tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2868583750761494400.post1358042171901671414..comments2024-03-17T06:59:02.102-04:00Comments on In Color Order: Safe Crafting: Sewing with ArthritisJeni Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14766510979539197035noreply@blogger.comBlogger205125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2868583750761494400.post-75770871525650272132024-03-04T15:49:30.648-05:002024-03-04T15:49:30.648-05:00Jusr found this post and suffering from arthritis ...Jusr found this post and suffering from arthritis can make things difficult, for sure. One thing I have found helpful when cutting a lot of WOF is to put a 5 pound wait on the end opposite from where I'm cutting...keeps the board from moving. I got the tip from Donna Jordan of Jordan Fabrics.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2868583750761494400.post-84240495803409984312020-08-09T21:43:40.208-04:002020-08-09T21:43:40.208-04:00there is a gizmo called a third hand to help hold ...there is a gizmo called a third hand to help hold the cloth as you ripAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08838513841667031820noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2868583750761494400.post-52950876751316815332019-06-16T21:05:05.095-04:002019-06-16T21:05:05.095-04:00Lin,
I read once we should only go as fast as the ...Lin,<br />I read once we should only go as fast as the slowest part of us wants to go. I took that to mean be kind to ourselves and don't go beyond our limits. :)Debra Pughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17051673281200466657noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2868583750761494400.post-52890975986136404282019-04-06T08:15:25.219-04:002019-04-06T08:15:25.219-04:00You said "The most important thing when doing...You said "The most important thing when doing any craft, is to listen to your body. If you're in pain, STOP!"<br /><br />If that were the case then I'd never be able to sew anything because I'm always in a lot of pain. lol<br /><br />Perhaps you should say "The most important thing when doing any craft, is to listen to your body. If your pain increases, STOP!"<br /><br />Thank you for this article. I have used all of the items you listed except the Oliso iron. Something told me not to get something that overpriced with so many parts to it...the more parts the greater the chance of something not working right.<br /><br />I have my grandmother's vintage 1980's Black and Decker iron that is still going strong. She never put water in it and I also chose not to - I use a squirt bottle. It has an 8 foot cord so it works in a lot more places than the modern iron's 2 foot cord. And, best of all, NO auto-shutoff! I detest the auto-shutoff. I purchased a newer iron, as a backup, and it likes to shutoff after about 10 minutes. This means that, just as I'm about ready to use it, it has shut off. So I turn it back on, sew a little more, and by then it's shut itself off again. That iron now lives in my traveling ironing mat cozy. Sighmcadwellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07389085903331519215noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2868583750761494400.post-75978903384347546932018-03-08T12:04:09.518-05:002018-03-08T12:04:09.518-05:00Thank you for sharing your tips and tricks. I have...Thank you for sharing your tips and tricks. I have Lupus and with that comes severe joint pain and swelling. Appreciate you sharing. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04044705964131676662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2868583750761494400.post-8621252567711626342018-02-27T13:29:48.711-05:002018-02-27T13:29:48.711-05:00This is a great article. Thank you for writing it...This is a great article. Thank you for writing it. I will try a couple of your suggestions. Also, I thought the Oslo iron would be great to use and got one. It did last about a year. I thought is was a lemon and tried again with the Oslo. After a year the feet stopped working again. I now have them turned off because the iron still works as a standard iron but it is rather heavy. I thought I was the only one having issues with this iron. So reading you article reinforced my own experience with the iron. I will have to try and find a cute pink sunbeam.Nancyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17779941292169327439noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2868583750761494400.post-80183193296844131782018-02-27T12:03:44.151-05:002018-02-27T12:03:44.151-05:00Thanks for the article. I have arthritis, and spi...Thanks for the article. I have arthritis, and spinal stenosis in my upper and lower back. To cut down on pain, and to be able to still free motion quilt, I had my husband place 2 hooks in the ceiling behind my machine, and one on the left side of my machine. I then hook bungee cords to the hooks that have medium clamps on them. After basting my quilt, I facine the clamps to an area I plan to quilt. Envision it like a sling, or hammock. When I am done with that area, I reclamp and do the next. I was told I wouldn't be able to free motion again. Well I can, and I do!Karen B.