Top 6 Self-Care Strategies Every Quilter Should Use!

[@sharla2724]

I rarely have the ironing station by my sewing machine so I will be forced to get up and move. The only time I have one close is when I am doing a block like the log cabin that requires frequent ironing but then I make it a point to get up often. You can also just chain piece the blocks and then get up and iron after every ten or so.

[@thesimplequilter7499]

I chain piece then press several at once. Thank you for sharing! Getting up and moving increases the time I can spend sewing!!!

[@franpatzcraig6713]

Good tips, thanks! I would add one more: To rest your eyes when you've been doing close work, by hand or machine, look up and focus on something in the distance for a few seconds, and do it frequently. The change in focus length gives the muscles that hold your eyes in tight focus a much needed rest. If you can, locate your sewing machine in front of a window to make this easy to do without turning around.

[@thesimplequilter7499]

Great tip! Thank you so much for sharing! So many people experience decreased eyesight as they age...I want to try to preserve my sight for as long as possible!

[@franpatzcraig6713]

@@thesimplequilter7499 I will be 82 this summer, so some things I want to do require even more magnification than my bifocals can provide. Those around the neck magnifiers I find a bother. My solution proved to be so simple I kicked myself for not thinking of it sooner. I have several strengths of reading glasses and just slip on a pair OVER my bifocals wearing two pairs. I try a few until the work comes into sharp focus.

[@meacadwell]

This is a good tip!

[@wandawalker4191]

Thank you, Michelle!

[@thesimplequilter7499]

You are so welcome!

[@sandracedar368]

Michelle, Another great share of awesome tips! Thank you! Happy Father’s Day to your Hubby❤

[@thesimplequilter7499]

Thanks so much!

[@lisawaterman2737]

Don't forget to stay hydrated!!

[@thesimplequilter7499]

Oh yes!!! That is so important! I struggled with drinking enough water each day!! This is so important to our overall health and well being!!!

[@karin0963]

I was just going to say that. 😂

[@deborahkeith6354]

Besides getting up and moving, do some stretches also! It helps!

[@thesimplequilter7499]

Great tip! Thanks for sharing!

[@Carriequilts]

I set a 30 minute timer when I sir down at my machine so that I get up and move. I reset the timer when I sit back down.

[@thesimplequilter7499]

That is a great idea!!! Thanks for sharing!!!

[@meacadwell]

I have RA and setup my sewing studio in such a way that I am forced to get up and move. My sewing machine is on one side of the room and my ironing board is all the way on the other side. I found something that helps me when I have to stand for longer periods, like when cutting fabric or ironing yardage. I found an inexpensive ottoman at a garage sale. I kneel on it with one leg at a time to rest that foot and ankle and alternate when necessary. And there's storage inside it which always helps.

[@thesimplequilter7499]

Thanks so much for sharing!!! I am so glad that is working well for you!

[@livingweirdestherc6644]

Great tips. I wish I had room for a design wall . I layout on my bed

[@thesimplequilter7499]

A bed is certainly better on your knees, hips, and back! Thanks for sharing!

[@connieking9873]

As usual great tips and reading the readers tips are also great.

[@thesimplequilter7499]

Glad you like them! Thanks for watching and sharing!

[@ccreel64]

Great tips! I love my adjustable height Husky cutting table, it’s one of the best investments I’ve ever made for sewing. Thank you for showing it! ❤Like you I’m tall. I can cut sitting if I choose or standing. My ironing station is a Sterlite 4 drawer cabinet with a firm June Tailor ironing board?/mat atop so I get the height I need to iron and press comfortably. And I’ve deliberately built standing into my sewing room, by placing my sewing machines at two points of a triangle and my ironing station at the other point. My cutting table is in between my machines for easy access regardless of where I’m working at. My other tip is to keep hand cream in my sewing room because the sizing or starch on our fabrics can dry out skin something fierce, making hands irritated and sore.

[@thesimplequilter7499]

I have a very similar setup in my quilt room. If I don't get up frequently my hips get stiff and my back starts to hurt! Thank you for sharing the tip about hand cream! That is so true!!!

[@BEVERLYRANDOLPH-lx4qu]

Well, Michelle, as usual, you are correct! I had a task ahead of me: cutting down 64 (!) flying geese with the Eleanor Burns ruler. I was dreading it because of course the ruler slipped and I kept having to re-cut over the seams. Finally, I decided to help myself out. (Why did that decision take time???) I sprayed my geese ruler with the Odif grippy spray and put a new blade in my cutter. The process immediately improved! I will use this experience as a lesson to myself to (a) use my tools effectively, and (b) take care of myself! Thanks for these reminders, Michelle. I had watched the video a few days ago and finally snapped to it! Anybody can be slow, right???!!! I appreciate you!

