Cutting Material
 

Please help. Right now I am unable to stand for very long and cut material. Had surgery on knee and not doing to good with it. Anyway my question is this. I am trying to figure out a way to sit and cut my material, does anyone else do this and if so can you give me suggestions or better yet pictures. If I can't figure anything out I may have to give up my sewing and quilting. For 2 days now I have been trying to cut material to make a travel bag for my sewing utensils. Almost got it done but I am so swollen and hurt so bad. I just know someone on here will come up with a good ideal for me.

Thank you
verna2197

Oh, please don't quit .... we would miss you. Can you cut for short periods of time .... 5 -7 minutes? Then switch to another activity for the same amount of time, coming back to the cutting. It may take longer but you're getting it done.

I have cut sitting down before. The way I did it was this: I used a wooden TV tray and put my smaller cutting mat on it. I set it next to my height adjustable office chair. I put the height if the chair almost to the highest setting so I was able to lean over the TV tray while cutting. This method can put a strain on your neck and back but I was able to cut longer this way than I was able to standing. I didn't cut large pieces of fabric due to the size restrictions of the TV tray.

Do you have a friend nearby who could cut quilt kits for you using your fabric and patterns?

Do you have a kitchen counter you can use that's wide enough for your cutting mat. Then a bar stool to sit on and prop your leg with the bad knee on a box?

*** I have cut sitting down at my Lowered Ironing Board.

I cut sitting down most of the time. Maybe it works because I am tall and have long arms. When I am cutting fleece or extremely long pieces, I stand with my right foot on the floor and my left knee on a chair. If I didn't lower my body a few inches that way, the table would be too low. I guess we each have to find what works for us - our bodies and our furniture.

Sorry, no ideas here. I haven't tried sitting down to cut. I know a lower surface is easier to cut on than a higher one.
The above idea to cut a few minutes, do something and come back to cutting. Sounds like shorter time cutting would be easier.

I use my ironing board with a small piece of thin plywood under the cutting mat so it is solid and sit on my adjustable sewing chair--have done it this way for several years--works for me just fine. Have arthritis in feet, hips and back plus an artificial knee so standing is a problem for me also--

I agree with the others that you need to be higher than your cutting mat. On a different note -- keep up with your pain meds -- don't try to be tough and not take it on schedule. I've had 3 surgeries on my knee and know how painful it is. Hope you get some relief soon. Good luck with your PT

Another thing is, what kind of rotary cutter do you have? Have you tried one of the ergonomic ones. I really like my Martelli They make a righty & a leftie
here's what they look like:
http://www.amazon.com/Martelli-Ergo-...+rotary+cutter
It would be great if you had one you could try first as I use mine standing. I actually alternate a 'regular' fiskars straight handle type with the martelli. use one for a while, then switch.

oh wow such good ideas. I have a table from Sams Club in the attic, the legs are adjustable, my Dh is going to get it down for me, then I will just adjust my chair higher. Hopefully that will work, I don't want to give up my quilting. Thank you everyone that has responded to my question.

I haven't been able to stand for long periods of time for years. I always cut sitting down. I hadn't thought about exactly what I did. I've used any chair, any table. Right now, I'm sitting on a dining room chair with two thick pads on it and cutting on a cutting board on a TV table, but I'd use the dining room table if it were clear. I haven't had any problems with any sitting configuration.

I have used a tv fold table , this had adjustable heights to fit just right height to cut, I couldn't use my left hand or arm, so to keep the ruler still I found some weights to hold ruler down. Other than that I marked with a pen and hand cut using scissors.

I always cut sitting down. I can't stand for long periods due to a back injury a few years ago. I fold my fabric into 4 times the width and cut with my 6 x 12 inch ruler. I find it very comfortable and can cut for long periods without any problem.
Sue

I cut sitting down also. I am at a regular folding table but I put my office chair at it's highest. Also, I never just cut fabric. I cut a little, sew a little, cut a little sew a little. It works for me.

I always cut sitting down. I am 5'5 so I don't know what it is, but my table seems just the right height for me. I also cut, and sew, etc. I have several autoimmune disorders with severe fatigue so I have to sit to quilt etc.

I sometimes put my cutting mat on an ottoman when watching TV, then sit on the sofa and cut leaning forward toward it. One ottoman is upholstered and somewhat soft, so it works best if I put a piece of plywood or thick cardboard under the mat to keep the mat from bowing down where I am cutting.

Maybe a coffee table is about the right height and sturdiness for cutting mat to be placed on? I use mine sometimes when DH is away and I want to cut fabric and watch TV.

