Newbie with vision problems

Hello.

I am new to sewing/quilting and I am wondering if their are any
machines anyone knows about this is good for the visually impaired..
In high school I had nightmere about threading the sewing machine in
sewing class!!!!


Thanks....


Melanie

wrote:
Hello.

I am new to sewing/quilting and I am wondering if their are any
machines anyone knows about this is good for the visually impaired..
In high school I had nightmere about threading the sewing machine in
sewing class!!!!


Thanks....


Melanie

I'm not exactly vision impaired (only have the usual annoying
short-sightedness owing to encroaching age), but I *cannot* see to
thread my machine! I keep a strong magnifying lens and one of those
little penlight thingies nearby for those moments when DS isn't around
('DS! Come and thread the machine for me please!')

I've tried all sorts of specialised needle threaders, but the magnifier
and light work for me...

--
Trish {|:-} Newcastle, NSW, Australia

Trish Brown wrote:

wrote:

Hello.

I am new to sewing/quilting and I am wondering if their are any
machines anyone knows about this is good for the visually impaired..
In high school I had nightmere about threading the sewing machine in
sewing class!!!!


Thanks....


Melanie

I'm not exactly vision impaired (only have the usual annoying
short-sightedness owing to encroaching age), but I *cannot* see to
thread my machine! I keep a strong magnifying lens and one of those
little penlight thingies nearby for those moments when DS isn't around
('DS! Come and thread the machine for me please!')

I've tried all sorts of specialised needle threaders, but the magnifier
and light work for me...

There are also 'easy thread' sewing machine needles, but I don't know
how good they are. I think Schmetz make them. I do know they don't
come in the full spectrum of needle types. They are called 'self
threading' needles. They fit any sewing machine that uses the standard
needle, but are not recommended for serger use due to the much higher
speeds of these machines.

--
Kate XXXXXX
Lady Catherine, Wardrobe Mistress of the Chocolate Buttons
http://www.diceyhome.free-online.co.uk
Click on Kate's Pages and explore!

On 7 Dec 2004 20:33:33 -0800,
wrote:

I am new to sewing/quilting and I am wondering if their are any
machines anyone knows about this is good for the visually impaired..
In high school I had nightmere about threading the sewing machine in
sewing class!!!!

Most of the sewing machines I've used had a slit in any eye that
had to be threaded, until you got to the needle. Once you've got the
thread path memorized, it's pretty easy to thread up to the needle
without even looking.

And after that point, there are various needle threading gizmos
available, e.g.:

http://www.maxiaids.com/store/prodVi...idproduct=1367
http://www.maxiaids.com/store/ProdLi...y=40&idstore=1

Also dotters that may be of use, e.g.:
http://www.maxiaids.com/store/prodVi...idproduct=4869
and a finger guard/thread cutter:
http://www.maxiaids.com/store/prodVi...idproduct=1375


Try poking around the net for "low vision" + "sewing"

Also, consider some of the specialized lighting devices and light bulbs
available now. It's moderately easy to kluge up a light pipe or fiber
optic system for better lighting in the sewing machine foot area, but
you might be better served by good-quality task lighting in a gooseneck
lamp or such.

Kay

wrote:
Hello.

Hi, Melanie, welcome.

I am new to sewing/quilting and I am wondering if their are any
machines anyone knows about this is good for the visually impaired..
In high school I had nightmere about threading the sewing machine in
sewing class!!!!

A lot of the new machines have built-in needle threaders.

But some of them (the threaders) break quite quickly.

Would magnification help? You can get anglepoise-type lamps with built-in
magnifying lenses. Some of them have daylight bulbs. I've seen them in craft
shops.

For more information about buying a sewing machine, see Penny's excellent
FAQ at http://www.cet.com/~pennys/faq/smfaq.htm

This group and alt.sewing are friendly and helpful. Most of us read and post
in both. If you want to ask questions about specific machines I'm sure
you'll get answers.

--
Sally Holmes
Wakefield, West Yorkshire, England

I got mine from Clotilde, Irene, and I think they are still in her catalog.
The handle glues onto the SM just above the needle and the magnifier hooks
onto it. I have two hooks with only one magnifier-less expensive that way.
BTW, she has a big online sale right now.
No affiliation, just a happy customer.
Emily

CySew wrote:

I got mine from Clotilde, Irene, and I think they are still in her catalog.
The handle glues onto the SM just above the needle and the magnifier hooks
onto it. I have two hooks with only one magnifier-less expensive that way.
BTW, she has a big online sale right now.
No affiliation, just a happy customer.
Emily




Thanks for the tip, Emily! I'll let my sister know!

-Irene