Too much rotary cutting, or the dreaded A
#12
Super Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Florida
Posts: 1,585
Okay, I was advised by my rehumatologist a number of years ago, if you're past 25, you've probably got some arthritis. I have to take breaks (a lot of them) when I cut strips for the log cabin quilts I've done. I also have some fairly serious spinal issues (had two lumbar spine surgeries) and I'll be 73 soon -- as another poster pointed out, I do one task, then take a break and/or do another task for a while. There are a lot of things I used to do in my 20's that I sure don't do anymore, like lugging 50 lb. bags of fertilizer for my rose garden -- guess what, I decided that the price of having the rose garden was just too high!
#13
I'm an RN and can tell you that most of us end up with arthritis somewhere. I probably have it although I don't "feel like I do". It sounds to me like you just overdid though. Several hours cutting is a lot!
#14
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 9,726
I am 71 and would never cut strips for longer than an hour. If I had done what you did, I would have paid the same price. My advice is to lay off cutting for a couple of days to give your body time to heal. I always have a variety of things to do, and usually do not stick with any one activity longer than an hour at a time.
#17
Super Member
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Sunny Florida
Posts: 4,431
I like using the 60mm rotary cutter for cutting. Plus I use the AQ system for cutting strips to avoid repetitious cutting.
Are you arching your finger tip to hold the ruler? I started using this method with less fatigue.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybQLai6Mv58
Perhaps one of those weighted grippers for the ruler would help.Hope you feel better soon!
Are you arching your finger tip to hold the ruler? I started using this method with less fatigue.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybQLai6Mv58
Perhaps one of those weighted grippers for the ruler would help.Hope you feel better soon!
#18
Power Poster
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Michigan
Posts: 11,276
You might want to consider an ergonomic cutter like a Martelli. The thing that I've found most effective is to have a couple of cutters. Use them both switching back and forth, and as others mentioned, don't cut for over an hour! Take lots of breaks.
#19
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Central Virginia
Posts: 1,120
I like my Fiskars ruler with the blade attached for cutting strips. It's about 7 x 28". But even with it I can't cut unlimited strips in one session. I hate my age limitations but try to be thankful for and focus on what I can do.
#20
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Flagstaff, Arizona
Posts: 9,475
I agree with everyone that you maybe need to change activities off and on. When I need to have alot of fabric cuts I will cut for awhile and then go to sewing something and then iron a little and then back to cutting. Hope you feel better soon.
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danmar
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03-12-2010 05:56 PM