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2868583750761494400.post-21185650153541775352018-02-13T05:58:26.994-05:002018-02-13T05:58:26.994-05:00It looks as if I'm not the only one for whom t...It looks as if I'm not the only one for whom this post struck a chord. I too have arthritis: hands/wrists, shoulders, hips, knees, ankles, and most of all, spine. I've had spinal surgery to fuse a number of vertebrae, so I'm not very flexible back there any more. I've also had chemotherapy, which resulted in peripheral neuropathy; loss of sensation in my hands and feet and really terminal clumsiness. Although it does cause pain, I find sewing helps to keep me flexible, and remind my hands what they're supposed to be doing. I have my machine high, just below chest level, so I don't have to bend at all, and my cutting table is raised to above waist level for similar reasons. Something I've found helps a lot is silicone disks on the back of my rulers, which stop them sliding. Easier to use than a handle on the shoulders, I find. (https://so-sew-easy.com/non-slip-pads-for-rulers)Kate Chiconihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04652877007861293620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2868583750761494400.post-17289116881516246082018-01-17T15:20:47.052-05:002018-01-17T15:20:47.052-05:00Thank you for sharing, I have an auto immune disea...Thank you for sharing, I have an auto immune disease and understand the extra challenges . I wanted to share that by changing my diet I have cut my symptoms and fatigue down by half. I recently read the book "the Plant paradox" by Dr. Steven R Gundry. It was an eye opener! He treats people like us with diet changes. Most have no pain or symptoms when they follow his protocol. I thought I would share because getting my energy back and having less pain has been worth the changes in my diet. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05902859560244807224noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2868583750761494400.post-52960677862963649302017-07-12T15:19:57.588-04:002017-07-12T15:19:57.588-04:00Great article with very good suggestions! I'm ...Great article with very good suggestions! I'm sorry you had problems with your Oliso iron. I've had mine for over five years and the only issue I had was my new beagle puppy chewed through the cord - no worries, it wasn't plugged in. My husband repaired it for me. I knew it would kill the warranty but I needed it fixed right away, and hubby does that stuff for a living. It's like having customer service living in my house!Diana Trupianonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2868583750761494400.post-77832562321078367652017-05-11T11:20:07.884-04:002017-05-11T11:20:07.884-04:00Hi Andrea, I haven't done any hand quilting or...Hi Andrea, I haven't done any hand quilting or hand embroidery in years, so I'm not sure what would be best! I'd try both long and short and see what feels most comfortable for you!Jeni Bakerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14766510979539197035noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2868583750761494400.post-92011638566955932992017-05-11T09:51:42.983-04:002017-05-11T09:51:42.983-04:00Just found your excellent post. I started quilting...Just found your excellent post. I started quilting after being diagnosed with RA and fibromyalgia because I had so much time on my hands!! My iron is heavy and I lowered my ironing board which helps a lot but I still cannot go for long stretches ironing. Thanks for the tips. I have issues with concentration so have to tailor my activities to that. Nothing worse than realizing I have completely wavered off my quarter inch and having to pick out all those stitches! I would really like to do some hand quilting but am wondering if I will be able to hold the needle as they are so small. Do you use a longer needle? Thanks so much for all the tips.AndreaGnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2868583750761494400.post-68768027230436777942017-04-26T11:32:16.404-04:002017-04-26T11:32:16.404-04:00I also have arthritis, mainly in my hands, neck &a...I also have arthritis, mainly in my hands, neck & spine. You're so right about pacing yourself. I'm very active in my quilt guild, quilt for charity & have a few clients, so my life is busy. I bought a HQ Sweet 16 sit-down machine & a good, adjustable chair with back support. Now I quilt much more comfortably. No more stuffing quilts into a home machine! I can now quilt until my neck tells me to stop. Arthritis is frustrating & often painful. Learning to live with it & stay active is key. Quilting is my happy place, so I pace myself & keep going, A glass of red wine in the evening also helps. Hang in there, everyone!SandyBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03845663784259077190noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2868583750761494400.post-69128523914885605102017-03-14T12:59:15.079-04:002017-03-14T12:59:15.079-04:00Great post..I've got severe osteoarthritis in ...Great post..I've got severe osteoarthritis in both wrists. My solution to cutting is that I've switched from the Olfa cutters to the Martelli cutter. A huge improvement for me. The blades stay sharp longer also, which cuts down on the pain level!priscillahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10941241519252090787noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2868583750761494400.post-68295538423284731702017-01-24T10:57:40.648-05:002017-01-24T10:57:40.648-05:00Wow, this post has been here for 4 years, who knew...Wow, this post has been here for 4 years, who knew?! I googled crafting with arthritis and this popped up first. I don't have the same arthritis (mine is basal thumb joints on both hands) but it certainly compromises crafting. My biggest challenge is the thing I like most to do (of course), that's knitting. I also spin my own yarn on a drop spindle, but that's not as hard. I do quiltmaking also, and will take some of your suggestions to heart. Thank you!Barbarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12621581899286806108noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2868583750761494400.post-35471102114005225342016-11-01T00:33:57.204-04:002016-11-01T00:33:57.204-04:00Sorry I took so long to find this article, but I s...Sorry I took so long to find this article, but I splurged on a good office chair with comfy padding, adjustable back rest and height. No armrest is best for me.It is worth every cent!Anng07noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2868583750761494400.post-34640213158950079082016-06-09T13:05:41.943-04:002016-06-09T13:05:41.943-04:00i'm also a fellow RA warrior and quilter. your...i'm also a fellow RA warrior and quilter. your suggestions are spot on. great post!KrisPKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15857608522642345566noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2868583750761494400.post-91650581731226831252016-05-18T15:04:23.685-04:002016-05-18T15:04:23.685-04:00Hasn't