Ergonomics of Quilting Standing up?
 

I'm biting the bullet again, and giving another Toastmaster speech at our next meeting. I decided to do it on the Ergonomics of quilting (Project #5: Your Body Speaks)

I've searched our forum here and have come up with many threads on the subject of tables, chairs, cutting table height, aches, pains, taking breaks, etc. but I didn't see much on the subject of quilting standing up.

While I thought initially it would be a good idea, I rethought that after realizing that shin pain would likely develop from having your body in an upright position and constantly lifting your foot into an unnatural position to get on the foot pedal.

Any thoughts on the subject?

There is a member here that sews standing up. I can't remember which one though. Hopefully she will see your thread and respond. I remember reading one of her posts in a thread about table height

Most LA quilters quilt standing up. But we don't have foot pedals.

i do it when i am putting the binding on a large quilt by machine. i seem to have more control and can get it done faster.

The QB member I was trying to think of is Prism99. She will probably see this thread but you could drop her a pm.

I do 100% of my cutting, sewing and quilting standing up! When I look at photos of retreats where everyone is sitting, it gives me the willies! I have my machine, cutting mats and ironing boards set up to my right and left sides, a step or two to each side. I am able to move either way to do the task at hand and enjoy the fexability of moving.... My table is set up 42 inches in height by 36 inches wide and almost 8 foot long....with storage below!! For me, I would not have it any other way!!

I stand and quilt.. I find it it is less taxing on my shoulders and neck. As for pain in my shins I don't have any. I am able to see my needle better and have straighter seams. I can sew longer because I don't feel as tired.

I knew of a lady where I used to live that sewed at her machine standing up. It worked for her. I have considered it since I have such bad back and shoulder problems.

There have been times I've pieced standing up. It's only been when the stitching is very short segments with other activities (pressing, triming, designing, finding stuff) in between. It was a comfortable position rather than sitting then standing repeatedly. I didn't stay in one position very long.

I've heard/read that when standing for long periods (washing dishes) without much movement, resting one foot then the other on a small block actually helps the back. I'd consider this statement as true as gossip, so do some research before quoting.

There is research concerning the ergonomics of standing at desks by office workers .... health benefits, productivity, etc. Thought this might be of help ....

I sit but try to get up often as it kills my back, then my leg or knee will hurt. I have thought of standing more and do when I pin, cut, press and fill bobbins for quilting. It is a bit different and would be something to get use to.
I think this would be a good subject. If it doesn't work they don't have to do it.

I have lower back pain from a torn lumbar disc and like to do many tasks standing up because sitting long periods of time is sure to make me hurt. I've tried sewing while standing up, but after a few minutes my hip starts hurting on the opposite side that I use the foot pedal. I know from past experience it's because it's throwing my pelvis off level to have one foot lifted and pressing down on the foot pedal. I probably need to work for awhile with the other foot on a book to bring them both at the same level to find out if that would help. For now, I do everything else in sewing while standing and work on about 36" high tabletops or counters.

An interesting subject. If I remember I will ask my Physical Therapist which is better for your back. Personally one reason I am not even interested in a long arm is because to me it would be like standing at machine in a factory. My lower back gives me a fit if I just stand for a few minutes.

I have a LA so obviously I DO stand and quilt. But...for the rest of my sewing and cutting, I sit. I have my ironing board at a comfortable height, and that is usually where I do my cutting and ironing. I have had two back surgeries and have had back pain requiring heavy duty pain meds at times...(makes for some interesting quilts)...LOL, of COURSE you know I'm teasing, don't you? Well, don't you? Actually, if I'm hurting so badly I have to resort to pain meds, I just don't quilt until I feel better. But standing is a very doable option for me...

I worked for the seat supplier for the automotive market. The companies that sewed the covers for the seats had everything set up for stand up sewing. It was very popular to do ergonomics on all aspects of manufacturing back then. I suppose it still is. But the sewing was done in the standing position, FYI.

Just a personal observation here, but any time I do an activity that requires standing in a fairly stationary position for any length of time causes some degree of back pain. Don't know if it is posture, repetitive motion or what. Sitting on a tall stool works better for me than standing in most instances.

very interesting subject ergonomics. First IMO, which may not be of any help, I think you have to consider your body. If you don't have any issues with your body and you don't want one, you have to find the correct position to have your body at it's correct posture. And that may not be the proper way to say it, but you know the WII game where you stand and it tells you if you are properly in balance, well I guess that's what I mean, you have to properly have your body in line and balance no mater if it's standing or sitting. According to research, our bones and vertebrates start to loose many factors. Mine unfortunately lost many due to wear and tare. But standing puts less pressure on my back then sitting, however, any professional will tell you that when you are doing repeative motions in one position

(sorry pressed wrong key) your body will cramp. The best advise is to make sure your spine is always straight to have less pressure on it, and the working arms need to be at a 90 degree angel. For people who have back issue's like me, it is recommended to wear a good back brace to keep the lower back in correct position.

I use a mixture. Cut and iron standing up. Sew siting . On my long arm I stand but sometimes due to physical problems I have a kitchen stool to sit on not on wheels. Which works very well.
I like to keep moving position and stretching and wiggling my spine legs etc.

I think if you have problems to start with you'll have problems with aches and pains...whether you're quilting or doing any other activity for a long time.

I have a longarm that I stand at for hours...usually without problems....as long as I'm standing correctly, of course! I take breaks and MOVE to get the blood flowing. Perhaps changing a load of clothes (bending and stooping), going up and down the stairs, laying down on the floor to stretch or riding a exercise bike for a few minutes.

