These Sewing Tools for Arthritis are going to change your life.
Sewing is a wonderful activity. Unfortunately, some people can become difficult and even painful at some point.
Sewing involves a lot of sitting down and working with your hands. That’s why some seamstresses experiment with bone pain related to arthritis.
We asked around and extensively researched how to sew with arthritis. In that research, we found a lot of resources to help with the pain that we will list here.
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If you have hand arthritis, using the right sewing tools can make the process more comfortable and enjoyable.
If you’re struggling with arthritis pain while sewing, don’t worry – there are plenty of tools and techniques that can make it easier and more comfortable.
Look for sewing tools with comfortable, ergonomic designs, lightweight options, and larger padded handles. You might also consider using electric scissors, adaptive aids, and a magnifying glass with built-in light to make sewing tasks easier on your hands and eyes.
Don’t forget to take breaks and use padded surfaces when cutting fabric, too!
And if you’re a big fan of sewing, it might be worth exploring adaptive sewing machines designed for those with arthritis or limited hand mobility.
Remember to always check with your healthcare provider for personalized advice.
Other resources for Sewing with Arthritis.
Top 10 Sewing Tools for Arthritis that will ease your pain.
1. Ergonomic Rotary Cutters.
Martelli has these fantastic rotary cutters designed to reduce the pain caused by fabric cutting with these tools.
Usually, we need to apply too much pressure on our hands and arms to cut our fabric like this.
But with the Martelli rotary cutters, your hand will lay in a natural position, and the pressure will be equally distributed. They have it on 28”, 45”, and 60” for lefthanded and righthanded seamstresses. You can also get them at Walmart here.
2. Squeeze Handle Rotary Cutters.
A good reader gave me this tip when I sent out the post about the best rotary cutters according to users. I just had to put it in here.
She told me that she instead uses a squeeze-handle rotary cutter because they are easier to push. In her opinion, it requires less pressure to hold it open than the one you need to push with your thumb.
3. Lightweight Iron.
Getting the right pressing tools is very important.
Get an iron that doesn’t weigh much, so you don’t have to pick up and tire your shoulders and back.
Here is the lightest iron I could find online. It weighs only .89 pounds (500 gms). The one that follows that is this one with only 2.4 pounds (1 kg).
3. Magnetic Wands.
No more bending or getting to your knees every time you drop a needle or a pin (or all the pins).
This extendible wand with a magnet on the end is exactly what you need.
Keep it near you, and just pick your pins with this cool magnet.
4. Antifatigue Mat for Ironing.
We spend a lot of time standing up when pressing our seams.
Well, that is if you take the time to press correctly. Inevitably, there is going to be pressing in your life.
Use a fatigue mat to stand over a cloud whenever you need to press.
5. Sew Healthy and Happy Book.
A book with the only purpose of having a healthy body while you sew.
This book teaches you everything from how to sit to how high your standing tables have to be.
Its author, Rose Parr, did extensive research to bring us this amazing content with tips, routines, exercises, and even recipes!
6. Compression Gloves for Arthritis
Our greatest tool is our body. And from our body, our hands are the part we use the most.
Understandably, they will get tired and in pain if we sew too much.
According to Forbes, a good pair of compression gloves will help alleviate the pain caused by this.
7. A Needle Threader and Inserter.
This needle inserter is the best cheap sewing gadget I have ever bought.
I use it to thread my serger and my hand needles.
Sometimes, I think it is even better than the automatic threader on my sewing machine.
Forget about the pain of grabbing something as thin as a thread with your fingers only to insert it into something as equally thin as a needle.
8. Furniture Raisers
Standing desks are fully recommended for people who spend a lot of time sitting down.
The ideal thing is to find a table that raises and lowers automatically, so you don’t have to apply any effort.
That way, you can change between sitting and standing, so you don’t spend much time in one position.
9. Running Shoes
The one who dares to say sewing is not a sport clearly hasn’t been around before Christmas Eve in one of our rooms.
Joking aside, getting a good pair of running shoes to be at home can do a lot for you.
It can help you better your posture, reduce the pain in your legs and back, and just make you feel better.
10. Third Hand. A Sewing Clamp to grab your stuff.
Literally, a third hand will help you with the heavy grabbing of fabrics.
It’s good to turn to pull corners, grab your project while you sew it closed, and so much more.
This clamp will be your best friend.
What other Sewing Tools for Arthritis? Please comment below to help others.
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I’d really love some hints on anything to help with hand piecing (quilting) and getting the needle through fabric, which I struggle with. Many thanks …
The tool called third arm is great for this. Then you can also pierce the fabric tip and then use your table to push it through, a pair of tweezers help too to pull it out.
one of my most important tools for arthritis is a pair of needle nose pliers, got mine at $ tree. they are so handy for turning small thing right side out. I make a lot of doll clothes that need to have the bodice lined for smooth arms and necks the pliers are the best for this. another trick is use a large bobby pin for turning small lines. make your piece a bit longer, cut slash and then thread bobby pin through, this was a trick I learned from stretch and sew.
Thank you so much for sharing those tips! I bet people will like them very much. I particulary enjoyed the tip of the bobby pin