your post inspired a lot of comment. I ...Hasn't your post inspired a lot of comment. I too suffer from long term RA and I am replying because one of the things I have practised doing with the support of the Pain Team is having a timer and only doing 20-30 minutes of any activity at a time. The timer is great because it is so annoying that eventually I have to move to turn it off and I have broken my stride then Janehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15154174066770144514noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2868583750761494400.post-81444216060136698942016-04-18T11:37:18.982-04:002016-04-18T11:37:18.982-04:00Jenn, a good comfortable chair and sewing table at...Jenn, a good comfortable chair and sewing table at the right level are so important. I found a 1960s sewing chair that fit my short frame. So it's shorter were my thighs are so I don't need to scoot forward. Once you have your chair you can actually measure for the height of your table and the addition of your sewing machine. My table is an 1840s woman's writing desk, very petite. Then I got a sheet of 1/2 inch chicken wire glass to put over it so the quilt slides better. <br /><br />I think one of my favorite things are command strip hooks. They make smal metal ones. On the back of the sewing room door I've used them to hold my rulers and stencils. The only rulers that are up higher are long ones I can still reach their ends. My shoulders no longer work and lifting them is painful. So I use my arms in the T-Rex fashion. Getting up and down some days is a bit too much but I need to iron seams. So I bought a used folding TV table, covered it with a layer of cotton batting and a layer of insulbrite then covered it with fabric and stapled it all together. I use a small travel iron and it fixes that. I try very hard not to put things where I have to reach across a table too. Pin basting depending on the size of the quilt can be a kneeling problem, so I use padding when able, and never do it while no one is home because there are times I haven't been able to get up. <br /><br />This is who we are. Nothing that would seem depressing to me. There is always someone dealing with something worse. Like you it's been a long time for me. I also have other autoimmune diseases. Life is what we make it and this is normal for me, all t-Rex arms and all.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13603334768411556019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2868583750761494400.post-55670739668939304762016-04-18T11:06:18.366-04:002016-04-18T11:06:18.366-04:00Tina, I think my secrets are more out in the open ...Tina, I think my secrets are more out in the open because I use a cane now. But as a young women people stare, it's something my children knew about, but their friends asked. So you try to be NORMAL. I really hate that word because everyone's normal is different. I hear so many times oh it's your cross to bare. To which I answer, no it's my normal. So you just try to avoid it all by not saying anything or not much of anything.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13603334768411556019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2868583750761494400.post-65091882709848899262016-04-15T12:29:26.487-04:002016-04-15T12:29:26.487-04:00Why is it that our physical limitations are kept l...Why is it that our physical limitations are kept like dirty little secrets? I applaud you for "coming out" about your arthritis. I recently came out about my RA in an IG post. I'm going to find some of those braces you recommend. Thank you for that tip! One day at a time. Thank you for your honesty and for your optimistic, can-do attitude. I wish a long and healthy crafting future for you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2868583750761494400.post-2138997634520013412015-11-02T12:19:48.436-05:002015-11-02T12:19:48.436-05:00I went looking for info on how to keep crafting wi...I went looking for info on how to keep crafting with arthritis in my hands, thank you for the encouragement and good advice. I'm going to follow you from now on to keep the encouragement going. Thanks Pam AllenPam Allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05583280910441790885noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2868583750761494400.post-27486528062582988062015-10-07T02:55:14.664-04:002015-10-07T02:55:14.664-04:00Dear Jeni, I've been following your blog for a...Dear Jeni, I've been following your blog for a couple of years now and I remember this post well. However, your new post about the upcoming book reminded me about what I wanted to tell you long time ago. As a sewist, quilter and a knitter myself I am very well aware of what arthritis can be for us. However, 5 years ago I found a great method of movement to fight with this. Long ago, I wanted to share it with you too. It is called T-Tapp. There is a lot of information in the internet about it. I deeply believe it will make your life easier if you decide to stick to it. <br />I deeply admire your work, designs and posts. Such talent needs to be taken care of;) Yours, Gergana Lissanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07537413296143701397noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2868583750761494400.post-27899810869130885142015-10-06T09:25:21.440-04:002015-10-06T09:25:21.440-04:00Thank you Jeni for a great post! and for reminding...Thank you Jeni for a great post! and for reminding us to take care how to work. I quilt a lot by hand and fortunately that doesn't bother much my wrists. Congratulations to your new book! x Teje<br />www.nerospost.wordpress.comTeje Karjalainenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16737386960364740858noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2868583750761494400.post-20656637207684134102015-08-10T11:14:50.397-04:002015-08-10T11:14:50.397-04:00THANK YOU!!!THANK YOU!!!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11430587564140245982noreply@blogger.com