leather - uk

8/10/2019 Leather - UK

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HOW TO IMPLEMENT A L EATHER WORKSHOP IN THE COMMUNITY

Objectives of the Leather workshop

The workshop is seen as a context for activeand ongoing intervention where artisticexpression is the link for interventionprogrammes: training towards basic attentionhabits, co-ordination, adaptation to a workenvironment, respect for materials, workplanning, problems solving and selfcorrection.

The workshop activities are planned in a waythat they facilitate the participation of all its

users. This involves the tasks being adaptedand sequenced with clear step by step visualsupport.

The leather workshop activities have both aformative and work related purpose:ongoing training of persons with autism ispromoted in all areas; especially those areaswhich refer to communication and personalautonomy.

Human resources for the workshop

The average ratio per workshop is 4, (aleather specialist) and support assistant onsome particular occasions.In situations where the teaching of new skillsis required the specialist will provideindividual attention.In anycase the workshop is a good contextto be able to involve volunteers, students onwork placement....

Space and equipment;Structuring the environment

The leather workshop is conceived as aregular workshop which is held (in AutismBurgos) from Monday to Friday at the DayCentre: 3 hours in the morning and 1.30hours in the afternoon.


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The workshop is structured in 2 clearlydefined areas:

1. Work area, made up of a large tablewhere production work in groups iscarried out and a small table forindividual work. Included in this areaare the following: leather workbenchand storage, cutting and leatherengraving machine, cupboards withperishable material and finishedproducts.

2. Machinery area with restrictedaccess: made up of a table whichdefines and separates the workshopfrom the dangerous machinery butwhich also serves as a cutting table.In this area a machine for cuttingstrips, a sewing maching and aprinting machine can be found alongwith 2 locked cupboards which housedangerous items.

The workshop also has a table with acomputer and a sink. Each autistic personhas an assigned space according to theirpreferences and needs of the group and thework being done. The specialist alwaysplaces him/herself at the head of the table ina way that he/she can control theorganization of the workshop. Theorganization is flexible and can vary at anymoment according to needs.

Equipment

Machine to cut and engrave leather

Rivet machineMachine to cut stripsSewing machinePattern/printing machineComputerProduct exhibit standCassette/CD player (to create pleasant workspace)Cupboards to store perishable material andfinished products as well as shelves forvaried activities

2 large tables, one for cutting and one for


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group work, an individual table and aworkbenchRecycle bins for different waste materials

MaterialsCows neck leather in both natural colourand varied coloursLeather binding stripInformation board panels

A range of cardboard of different thicknessesand quality, coloured paper, fabric forcovering, etcRivets, rings, punches, toothed scissors,normal scissors, metal rulers, cutters, glue,varnish, paints, felt tip pens, paintbrushes,chisel, screws, etcFabrics: T-shirts, mousemats, bags forstoring bread, shoebags, non-transparenttransfers and transfers suitable for whitematerial, tracing paper, etcFolders for keeping individual users workand activities

Organization of the work session

Before the activ ity

The different stages of the work process areshown step by step on information picturepanels. These panels help the specialistwhen showing the work to be done and alsoas a guide to users so that they can see inadvance the steps to be followed.The users take part in choosing the work forthe day. Once the work has been organizedand tasks have been assigned to eachperson, the specialist carries out those work

processes that the users can not dothemselves.The work materials are accessed by theusers themselves and are visually organizedfor easy selection and use both whencarrying out the task and when storing theirwork and the tools at the end of the activity.

The tables are covered before workcommences so that delicate work materialsare kept clean and so that they can be used

again.


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BASIC RULES FOR FUNCTIONING

The process for making keyrings

We start with cut and dyed leather strips

The machine is prepared to punch out abottle shape

Switches are activated to turn on themachine

The strip of leather is placed under the thechosen shape punch

Both buttons are pressed simultaneouslyand the shape is cut out

The parts of the machine are changed, thistime to punch out oval shapes of leather. Cut

Once again the part of the machine ischanged, replacing it this time with the flatpart, to which the photo-print with the designto be printed, is stuck.

A template is placed on the workplane inorder for the oval to be slot in.

The temperature thermostat is switched onat 120.

The oval is placed on the work plane andboth switches are activated simultaneously.

These actions are repeated as many timesas necessary until the number of required

pieces are made.

The printed ovals are then coloured in withfelt tip pens.

The outline of the pattern is gone over with afine black felt-tip pen

The coloured part of the oval is thenvarnished with Zapn varnish.

Once dry a rivet is placed in each oval.


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The bottles are then stamped on the front.

A ring and the corresponding rivet partner isplaced on each bottle.

