Healthy Quilting for Quilters

Obviously good vision is an asset to making a quilt. If not cared for…..sad consequences.

One of the main tools to help maintain good eyesight is proper lighting.

Ideal lighting is bright and glare free. Your goal is to have noonday brightness in your work area.

Some lights to consider include:

1) Halogen torchlights. They provide bright, indirect lighting. You can find them at office supply stores and sometime hardware stores. 2 should be adequate to light your workspace.

2) Incandescent task lights. Hinged lamps over your cutting table is ideal. Office supply stores carry these.

3) Fluorescent Ott task lights. This lighting is similar to daylight. Quilters love them because color looks the same at night as it does by daylight. Sewing catalogs and quilt shops are where these are found.

4) Fluorescent ceiling fixtures. Four to eight 5000 degree Kelvin bulbs. Quite a bit cheaper than the Ott lights at around $7 apiece. You can find these lights at lighting stores.

Quilt in comfort for better results and increased stamina. The main place to start is your sewing area. Also consider time saving and fatigue reducing tools.

Do your fingers get sore when you first begin a quilting project?

• Try platinum coated needles. These coated needles pierce and move through fabric easier than conventional needles – therefore, less friction and less wear and tear on your fingers.

• Select the thinnest batt that works for your project.

• Use curved, well broken in needles the first few days of the project.

• Use smallest needle possible. The higher the number of the needle, the smaller the shaft - will slip through the fabric easier.

Do your fingers become sore when you are quilting? If so, one of the common sources for finger soreness is needle pricks. Barriers such as calluses or manufactured products aid tremendously in preventing finger soreness. If you haven't developed a quilter callus, you might try these solutions.

1) Tape. Use masking tape or a dot cut from a band aid and place on finger that is exposed or in direct path to the needle point.

2) Nail polish. Paint a coat of clear nail polish onto the spot where the needle point hits on the finger.

3) Commercial product - Underthimble is a metal surface that attaches to your finger via an adhesive.

4) Commercial product - Thimble-It and Thimble Pad self adhesive needle barriers. They work like natural callus by placing a plastic or leather barrier between your finger and the needle.