I have semi-chronic tendonitis in my forearm/wrist, so I can only really handsew for short periods of time. These were great tips, and I will be using them with my typical frequent breaks!
The way I binge watch CosTube while hand sewing, I kinda feel like I should set up this video to auto play at the beginning of every session. Thanks for all of the useful reminders, new stretching buddy.
This could not come at a better time! I have taken 3 months off of sewing because my hands hurt so bad (although admittedly, I have also spent the last 3 months renovating and extending my workshop too).
This is awesome. The hand-tension-while-working thing is something I hadn't really paid attention to and should have. Thanks for putting this together, y'all.
I'm a full time student and Ive been using these stretches in between periods of writing to help my hands/wrists/shoulders and it has really helped how tired by hands can get. More hand stamina for sewing! Thank you!
I have ulnar neuropathy, I can’t feel or move the last 2 digits on my right hand. Compression glove on my wrist and a sleeve on my elbow really helps reduce the strain. I keep the thread length no longer than my forearm to stop shoulder strain. I work at a desk that is level with my mid-chest and a lumbar support chair with arm rests for better neck and back posture. I avoid eye strain by looking up and around every few minutes.
Kirie Himuro Hi Kirie! I can relate to this, I had surgery on my ulnar and medial nerve back in March in my left arm, my last 2 digits were also quite numb and are still healing. To reduce some of the stress of holding the fabric in my left hand, I pin my work to a cushion!
This is really helpful, thank you! As someone who's had chronic tendinitis in my wrists and still doesn't want to give up crafts, a lot of this isn't necessarily new, but it's still good to be reminded that crafting can put as much strain on the hands as can "heavier" work and we should be mindful of how we hold ourselves etc. Another helpful thing to look into is nerve flossing (you can find some helpful starting pointers in a recent MOT video by Yoga with Olive). It's a really odd sensation when you do it first, but it seems to help me a lot (and was recommended by my physiotherapist).
Oh, this video came out at the perfect moment! I was sewing before starching a couple petticoats, and noticed my back, neck, and shoulders really ached. I was about to sit down for more sewing, and I saw these stretches and had to give them a try. I didn't even know how much my wrists and carpal tunnels needed a good stretch, either.
I know all this stuff and yet have never done it. I will definitely start now. And totally off topic every time I watch you you remind me of Drew Barrymore I think you could totally be her sister! And thank you for doing these videos, I am currently working on my shift. I had to put it down for a bit but am now back at it.
Haha! (Christina here, btw) You are not the first person to comment on the similarities. In fact, many of my cousins would tease me about the similarities as a teenager/young twenties 😂
Hi Christina, I’m still working on my shift I have one more arm reinforcement to do and then I can move on to the neck hole and then there is just a hem to do. I feel like it is taking forever.
I really appreciate this video! I had surgery on my ulnar and medial nerves as well as a tendon in my arm in March. I was still healing during the first sew along and it took a lot of patience and self motivation. But my fingers on me left hand still sometimes fail me and go numb. PIN YOUR WORK TO A CUSHION GUYS! It really helps.
Thank you for this video. Some of these techniques you've shared, I've been doing for many yrs and not realize it was part of what this video is all about. The hand pull head technique was suggested by PT at chiropractor. This exercise is great for releasing the tension. Along with this, interlocking fingers at the back of head and pull forward and downward, holding for the count of 10. As always, these videos have super helpful tips and tricks that make the task easier. ❤
Thank you so much for this!!! I did the exercises this morning and my hands feel so much better. I did not realize that my thread length had anything to do with my tension. Thank you again!!!
Thank you so much for this invaluable advice! I do a lot of embroidery and have found I end up gripping my hoop like my life depends on it 😂. I started wearing arthritis compression gloves (like the ones pictured in the video) and it’s made a huge difference! I can stitch much longer before my hands tire out.
Little trick I learned when knitting something huge- rub some muscle cream ( Bengay, Icy Hot, whatever) into your hands before you start to work. Let it sit a few minutes then wash it off so you don’t get residue on your fabric. I’ve found that my hands don’t get tired so fast and I can have a longer stitching session.