Ive done it with the table at waist high- belly button.. lol.. that seems to work for me..

Everyone recovers from any kind of surgery in their own time, so don't give up on that just yet!

If you can sit at a desk or a table, even for a short time, you can cut fabric.

However, you'll need a cutting board that is small enough to fit on the desk, and you probably won't have the leverage to cut through more than 2 layers of fabric. If you have an old, large cutting mat, see if someone can cut it to fit the desk or the area of the table in front of you. Or you could get one of the rotating cutting mats and use that.

Remember to cut for short periods so that you can sit with your leg elevated to attempt to reduce swelling.

Otherwise, the best suggestion I can think of is to buy precuts while you're recovering. Friends might also be willing to cut fabrics for you.

My prayers for your speedy recovery are on their way.

This is a good idea!

Haven't stood to cut material in a couple decades. I keep my mat close to the edge and have at it.

I use a 36" by 24" mat and don't stand. It fits my table just fine.

I cut for a friend who can't cut. I don't mind a bit. Perhaps one of your friends would be glad to help.

I never really understood justifying the cost to Accucut machine ( think i mispelled it) but this would be a perfect situation. Maybe you can borrow one or find one for a reasonable cost.

I've cut on my coffee table before, either sitting on the sofa or on a small stool.

Martelli makes a cutter that works very well when sitting

I've used a drafting chair to cut at times when my back told me to "sit down!" You can adjust it to counter or table height and cut away on your mat.

I have severe back problems and sometimes I just cut one or two cuts as I pass by going somewhere else and then sit for a few minutes. You do have to go to the bathroom and kitchen and it works for me when my back is particularly painful.

I also cut a little, sew a little, press a little. I do better cutting while I stand but the old back is begging for a change. I'm pretty awkward cutting while sitting, but occasionally I will trim up blocks, etc. while seated. The TV tray sounds like an idea I will try.

I have a disability and before I got my cutting table I cut on the floor and leaned over a laundry basket to take the weight of my knees/hips. The laundry basket might not be practical for you (I am very short), but maybe a similar idea would work? I know someone who can cut sitting at a table, I have no idea HOW she does it. I can't get enough leverage when I sit.

Here is a photo of my set -up in a blog post I wrote recently. http://blog.unlimiters.com/2014/01/0...ited-quilting/

First, I'm very hopeful that you will fully recover, so hang in there.

Second, I always cut sitting down and it's not a problem. Just adjust your table, or chair so that you can reach and see your ruler clearly at the far end. Also, keep a sharp blade in your rotary cutter, so you don't have to push so hard. I have a feeling that once you start cutting while sitting down, you'll never cut standing up again. Good luck with your recovery!

~ Cindy

After my knee surgeries, I kept my knee propped up. It does not have to be held level [your knee] just elevated to help . I used a small waste basket at m sewing machine or table. Diane C

Let me tell you what problems I have before I tell you how I compensate. (1) I have a fractured L-5 vertebra, so can't stand for long; (2) I had a torn meniscus repair in my left knee last year; and (3) I have cubital tunnel syndrome, which is the same as carpal tunnel syndrome, except it is in the elbows. To compensate for (1) and (3), I lower my ironing board so I can sit at it and at a height that my elbows barely bend. I took the padding off so the cutting mat stays stiff, but if you have a wooden cutting board or a piece of plywood that will support your mat, you won't have to take the padding off. After my knee surgery, I found I didn't need to elevate my leg, just keep the joint straight, to keep pressure off my knee. Having the cutting mat lower means that you can use your weight more effectively to do your cutting. I've been cutting sitting down for over 5 years, and don't have any trouble.

The Martelli ergo cutter is really great. I got one for Christmas, and I can't believe how different it is from other rotary cutters. Instead of leaning down and pushing, which was hard on my wrists and shoulder, you just sort of roll it along and it cuts like a dream. It's a better product that I expected, and that's sayin' something...

I'm pretty much a "newbie" and I dislike cutting. (I screw it up most of the time):mad: Soooooo....I use mostly precuts. Just my thoughts. :)

I have been placing my cutting mat on the kitchen table, and cutting there. The most important thing is to use a new sharp blade, as you don't get as much pressure sitting as you would standing. It is working well for me.

I sit down and cut my material. I have a office chair/w rollers. My sewing area(table) is 29 3/4'' high. I have my sewing machine to the right. My cutting mat to the left. And behind that is my 4ft fluroscent light attached to a wooden shelf. That way my 2 of my 3 dogs, can get on that shelf. And look out side. Take care of yourself.