Tips For Quilting With Decreased Hand Function

There are many medical conditions that can decrease our hand function and make it harder for us to quilt. Here are some tips for helping you to quilt when you have decreased hand function.
All of these products are available on Amazon; however, I was not able to establish affiliate links. You can also check your local quilt shops for these items.
Fiskars 8.5 Inch Softouch Spring Action Rag Quilter Snip
Taylor Seville Originals Comfort Grip Magic Pins Patchwork Extra Fine -Quilting Supplies-Sewing Supplies-Sewing Notions-100 Count
Clover Jumbo Wonder Clips 24 Count, Green
IMPRESA [6 Pack] Foam Grip Tubing/Foam Tubing - 3 Sizes - Ideal Grip Aid for Utensils, Tools and More -
Rustoleum spray can adapter can be found at Wal-Mart or your local hardware stores

[@imogenethomas1138]

I’m turning 70 this year. Lots of back, neck and shoulder issues. Now my hands are becoming stiff. I broke down last week and ordered an Accuquilt machine. It’s a big expense for me, but my husband and I agree we have reached the point in life to do the little things that make daily life a bit easier.

[@thesimplequilter7499]

I am so glad you did!!!

[@user-fk3gd8zx5p]

That's great. I got one a few weeks ago for similar reasons and it is working very well for me.

[@susansimkiss3909]

All great suggestions. It is most thoughtful of you to share these with us. Thank you!

[@thesimplequilter7499]

You are so welcome! I hope they are helpful!

[@livingweirdestherc6644]

I have arthritis in my hands so these tips are invaluable

[@thesimplequilter7499]

I am so glad you are finding them useful!

[@user-fk3gd8zx5p]

I use the Martelli rotary cutter. It's great. That was the red one that was shown.

[@thesimplequilter7499]

Thanks!

[@karin0963]

I follow a channel on YT, the woman is an amputee and makes beautiful quilts using one arm. She is such an inspiration!! They just lost their home and sewing studio to a fire. Very sad!! It reminds me to be so thankful for what I have, aches and pains included.

[@thesimplequilter7499]

Yes… sometimes we forget how lucky we are!

[@sherrylesina7224]

Thank you for a great video on ways to make quilting easier for those of us with hand dexterity problems. I already use a few of these options, however, I did see several more that I never thought of! I always appreciate your videos. I need to start commenting on all of them. Keep up the great work!

[@thesimplequilter7499]

Glad it was helpful!

[@kathleen.rogers1442]

Excellent advice on all your tips 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 thank you Michelle 😊

[@thesimplequilter7499]

You are so welcome!

[@gretroman8235]

Great suggestions. I think the most important is having sharp scissors, needles, and pins. We seem to hold on to items longer than they are useful. Will have to try Magic pins. My latest pin purchases and gifts were not very sharp. Quality is important. I have a variety of Gingher scissors, including pinking shears, that have stayed super sharp. I have not tried the pinking rotary blade yet. Many of your items are from hardware sections and cost effective too. Great video

[@michaelbergstrom2721]

I bought a picking rotary blade. Found it useless. I might buy another one just to make sure I didn't get a lemon.

[@thesimplequilter7499]

Thanks for sharing!

[@pamsury3969]

I bought the clear command hooks at Dollar Tree to put on my quilt rulers.

[@thesimplequilter7499]

I love this tip! Thanks for sharing!

[@ccreel64]

Thank you for this discussion Michelle! ❤ Hand issues are no joke when sewing and quilting. I like the long Primitive Gatherings binding needles for all hand sewing. Hemostats are great for pulling hand needles because they lock.

[@thesimplequilter7499]

I use those needles also!!!

[@dawnplough1458]

Thank you so very much for all your great ideas.❤️

[@thesimplequilter7499]

Glad you like them!

[@janewardle5558]

I have a die cutting machine, it is especially useful for circles and curved shapes and letters etc. I also have just purchased a second set of magic pins but with the orange heads after learning they were actually the same size as the quilting ones. I am putting a spray can adapter onto my wish list. These tips are so helpful thank you for making these videos.

[@thesimplequilter7499]

You are so welcome!

[@vickichandler5872]

Great tips to help with our quilting/piecing difficulties. I recently bought a pair of pinking shears from Fiskars that have the spring-loaded handle. They have been a God send for my hand. I also have the smaller pring-loaded scissors and snips. It's a night and day difference for when I have to use scissors. Also, my Gingher scissors are amazingly sharp and have stayed that way for a long time. Because they are so sharp, using them has remained easy enough. Thank you for these many tips. I really appreciate your videos that have opened my eyes to products and procedures to help me stay organized and to be able to continue sewing. Take care and blessings to y'all.