[@thesimplequilter7499]

Beverly, Thank you so much for watching and sharing your experience!! I really enjoy the comments and I think many viewers read and learn from them! Thanks for commenting!

[@peggersf9709]

👋👋 great tips. Happy sewing

[@thesimplequilter7499]

Thank you! You too!

[@peggersf9709]

👋👋 ❤. Great tips. Happy Sewing

[@thesimplequilter7499]

Thank you! 😊

[@irisuhde7635]

Good Tips. I have a free 10 min. shoulder gymnastics,that helps to get them relaxt.😊

[@thesimplequilter7499]

Thank you for watching and for sharing! Others enjoy and learn from the comments of others!

[@vikkivanveldhuizen2290]

Great ideas Michelle!!

[@thesimplequilter7499]

Thanks so much! Thanks for commenting!

[@raeblain3109]

I love my bungee chair that I got from The Container Shop. It isn’t over the top expensive and adjustable.

[@thesimplequilter7499]

I remember seeing that at the quilt retreat last year! So glad it is working out well for you! There are so many options the key is finding the one that works for you! Thanks for sharing!

[@MarthaEast]

Thank you! Love these tips.

[@thesimplequilter7499]

You are so welcome!

[@peggymalaski4061]

Self-care: getting up to move but also to stretch! I strategically have my pressing station away from the machine forcing me to get up, walk across the room to press. Also stretching s needed! I put my arms out at 90° and lean into a doorway stretching the muscles in my back My favorite-monthly professional massages-no judgement please but with a stressful job, husband with chronic health issues it’s now a self-care for me 🤷‍♀️

[@thesimplequilter7499]

Thank you so much for sharing!!! Self-care is so important in our busy lives!!!

[@karin0963]

I would love to do monthly massages. I am in the same boat with the job and my husband. I also suffer from chronic pain.

[@thesimplequilter7499]

@@karin0963 Living other chronic pain is difficult….

[@daveleeannheier5648]

I sew in my office; cut on the kitchen island; the ironing station and design wall are in back spare bedroom. That way, I have to move around. 😊

[@thesimplequilter7499]

That is awesome! Thanks for sharing!

[@normatulloch376]

I purposely have my iron several steps away from my sewing area. I'm not a fan of finger pressing, so that makes me get up and move around.

[@thesimplequilter7499]

I do the same thing!! Sitting too long makes my back hurt and my hips get stiff!!

[@SewWhittle]

Do you have a link for that husky table? Does yours have drawers? Using dull tools also cause more injuries. Great tips!!

[@thesimplequilter7499]

Mine does not have drawers. Some of my viewers have the drawers. Some like them and some say they get in the way when they use their table to sew. I purchased this at Home Depot. Here is a link for it. It is not an affiliate link: www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-46-in-W-x-24-in-D-Steel-Adjustable-Height-Solid-Wood-Top-Workbench-Table-in-Black-HOLT46XDB12/301809931#ratings-and-reviews

[@SewWhittle]

@@thesimplequilter7499 Thank you!!

[@beckyferris2390]

Thanks for all the good information in this video. I just found out Purex has discontinued Sta-flo fabric starch. I hope you will let us know what you plan to use in the future.

[@ccreel64]

Oh no!

[@thesimplequilter7499]

I have recently heard that also!!! I tried to get some at Wal-Mart before it was all gone but I was too late! I will just use the spray starch I think...and I will wear a mask and do this in a well ventilated area. I am so disappointed!!!!

[@thesimplequilter7499]

"Oh no!" is exactly right!!!

[@sharla2724]

FYI AccuQuilt now has a die for the rag squares

[@thesimplequilter7499]

Oh wow! So the seams are fringed?

[@sharla2724]

@@thesimplequilter7499 Yes

[@debbiebraatz1919]

My friend told me she sews by the 15-45 method. Huh? Set a timer for 45 minutes to sew then get up and do housework for 15 minutes (empty the dishwasher, fold the laundry, etc)! Then go back and do it again!

[@thesimplequilter7499]

That is a great method!! Thanks for sharing!

[@hollyallen1065]

1. also try to keep liked items together, 2. clean up that the end of each session so next time I come back I can get right to what I want to do. 3 From time to time go through and do big clean up and throw away old , non used items ect…

[@thesimplequilter7499]

Those are also great strategies!! Thanks for sharing!!

[@MaryTsugawa]

My chair arms are not adjustable so I removed them

[@thesimplequilter7499]

That is always an option! Thanks for sharing!!!

[@monicanye7636]

I often can hear your dog's tags when he/she shakes. Can you introduce him/her sometime?

[@thesimplequilter7499]

Sure! I have introduced him before but I will try to do that again! His name is Milo and he is a Boston Terrier. We used to have a wonderful little female Boston, but she developed cancer of the lungs and passed away.