I've started taking multiple stitches with a short thread and then pulling the whole thread through. It's hard to explain just with words, but it's a bit like a whipped gather except it's an ordinary whipped hem. ETA: I also use a lot of pillows for things like elevating my elbows or under my knees when I cross my legs
Pillows are such a great idea to help keep work at a good height, particularly if you're on the couch, etc. and probably not something most of us think about right away. ❤️
Very interesting! One hack I know (not sure if it is an old wives tale because, nope, I’m not a doctor either) is to avoid washing your hands with cold water after they are warm and toasty from sewing, knitting, crocheting, etc. Has anyone else heard about that?
This was fantastic! I’m not sure if you’ve already done a video on ideal sewing set up such as the best way to sit and support your work while sewing. I love to sit in a comfy chair and anchor my work to a tailor’s ham like Bernadette Banner suggested to give me tension but then I notice I’m looking down towards my lap. Any suggestions?
We all like sitting in a comfy chair while sewing, but when anchoring your project putting your work at table height or a little higher will keep you from looking down all the time and straining your back and neck. When I am holding a piece of sewing (not anchoring it) I actually tend to hold it at chest height which means I am casting my eyes down, not bending my whole head. The goal is to put your sewing in a place where you can see it easily but not strain your neck through bending.
I've been trying to figure out the optimal way to hold my needle and where to position my hand and wrist in relation to the fabric. I think I'm developing bad habits from trying to emulate various youtubers who all have slightly different methods. For example, many seem to rotate their wrists so their palm is facing upward and rest the back of their index finger on the fabric, while others have their palm downwards. Diagrams in books always seem to have the hand rotated sideways. I could really use some guidance. Thank you for this excellent video!
Araña Emantsal For me, my left hand holds the fabric with the raw edge facing me. Less fabric bunched up in my hand. My index and middle fingers are underneath and my thumb above, slightly pinching the fabric. My thumb is directly below where I’m about to stitch. I hold the needle in my right hand between my thumb and index finger. My middle finger has a metal thimble positioned with the side of my finger against the end of the needle. I use my first three fingers to push the needle through the fabric. My palm faces the fabric and the movement comes from my elbow. After the needle is through the fabric, I first pinch the needle with my index and thumb. Then, I move the punch to the eye of the needle with my thumb and ring finger. I can’t feel my ring finger, so I pinch a little harder than normal. I twist my wrist so the back of my hand is facing the fabric and pull in the opposite direction of the stitch. Again the motion is from the elbow. My left hand can feel when to stop pulling. That is how I do it. Hope it helps.
I have fussy joints (due to eds) and I usually handsew with my palms facing me. I try to keep my elbows at about bust height using pillows on my lap. I also keep my wrists fairly straight instead of hooked around.
Thank you so much Kirie and Alexis! This is exactly the kind of information I needed, and I really appreciate that you took the time to share it with me. I love kind internet strangers ❤️
It is somewhat personal, but I usually keep my sewing on a pillow or in my lap with my legs crossed so that it is a bit below my bust. I hold my hand with palm facing slightly to my left (I am right handed) with my thimble on my middle finger. Kirie describes basically how I sew
I find that my fingertips become very dry, especially when hand sewing linen- so dry that dead sin catches on the fabric and I have to stop and moisturize. Anyone else experiencing something like that?
I have semi-chronic tendonitis in my forearm/wrist, so I can only really handsew for short periods of time. These were great tips, and I will be using them with my typical frequent breaks!
The way I binge watch CosTube while hand sewing, I kinda feel like I should set up this video to auto play at the beginning of every session. Thanks for all of the useful reminders, new stretching buddy.
I don't usually end up with hand pain while sewing, but crochet does a number on my hands and wrists. Thanks for this.
This could not come at a better time! I have taken 3 months off of sewing because my hands hurt so bad (although admittedly, I have also spent the last 3 months renovating and extending my workshop too).
Well done, I have paid for a lot of physio therapy in order to heal my wrists. You covered most of my exercises at a much reduced cost. Thanks
im going to start using these tips at my desk job, too - especially those forearm stretches. keyboard work is rough on the arms
This is awesome.