[@thesimplequilter7499]

You are most welcome! Thanks for watching and sharing.

[@clk914]

Thanks for sharing these tips!

[@thesimplequilter7499]

You are so welcome!

[@LauraSup]

I have very little strength in my hands due to arthritis and other medical conditions. Although it is very expensive, I recently purchased an AccuQuilt. It has made the world of difference for me! I’ve also purchased several tools from Fallon and her husband Matt at Sew Be it Quilts! They are perfect for holding fabric in place for cutting that I can’t do with my AccuQuilt! I love some of your other suggestions like the one for the aerosol cans! Thank you so much for sharing!❤

[@marinaabad4995]

I'm going to tackle my first double wedding ring with the Accuquilt BOB 12" blocks.. It comes in two dies so easier to handle than one long die. You can combine it with the Mariner's Compass die to make a Double Wedding ring star quilt. You can combine it with their Pickle Dish die and made an Indian Wedding Ring quilt. Also the Bali Star Wedding quilt. They have so much info to use their dies and have experts to answer questions. Carolina Moore has YT videos adapting dies to quilt patterns. Accuquilt website is full of free patterns to download. If you have an account and update your product list (I got many dies from other sources) then when you view a pattern it tells you if you have the dies and which extra ones you might need. Full disclosure: I do not have any connection with Accuquilt other than being their customer.

[@thesimplequilter7499]

Fallon does have some excellent products!!! Thanks for sharing!

[@fransak2723]

Lots of great tips here.

[@thesimplequilter7499]

Glad it was helpful!

[@tammystrube8908]

Thank you so much for the excellent tips! I will definitely be using them right away! Because of arthritis and carpal tunnel surgery, I can’t use pinking shears anymore, but I really don’t miss the pinked edges. I also bought a used Accuquilt Go and it’s been a great help. Blessings to you, Michelle! 😊

[@thesimplequilter7499]

Several have mentioned the Accuquilt!

[@mariongjertsen3791]

Excellent advice. Thank you.

[@thesimplequilter7499]

Tou are so welcome!

[@leonanowland3017]

I like hand quilting and use the thimble on my pointer fingers instead of the middle finger. My pointer finger is stronger so it is easier to push the needle through the sandwich and the pull it out. Thanks for another good video.

[@thesimplequilter7499]

Thanks for sharing!

[@martibarnes4308]

Great video, Michelle!! Thank you!!

[@thesimplequilter7499]

You are most welcome!

[@BEVERLYRANDOLPH-lx4qu]

The Rustoleum sprayer nozzle is amazing AND inexpensive. Thanks for this really helpful video, Michelle! Now if I could figure out how to quilt and never have to remain standing for an extended period, that would help me a lot! Standing to cut and standing to press are both difficult for me. But, like your mother, I’ll keep doing it as long as I can!

[@marinaabad4995]

Can't you adapt the furniture to your needs? IKEA and at Costco I saw the table that goes up and down. The Costco one is $329 the Tresanti Geller and IKEA about the same. Those Martelli tables are very expensive, starting with a basic adjustable at $950 and up. Perhaps the ironing andcutting surfaces can be placed on tables and permanently made lower, such as cutting the legs or replacing legs with shorter ones. Regular ironing boards are height adjustable.

[@thesimplequilter7499]

My Husky table is adjustable. I got it at Home Depot.

[@thesimplequilter7499]

My cutting table is adjustable. I bought it at Home Depot!

[@BEVERLYRANDOLPH-lx4qu]

Yes, my table is adjustable; and I set up the system after you did your video about creating yours! 😃 I set it up high, though, so I don’t have to bend over at all-which is painful. I guess what I really need is a chair high enough to iron and sit. Recently I’ve been working on a “hard” quilt that has some paper piecing and that has been a relief. I plugged in my little Clover iron and just press each seam right next to my machine. Not getting up and down was better!

[@michelleswistak1389]

Great informative video, I use the pinking rotary blade as the scissors are difficult to maneuver. Hemostats are great for needle replacement. I have started changing my rotary blades and needles after each project and found it was do much better and easier to be accurate.

[@conniejoperkins2181]

I have tendonitis and my hands go numb and was having trouble cutting bought accui quilt go with dyes it has really helped me out with my cutting fabric for my quilting.

[@thesimplequilter7499]

Thanks for sharing

[@user-ki8xc9gl7b]

Love your videos.

[@thesimplequilter7499]

Thank you!

