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10 points about sewing ergonomics : Tips for Sewing

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10 Points for Sewing and Quilting Ergonomics

These sewing tips will help you if you're a beginner or more experienced. If you're a quilter, if you embroider, if you're a felter, a knitter, a seamstress, or more than one of the above. It can even help someone who's into yarnbombing!

Sewing and quilting is a time-honored craft passed down in families. In this economic climate, more and more people are getting back into making their own clothes, and remembering how good it felt to express themselves by creating things by their own hands. When you design a sewing room, you'll want to keep ergonomics in mind.

The do-it-yourself craft movement has been on the rise for a long time, and sewing, quilting, knitting, embroidery and other similar crafts are hot. Hit shows such as Project Runway remind us that fashion design is an art and a skill.

It's a craft, an art, a tradition, but does it sometimes leave you feeling like you've participated in a sport? Is your back aching? Shoulders stiff? Hands tingling? Are your eyes burning and your legs numb?

"What've you been up to?" the doctor might ask. "Did you take up jogging?"

"No," you tell her. "I've been too busy quilting."

Contents at a Glance

What is Ergonomics?

Ergonomics is the science of designing the job, equipment, and workplace to fit the worker. Proper ergonomic design is necessary to prevent repetitive strain injuries, which can develop over time and can lead to long-term disability.

Ergonomics looks at what kind of work or craft you do, what tools you use and your whole environment. The aim is to find the best fit between you and your workspace conditions. Ergonomic changes can reduce discomfort, pain and injury.

Ergonomic Tips : 10 Sewing & Quilting Ergonomic Pointers

Lighting: Keep your work area well lit to avoid eyestrain. OttLites mimic natural light. They reduce glare and distortion while allowing you to see the true colors of your project.

Work posture: You shouldn't be hunched over with tight shoulders or have to lift your elbows or shoulders to work. You should be able to sit with your knees at a 90-degree angle while keeping your feet flat on the floor or footrest.

Chair: Try to find a chair with gently sloped or waterfall front edge to help prevent the chair's edge from pressing into the backs of the sewer's legs and a padded back-rest with rounded edges to support the lower back

Work surfaces: Having your work or sewing table tilted slightly toward you may help to reduce stress on the back and shoulders as you're sitting upright.

I have back problems, and even if you do not, it's a good idea to change your posture now and then. OSHA standards are below, limit twisting and staying in one position.

Floor covering: Particularly if you stand a great deal of the time, invest in an anti-fatigue mat to improve circulation in your lower limbs.

Scissors and other tools: Invest in tools designed to promote neutral joint postures. Use electric, pneumatic, or otherwise partially automated tools. Pay attention to your hand position when you're using tools such as needles, scissors and the like.

Posture: Whether your craft requires you to be sitting or standing up, your work surface should be at elbow height and tilted so that your wrists are kept straight.

Proximity: Minimize reaching for craft supplies by keeping the items you need for your current project close to you and at table height.

Breaks: Schedule frequent, short breaks to stretch and/or change position. This includes stretching and exercising your hands and resting your eyes.

Diligence: Remember that it is not a good idea to continue to work through discomfort. Find out what's causing your pain and how you might help to alleviate it. Listen to your body. Check with your doctor sooner than later if you have symptoms such as pain, weakness, tingling or numbness.

A thumb bracemay help, especially if you already have joint problems such as arthritis, to keep that joint comfortable

These pointers are provided for informational purposes only. This is not meant to be or replace medical advice. These ergonomic pointers have come from various sources, and not meant to be or replace medical advice. We encourage discussing any changes to your routine with your physician.

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Gloves that can help:

Machingers Gloves-Small/Medium

Machingers Gloves-Medium/Large

Gloves designed with the machine quilter in mind. Soft, flexible fingertip grip gives full control with less resistance and drag on fabric.

Form-fitting, seamless design allows your to keep your gloves on to clip and change threads, adjust fabrics, and add or remove pins.

Breathable fabric helps retain skin's natural moisture with enhanced hand and wrists support for reduced fatigue and tension in hands, arms, shoulders and neck.

Rx for Quilters: Stitcher-Friendly Advice for Every Body

To avoid injuries that afflict stitchers due to repetitive wrist movements, neck strain, or related problems, this helpful book gives readers gentle health advice from an M. D. who is also an experienced quilter. The book explains how the quilter's stitching life can be comfortable, free of stressed hands, shoulders, joints, and back. Simple daily exercises, setting up a good work area, healthful eating, and other positive ideas are offered. -- from Amazon.com

Susan Delaney Mech, M.D., psychiatrist, quiltmaker, and author of a long-running column on women's health issues for Quilt World magazine, lives near Dallas, in Plano, Texas.

RX for Quilters: Stitcher-Friendly Advice for Every Body

by: Susan DeLaney Mech

Amazon Price: $3.46 (as of 05/27/2012)

10 points about sewing ergonomics : Tips for Sewing

10 Points for Sewing and Quilting Ergonomics

Contents at a Glance

What is Ergonomics?

Ergonomic Tips : 10 Sewing & Quilting Ergonomic Pointers

Sly Lady with Sewing Machine

Sewing Gifts : Personalize!

Include a special date, a name, etc.

Other Pages in this Series

WoolCraft Cover Art

Benefit from others' experience

Rx for Quilters: Stitcher-Friendly Advice for Every Body

Useful books for quilters, sewers & crafters

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Tilt'able Ergonomic Sewing Table Set

includes SureFoot System

Sister Mildred Laughing in Her Sewing Room

OttLite

I Heart Sewing iPad, iPhone cases

The OttLite: Choices

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Sewing Tools

One Second Needle One Second Needle Self Threading Needles with Bonus

Related Lens: Help with chronic pain

Custom Designer Shoes & High Tops

French Knitter - Arts and Crafts Project

Adjust your chair - video

Q is for Quilt

Special Supplies, Handmade & Vintage Items

Available on Etsy

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Supplies, Handmade and Vintage Ergonomic Items

Available on Etsy (Please see above)

Ergonomic Tools

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Sewing machine ergonomics - video

OSHA Ergonomic Standards for Sewing Station Design

Do you sew or quilt? Have any tips to share?

by imaginemdd

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