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-   -   Sewing after Surgery, have you done it? (https://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1/sewing-after-surgery-have-you-done-t59084.html)

Jingle 08-12-2010 03:34 PM

If your sewing machine is on a table with legs, maybe you could get someone to get some bed risers and put them under the legs to raise the table and machine up, this would make it a better height after you are healed and you wouldn't have to scrunch down to see, you still may need an adjustable office type chair. Good luck and realize 2-4 weeks will pass quickly.

cherylynne 08-12-2010 05:02 PM

Sometimes your moral has more influence on your health than meds. If you have the doctor's go ahead than do some light sewing. Stop when you are tired and take it easy.

kay carlson 08-12-2010 05:55 PM

I am 5'9" tall and always use kitchen counter height surface when standing to cut material. I liked the suggestion for raising a table height with bed risers. Once you arrange your cutting surface at a higher level, you will definitely find you are using less energy to complete your task. I believe you get more accurate cuts with the rotary cutter when standing.

My adjustable height ironing board with removable, homemade Big Board allows me to adjust height for comfortable sitting position. I can plan, cut and do handwork at this comfort level while still keeping better posture. I like to think positive with "range of motion" just as if you were setting up workspace in a kitchen. :-)

One other brainstorm, please. I followed the advise of someone from the QB and purchased two rubber door stoppers at Wally World. I place them underneath the back edge of my sewing machine. This tips the machine slightly toward me.
The sewing surface is much easier for me to see :-) without hunching over or getting a sore neck.

jayelee 08-12-2010 06:37 PM

Im glad you found a way to make it work after my heart sugery my doctor finally okayed my sewing because it helped to keep from stressing out so we lowered my sewing machine and raisede my cutting table Please find a way to make it work for you because sewing actually has a calming effect for most of us

pookie ookie 08-12-2010 07:26 PM

Glad you got the okay for sewing.

I'm also legally blind. I sometimes uses a magnifier which looks like a short welder's mask. It's available from craft stores.

If rotary cutting becomes troublesome, try using scissors while seated. I do that often.

After a botched abdominal surgery, I alternated sewing with knitting. Knitting didn't stress my torso or cause me to hunch over.

Good luck with your recovery.

mom-6 08-12-2010 09:13 PM

Glad to hear you are well on the way to recovery.

Just a word on the adjustable office chair...be sure to give it a good long trial 'sit' before purchasing and get them to thoroughly demonstrate all the adjustments...if you get a chair that doesn't 'fit' properly it will NOT be comfortable for very long.

You don't have to get an expensive one, but some of the cheapies are not comfy at all, even for 10-15 minutes. You should be able to get a good one for around $60-$100. Any cheaper and it may not be good quality...unless you happen to hit the right sale! I found one at a yard sale for $10 that was a perfect fit and it's still in good condition after several years of use.

sewcrafty 08-13-2010 04:23 AM

What if you put something behind your sewing machine to tilt the backside up towards you. A lot of quilters do this just for the ease of viewing.

As far as cutting material, I cut right next to my sewing machine and just roll the chair over there to do my cutting sitting down. I can sit and cut most everything unless its long borders.

Elsie 08-17-2010 01:39 PM

i had heart surgery two years go i couldn't do much the first two week but after tat i did all hand work that how i got threw till i can sew again with machine


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