Shaky hands
 

I'm working on some piecing that actually requires a bit of finesse
and my hands shake. I suspect I'm not the only one on this board with
hand shakes ..... but I am frustrated with it. Does anybody have
tricks, suggestions or advice for minimizing the problems caused by
shaking hands when piecing? I'm already using my single hole plate and
foot. It helps. But .....

Advice??


Sunny

Shaky hands
 

Sunny, I wish I had some words of wisdom for you but I don't. The only time
I get shaky is when I'm attempting to lift and pour a Dutch oven or
something else really heavy - and all I do is holler 'help'. Just a
thought - if you are stitching something that's hard to make perfect - do
remember that basting is not the enemy. It is possible to take up hand
needle and thread and baste that sucker so it doesn't shift or slide. Hang
on until real help arrives here. Polly




"Sunny" wrote in message
...
I'm working on some piecing that actually requires a bit of finesse
and my hands shake. I suspect I'm not the only one on this board with
hand shakes ..... but I am frustrated with it. Does anybody have
tricks, suggestions or advice for minimizing the problems caused by
shaking hands when piecing? I'm already using my single hole plate and
foot. It helps. But .....

Advice??


Sunny

Shaky hands
 

Polly, if I could hold onto a needle I would. I have loss of sensation
in my finger tips and can't really feel a needle most of the time. I
have to grip really, really hard, and then ...... nevermind.


Sunny
LOL

Shaky hands
 

Well then. One of my own favorite tools is a corsage pin. Since my days of
being a bridesmaid are pretty much over, I had to buy a pack over in the
bridal section of WalMart. You can rest your wrist on the 'table' of the
machine to steady and lead the fabric with the pin just stitch-by-stitch.
Piecing is not a race. Go slowly thread by thread. A neighbor of ours has
shaky hands as a result of thyroid problems. She stitches over pins. That
makes me cringe. If you must do that, wear goggles and a padded bra. Polly


"Sunny" wrote in message
...
Polly, if I could hold onto a needle I would. I have loss of sensation
in my finger tips and can't really feel a needle most of the time. I
have to grip really, really hard, and then ...... nevermind.


Sunny
LOL

Shaky hands
 

All I can suggest for you Sunny is to use your seam ripper as a third
hand for holding the fabric together close to the needle - I also use
it as an aid when I have an opening to sew closed (after birthing) -
it is possible to ride fabric through the "J" head of the seam ripper
without doing any damage and it is also possible to use the ripper to
apply tension to the fabrics that you are sewing. Are you able to use
your sewing machine and rest your arms or at least your left arm flush
with your sewing surface? jennellh

On Jul 1, 7:41*pm, Sunny wrote:
I'm working on some piecing that actually requires a bit of finesse
and my hands shake. I suspect I'm not the only one on this board with
hand shakes ..... but I am frustrated with it. Does anybody have
tricks, suggestions or advice for minimizing the problems caused by
shaking hands when piecing? I'm already using my single hole plate and
foot. It helps. But .....

Advice??

Sunny

Shaky hands
 

Polly Esther wrote:
Well then. One of my own favorite tools is a corsage pin. Since my days of
being a bridesmaid are pretty much over, I had to buy a pack over in the
bridal section of WalMart. You can rest your wrist on the 'table' of the
machine to steady and lead the fabric with the pin just stitch-by-stitch.
Piecing is not a race. Go slowly thread by thread. A neighbor of ours has
shaky hands as a result of thyroid problems. She stitches over pins. That
makes me cringe. If you must do that, wear goggles and a padded bra. Polly

I also stitch over pins all the time! Not only when piecing quilts, but
also when garment making. Set the pins at right angles to the seam,
take it easy on the speed, and try using thise Clover pins as they are
extremely fine and less prone to being hit by the needle in a drive-by
crash!
http://www.gursewingmachines.com/clo...g_sundries.htm




--
Kate XXXXXX R.C.T.Q Madame Chef des Trolls
Lady Catherine, Wardrobe Mistress of the Chocolate Buttons
http://www.katedicey.co.uk
Click on Kate's Pages and explore!

Shaky hands
 

"Kate XXXXXX" wrote in message
et...
I also stitch over pins all the time! Not only when piecing quilts, but
also when garment making. Set the pins at right angles to the seam, take
it easy on the speed, and try using thise Clover pins as they are
extremely fine and less prone to being hit by the needle in a drive-by
crash!
http://www.gursewingmachines.com/clo...g_sundries.htm

I've been sewing over pins for round about 50+ years and usually at full
speed ahead. So far no problems here. I know it's a big no-no but I'd
already been doing this for about 20 years when I found out I wasn't s'posed
to. I always found it fascinating to watch the looks of horror on teachers
in any sewing class I've taken.

Scoffs at danger!
Val

Shaky hands
 

On Jul 2, 3:25 am, "Val" wrote:
"Kate XXXXXX" wrote in message

et...

I also stitch over pins all the time! Not only when piecing quilts, but
also when garment making. Set the pins at right angles to the seam, take
it easy on the speed, and try using thise Clover pins as they are
extremely fine and less prone to being hit by the needle in a drive-by
crash!
http://www.gursewingmachines.com/clo...(fine_2507)-qu...

I've been sewing over pins for round about 50+ years and usually at full
speed ahead. So far no problems here. I know it's a big no-no but I'd
already been doing this for about 20 years when I found out I wasn't s'posed
to. I always found it fascinating to watch the looks of horror on teachers
in any sewing class I've taken.

Scoffs at danger!
Val

Same here. I generally don't use pins for straight piecing, but for
anything curved and in dressmaking, it's either pins or basting and I
only baste for the really slippery stuff. With the new machines I try
to pull out the pins just before the presser foot so I don't throw the
darn temperamental machines out of kilter, but with my old Kenmore
(circa 1940) workhorse, I regularly drove full speed ahead. You're
right about the teachers. The looks are worth doing it deliberately.

Diana from Gulph Mills, PA

Shaky hands
 

Val wrote:

I've been sewing over pins for round about 50+ years and usually at full
speed ahead. So far no problems here. I know it's a big no-no but I'd
already been doing this for about 20 years when I found out I wasn't s'posed
to. I always found it fascinating to watch the looks of horror on teachers
in any sewing class I've taken.

It's never been a no-no for me, and in fact is a recommended technique
in my sewing machine's instructions! I do go full speed as well, but
have had some spectaculat pin crashes, and my specs have the scars to
prove it! ;)

Scoffs at danger!

Me too!


--
Kate XXXXXX R.C.T.Q Madame Chef des Trolls
Lady Catherine, Wardrobe Mistress of the Chocolate Buttons
http://www.katedicey.co.uk
Click on Kate's Pages and explore!

Shaky hands
 

I use a wooden popsicle stick to help guide the fabric. 'Course that means
you must eat at least 10 popsicles and then determine which is the best
stick for doing this.
Barbara in SC