You need to use gloves! also try to get you table and machine at the same level with a large area on the side and the back to let the quilt flow. You can either buy a expensive table to put your machine in or make one out of insulation. Google making sewing machine table out of insulation and you should find a how to. My husband made me one for about $30. Also make sure that that you hands/arms are at 90 degree angle with you table just like it should be when typing on the computer. Either raise you chair or lower you table (cut off the legs)