Moonlight Quilters
Tip of the Needle
Ergonomic Quilting
If you have a tip to share with the guild members, submit it to the webmaster using the email link below.
Quilting Ergonomics-
- Quilt is repetitive so limit yourself to 50 minutes of quilting/sewing in an hour's time
- Take a break for 10 minutes in each hour of quilting
- Keep your ironing board across the room to encourage you to get up and move different muscles
- Exercise during your breaks: Shrug your shoulders, pivot your head from side to side
Sewing Room Ergonomics
- Sewing machine height set so fingers can extend to throat plate when bent at 90 degrees.
- Ironing board height set 6" below bent elbow
- Cutting table height set 4" below bent elbow
- Chair height set so knees bent 90 degrees and feet flat on floor
- Maintain good posture
Handquilting Ergonomics
- See a doctor right away if you have pain or problems with your hands
- Use a leather thimble for needle your pushing thumb and adhesive pads for the had beneath your quilting.
- Quilt with your thumb if possible. It will save stress on your fingers.
- Keep the wrist straight at all times.
View Previous Tips:
- Applique
- Binding-Mitered Corners
- Bindings-Joining Ends
- Bindings-Scalloped
- Complimentary Colors
- Design Wall
- Ergonomic Quilting
- Flying Geese
- Hanging Sleeves
- HST & QST Cutting tips
- HST- Sharon's method
- Labels for Quilts
- Marking Quilts
- Miniatures
- Nine Patch Blocks
- No Loose Ends
- On Point Setting-Corners
- Pins & Needles
- Quick Quilt Sizes
- Quilter's Knot
- Real Life Quilting
- Scraps
- Snuggle Seams
- Storing Your Quilts
Additional Ergonomic Tips from readers
- Place a rubber doorstop under each back leg of your sewing machine table. It will give just enough tilt to the machine so you don't have to strain to see the working surface. This really reduces back and shoulder strain.
Contact webmaster webmaster@moonlightquilters.org