners and also through breathing emissions that are released over time from the clothes that are cleaned at dry cleaners.
Although EPA has acknowledged that the health risks from PCE dry cleaners are extremely high, the agency's recently proposed regulations do almost nothing to address these risks. In particular, EPA failed even to consider a phase out of PCE use that would reduce the health risks to zero. Remarkably, EPA reached this conclusion even after acknowledging that PCE-free alternatives would be cost effective. During the rulemaking process, EPA met repeatedly with representatives of the companies that sell PCE, but made no effort to contact affected communities to learn their concerns.
In California, the South Coast Air Quality Management District approved a phase out in 2003 of PCE that will eliminate PCE dry cleaners in the southern California region by 2020. As old machines break down and need replacing, dry cleaners are purchasing newer, cleaner machines running on less toxic solvents. EPA does not explain anywhere in its rule why Americans in the rest of the country should be deprived of the protections that such a ban will provide.
Wet cleaning machines use water and other nontoxic detergents when cleaning clothes. Carbon dioxide cleaners actually use captured CO2 to clean clothing and certain materials.
Peter Sinsheimer, director of the Pollution Prevention Center for the Urban and Environmental Policy Institute at Occidental College said, "Our research has shown that perc dry cleaners can successfully switch to non-toxic technologies."
Some dry cleaners have successfully switched to non-PCE machines. Frank Shaghafi, the owner of Blue Sky Cleaners in California, now operates only wet cleaning machines and machines that use captured carbon dioxide. "My employees feel better, our clothes are coming out just as clean and we know that we are not putting this toxic chemical into the environment," Shaghafi said. "We've received interest from other dry cleaners and are receiving clothes from all over the world to clean with these machines. Small businesses such as dry cleaners can protect the environment and can do so without any major economic burdens."
How Dry Cleaning Works
What's the Problem with PERC?
Alternatives to PERC
New Types of Dry Cleaning
Over 11,000 Americans Tell EPA to Clean Up Toxic Dry Cleaners
Cleaner, safer alternatives available,
but EPA refuses ban of cancer-causing solvent
Washington, D.C. -- Over 11,000 Americans have petitioned EPA to adopt stronger protections from toxic chemicals released by dry cleaners nationwide. Environmental groups, pollution experts and dry cleaners themselves agree that a phase out of the harmful chemical perchloroethylene (PCE, or perc), a solvent used primarily by the dry cleaning industry, is feasible and vital to reducing serious health and environmental threats.
The wave of comments were lodged to protest EPA's proposed decision to leave millions of Americans at risk from toxic perc emissions. More than 27,000 dry cleaners across the country still use old machines that clean clothes with PCE. Although some cleaners have successfully switched to non-toxic alternatives like wet cleaning, EPA in a proposed rule issued last December refused to consider a phase out of PCE machines. The agency has classified PCE as a probable cancer-causing chemical that has been linked to liver, kidney and central nervous system damage. Over half of federally identified Superfund sites are contaminated with PCE.
"PCE can be phased out and replaced with machines that work as effectively and do not pose the serious health and environmental threat," said Jane Williams, a national leader and air toxics expert for the Sierra Club. "EPA is ignoring these possibilities and the evidence that shows alternatives exist and actually work. There are so many dry cleaners in so many towns that EPA should be making a phase out of PCE a top priority."
Because PCE dry cleaners are located throughout neighborhoods in virtually every city and town in America, millions of Americans are exposed to their toxic emissions. In many cities, dry cleaners operate in the same buildings where peoples' homes, schools, and day care centers are located. People are exposed to PCE through breathing emissions from dry cleaners and also through breathing emissions that are released over time from the clothes that are cleaned at dry cleaners.
Although EPA has acknowledged that the health risks from PCE dry cleaners are extremely high, the agency's recently proposed regulations do almost nothing to address these risks. In particular, EPA failed even to consider a phase out of PCE use that would reduce the health risks to zero. Remarkably, EPA reached this conclusion even after acknowledging that PCE-free alternatives would be cost effective. During the rulemaking process, EPA met repeatedly with representatives of the companies that sell PCE, but made no effort to contact affected communities to learn their concerns.
In California, the South Coast Air Quality Management District approved a phase out in 2003 of PCE that will eliminate PCE dry cleaners in the southern California region by 2020. As old machines break down and need replacing, dry cleaners are purchasing newer, cleaner machines running on less toxic solvents. EPA does not explain anywhere in its rule why Americans in the rest of the country should be deprived of the protections that such a ban will provide.