[@conniefath5126]

Thank you

[@thesimplequilter7499]

Your are most welcome!

[@diannplatt-roberts8692]

So many great ideas.

[@thesimplequilter7499]

Thank you! 😊

[@connieking9873]

Great video. Lots of great ideas.

[@thesimplequilter7499]

Thanks so much!

[@NatalieMoore-cf4zt]

Thank you for these ideas. I dont know if you mentioned or not (sorry, i was getting interrupted while watching) . . . but i also like using compression gloves when quilting - the kinds with the fingertips cut off. These keep my hands from getting cramps.

[@thesimplequilter7499]

Thanks for sharing this info!!!

[@donnagraham2802]

The Odif 505 spray is great for basting instead of using safety pins. Most of my quilting is baby, crib or large throw size and the 505 spray is so much easier to use. One thing about it--you don't need to spray it as heavily as many users often do.

[@thesimplequilter7499]

I agree!!!!

[@sharonstroud8075]

I have partial left hand impairment from a stroke.. Great tips. If unable to cut with rotary cutter, consider an Accuquilt system. I have a Martelli cutter but find there is a learning curve with it. Miss being ambidextrous!

[@thesimplequilter7499]

Using an Accuquilt system is a great adaptation!!!

[@ccreel64]

@sharonstroud8075 We’re in the same situation just on opposite sides. We should compare our ways of accommodating, could share tips for easier quilting. It can be expensive finding the right tools. My number one is the SlideLock rulers for cutting, I have both the 14” for smaller pieces and the 24” for WOF cutting. It’s sturdy, non slip, and keeps my ‘bad’ hand away from the blade. It would be nice having both hands functional again, but after 20+ years this way, I’ve gotten used to it.

[@meacadwell]

Thank you SO MUCH for doing this video! I'm constantly having to figure out workarounds to continue to sew due to my RA. I use rubber doorstops under the back of my sewing machine to lift it up - it's helped with my neck and shoulder strain. I attach clear Command Clear Medium Crystal Hooks to my rulers - they stay put for forever and since they're clear you can see the numbers and other ruler makings through them. And they make it so much easier to pick up the rulers. I put cushoned floor mats at my ironing board and cutting table to make it less painful to stand (longer than I should...which happens every time I sew! lol) Rubber finger cots can help with gripping things and they're inexpensive.

[@thesimplequilter7499]

Excellent tips!!!! Thanks for sharing!!!

[@heatherrj9980]

I have RA, too and although I'm doing well, my hands are weaker than before. These tips are great.

[@thesimplequilter7499]

@@heatherrj9980 I'm so glad you are finding them helpful!

[@user-yc1tf6fc5i]

Thank you for this video. So helpful.

[@thesimplequilter7499]

You are most welcome!

[@linda5278]

Thanks for the tips! Aging isn't for wimps!

[@thesimplequilter7499]

So true!

[@wandawalker4191]

Thank you for sharing great, practical helps!!

[@thesimplequilter7499]

You are so welcome!

[@MsTopCat54]

I use the TrueCut rotary cutter all the time and love it! This is a wonderful video full of helpful ideas - thank you so much!

[@thesimplequilter7499]

You are so welcome!

[@sandracedar368]

Always great tips, tricks, suggestions, etc. Thank you❣️

[@thesimplequilter7499]

Thanks Sandra!!!

[@sandracedar368]

@@thesimplequilter7499 Thank you

[@conniefath5126]

I like the needle nose plyers

[@thesimplequilter7499]

They can be quite helpful!

[@michaelbergstrom2721]

I recently bought a nonslip liner to put under my cutting mats. It really helps keep my cutting mats from sliding. With getting older, i find they are very helpful for safety reasons. Purchased from the Grace Company. I also placed it underneath my wool pressing mat for a minute and it seemed to keep it from sliding, but didn't try it for but a minute.

[@thesimplequilter7499]

Excellent idea! Thanks for sharing!

[@DesigingJ]

Fiskars has spring action pinking shears. Thanks for good info

[@thesimplequilter7499]

You bet

[@pamsury3969]

Thank you so much. I am left handed and have arthritis in my left thumb.

[@thesimplequilter7499]

You're welcome!

[@bethk7648]

Great video and timely as I am currently dealing with the start of carpal tunnel. For those who can afford it, I do know some people choose to buy an Accuquilt to do the cutting for them. There are also a couple of online businesses that provide completely pre-cut kits so that you can get going right away with sewing.

[@marinaabad4995]

I saw a company online that will precut your fabric into the Kaleidescope quilt pattern pieces and also sell the kits with their fabrics.

