Sore , tired and achy hands
#21
Originally Posted by ptquilts
I have been hand quilting for 30 years and the hands are OK with the exception of middle finger on left hand [the one that is under the quilt and pushing the needle back up]. it almost feels as if there is a bump on the bone at the knuckle, when I bend it, it hurts. Anyone else run into this?
I live in fear of getting real arthritis in my hands...
I live in fear of getting real arthritis in my hands...
I am not worrying about it, I use a lot of hot/warm water and put my hand in that (Oh, yah, it is hard to hold a snow shovel - which is about the only thing I will put a mitten or glove on for)! But, I just sit and think "I used to gripe because I had no shoes until I met a man who had no feet." I know this doesn't mean squat when your hands hurt so bad (been there, know that), but you cannot give up on anything because of it. I want to sew, I want to quilt, I want to play the piano, I want to get on the floor on my hands and knees (which are starting to go now) and scrub floors (the best place to pray - talk about multi-tasking - cleaning the floor and talking to God at the same time - can't beat that with a stick) and I am not going to let an ugly bump on my right index finger, being followed by an ugly bump on my left index finger stop me from doing anything I want to. Some days it doesn't even hurt - but I still can't bend it. So there are a lot of good days too. Make this one of them. Edie
#25
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Illinois
Posts: 1,825
Have you tried magnets? I had a painful wrist a few years ago and tried about everything. My daughter suggested a pretty magnetic bracelet. Can't explain how it worked but it did! A lot nicer in appearance than the splint I had been wearing, too. Oh, those paraffin baths feel sooooo good, too.
#26
Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 76
Amen, Edie--- you are soooo right. I have just started having a REAL problem with my right thumb. Wakes me up at night. I have found if I get up and go outside and stick my thumb in a snow pile it helps take the swelling down :) Havent found a way to sleep through it yet but I will. I am NOT going to give up my applique until I have to.
#28
"......I had wanted to get triangles cut before the surgery, but since I didn't I am just sewing straight seams. ...."
I have the perfect method for you. I taught this in my quilting class and everybody loved it. I may have learned it from Eleanor Burns.
Take two squares of fabric (different colors) & place them right sides together. I suggest starting with 13" squares.
Then draw diagonal lines corner to corner. Remember: X marks the spot.
Then sew 1/4" on both sides of the lines, for a total of 4 straight seams.
Fold the sandwich in half, forming a rectangle, and finger press each side. Open & fold the other direction, forming a rectangle & finger press the sides again.
Open out, & using your pressed lines as a guide, use your rotary cutter & ruler, and cut in half. Turn the cutting mat & cut in half again. You will now have 4 quarters with a diagonal line & 2 rows of stitching.
Now cut along the diagonal line right between the stitching.
You will now have 8 half square triangle blocks. Press and trim to desired size. The largest size you will get from these is 6." Most people like to trim them to 5.5."
My rule of thumb for sizing (the fabric squares that will be sewn) these is to figure out what I want the cut size to be (say 6 inches), then double it and add 1 to 2 inches, depending on how accurately you normally cut. If cutting and sewing 1/4" is not always easy for you, then add the 2."
I like to add in enough 'fudge factor' that the results will work every time.
I have the perfect method for you. I taught this in my quilting class and everybody loved it. I may have learned it from Eleanor Burns.
Take two squares of fabric (different colors) & place them right sides together. I suggest starting with 13" squares.
Then draw diagonal lines corner to corner. Remember: X marks the spot.
Then sew 1/4" on both sides of the lines, for a total of 4 straight seams.
Fold the sandwich in half, forming a rectangle, and finger press each side. Open & fold the other direction, forming a rectangle & finger press the sides again.
Open out, & using your pressed lines as a guide, use your rotary cutter & ruler, and cut in half. Turn the cutting mat & cut in half again. You will now have 4 quarters with a diagonal line & 2 rows of stitching.
Now cut along the diagonal line right between the stitching.
You will now have 8 half square triangle blocks. Press and trim to desired size. The largest size you will get from these is 6." Most people like to trim them to 5.5."
My rule of thumb for sizing (the fabric squares that will be sewn) these is to figure out what I want the cut size to be (say 6 inches), then double it and add 1 to 2 inches, depending on how accurately you normally cut. If cutting and sewing 1/4" is not always easy for you, then add the 2."
I like to add in enough 'fudge factor' that the results will work every time.
#29
Originally Posted by lynmh
Amen, Edie--- you are soooo right. I have just started having a REAL problem with my right thumb. Wakes me up at night. I have found if I get up and go outside and stick my thumb in a snow pile it helps take the swelling down :) Havent found a way to sleep through it yet but I will. I am NOT going to give up my applique until I have to.
#30
Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Texas
Posts: 195
I have the same thing on my left hand and on the middle finger of my right hand that I use to push the needle through the quilt. Sorry to say, my doctor told me it is arthritis. I love hand quilting because it is so relaxing to me. Never watch TV without something in my hands to work on. She, also, told me "use it or lose it". So, I just keep on keeping on.
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