I always have trouble sitting up straight at the sewing machine – always have had this issue. I wasn’t sure if I would be able to machine stitch 3 weeks after surgery or not so thought I would try it. I should have just done one side and not try for two – but I got two sides done and said to myself ok – only border a day for awhile!! But I do have two red borders on the Under the Big Top Quilt – 6 more pieces to go. When it is done I will take a photo outside before it gets put away. Not a great photo but no way was I going to try to get it back on the wall. Now on to the next piece tomorrow I hope. ( I have tried cushions behind my back but they never work out for me and seem to almost push me off the chair – any ideas out there do you manage to sit straight or do you have something you use to try to help you sit with your back straight and your shoulders pulled back?)
It was very nice outside and I brought the hexies outside and listened to my book for awhile. This fourth row was finished outside,
And I got the 5th row pieces picked out and got started thread basting.
I’ll have to come back and see answers, because I find myself slumping over the sewing machine. But I find myself slumping whether I’m at the sewing machine or not! Almost always think of my Mom, who used to squeeze my shoulders and whisper “sit up straight!” when I was a kid.
I catch myself so much slumping, leaning forward, shoulders up to my ears! Nice that you are now able to machine piece even for a few minutes:)
I struggle with slumping, too. The red border looks nice. You are truly one who perseveres! You are getting a lot done during recovery.
I’m like you and everyone else, it seems – I, too, often find myself slumping and shoulders hunched over at the sewing machine. I have a good office type chair that’s comfortable to sit in – I think it’s just the work of the sewing. You’re focused on what you’re doing, not how you’re sitting. Especially if it’s a border being sewn on and there’s lots of fabric pulling at you! One border a day for now seems like a good idea!
I have a brace that goes around your arm shoulders and tightens to straighten the back. Got it off Amazon. Not expensive and does work, but after so many years of slouching, sometimes it takes a while to get used to. Really should stay straight. My friend can no longer sew because of years being bent over her machine. That would be a real bummer.
I just recently ordered a brace type thing as well for this very reason. My shoulders and back hurt if I sew too long – because Iam hunched over. It feels pretty weird at first, but it does help.
I purchased a nice height adjustable sewing chair a couple of years ago. But I too have trouble sitting with a straight back, I tend to hunch over too. Think it’s because I want to get closer and see the stitching. Even though I’m aware of how I sit, it’s hard not to keep doing it. Guess the answer is to stitch for short amounts of time, then get up, stretch and walk around.
Sewing on those long borders is a wrestling challenge. One a day sounds like a good pace.
What about using an elastic exercise band, hold it out in front of you and stretch it? Or use weights (can food or a water bottle is fine, doesn’t need to be heavy), bend over and raise them out to your side. Even pulling your shoulders back and holding them for a bit, relax & repeat. That should strengthen the “shoulders straight” muscles in your back. Of course, check with doctor so you don’t tweak your freshly done surgery!
What about using an elastic exercise band, hold it out in front of you and stretch it? Or use weights (can food or a water bottle is fine, doesn’t need to be heavy), bend over and raise them out to your side. Even pulling your shoulders back and holding them for a bit, relax & repeat. That should strengthen the “shoulders straight” muscles in your back. Of course, check with doctor so you don’t tweak your freshly done surgery!