The hand-tension-while-working thing is something I hadn't really paid attention to and should have.
Thanks for putting this together, y'all.
I'm a full time student and Ive been using these stretches in between periods of writing to help my hands/wrists/shoulders and it has really helped how tired by hands can get. More hand stamina for sewing! Thank you!
Thanks - really helpful 👍 There’s a saying that only lazy tailors use long threads... and... great hair colour btw 😉
I handsew, knit and crochet! All of this was useful to me in some way, thank you for making this video!
I have ulnar neuropathy, I can’t feel or move the last 2 digits on my right hand. Compression glove on my wrist and a sleeve on my elbow really helps reduce the strain. I keep the thread length no longer than my forearm to stop shoulder strain. I work at a desk that is level with my mid-chest and a lumbar support chair with arm rests for better neck and back posture. I avoid eye strain by looking up and around every few minutes.
The level of your work is so important to helping maintain a good working posture, so thank you for mentioning this!
Kirie Himuro Hi Kirie! I can relate to this, I had surgery on my ulnar and medial nerve back in March in my left arm, my last 2 digits were also quite numb and are still healing. To reduce some of the stress of holding the fabric in my left hand, I pin my work to a cushion!
This is really helpful, thank you!
As someone who's had chronic tendinitis in my wrists and still doesn't want to give up crafts, a lot of this isn't necessarily new, but it's still good to be reminded that crafting can put as much strain on the hands as can "heavier" work and we should be mindful of how we hold ourselves etc.
Another helpful thing to look into is nerve flossing (you can find some helpful starting pointers in a recent MOT video by Yoga with Olive). It's a really odd sensation when you do it first, but it seems to help me a lot (and was recommended by my physiotherapist).
Oh, this video came out at the perfect moment! I was sewing before starching a couple petticoats, and noticed my back, neck, and shoulders really ached. I was about to sit down for more sewing, and I saw these stretches and had to give them a try. I didn't even know how much my wrists and carpal tunnels needed a good stretch, either.
I know all this stuff and yet have never done it. I will definitely start now. And totally off topic every time I watch you you remind me of Drew Barrymore I think you could totally be her sister! And thank you for doing these videos, I am currently working on my shift. I had to put it down for a bit but am now back at it.
Haha! (Christina here, btw) You are not the first person to comment on the similarities. In fact, many of my cousins would tease me about the similarities as a teenager/young twenties 😂
Hi Christina, I’m still working on my shift I have one more arm reinforcement to do and then I can move on to the neck hole and then there is just a hem to do. I feel like it is taking forever.
These stretches help out with house cleaning work too.
I really appreciate this video! I had surgery on my ulnar and medial nerves as well as a tendon in my arm in March. I was still healing during the first sew along and it took a lot of patience and self motivation. But my fingers on me left hand still sometimes fail me and go numb. PIN YOUR WORK TO A CUSHION GUYS! It really helps.
Very helpful and love your fun hair!
Thank you for this video. Some of these techniques you've shared, I've been doing for many yrs and not realize it was part of what this video is all about. The hand pull head technique was suggested by PT at chiropractor. This exercise is great for releasing the tension. Along with this, interlocking fingers at the back of head and pull forward and downward, holding for the count of 10.
As always, these videos have super helpful tips and tricks that make the task easier. ❤
Thank you so much for this!!! I did the exercises this morning and my hands feel so much better. I did not realize that my thread length had anything to do with my tension. Thank you again!!!
Thank you so much for this invaluable advice! I do a lot of embroidery and have found I end up gripping my hoop like my life depends on it 😂. I started wearing arthritis compression gloves (like the ones pictured in the video) and it’s made a huge difference! I can stitch much longer before my hands tire out.
thank you for showing me this. i was doing the stretches with you and i could actually feel the blood flowing better in my hands when i finished
Definitely needed this! Thank you ❤️
PHOENIX HAIR!!!!
