JulieR

You can try to go back to scissors, which might not be too much better but at least it's a bit less risky.

<3

BellaBoo

John Flynn sells kits that are pre cut to shape. They are very nice. You can customize your cuts too if you want. Also Edyta Sitar now has pre cut shapes for quilting.


http://flynnquilt.danemcoweb.com/sho.../pre-cut-kits/

http://laundrybasketquilts.com/Shop/shopindex.htm

toolazy

I second JulieR's suggestion of scissors. I am too much of a klutz to use the rotary cutters. I do use templates for things that aren't easy to "eyeball" match -- I'll make one template the size of my piece, and one the size of the piece plus seam allowance. For cutting, I can draw around the edge of my cutting template with a chalk pencil and just cut on the line; maybe a friend, spouse, older child would help you with that? Then for sewing, I butt the edge of my sewing template against the last seam sewn, and draw a chalk line where the new seam will go.

I hate to admit it among such accomplished quilters, but I also sometimes use a larger seam allowance than 1/4" when cutting, especially for things I haven't done before. An extra 1/8" or even 1/4" can hide a lot of boogers.

linda8450

I am in Dothan (lower Alabama) if I can help I will be glad to!

Quiltngolfer

I wish you lived closer. I would love to help you cut. Sounds like some great ideas on here. I hope you find something that works for you. Isn't this community just the best?

Gail B

I have Essential Tremor as well only it's my head that bobs all over the place. I guess I'm fortunate it's not my hands. I use the Klutz glove for all my cutting.

mike'sgirl

Sharon Schamber has tremors too. You might just send her an email asking her what she does to keep quilting.

beckalou

Thank you all for your responses and offers for help. I had heard about the wrist weights and alcohol being a help and will try both. One drink should be ok, any more than that tends to make the tremors worse the day after. I will look into the other suggestions for the special rulers & the accuquilt. Trying out the cheapest options first as we are on a fixed income.

I have a friend who has the head bobbing and her hands shake much worse than mine. She is a non quilter. Last time I spoke with her she said she is going to give up eating out as it is too stressful for her to deal with trying to eat or drink (she drinks her coffee through a straw to prevent spillage) in a room full of strangers. The anxiety that goes along with this disease is the worst feeling.

Please keep the suggestions coming, willing to try almost anything. I am left handed, so the left hand shakes the most. Thank goodness I have always used my right hand for scissors, but now my right hand is starting to tremble more. I refuse to give up on quilting, where there's a will, there's a way.

beckalou

Thank you Mike's girl, I will do that.

nativetexan

besides slotted rulers with rotary cutters attached, you might check with your Church or Senior Center for fellow quilters to help you out. There are many quilters out there and I know they would be most willing to jump in.good luck. Katherine Hepburn had tremors of some kind and she drank!! helped her but I wouldn't suggest that and cutting!