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craftybear 10-28-2010 10:53 AM

thanks for the links


Originally Posted by Prism99
If this happened to me, I would switch to an all-machine binding method. Here is a link to a Youtube video that shows how to do this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wprg5vzkuGw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7MRfA...eature=related

My fingers are odd lengths, so I have found that hand sewing of any kind causes cramping very quickly. Since I like applique, I have switched to machine applique methods and been very happy with it. Sharon Schamber has hand tremors, so she worked on developing her machine skills to extraordinary heights.

I guess my thought is that pain is an early warning sign that the activity may not be good for the individual body, so it is better to find ways of doing things that do not cause pain.


nativetexan 10-28-2010 11:01 AM

odor free Apsercreme is good too. or running warm water over your hands helps.

ckcowl 10-28-2010 11:06 AM

as with any new activity a little discomfort is normal...if you haven't ran a step in years and decide to race your child to the end of the road, chances are your legs are going to tell you about it...maybe for days...use eases the pain, really. if i go a couple months with no hand work my fingers will literally cramp up and my wrist swells, it's ugly...i kind of ease back into it...use what ever pain reliever works for you, use a good lotion, or ointment, sew for maybe 15 minutes and put it down, go back hours later and do another 15 minutes, after some time you will find you can sew as long as you want without the residual discomfort. and as long as you stick with it you should be ok.
I know a retired surgeon, he has been a fabulous hand piecer/quilter for years, he said it's how he kept his fingers nimble to be able to preform surgery well.
and all that being said...if you already are dealing with arthritis...still doing it as much as possible will help keep you using your hands, fingers, but it will probably always hurt a bit. don't over do it to the point where you are really hurting for days...take it easy and do it in little time spurts.

sewcrafty 10-28-2010 12:43 PM

When I do a lot of hand sewing my arm really acts up. Here's a brace that is similar to the one I use especially when I'm hand quilting. Its keeps your hand in the correct position, so less stress. Maybe you'll want to check out something like it if you feel carpal tunnel will be an issue.

http://www.sportsauthority.com/produ...entPage=family

quilter64779 10-29-2010 06:24 AM

I take 2 tylenol 3 times aday for my arthritis inmy hands and it helps alot. This was doctor's orders

OmaForFour 10-29-2010 06:40 AM

There is also a product called Celadrin creme. I originally got it from Avon (believe it or not!) but it is available at the drug store. I think it is less expensive than BioFreeze. It also has a milder odor which dissipates almost immediately.
When you first use it you will have to be patient. You may not notice anything with the first application, but it WILL work and builds up to work more quickly after a little bit. It is also a natural substance.
Just thought you would like to know about an alternative. I have used both. My daughter is a physical therapist and uses BioFreeze with her patients all the time.

quote=littlehud]

Originally Posted by Latrinka

Originally Posted by wolfkitty
I use a great product called Biofreeze. It's kind of similar to IcyHot, but I think it works better and doesn't smell as strong.

Yes indeed, Biofreeze great stuff! Only available here at Physical Therapy place. About 12 dollars a tube, but goes a long way and worth it.

I love Biofreeze. I can get it at the drug stores here. Works better than anything I've ever tried.[/quote]

desertrose 10-29-2010 12:12 PM


Originally Posted by Hinterland
I do a lot of hand sewing. If my hand begins to hurt while appliquing, I change needles, usually switching to a straw needle. My hand rarely hurts when I hand quilt, unless I prick myself. :(

My hands usually don't hurt, but my wrist will bother me from time to time. I blame the computer for that - I use one all day at work. If it hurts a lot I use a wrist brace, even wearing it to bed. It keeps the wrist straight and helps ease the pain.



Sounds like you ladies are experiencing some early Carpal Tunnel and arthritic symptoms. I have both and find the brace helps when at rest, impossible to hand sew with it on, and the use of topical medications helps relieve the pain. You may want to check with your doctor to make sure there isn't some early intervention medications that could bring you some relief. I've had to accept that if I wish to continue quilting I have to change the length of my sessions. I perfer to do this instead of quit quilting all together.

Good Luck,
Andie :D :D :D

featherweight 10-29-2010 12:17 PM


Originally Posted by desertrose

Originally Posted by Hinterland
I do a lot of hand sewing. If my hand begins to hurt while appliquing, I change needles, usually switching to a straw needle. My hand rarely hurts when I hand quilt, unless I prick myself. :(

My hands usually don't hurt, but my wrist will bother me from time to time. I blame the computer for that - I use one all day at work. If it hurts a lot I use a wrist brace, even wearing it to bed. It keeps the wrist straight and helps ease the pain.

Yes, and I chose to have surgery on my hand and wrist. She said a year or a little longer to completely heal. I have been using it way to much and I pay dearly for overdoing. I hope after my yearis up, all the pain will have been worth it.

Sounds like you ladies are experiencing some early Carpal Tunnel and arthritic symptoms. I have both and find the brace helps when at rest, impossible to hand sew with it on, and the use of topical medications helps relieve the pain. You may want to check with your doctor to make sure there isn't some early intervention medications that could bring you some relief. I've had to accept that if I wish to continue quilting I have to change the length of my sessions. I perfer to do this instead of quit quilting all together.

Good Luck,
Andie :D :D :D


Hinterland 10-29-2010 12:22 PM


Originally Posted by desertrose
. I've had to accept that if I wish to continue quilting I have to change the length of my sessions. I perfer to do this instead of quit quilting all together.

Actually, the length of my sessions are determined more by the time available! I can only quilt for an hour in the evening. Sometimes over the weekend I get more time in, but never enough to hurt my wrist.

klgreene 10-29-2010 12:25 PM

Wrist brace, tylenol, biofreeze, then stop for a couple days. Then back to usual...


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