Alleviating The Physical Stresses of Quilting
10-26-2025, 03:58 AM
#21
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Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Mableton, GA
Posts: 11,681
Such good suggestions. I think doing any repetitive work for hours isn't great no matter what it is. I am almost 82 and in relatively good shape so far meaning I get regular exercise and do some strength training. It would be too easy to just sit but it wouldn't be worth it in the long run. I got rid of the recliner years ago. I don't have any health issues to require it and found it was dangerous in that too easy to get in and fall asleep and do nothing else. So I agree with everyone who said get a good chair that promotes good posture and take frequent breaks and move your body as appropriate! Quilting is great but it isn't worth becoming immobilized!!
11-05-2025, 11:53 AM
#22
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: East TN
Posts: 2,857
@QuiltE Sorry I just saw this follow-up question. Neither of ours is that tall. I think 2" is about the height we use. The nice thing about the Tilt'able is that it has a couple of different feet that can adjust the angle. My fixed one is taller on one side, so I can either use the tall side or the short side, because it's shaped like a "Z." I will get a picture after work.
11-05-2025, 02:51 PM
#23
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Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 18,340
@wesing ... Many thanks for checking back in. I have another question. I have been thinking that with the machine tilted towards you, that it might make it hard to see/read the info on the front of the machine. Is it? I haven't made it to the hardware store yet, to see if I can find some door stops to give it a trial run. The book stack you suggested earlier is good, but won't work with the way my set up is.
11-06-2025, 09:01 AM
#24
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Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: East TN
Posts: 2,857
@QuiltE I'm having trouble getting my pics to sync, so I can't get the other 2 pictures, but one side of my fixed platform is 2", and the other side is 1.5". Not a huge difference, but I prefer the 2" side. One thing I'll point out is that a lot of people tilt their machine so the higher side is in the back. IMO, that created a visual obstruction by the horizontal part of the machine. I actually prefer to put the higher side in the front, and it gives me more field of vision around the needle. I normally sew standing, so that may have something to do with my view.
I'm not sure what you're trying to see on the front of the machine. I'm thinking the front is the part of the machine that is vertical on the face of the machine that you would see if you were facing the machine at level. If you mean the work area near the machine, then putting the front of the machine higher like I do gives me more visibility. You can see the back of the machine in my picture and that my front is higher than the back. Hope this helps!
Darren
I'm not sure what you're trying to see on the front of the machine. I'm thinking the front is the part of the machine that is vertical on the face of the machine that you would see if you were facing the machine at level. If you mean the work area near the machine, then putting the front of the machine higher like I do gives me more visibility. You can see the back of the machine in my picture and that my front is higher than the back. Hope this helps!
Darren
11-10-2025, 11:13 AM
#25
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Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 18,340
@QuiltE I'm having trouble getting my pics to sync, so I can't get the other 2 pictures, but one side of my fixed platform is 2", and the other side is 1.5". Not a huge difference, but I prefer the 2" side. One thing I'll point out is that a lot of people tilt their machine so the higher side is in the back. IMO, that created a visual obstruction by the horizontal part of the machine. I actually prefer to put the higher side in the front, and it gives me more field of vision around the needle. I normally sew standing, so that may have something to do with my view.
I'm not sure what you're trying to see on the front of the machine. I'm thinking the front is the part of the machine that is vertical on the face of the machine that you would see if you were facing the machine at level. If you mean the work area near the machine, then putting the front of the machine higher like I do gives me more visibility. You can see the back of the machine in my picture and that my front is higher than the back. Hope this helps!
Darren
I'm not sure what you're trying to see on the front of the machine. I'm thinking the front is the part of the machine that is vertical on the face of the machine that you would see if you were facing the machine at level. If you mean the work area near the machine, then putting the front of the machine higher like I do gives me more visibility. You can see the back of the machine in my picture and that my front is higher than the back. Hope this helps!
Darren
Thanks for the pics ... the pictures really help me think what might be possible.
Yes, it was the actual machine front that I was asking about ... the dials and such.
Makes total sense to me that you would tip it away from you, being that you stand while you sew!
When I was sewing yesterday, I was thinking more and more how this might work to make it a little easier on one's back. Still need to get to the hardware store for those door stops!
THANKS again, @wesing 