pacarnahan

I have noticed that the top of my right foot is becoming numb after sewing for a while. No pain (yet). Any suggestions? I have put the presser foot on the table and I am using my right hand, but this isn't easy or speedy when I have to chain pieces through. I have a start/stop button as well, but, a pain when chain sewing.

This is a pretty recent problem. I usually sew barefoot, maybe wearing sturdy shoes?

Help, Please!

yngldy

Adjust your chair, rotate your hips, scoot forward more in the chair, or put a book underneath the pedal? Sometimes, it is just the way you are sitting. Especially if it is for a long time.

susie-susie-susie

Yngldy has some good suggestions. Another is to get up and walk around every so often.
Sue

sweetpea

have nothing to add to yngldy and susie. but to try putting your foot pedal on a angle.

Peckish

Try turning the pedal around, keeping your foot flat and just curling your toes over the edge of the pedal. Make your toe joints do the work instead of your ankle.

My other thought is maybe your foot is becoming numb because of a lack of blood flow. As others have said, check your chair height, elevate the pedal, get up and move around more often.

mom-6

I've had much the same problem sometimes with frequent long distance driving. Apparently there is something about the way I hold my foot/leg that causes an issue. It doesn't happen often but when it does it is a nuisance. A good massage therapist or chiropractor can help. I've tried both at various times.

You might also try adjusting the position of your chair. Are you in a cramped (or stretched) position in regards to your foot pedal?

I've decided that there may be some connection between the position of my seat and the numbness. If someone else drives my truck or I move the seat to accommodate a long legged person in the back seat and don't readjust it is worse.

NanaCsews2

I feel your pain! That is why I have to wear shoes to sew. I haven't been able to wear slippers when sewing for years. My feet have arches and I need the support, both when sewing and when standing while ironing, measuring, and cutting fabrics. If I forget the shoes and get antsy on a project, the pain goes from my feet to my hips to my lower back real quick.
Is anything constricting the back of your thigh? I find when I sit too far forward on a chair and the edge of the chair even remotely touches any part of the back of my upper legs, my legs, hips, and feet can hurt for days. And this is after sitting like that for a half hour or so. Many restaurants we cannot go to because of their 'teeny tiny' chairs.
The foot pedal should be placed so that your ankles are not stretched and your foot is not flexed. Your toes shouldn't be involved in using the foot pedal.
Here is a link that may be useful: http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/sewi...iondesign.html
As an exercise, a physical therapist told me to take my foot and flex it forward, then bring it back and hold it. Then rotate my ankles clockwise and counter clockwise. This helps with any fluid retention in the lower legs too.

pacarnahan

Thanks for the information, I shall try everything. This is a new problem, so I hope it can be solved quickly. I have a few new projects that I am anxious to start: Indian Orange Peel and Chinese Fans.

amelia0607

I often find myself actually switching feet. I have hip bursitis and this helps with that. Good luck!!

qwkslver

Can you try using the alternate foot for breaks? I am an MT and that's what I do. I use my right foot most of the time and sometimes it starts to hurt or get numb. The other foot swells from lack of movement. I switch. It's hard to get used to using the other foot but if you can tolerate it for even a short time it gives the other one time to recoup. It could be tarsal tunnel starting and you want to ward that off if possible.