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Quilt
Tips From Quilters Around The World
Healthy
Tips
Most people operate the foot pedal of their sewing
machine with their right foot only. Why? I think you will like using your
left and right foot in turn. It doesn't take long to get used to using your
left foot half the time and the alternation of feet is easier on your back.
Try it and see for yourself! - Kate in Georgia
I have back problems, so bending forward over my ironing
board is bad. I use
a rolling desk chair for my sewing so I just let my ironing board down to a
comfortable sitting height, and butted the straight end up against my sewing
table, next to the sewing machine. Those ironing jobs get done
comfortably. - Twila in North Dakota
The best thing I've found to use when my
underhand finger is sore after quilting and getting pricked, is Isopropyl
(Rubbing) Alcohol. It's great for pin/needle pokes too. The sooner you get it
in the alcohol the better. And it helps to keep it out of water too.
After an evening of quilting, I just soak my fingertips in the alcohol
for 20-30 seconds, and keep them away from water until the next day. (It's
also a good excuse for putting off doing the dishes). If I get a really bad
deep jab from my needle I soak longer. I jabbed a needle about 1/4" under my
thumbnail (OUCH) and I forced as much alcohol under as I could, and the next
day, I was surprised how little it hurt. Happy quilting! - Stephanie in Arizona
I use finger cots on the fingers that have
cuts and etc, you can get them at a medical supply store, a box for about
$5.00 (I think there is 500 to the box). I got them quite a few years ago
and still have the box. - Ginger in Massachusetts
Fingers sore from too much hand stitching? Bag
balm, an antiseptic ointment for treating cow's udders can soothe your
fingers! You will find it in some quilt shops and /or your local feed or farm
supply store. - Dorene in Oklahoma
Found a great eye-saver in hubby's shop. It
is a B&D Snake light. It is long and flexible. Curls around your neck and
makes a great spotlight for Redwork embroidery, etc. No need for a high
powered lamp nearby and great for traveling! - Marjorie in Missouri
Use 2 door stops to raise the back of your
machine so that the machine is tilted toward you. Relieves back strain.
Usually cost 39 cents at the hardware store." - Jeanne in New Jersey
Instead of placing the iron and ironing
board directly beside my sewing machine, I have intentionally placed the
iron, ironing board, and cutting table at the farthest distance across the
room from my sewing machine. This gives me plenty of much needed exercise
and helps the blood circulation because I am frequently moving around the
room. When working on a quilting project, I try to move around the room as
much as possible, taking frequent breaks; this way, I can work much longer
and don't tire as easily. - Barbara in North Carolina
Use wedge door stops to tilt your sewing machine
forward. You have less back strain. - Sandy in Missouri
When you go to a home center look for the clear
protective corners that are used to do that and then cut it the length of
your ruler and glue it on the center of the ruler. This will help
protect fingers and thumbs from that sharp and wicked rotary blade.
Hope you ladies are careful otherwise! - Carol in Wisconsin
Bed
lifters are a great way to raise your cutting table
to waist height and save your back. They raise
the table 5 1/2 inches which is plenty of height for
the average person. Works great. - Pat Leveling,
Trenton IL
Cut 12" pieces of
PVC pipe to place under each table leg to raise the
table to a comfortable height for cutting your fabric.
When you are finished you can take the PVC pipe off
and put the table back the way it was. - Dorene in Georgia
It
sounds kind of icky, but "Preparation
H" is great for those
painful quilting fingers.
Rub in a small amount at
bedtime, better in the morning.
It is medicated and numbing
to heal them quickly. Keep
away from your eyes. - Angela
Prince-Bex, Backporch
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