I just don't know if I can do this...I did three preemie quilts and now My back is killing me!!! I just can't sit at the machine...Just 20 or 30 minutes at the machine and it takes days getting over it...It takes months to put together and crib size quilt...I just bought a quilting foot thinking machine quilting would help me get them done faster but forget that...i don't think I can sit at the machine that long...I just don't think I will be able to do any kinda sewing....I think I am going to take a couple of months off and see if I can get over this...

Do you have the right chair for the job? Is your sewing machine close to you or feather back? Try closer. Pillow behind your lower back. Feet firmly on the floor. And please get up and strech Evey 10 to 15 min.

Have you thought about hand quilting? then you can sit wherever you are comfortable, on couch, recliner, and sew? I know a machine is faster but you should enjoy what you do. or take breaks , lots of breaks to get up and move around.

I have a bad back and I have to get up frequently. I keep my iron and ironing board across the room so I have to get up to press. I use a deeper cushion on my chair, I have a heating pad I use a lot of the time. Posture is really really important to, relax the shoulders, sit as straight as you can and keep both feet level as you can.

Hope this helps, I've had to learn to lie down and hand quilt during the worst days. But it doesn't hurt the enjoyment.

Hugs,
Sharon

I'm like Sharon...I get up often and walk around. I also have a recliner (my love seat) and I go in, sit back and crochet, sometimes for only 5-10 minutes. That helps a lot. Also, the height of your sewing machine can affect your back and shoulders. Make sure you're not stretching to reach UP.....

I can't use kitchen chairs...I have to use office chairs....some day I'll have enough money to buy the really cool one for quilters -- maybe. :D

Good luck --- don't give up yet!!!

d

I injured my back several years ago, and workers comp sent me to a therapist and called it "back school". There I learned when standing for long periods of time ( I do it now for even short ones) relax knee, do not keep it rigid, and place other foot up on something at least 2 inches high. it takes the pressure off your back. Alternate legs if standing a long time. For sitting, the knees should be higher than the hips. So I put something on floor under sewing table to put mu feet up on. Every so often, the foot petal falls off, but putting it back is easier than back discomfort.
I was at Verizon the other day and they have a bar for the standing workers to use at the work stations. I thought that was neat.
I hope this helps you enjoy our wonderful craft, I would go stir crazy if I couldn't sew!!!!!

Ok, gf, I beg you to try this:
I have fibromyalgia, and if I didn't exercise, my back and all, would not hold up to sewing either! ask me how I know?
Start with something simple like a few calisthenics, and do sets of five each.
Do this every day for a week, then start upping the number, and skipping to every other day.
Your muscles aren't strong enough to hold you up for long periods of time.
I used to do them with the tv on.
Now I have a machine called a gazelle, and it is like a skiing motion, and the most fun I've ever had exercising. It actually feels good.
I use a timer too. Hope you feel better, so your back at your machine soon. hugs, mousie :D

Have you tried going to a chiropractor? Maybe something's just a little out of whack.
Or tried Aleve? If it's just muscle strain, Aleve works in like 20 minutes for me.
My legs ache like crazy if I quilt for several hours straight. I have the bad habit of sitting with one tucked under me, or with my legs crossed.

I hope some of the ideas posted help!! :-)

I peice the quilts on machine and hand quilt them...When in my recliner I am ok it is the sewing machine work that kills me...right through by shoulder blades and up my neck....i just can't explain the pain...it is like someone is pinching my spine and cracking my bones....it gets better with time...takes about 2 weeks before I can sew again...My chair is a good one and my table is the right height...guess it is just all the sewing when younger and computer job I had been doing for last 2 1/2 years...I am going to give myself some time off and see....The thing is I am all by myself during the week and as of June I have no job..Sewin gives me something to do...But like I said I am goin to stop for awhile and see...then start back slow...

When I set up my sewing table, I had everything at the recommended height, and it almost killed my back. I have a height adjustable chair, and lowered it until the feed dog is breast high and that made all the difference. Maybe I was leaning over too much because I'm so near-sighted, but now my back doesn't hurt even if I sit for a couple of hours.

Good luck!