...and then there could be an entire discussion of what shoes to wear when standing for long periods of time! :D

I stand at my cutting table which is at least 36" tall and sit for all sewing machine sewing....even binding a quilt.

Nan - Indiana

Thank you all for your input!
Tartan- well, THAT would explain why it's actually feasible for some! I didn't know that machines actually came w/out a pedal. I'm thinking that with an older model machine that does have a pedal, that perhaps the seated position would be a better option (and all of the ergonomics that go with a seated position). Thank you for letting me know about the "no foot pedal" machines! (And thinking I might be considering an upgrade...)

I have been experiencing back and shoulder pain myself. I just bought a table that adjust and am planning on trying the stand up verison of sewing... I watch TV while sewing and I have just made it a habit at every commercial to stretch either my arms or my back or both. It seems to help. I have also "ditched" the pressure foot. I now you my start and stop button on my machine. It have helped my hip, and leg pain.

When I quilted on my domestic sewing machine, I found that quilting standing up was much easier on my body than quilting sitting down. Standing up I could quilt for much longer periods and walk away without having aches and pains for several days after. Standing up, I could quilt for several hours every day. Sitting down, if I quilted longer than two hours, I would have to take several days off to recover (neck and shoulder pain, and I remember pain down the center of my back). I tried lots of different things to make sitting down better -- including periodic walks and stretches, the back-weight thingie with straps from Nancy's Notions, etc. They helped a little. Quilting standing up helped a *lot*.

I placed my sewing machine on my cutting table to quilt standing up. My machine is a Bernina 1230, which does not have a button. The cord on my sewing machine pedal was *just* long enough to place on the floor. Perhaps the ergonomics of other sewing machine pedals is different, but I had no problems with using the pedal for machine quilting. The Bernina pedal is rather large; maybe that makes a difference.

One thing I did that improved my quilting was to make a styrofoam "surround" for my sewing machine, based on the Youtube videos for how to make a cheap sewing/quilting table. After placing my machine on the cutting table (I have a large sturdy one with a height that hits me about 4 inches below the waist), I would place the styrofoam surround so my machine surface was large and flat.

Now that I have a midarm frame setup (Voyager/Hinty), I am in heaven. It's ***so*** much easier for me than trying to manhandle a quilt through a domestic arm. I did find a little stiffness in my back after my first quilting sessions on the frame, but that has gone away. I typically do not quilt on the frame for more than 2 hours or so at a time. If I were quilting long hours for a business, I would invest in a gel pad (currently am on a concrete floor) and take more frequent breaks.

Hope this helps!

Edit: It occurs to me that the height of the person, the height of the table, and the length of the pedal cord would all affect the comfort of quilting standing up. I am 5'6" and the combo of table height and cord length worked for me. Someone who is taller could have a problem because the cord might not be long enough for the table height needed for comfort. Someone who is shorter would not have this problem.

Excellent information- THANK YOU for your post!

I've done it both ways. Remember the step stools/chairs, I still have one. My pedal cord is a little short so it sits on a small 20x20x5 platform. I use it sitting or standing. I have scoliosis and arthritis in my back. DH put 1/4 round on edges so pedal doesn't slide off.

Momto5, I win the back surgery compitition lol I've had a total of 6 & unfortunately I have to live on very strong pain meds but it I wont let it stop me from learning, I feel your pain (literally) I am learning because it's something I can do sitting down but I need to stand occasionally too so thats when I do my cutting. I am happy that you only need meds occasionally I truly am, keep on keeping on! :thumbup:

I sew standing up. Hasn't caused me any pain. I have my sewing machine & serger side by side...right next to the cutting mat & in back of me is the ironing board. I prefer it, no getting up and down to press blocks.
Marge

I have had neck surgery and still have neck pain. I also have lower back pain. I've found the best thing is a combination of sitting and standing. I do my cutting and ironing standing, and my cutting table is in the other room so I can get some circulation going.

My lower back will definitely act up if I do not tuck my hips under to prevent my natural "sway back". I also have to concentrate on dropping my shoulders and sitting straight because of my "hunch back".

When I worked customer service on a PC all day I was SO thankful to be able to lift my whole work station to standing level. When I get used to correct posture I think I will arrange to stand while sewing and quilting too.

The start-stop button is a lifesaver for me. I don't even know where my foot pedal is right now. Itisso much easier to con trol the fabric this way. Iknow it is hard for some people to get the hang of it this way,but practice it.

I sew standing at my cutting table. I find it much more comfortable and way less shoulder and neck pain. It is so much easier to move around to the ironing board, cutting board, getting coffee, etc. than getting up and down. Sometimes I| even put the foot pedal on the table and operate it with my hand (thinking of the hand-crank machines, and how they operated them).

Nova had a program just last night about the ergonomics of standing and not sitting down in chairs. Their conclusion was never sit down except for a short period of time each time; the body is much better off when you stand and move around.

I know potters and office workers who work standing up because of back problems. I think what works for you depends on what part of the back has problems. I would suggest a rubber mat to stand on and take breaks or dance to a CD while sewing.

I too sew standing up. I didn't years ago, but after surgery left me with a spine/rib issue resulting in severe scoliosis, I lost 4 inches in height. Now, at only 5'2", I have a harder to seeing my work if I sit and sew, no to mention because I sew at a kitchen table, I have to lift my arms and this causes me additional shoulder, neck and upper-back pain, of which my surgery left me with plenty of already. By standing I have a great viewing angle, and my arms are in a downward reaching position, which causes less strain on my shoulders. I've tried using an elevating office chair, but find myself standing and sewing after ironing or such. Plus, I'm sure it burns a lot more calories to stand, much healthier than sitting for long periods.