martha jo

Check with your dr there is a new treatment and you are young enough you might be eligible. I think it is in the experimental stage but you still might qualify.

Lori S

I use a metallic needle most of the time. The eye is bigger and I can thread it more easliy.

lclang

I have cataracts also and until I recover sufficiently from 2 other surgeries I have to make do in the sewing room. I use a swing arm lamp for general sewing. When I need to thread a needle I use a strip of white paper behind the needle and a flashlight to see with. Guide my quilt blocks along the 1/4 inch edge of my machines sewing foot. Use a large lamp by my easy chair where I do hand sewing and pressing. Stitch in the ditch by directing the seam exactly in the center of a marked foot. So far, so good! Takes extra time and care but it works for me.

debbieumphress

Hello. I am totally blind in my right eye except for just a tiny bit of light that gets thru. Over the last two years My left eye has strengthened but sill has vision like yours so I Tend to close my right eye when quilting or lining things up. Makes it so much better. Funny how just a little is too much. Hope this helps.

MadQuilter

I remember reading an article about a blind quilter. Googling, I came across a link to a newsletter where a blind quilter is supposed to have given some ideas:

[You’ll find these tips in the Oct. 31 issue of Kaye Wood’s Quilting Newsletter at http://www.kayewood.com/newsletter.pdf ]

Don't feel like signing up myself, but you may want to.

I know the the Society for the Blind has many aids to assist a visually challended person INCLUDING sewing supplies. Do you have a chapter in your neighborhood?

grandme26

I have eye muscle paralysis so can not focus with both eyes. My right eye is for readying a close up work in quilting etc. I use a bright light and a magnifying glass to thread a needle. For me it is important to have a bright light. Also you might want to trust your sense of feel. You can do anything you want to do, it takes practice.

Deb G

I've heard about it to. We have a friend with it but he's to blind to qualify. If you haven't heard about it, do a search and see what you come up with or call around to spec to see if any are familiar with it.
Good luck with your quilting. I'm sure you're quilts will be cherished by those that get them.

applique

I was lucky enough to save the sight in one eye with a cornea transplant. I use two industrial machines one set up for satin stitch the other for straight stitch. Both have very bright hallogen lights and magnifiers and I have no problems. Black on black can be tough but with the white markers I can mark the edges before stitching.

Gayle

I use a bright light, like an Ott light. It really makes a difference!

aneternalpoet

I , too, am legally blind, and struggle with lining up seams, and such.. I decided when I began to quilt a few years ago, that just because my eyesight might be extremely poor, that I could see beauty in what I create, because everything in my old line of sight ( before becoming legally blind ) was beautiful.. I might not see other things clearly, or have perfect or even semi perfect looks to my quilts, but I do see perfection in the joy I have creating them.. Usually, and I say Usually, noone makes rude comments about why a seam isn't lining up , or why color matches don't always go.. just because they don't like it, doesnt mean I don't love making them..
So just hang in there, and be VERY proud of your accomplishments, because I know how hard it is sometimes when our vision doesn't line up with our abilities to create..