Wet cleaning machines use water and other nontoxic detergents when cleaning clothes. Carbon dioxide cleaners actually use captured CO2 to clean clothing and certain materials.
Peter Sinsheimer, director of the Pollution Prevention Center for the Urban and Environmental Policy Institute at Occidental College said, "Our research has shown that perc dry cleaners can successfully switch to non-toxic technologies."
Some dry cleaners have successfully switched to non-PCE machines. Frank Shaghafi, the owner of Blue Sky Cleaners in California, now operates only wet cleaning machines and machines that use captured carbon dioxide. "My employees feel better, our clothes are coming out just as clean and we know that we are not putting this toxic chemical into the environment," Shaghafi said. "We've received interest from other dry cleaners and are receiving clothes from all over the world to clean with these machines. Small businesses such as dry cleaners can protect the environment and can do so without any major economic burdens."
How Dry Cleaning Works
What's the Problem with PERC?
Alternatives to PERC
New Types of Dry Cleaning
Friday, January 12, 2007
7th Annual Slipcover Summit 2007
Wednesday June 27 through Friday June 29.
This is the only event of its type in North America
totally devoted to the art and profession of slipcovers for furniture.
Each year the Slipcover Summit is held in a different region
of the country, affording the opportunity of furthering
education to those who have difficulty traveling to one
specific area of the country.
Designers, decorators and those with sewing workrooms have
the opportunity to learn from seven instructors who are actively
involved in slipcovering furniture in their own businesses. All
instructors volunteer to teach at the Summit in a particular
slipcover method, technique or expertise.
Limits are set on the size of each workshop. This give each participant
the opportunity to experience hands-on and to be up close to view the
demonstrations in each workshop.
Scholarship are available to those who have never attended a
Slipcover Summit. If you are interested in an application for a
Scholarship please send email to Angie Knowles at threadneedle@tampabay.rr.com
More information on workshops, instructors, and how to register, visit http://www.slipcoveramerica
Sleep on Stinging Nettles
Sleeping on Stinging Nettles: the Next Bamboo?
by Christine Lepisto, Berlin on 12.31.06
The technique for producing fine cloth and sailcloth from stinging nettles has existed for centuries. Heinrich Kranz is reviving the art for the modern age. Encouraged by a customer to pursue the idea, Kranz founded the firm Stoffkontor Kranz AG, and got rights from the University of Hamburg to grow an oversize version of the common weed. The fiber Kranz produces is a legitimate alternative to cotton, with the advantage that is grows like...well, a weed, without the need for pesticides used in the cotton industry--currently accounting for 24% of the global insecticide usage according to WWF.
Kranz is growing the three meter (nine feet) tall nettles on 160 hectares (400 acres) near Luechow, Germany. Plants grow without the use of pesticides and with only occasional application of fertilizer. Each 10 to 15 years, the plants must be replaced. Once per year the nestles are mowed and dried. The fibers within the nettles are separated in Kranz's own mechanical process and then cleaned with a patented bio-process relying on enzymes. The fibers are then woven, also on site, for the production of fabric, bedding, shirts and jeans.
Currently Stoffkontor Kranz occupies 17 employees and has sales of 1.8 million Euro (2.3 million dollars). Kranz's products are now sold through over 1500 shops and over the internet at Nettleworld (German only). His is the only industrial scale production of nettle fabrics.
Kranz is convinced of the potential to compete with cotton. He calculates that when his operations can be expanded to 10,000 hectares, the nettle fabric made in Germany will be cost-competitive with Indian cotton, while offering substantial ecological advantages. A closer review of the webshop at Stoffkontor Kranz reveals that most of the fabrics are nettle/cotton blends, with nettle fibers composing only 5 - 43% of the fabric. One hopes the techniques being used at Kranz lend themselves to fabrics that are majority nettle, and the current low nettle contents reflect marketing strategy rather than technical limitations.
For his efforts and successes, Heinrich Kranz was awarded a special recognition in the Eco-Manager of the Year competition sponsored by WWF's German branch. Congratulations, Herr Kranz, we hope to see your ideas spread widely.
Via ::WWF Eco-manager of the Year Germany (German only)
Sunday, January 07, 2007
give away to good home.
100 yards washed, bleached canvas. Has not yet been pressed. Challenging to work with, but sells itself for those who want white utility washable covers.
