Gotta Get Up and Move - Keeping the Hurt out of Quilting

They say that Love should not hurt. I agree. But I gotta admit, my love, quilting, sometimes hurts me. Sometimes my back, but mostly my right shoulder. My hand, wrist, and thumb hurt when I hand stitch for too long. We just had Brian from Martelli Enterprises speak at our guild and show how ergonomic their table and cutters are. This got me thinking about various things I can do to keep my favorite activity - quilting - from hurting my aging (lets get real) body.

So first I thought I would explore exercises and movements. Later maybe I'll look more into my physical surroundings - tables, chairs, cutting tools - that might help protect aging body parts. 

Its all about movement - moving parts that tend not to get moved, and not over moving parts that get moved too much.  That being said I am not a doctor, physical therapist or personal trainer, I just find that moving helps me not hurt quite so much. If it really hurts, see a doctor (boring, legal, disclaimer here).

Moving and Stretching
I have my machine, pressing station and cutting station situated at different locations in my sewing studio. I force myself to get up to press and cut. Here are some other things I have found helpful:

• Admire my twirly skirt (arms out straight to the side and turn to the right and left to loosen the lower back)

• Pick up scraps (stand and gently touch toes)

• Bend to re-read directions (side bends)

• Mimic the dog being oh so cute (tilt and stretch my neck side to side)

• Think about the chicken I should be cooking for dinner (do wing flaps and circles to loosen my shoulders)

• Practice petting fabric (wriggle and stretch my fingers)

• Draw Curved seams in the air (make circles with my hands to loose my wrists)

• Square up my hands like I do my quilts (stretch hands and forearms by gently pulling back on fingers)

•  Reach over my body to pick up my iced tea (stretch arms across body to loosen shoulder blade area)

•  Practice inspecting a quilt at a quilt show (clasp hands together behind back and bend over)

• Pick up the seam ripper dropped at one foot and scissors dropped at the other foot (windmill toe touches)

Preventing Over Movement

Since I do a lot of Quiltworx quilts, I often cut most of the quilt out at one time, sometimes cutting 8 or more layers of fabric. This puts a strain on my hand, wrist, elbow and shoulder. I think some call it repetitive movement injury. I've tried using my left hand, but that didn't work at all. Here are some strategies that have worked for me:

• Take a break, don't cut all at once - cut, then sew, the cut some more
• Use different rotary cutters that require a different grip
• Put a fresh blade in so I don't have to apply too much pressure

If all else fails a good massage - like the one I had today, will always do some good. If my Lawrence peeps want a referral to a great massage therapist, let me know.

Keeping it Curious!