Quilts & More - USA (2020 - Summer)

Take Action

Plan your cutting.

Most quilters know that

rotary cutting saves time

because you can cut

through multiple layers of

fabric at once, but it also

can help decrease the

amount of cuts you have to

make. Review your pattern

and look for ways you can

minimize cutting, such as

lining up pieces to trim and

then using a long ruler to

trim them all in one stroke.

Buy a wrist brace or learn

to do a wrist wrap.

If you know you are at a

point in the sewing process

that will require a lot of

repetitive motion with

your hands, such as hand-

stitching binding or cutting

lots of strips, wear a wrist

brace to protect yourself.

There are many types

available, from compression

gloves to braces with hard

plastic plates. You also can

fi nd resources online on

how to wrap your wrist using

inexpensive athletic wraps

or tape.

The human hand is complex and includes 27 bones,

three major nerves, 34 muscles, and 29 joints.

Repetitive strain injuries (RSI) are some of the most common

causes of hand pain. The repeated motions and positions you

hold your hand in while machine piecing, rotary cutting, and

hand stitching can all cause infl ammation over time.

Carpal tunnel syndrome , which involves the median nerve

being pinched by the bones that make up the carpal tunnel in

your wrist and is characterized by numbness in your fi ngers, is

one of the most common wrist ailments. Other causes of wrist

pain include: arthritis, tendonitis, and neurological conditions.

Contact your doctor if wrist pain persists to determine what is

wrong and the best way to treat it.

Did you know?

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2

1

When I’m sewing by hand, I always make

sure that the needle is sharp enough to pass

through the fabric without too much effort.

I’m also careful to replace the blade on my

rotary cutter whenever it gets dull so that I

don’t have to put too much pressure on my

wrist as I cut. Whether I’m sewing or cutting,

it’s important to take breaks so that my

fingers and hands have the chance to rest.

— Heidi Staples, designer of Two Can Play on page 

Sew Healthy

More and more notions and sewing tools are being designed with

ergonomics in mind. Test products like rotary cutters in the store before

you buy them and see how they fi t in your hand. A tool that fi ts well will

be more comfortable during long sewing sessions.

Die-cutting tools are a good alternative to rotary cutting if you

are prone to wrist pain. Some tools use a hand crank, which could

potentially aggravate the wrist and shoulder when done for long

periods of time. Electric die-cutting tools push the die through the

machine with a motor, eliminating the need to crank.

Change your rotary-cutter blade often. It takes more pressure to cut

with a dull blade, which causes more stress on the wrist.

Hand & Wrist Health

Mindful Making.indd 17 FINAL 3/3/20 2:28 PM