The neck of the bottle is turned round so thatthe rivet coincides with the hole

The rivets on the oval and on the bottle arepressed together

The keyring is placed in the rivet machine,the handle is lowered and gently pressed

The keyring is put into its corresponding box

The process for making a diary

Draw a free style picture, tracing, copying,completing .....Colour in.Cut the piece of leather using a template.Place all the cut pieces together.Chisel the edges of the inside pieces.Use a toothed scissors to cut the edges ofthe inside piecesTrace the picture onto the tracing paperDampen the piece of leather evenlyPlace the tracing paper onto the leathermaking sure the picture is centred.Go over the picture with a graver exertingpressure so that the leather is well marked

Allow to dry on a flat surface Apply glue to the edges of all the piecesPress pieces together until they are wellstuck

Mark the perimeter with the metal compass.Make holes along the marked edge with thetrident and the hammer.Round off the cornersDye the binding strip by immersing it in thedye. When dry untangle and waxMeasure the perimeter of the item and cutthe necessary length of stripStart to sew opening the holes with thepunch.Strengthen the corners with double stitching.


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Once the stitching is complete, finish off thearticle.Colour in the picture with felt tip pensUse a fine tip feltpen to go over the outlinesVarnish the coloured picturePolish with a polishing mopUsing a brush polish the surface to a shinePut covers onto the diaryCover with cellophane. Store away.

Printing process

Switch on the machine and programmeaccording to the material to be printed.Check that the programmed parametres arecorrect.Place the piece of material to be printedonto the plate and adjust.Place the (cut out) transfer on top of thepiece of leatherRotate the platform on top of the plate ofthe machinePress the two buttons simultaneously tolower the plate.Immediately remove the platform when itrisesBeing careful not to get burnt, remove thetransfer starting from the corner and pullingforcefully so as to remove the papercompletely.Put the piece of material to one side andallow to cool on a flat surface.


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BASIC RULES FOR FUNCTIONING

At the start of the activity

The workshop activity starts with a smallinformal talk in which the users are given theopportunity to choose the type of work to becarried out from a selection of differentalternatives.

Once tasks are assigned, each person isresponsible for gathering the materialsneeded for the activity.

During the activity

Whilst the work is being carried out thespecialist is constantly supervising theactivity offering verbal and hands-on helpaccording to individual needs. In the case ofspecific matters or doubts users are directedtowards the visual information panels. Thepurpose of this is to encourage selfautonomy in the workplace so that it is theusers themselves who solves smallproblems.

At the end of the activity

Each person is responsible for putting awayhis/her work, along with all the tools usedincluding the cleaning of the same.

Structuring the tasks

The work processes are an example of theproducts which are made in the workshop.The tasks are organized step by step in orderto facilitate learning and the carrying out of thetask. This structuring of the task by stagesallows for the work to be adapted to the levelof each user, in a way that each person cantake part in the process be it to a greater orlesser extent,

Depending on the task to be carried out, thework is organized individually or in a group.

The time taken for each process to becompleted is determined by the group, thelevel of difficulty of the task and the need forspecific support.

The workshop activity is determined by thedemand for the product; in this way whendemand is high support staff are used ,(to helpwith the tasks)and when demand is lower, thespecialist is able to spend more time teachingspecific work skills.


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Support and methodology

The workshop activity is complemented byformative practice sessions away from thecentre, at the School of Art where aprofessional training workshop is held wherepersons with autism can practise not onlytheir artistic skills but also social skills in anormalized environment.

The teaching methodology follows theprinciples of learning avoiding error and theadaptation of all types of support to theneeds of each individual.

Support can be verbal, visual, hands on....-the technical adaptation of the machinerybeing the most specific area in the workshopwhere help is needed so that persons withautism can use the machinery safely.

Evaluation of the process and theproducts

Self-evaluation and external evaluation

At the start of each year a personalizedprogramme is drawn up in which objectivesare set out and the kind of support requiredby the individual specified. This programmeis reviewed throughout the course and isopen to continuous changes in view ofadvances made by the individuals and newchanges in support.

Evaluation of the final product

At the end of the course, a generalassessment of each personalizedprogramme is made including observationsand suggestions for the design of thefollowing years programme.

The originality of the artistic work, togetherwith the quality guaranteed by the ISOCertificate of Quality, determines the finallevel of client satisfaction.


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FINAL PRODUCTS OF THE WORKSHOP

Leathercraft objects:Photo albums of different sizesSimple and bellow type documentholders.3 different size diariesNote blocks

General use containerPicturesLeather cases: for recorders, rulers,tools ...Bags, belts .....Leather objects made partially bymachine.Keyrings

CardholdersFabric products.

Variety of T-shirtsBags for: bread, shoes.....Mousemats .....

To make small exhibitions in locals in thecommunity to disseminate the activitiesand the products

Begoa Matinez and Javier Arnaiz Autismo Burgos Espaa

leather - uk

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