I've noticed over the last few days as I'm hand sewing binding onto a project, that it does not take very long for my hands to start hurting. I have to stop every 15 minutes or so and give my hands a break, but they still hurt when I go back to sewing. What do you do to alleviate hand pain when sewing by hand?

I use a great product called Biofreeze. It's kind of similar to IcyHot, but I think it works better and doesn't smell as strong.

Yes indeed, Biofreeze great stuff! Only available here at Physical Therapy place. About 12 dollars a tube, but goes a long way and worth it.

If this happened to me, I would switch to an all-machine binding method. Here is a link to a Youtube video that shows how to do this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wprg5vzkuGw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7MRfA...eature=related

My fingers are odd lengths, so I have found that hand sewing of any kind causes cramping very quickly. Since I like applique, I have switched to machine applique methods and been very happy with it. Sharon Schamber has hand tremors, so she worked on developing her machine skills to extraordinary heights.

I guess my thought is that pain is an early warning sign that the activity may not be good for the individual body, so it is better to find ways of doing things that do not cause pain.

I do a lot of hand sewing. If my hand begins to hurt while appliquing, I change needles, usually switching to a straw needle. My hand rarely hurts when I hand quilt, unless I prick myself. :(

My hands usually don't hurt, but my wrist will bother me from time to time. I blame the computer for that - I use one all day at work. If it hurts a lot I use a wrist brace, even wearing it to bed. It keeps the wrist straight and helps ease the pain.

I love Biofreeze. I can get it at the drug stores here. Works better than anything I've ever tried.

Switch to a longer needle, easier to hold.

I have never heard of this! I will have to check it out ;)

Aaaahhhh....Biofreeze...isn't it great stuff? My massage therapist keeps sample packets on display and I pick up a couple every once in a while. That little packet gives a lot of relief :thumbup:

I use the "Handeze" Gloves. They keep your body heat in the joint. I have used them for years. Without them I can bind about 15 inches, with the gloves I can bind almost the whole side of the queen sized quilt without taking a break. I swear by them.


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