It is now more than I can do to carry, lift, sew this stuff, gotta save my body for another 20 years sewing.
I'd prefer this didn't wind up in the land fill, it served me well, was well loved by customers. IT's just too hard for me to do now.
It is now more than I can do to carry, lift, sew this stuff, gotta save my body for another 20 years sewing.
I'd prefer this didn't wind up in the land fill, it served me well, was well loved by customers. IT's just too hard for me to do now.
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
let's see how long this lasts
click on the title to see my addition to wikipedia. If the last paragrapgh refers to us, they let it ride.
anyone recognize who wrote the first part ?
anyone recognize who wrote the first part ?
Friday, December 15, 2006
losing my mind in silly ways
I'll post a picture once I make a mock up, I let the customer take the thing, I realized I can't explain it without.
I had forgotten you cannot put a cushion zipper on a DR chair pad all the way into and to the far side of the spoke cut out.
well, you can but then you lose your surface for the velcro tab to attach. I could get one tab almost the full width of the box ( 2" ) on the butt end of the zipper side of the cut out, then the zipper prevented me from applying the velcro mate.
Already did all four cushions complete up to that point, lost in a fog with no plan.
I made double fold ties preparing to tie the whole thing instead when an idea hit me.
This is why I need a picture: I folded the tie in half and made a flat point at the center, and stitched that triangle down. I sewed velcro mate to that end and also to some of the doubled tie, to make a one inch square portion of hook tape.
at the ironing board I then bent each paralel ( sp )raw end symetrically to point in opposite directions, to make a 90 degree turn to sew into each side of zipper seam where it met the cushion top and bottom.
what this made is a velcro flap that was solid at the hook site, yet split, so I could get almost full use of the zipper I had already installed.
I'll make one and take a picture of it, before I forget myself...
I had forgotten you cannot put a cushion zipper on a DR chair pad all the way into and to the far side of the spoke cut out.
well, you can but then you lose your surface for the velcro tab to attach. I could get one tab almost the full width of the box ( 2" ) on the butt end of the zipper side of the cut out, then the zipper prevented me from applying the velcro mate.
Already did all four cushions complete up to that point, lost in a fog with no plan.
I made double fold ties preparing to tie the whole thing instead when an idea hit me.
This is why I need a picture: I folded the tie in half and made a flat point at the center, and stitched that triangle down. I sewed velcro mate to that end and also to some of the doubled tie, to make a one inch square portion of hook tape.
at the ironing board I then bent each paralel ( sp )raw end symetrically to point in opposite directions, to make a 90 degree turn to sew into each side of zipper seam where it met the cushion top and bottom.
what this made is a velcro flap that was solid at the hook site, yet split, so I could get almost full use of the zipper I had already installed.
I'll make one and take a picture of it, before I forget myself...
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
there are more changes than I first realized
one, I had to sign in now, first, before seeing my usual and specific Blogger choices, that's top right on your new page once hitting I Power Blogger Icon at bottom left of THIS page.
what the first page now is after hitting I Power Blogger is the offering to read the latest BLog entered anywhere in Blogger Universe.
and, Karen, the links are gone ? Intentionally ?
what the first page now is after hitting I Power Blogger is the offering to read the latest BLog entered anywhere in Blogger Universe.
and, Karen, the links are gone ? Intentionally ?
Monday, December 04, 2006
new picturetrail album for all of us..
for the posting and sharing of found slipcovers, slipcovers that can be a benefit to others.
they are to be bloopers, with opinions given as to how the blooper occurred. Be kind, be objective and instructive, and be annonymous with the source. Thanks....
you may access and upload, by using slipcoveroops, spell that as I have. That's the account name, user name, and password.
the password will always remain, only slipcover professionals will have access.
as soon as the free account is full, I will take it from there.
they are to be bloopers, with opinions given as to how the blooper occurred. Be kind, be objective and instructive, and be annonymous with the source. Thanks....
you may access and upload, by using slipcoveroops, spell that as I have. That's the account name, user name, and password.
the password will always remain, only slipcover professionals will have access.
as soon as the free account is full, I will take it from there.
Monday, November 13, 2006
The Slipcover Network Forum
Changes to the blog....
Things are moving and I have not control to what is happening.
I cannot access the comments at this time...
Sorry
always
Karen
Things are moving and I have not control to what is happening.
I cannot access the comments at this time...
