Quiltingboard Forums - Ideas: To Help Quilter's With Arthritis,Muscle,Nerve,et. Disorders?

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I have trouble with my hands and wrist and a friend of mine cannot stand for long. So, we trade work. I have a long arm, so I quilt her quilts for her and she does all my binding. We are both very happy with this arrangement. I also have an ergonomic rotary cutter and a cutting table set high. I wear a wrist/hand brace when cutting or doing any type of hand work. I also stop and do hand and wrist exercises so my hands don't cramp up. When working on the long arm, I wear good shoes with good support to protect my spine/back. I am considering getting anti-fatigue mats as well even though the machine is on carpet on the second floor (so no cement). When working on the long arm I don't grab the handles tight, just guide them lightly - otherwise my hands cramp and hurt. After each pass I stop and stretch and my fingers and wrist. This helps a lot. It is amazing what we remedies we can find to be able to continue our beloved quilting!

Quote:

Originally Posted by earthwalker (Post 5319490)

I also have Lupus along with Psoriatic Arthritis....I know how frustrating it is when you really want to quilt, but your body is not co-operating.

To keep continuity/sanity (idle hands and all that:) I have a few things on the go at the same time....If handwork is out of the question...I work on designs, cut templates or sort fabric. I am trying to use my machine as much as possible, remembering to hop up every so often and do another task. I use a tall step stool to sit on when I iron and again, break the task into chunks rather than do "marathons". Spring loaded snips are a treasure and where would we be without wheat bags and sheepskin slippers:). As long as I can do a quilt related activity for at least one hour a day I am a happy bunny.

Project boxes are useful....the pattern, notes, fabrics, thread, everything you need for that quilt all in a big decorative box (I get mine from Red Dot (a dollar store)). That way you are not rummaging around trying to find stuff, you can take it to the bedroom or sofa (wherever you can work comfortably) and if visitors call, or when you are done for the day everything can pile into the box without too much trouble and mess is kept to the minimum.

I label everything and keep most the most used items in the more accessible areas of my workspace. I have also found fingerless gloves (my kids call them hobo gloves) to be very handy...they keep most of your hand/wrist warm yet allow you to use the fingertips without impediment. I have quite a few pairs as they can get a bit grotty if you wear them a lot.

I too have Psoriatic Arthritis and nerve damage that effects my hands from a car accident 25 years ago. I have achy shoulders, knees and elbows. My hands go numb pretty quickly. I also have Psoriasis on the palms of my hands. Just the constant touching of the fabrics on my palms makes my hands itch to no end! Any one with Psoriasis knows that the more you itch, the worse your Psoriasis is. I wear fingerless craft gloves (purchased in craft dept at Walmart - They are neon green). If I am having trouble with numbness, I wear the compression gloves. I have a squishy mat in front of my ironing board and another one in front of my cutting table. I make sure my chair is at a good height when I am sewing. I stretch often. I tend to hunch over when I am sewing and that really affects the damaged nerve in my neck and shoulders. I find it very difficult to do any kind of hand work so I don't sweat it that I have to sew my bindings on by machine. Not that any of the quilts are going into a show to be judged! I have home exercises that the chiropractor gave me for the nerve issues. If I do them faithfully, I don't have much issue. I can tell when I have slacked off.

I found the TrueCut Rulers and their bent rotary cutter to be beneficial. There is a ridge on the cutter thar rides on the ruler. I don't have to stress my wrist to keep the blade in line with the ruler. It just happens naturally because of the ridge. I also use their electric blade sharpener to keep my blades sharp so I don't have to apply so much pressure.

There is a rubber mat that surgeons use when they have to stand for hours.

Well, I have to say I am amazed and humbled by many of you!! You continue to make quilts because you love it, in spite of physical limitations. That's real passion!! You're an inspiration!!

I have degenerative arthritis in my lower back and bursitits in my left hip; both conditions work together to make everything painful. The one thing that has helped me the most, aside from what others have already mentioned...is to mentally change my thinking. I know I can no longer create a quilt in a few days. Little messages about time not being an issue, not setting deadlines and just totally focusing on the joy of being able to quilt has become my new focus.

Since my chemo I have numb hands and feet but I just keep quilting. I use most of the items already listed. I have come to realize I will do what I can as I enjoy it. My hand applique is not what it used to be but it is satisfying so I just do it. We may be slower and maybe not as good as before but keep up the habit! Our mental hapiness counts for lots.

Perhaps a timer to remind one to get up and move?
Or set the ironing board a little bit away so one has to get up (if one can)?

I iron sitting down. You can adjust the ironing board any height why stand when you can sit.
http://help4neckpain.com/h4np.php this was a helpful site that I got from the quilting school. Hope it goes through

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silver Needle (Post 5319708)

That's exactly the one I found. I couldn't remember the name when I first posted. That one thing alone helped tremendously with rotary cutting with RA hands! I will look at their rotary sharpener. Thanks.