Week 39 stitching report:
15 minutes stitching days/week = 7/7 days
15 minutes stitching days/Sept = 29/29 days
15 minutes stitching days/2018 = 255/272 days
Success rate = 93.75%
So why only hand work? My shoulder problems caught up with me last weekend. I had the rare opportunity to sew for two days in a row. I woke up Monday morning in a good deal of pain. After 2 days of heating pads and 4 days of anti-inflammatory medication, by Friday the shoulder was back to being as good as it gets. So why am I blaming my sewing room. It's the computer desk we bought 18 years ago as a "temporary" place for me to sew.
My chair is adjustable, but I can't adjust it any higher. So when I try to sew, my shoulders are not in a neutral position. After two days, that took it's toll. I posted a question on Facebook looking for suggestions. There were many about cutting down the legs of the desk, cutting out the center and using the keyboard tray to hold the machine. After a discussion with My Guy on those options, his vote was for me to not mess with the desk and buy a dedicated sewing cabinet. His point was that I used the desk for 18 years and it didn't appear I planned to quit quilting anytime soon, so it just made sense to get something more ergonomic that would work for the next 18 years. So last Friday, I ordered a sewing cabinet from Sew Perfect Tables. It's not the prettiest table out there, but it's very adjustable, hit the mid-range price point and looks very sturdy (My Guy's input). It should show up in about 4 weeks. I'll let you know how that goes.
In the mean time, I've found that the sewing machine will fit on the keyboard tray of the desk.
It vibrates a bit when I sew, but this set up will work for the next few weeks till the new cabinet comes in. I don't leave the machine sitting on the tray when I'm not using it, I'm afraid it will bend the slides.
Since there wasn't a lot of machine stitching this week, the stash report is a bit anemic.
Fabric used this week: 0.47 yards
Fabric used in 2018: 32.75 yards
More in than out for 2018
Linking up with Quiltpaintcreate for the weekly stash report.
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11 comments:
Great sewing room with lots of light and storage. I'm jealous! Glad you're feeling better.
What if you wedged a couple of pieces of wood, maybe a 1 by 2, under that slide out part. It might help with the vibration and keep it from bending the drawer sliders.
I don't know how you put up with that for 18 years. It makes my shoulders hurt just to think of it. My first thought was that you could rebuild the slide out tray so it wasn't a slider and cut out the top of the desk to mount your machine inside it, because it looks like it's just about the right height. But I think you'll be happier with a cabinet built for sewing.
Getting a real sewing desk will change your life, and your shoulder pain! I am on the tall side but that didn’t help all that much when I was using an office desk. It’s wonderful to have the machine bed level with the desk.
P.S. I did get in a little sewing this week, but barely enough to mention.
18 years is a bit more than temporary. I can't believe how much I like my sewing machine in the cabinet and not on top. I spent many years on the top. Sounds like it is time to get what you need.:)
I went through the same thing with my shoulder. Had some uninterrupted sewing days and caused myself a lot of pain. Bought a dedicated sewing table which worked great, but didn't fit in my studio. However, we used the height of the table to calculate how high to set my current surface and it's been so much better ever since! I hope you have the same success story :)
I am glad you are getting a new table. My sewing machine is on a dining room table so is also too high. I have a pillow on my chair which helps a little but it is definitely not ergonomically correct.
Having a table that your sewing machine sits down into will make a huge difference for you--so much easier to work on a level surface, and much more comfortable too! I look forward to hearing how you like yours. It looks like a great choice.
My shoulder has been hurting this week too, but not as badly as yours. I blame the chair I use at my computer desk. I got a new chair, but on this one, the arm rests aren't adjustable. I am trying to avoid using the arm rests to see if that makes things better.
So sorry your shoulders are hurting, but glad you are doing something about it and getting a table that is more ergonomic. I hope it is adjustable so you can position it exactly how you need it.
Wahoo! A real sewing table! Your husband made an excellent point about it being worth while to have good equipment, since this isn't a temporary thing for you. I look forward to seeing the new look. Congratulations on moving some stash out anyway, and sewing every day.
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