Sorry
always
Karen
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Slipcover 1 Day Dining Room Chair Workshop
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
selling off the last of my canvas
you need not consider the ebay price the last word, and I will even make up your item for you if you prefer. This may not be the last available, it's just the last I have the energy to invest in.
Friday, September 22, 2006
getting on
simple instructions, just click on stuff until you get there. CLICK ONCE. Blogger is slow for me , and I have cable. I can imagine how slow it might be with dial up.
scroll down and search last item on right, an I power blogger icon, click and wait for dashboard.
if slipcovernetwork is not on your list on the left, fill those words into the search box on your right, click ONCE and wait.....
scroll down and search last item on right, an I power blogger icon, click and wait for dashboard.
if slipcovernetwork is not on your list on the left, fill those words into the search box on your right, click ONCE and wait.....
creating a new post
gee I'd love some company here so we ARE going to figure this out !
first, I know you know this, but I will say it 'cuz I can't see your screen, there's probably no harm in pushing buttons. The worst that can happen is you click too many times before blogger reacts. Know this, it's slow. Click once and wait.
My dashboard has slipcover network offered as an option to click on. If you have frequented any blog that already taken option should pop onto your list. Should, in theory, but as every site has, there are redundant ways to get there.
I see a search box on my right on my dashboard page, and that box I have used by typing in slipcover network.
But first, find the dashboard. Scroll down and look right, past the log of all post titles, and see a little rectangle in orange that says I power blogger. Click on it.
If in the end these suggestions don't leap out at you on your dashboard, click something. Usually options are harmless, but wait for blogger to catch up with you. Click once only. I have cable and blogger is slow. I can't imagine how slow bogger might be with dial up.
first, I know you know this, but I will say it 'cuz I can't see your screen, there's probably no harm in pushing buttons. The worst that can happen is you click too many times before blogger reacts. Know this, it's slow. Click once and wait.
My dashboard has slipcover network offered as an option to click on. If you have frequented any blog that already taken option should pop onto your list. Should, in theory, but as every site has, there are redundant ways to get there.
I see a search box on my right on my dashboard page, and that box I have used by typing in slipcover network.
But first, find the dashboard. Scroll down and look right, past the log of all post titles, and see a little rectangle in orange that says I power blogger. Click on it.
If in the end these suggestions don't leap out at you on your dashboard, click something. Usually options are harmless, but wait for blogger to catch up with you. Click once only. I have cable and blogger is slow. I can't imagine how slow bogger might be with dial up.
new picture series to come
will be on the picture trail, not yet begun.
I have a request from an importer of Thai silk to make a slipcover from her own goods. It is heavy silk, non irridescent and perfect for fusing to a stabilizer. This is a prelude to her marketting her silks as home decor and recommending me to do that.
She is willing to allow me plenty of scrap in the same type goods to experiment with fusable products out there and I will review them one by one.
The challenge is to make more secure the few stressed seams that wouldn't hold up to use without taking away from the appearance of the silk.
I am happy to have a non irridescent to do this with, so that my lack of skill in applying this fusable does not make for a hopeless cause. I might add, a lack of patience and considerable fear as well. I have not fused well or patiently in the past.
I pick up the chair tomorrow, so then I will see what's the ingredients, and will start the picture stream at http://www.picturetrail.com/slipcoverlady.
I have a request from an importer of Thai silk to make a slipcover from her own goods. It is heavy silk, non irridescent and perfect for fusing to a stabilizer. This is a prelude to her marketting her silks as home decor and recommending me to do that.
She is willing to allow me plenty of scrap in the same type goods to experiment with fusable products out there and I will review them one by one.
The challenge is to make more secure the few stressed seams that wouldn't hold up to use without taking away from the appearance of the silk.
I am happy to have a non irridescent to do this with, so that my lack of skill in applying this fusable does not make for a hopeless cause. I might add, a lack of patience and considerable fear as well. I have not fused well or patiently in the past.
I pick up the chair tomorrow, so then I will see what's the ingredients, and will start the picture stream at http://www.picturetrail.com/slipcoverlady.
Saturday, September 09, 2006
Agnes,
on the right hand lower side of the dashboard there's a blog search box, type in slipcover network and click. Your Cookies should kick in and supply the filled in blue name on the left if you keep using the same computer.
Thursday, September 07, 2006
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
figured out how to remove the picture...
just go to edit, save to draft, go back to the menu and it will sow you delete. I didn't ever find a rotate picture option or a remove picture option. Just info, maybe I am looking in the wrong place ?
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