Quilts & More - USA (2020 - Summer)

18 Quilts & More | SUMMER 2020

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Force yourself to move.

One of the biggest dangers

of sewing is sitting too long

in one position. Quilters

often organize their sewing

spaces for maximum

efficiency, with all the tools

they need close at hand,

but that encourages them

to sit even longer. Move

your pressing, cutting, and

sewing stations to different

sides of the room so you

get up, stretch, and walk

throughout the sewing

process.

Anti-fatigue mats help

more than you think.

Place anti-fatigue mats at

your cutting and pressing

stations or long-arm quilting

machine to help take some

of the stress off your back

from standing and leaning.

Set a timer.

In the middle of a project,

it’s easy to lose track of how

long you’ve been working.

Set a timer as a reminder to

take a break.

Improper posture is one of the leading causes of back pain as it

puts pressure on particular vertebrae. Do not roll your shoulders

or lean forward.

Sleep can have a big impact on your back health. A supportive

mattress and sleeping in a side position can help the muscles in

your back relax so you wake up refreshed and pain-free.

Holding your hips, shoulders, or back at odd angles for long

periods of time can lead to spinal discomfort.

Did you know?

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2

1

I make sure that my sewing

machine is in the correct position so I’m not

leaning over or to the side. I have an office

chair that lets me adjust the back position,

height, and lumbar support, and remove the

arms. Finally, my cutting table is the right

height for me so that I don’t bend over too

much and strain my back.

— Monique Jacobs, designer of Inner Glow on page 

Sew Healthy

Make your work station ergonomically correct. When sitting at your

sewing machine, your elbows should be at 90° angles and your wrists

flat. Keep your feet flat on the floor (use a foot rest if you’re short). If

your foot pedal slips, add adhesive grips to the back of it so that you

aren’t extending your spine to chase after it with your foot. Finally, if

you find yourself hunched over or stretching upward, adjust the height

of the table or use bed risers to lift the table.

Sitting for long periods of time is hard on your back. Get an adjustable

chair and add a lumbar support pillow if necessary. Consider sewing

standing up using a standing desk. If your sewing machine has a

start/stop button, it might be easier to use than the foot pedal

when standing.

Look for sewing-machine tables with a hole to drop in your machine.

It will help keep your wrists in a flat position, which reduces wrist and

shoulder tension, especially when quilting on a domestic machine.

Back & Shoulder Health

Mindful Making.indd 18 FINAL 3/3/20 2:28 PM