Little trick I learned when knitting something huge- rub some muscle cream ( Bengay, Icy Hot, whatever) into your hands before you start to work. Let it sit a few minutes then wash it off so you don’t get residue on your fabric. I’ve found that my hands don’t get tired so fast and I can have a longer stitching session.
I've started taking multiple stitches with a short thread and then pulling the whole thread through. It's hard to explain just with words, but it's a bit like a whipped gather except it's an ordinary whipped hem. ETA: I also use a lot of pillows for things like elevating my elbows or under my knees when I cross my legs
Pillows are such a great idea to help keep work at a good height, particularly if you're on the couch, etc. and probably not something most of us think about right away. ❤️
Thank you so much for this video!!! I’ve been waiting to find something like this!
Ok you caught me I am definitely using too long if thread.
Thank you so much, this has really been an issue for me. I am in a training right now but will check this out soon!
Very interesting! One hack I know (not sure if it is an old wives tale because, nope, I’m not a doctor either) is to avoid washing your hands with cold water after they are warm and toasty from sewing, knitting, crocheting, etc. Has anyone else heard about that?
This was fantastic! I’m not sure if you’ve already done a video on ideal sewing set up such as the best way to sit and support your work while sewing. I love to sit in a comfy chair and anchor my work to a tailor’s ham like Bernadette Banner suggested to give me tension but then I notice I’m looking down towards my lap. Any suggestions?
We all like sitting in a comfy chair while sewing, but when anchoring your project putting your work at table height or a little higher will keep you from looking down all the time and straining your back and neck. When I am holding a piece of sewing (not anchoring it) I actually tend to hold it at chest height which means I am casting my eyes down, not bending my whole head. The goal is to put your sewing in a place where you can see it easily but not strain your neck through bending.
I've been trying to figure out the optimal way to hold my needle and where to position my hand and wrist in relation to the fabric. I think I'm developing bad habits from trying to emulate various youtubers who all have slightly different methods. For example, many seem to rotate their wrists so their palm is facing upward and rest the back of their index finger on the fabric, while others have their palm downwards. Diagrams in books always seem to have the hand rotated sideways. I could really use some guidance.
Thank you for this excellent video!
Araña Emantsal For me, my left hand holds the fabric with the raw edge facing me. Less fabric bunched up in my hand. My index and middle fingers are underneath and my thumb above, slightly pinching the fabric. My thumb is directly below where I’m about to stitch. I hold the needle in my right hand between my thumb and index finger. My middle finger has a metal thimble positioned with the side of my finger against the end of the needle. I use my first three fingers to push the needle through the fabric. My palm faces the fabric and the movement comes from my elbow. After the needle is through the fabric, I first pinch the needle with my index and thumb. Then, I move the punch to the eye of the needle with my thumb and ring finger. I can’t feel my ring finger, so I pinch a little harder than normal. I twist my wrist so the back of my hand is facing the fabric and pull in the opposite direction of the stitch. Again the motion is from the elbow. My left hand can feel when to stop pulling. That is how I do it. Hope it helps.
I have fussy joints (due to eds) and I usually handsew with my palms facing me. I try to keep my elbows at about bust height using pillows on my lap. I also keep my wrists fairly straight instead of hooked around.
Thank you so much Kirie and Alexis! This is exactly the kind of information I needed, and I really appreciate that you took the time to share it with me. I love kind internet strangers ❤️
It is somewhat personal, but I usually keep my sewing on a pillow or in my lap with my legs crossed so that it is a bit below my bust. I hold my hand with palm facing slightly to my left (I am right handed) with my thimble on my middle finger. Kirie describes basically how I sew
I find that my fingertips become very dry, especially when hand sewing linen- so dry that dead sin catches on the fabric and I have to stop and moisturize. Anyone else experiencing something like that?
Definitely important to keep your hands moisturized! Using a light emery on any rough spots can help smooth things out before/during sewing.
When doing the neck roll, please keep the jaw relaxed, mouth ajar - otherwise you can actually injure your neck.
Thanks for the tip
First!
Way too many hand gesticulation when you are just chatting. Very distracting. Useful info! Thanks
Noted