I thought I would add an update from my previous post about my new cutting table setup. I posted previously about the new shelving unit, and using it as my cutting table because it was taller. I also at the same time added bedrisers to my table that my sewing machine sat on to raise it also to 36". I have seen the Martelli tables and reading up on ergonomics discusses the benefits of sit/stand desk, so it translated to me to trying raising my cutting area and the table my sewing machine is on. I have an adjustable chair, so it did still allow me to sit or stand to sew. I also made sure to be aware of my body while standing to sew, elbows at my side, back straight.
Little did I know................ About six weeks go I started having trouble with knots under my shoulder blades, terribly. I couldn't figure out what was causing it. I would take antiinflammatories, use biofreeze, heat, massage from DH. Finally, one night as I was awake in the middle of the night suffering with another knot, DH says to me, you have got to figure out what is causing this, it's something your doing differently.
, well guess what, only thing I was doing different was all in my sewing studio. The next morning I adjusted some things. It's been two weeks, amazingly, not one knot since rearranging stuff. I thought I was doing something better for my body, when in reality, for me, I was not. It was a real eyeopener for me. I guess it was the higher angle of my cutting table and machine positioning that made me hold my shoulders different, and my body did not like it. So, swapped my iron and cutting bases, ironing is now on the 36" tall shelving unit,and no problems. As a quilter, ironing is in short stints, a seam here and there, then the final top touchups, ect.... no pressure from our shoulders. My cutting table is now on my previous ironing base, and with it being lower, my shoulders are happy again.
As quilters, some of us, will cut an entire pattern or scraps, trimming, lots of rotary cutting at a time, with some downward pressure.
I wanted to update this and add this info in case some of you are having a body ache or issue related to your quilting, sewing, positioning. It was a real eye opener for me and once I made the adjustments my body needed, happy quilter, happy sewer again. Hope this helps so we can all enjoy our time at our machines and doing what we love.