[@thesimplequilter7499]

Excellent information!!! Thank you!

[@helenpeddycord2241]

The magic pins are great! They recently introduced a very easy square silicone end that is MUCH easier to pick up than the “rolled” type!

[@thesimplequilter7499]

I have been checking those out!!

[@helenpeddycord2241]

@@thesimplequilter7499 - I received samples in my Fat Quarter Shop, Sew Sampler monthly subscription and immediately fell in love with them. I have Rheumatoid Arthritis that limits my finger coordination.

[@stevemcmillin2737]

This video and the one on decreased vision were brilliant! I am blind in my right eye. Contrary to some beliefs when you are blind it is not just like closing your eye. It's more like having a piece of wax paper all crumpled up and placed over your eye. I have horrible depth perception and a couple of dots where I can see some things. I also had my right wrist rebuilt a few years ago and my thumb is no longer where it was by just a little bit. The Martelli rotary cutters were a game changer for me. But this is nothing. Check out Marnae's Country Farmhouse. She is a quilter with only a right arm! Watching her work around her quilt room is a lesson in Yes you can still do things. She cutting table is made with a Clearly Slotted ruler set into a frame that lifts up on a hinge to put down over her fabric for cutting. Unfortunatley their house burned down recently and they lost everything but she is pressing on.

[@thesimplequilter7499]

It is amazing how some people adapt to having a disability!!!

[@Carol_Sews]

I deal with shoulder problems more than hand problems, but I think this suggestion might be good for those with hand and wrist issues too. Make sure your iron is not too heavy, and if you use an ironing board like I do for your ironing station, set it at one of its lower heights so that you don’t have to lift the iron as high. When I’m shopping for irons, my first step is to lift each one. No matter how great an iron’s features may be, if it doesn’t pass my lift test, I don’t even consider it. I have tried rotary pinking blades, but I find them impossible to guide along the edge of a ruler.

[@thesimplequilter7499]

Thanks for sharing! Great points you mentioned!

[@elizabethdifilippo6984]

I could really use that

[@thesimplequilter7499]

It’s handy

[@shobbs5842]

Thanks so much!

[@thesimplequilter7499]

You're welcome!

[@deborahlunsford6983]

Interesting video. My hands hurt often when i sew my EPP hexies. I have a silicone thimble with a metal tip for pulling and pushing needle though the fabric. I would be interested to know what kind of gloves your mom wore . Thanks for the tips.

[@thesimplequilter7499]

I saw some in a quilt shop today. They don’t quite look the same but they are a very similar design. They are called open fingered compression gloves. They are designed to help provide support and warmth for the hands.

[@janiesoito4494]

My left hand is partially paralyzed from a 40 year old injury. I need the bed of the machine to be flush with the table. It is very frustrating to try to hold the fabric up to feed it through the machine. Also, a machine sitting up on a table is too high; it makes my arms and shoulders ache.

[@thesimplequilter7499]

It sounds like you have found what works best for you…I am so glad you found a solution!

[@susanreynolds4688]

The Accuquilt die fabric cutting system is a way to cut your fabrics and even make your own “pre-cut” fabrics. They are frequently on sale.

[@marinaabad4995]

It's wonderful. True 5" squares without losing 1/8" from the pinking. Same for other precuts. The strip dies are my favorite for borders, sashing, and subcutting the strips after being sewn together such as in 4/9/16 patch blocks. You do have to study and adjust using Accuquilt dies from rotary cutting. Many experienced quilters try to demonstrate it and don't do well, because they think in the rotary/ruler method. Imagine quilters adapting their methods to rotary/ruler method after years of templates, marking, and using scissors to cut patchwork.

[@thesimplequilter7499]

Excellent!!!

[@karin0963]

Thank you! I am 60 and have neuropathy in my hands. It's getting worse.

[@thesimplequilter7499]

I understand…

[@phylliscrihfield1414]

I have arthritis in my hands and find using scissors a problem. So, I use my AccuQuilt for quilting and a Brother Scan n Cut to cut my appliqués.

[@thesimplequilter7499]

Excellent!!!

[@sshirleyks]

I have trouble opening the boxes that pins come in. Especially the wonder clips. My fingers don’t work well enough.

[@thesimplequilter7499]

Can you put them in a magnetic bowl so you don’t have to keep opening up the little plastic box!

[@elizabethdifilippo6984]

Where did you get the spray top for the spray can

[@thesimplequilter7499]

Walmart or Ace Hardware

[@lanaboyer762]

I’ve never heard of or seen rotary blade pinking shears blades

[@thesimplequilter7499]

They have them.