Importance of Functional Design

This week I was invited to speak at the Westerville Quilt Guild.  The topic was Sewing Space Savvy...an extension of an article I wrote for NQA's The Quilting Quarterly on ergonomics.

I had the opportunity to share information that I had found, but not able to put in a two page article. Some of the information I picked up apply to office spaces as well as sewing rooms. Here are some of the tips I found out while doing research for the article:

• Cutting table surface should be six inches down from your elbow. If you find that your cutting table isn't high enough, there are a number of ways to raise it to a better height including bricks, wood blocks, and bed risers. Here are some bed risers that have a power strip built in. How cool is that?!

• Good lighting is important at any workspace. The Bendable Bright Light attaches to the side of your machine and can shine a bright beam right down onto the foot and stitches. And since the light is on a bendable goose neck, if you need to do some hand stitching or (gasp!) rip out, you can move the light so it's shining right down on your work.

Posture is so important when you sew. It can mean the difference between an enjoyable experience and an uncomfortable one. Ideally, your elbows and knees should be bent at 90 degree angles. 

If the chair you're using doesn't allow you to sit properly, there are a few products on the market that can help. First is the Gypsy Sit Upon. It can help you sit erect and raise your seat a few inches:

There is also a portable attachment you can purchase for better lumbar support. It attaches to your chair via an elastic strap that clips in the back. You can find these attachments in office supply stores. There are many other options on the market as well. This one I know from experience is great!

One last point I'd like to share is how important it is to take a break when you sew. Using the Pomodoro Technique, you sew for 25 minutes uninterrupted and then take a 5 minute micro-break. It's important for a number of reasons: it keeps your mind fresh and focused as well as the opportunity to stretch your legs and get the blood pumping. Sitting for extended periods of time can lead to carpal tunnel and cardio vascular disease - even if you work out on a daily basis!

These are some products that can help keep your sewing space comfortable because quilting doesn't have to be a pain in the neck!