Hand sewing tip for people with arthritis

[plinkercases]

Thanks Rick. I will pick SortKwik up today as I hope to get some bench time on my holiday this next few weeks.

[KingsCountyLeather]

I have carpal tunnel syndrome and it gets painful to sew...

A saddle maker told me to pull the needle through the leather with a piece of bees was each time the needle was tight, my fingers took on some of the wax each time and now I never have to use a plyers when sewing. It was the best piece of advise I have received so far in leather working.

[Deuce]

Thanks for the Tip! Anything to cut down on my hand pain ....

[Mike Wise]

For what it's worth, I often use a sailmakers palm to help push the needles through tough or thick leather. For those who aren't familiar with this tool, it's worn on your hand and has a hard, textured plate to protect your hand when pushing the needle, almost like a flattened thimble. Once you get used to it, it's quite comfortable.

All the best, Mike

[plinkercases]

Well I just did my first 7 hours of stitching in the last 12 months... from 2 layers of 4oz through to 3 layers of 10-11 and that SortKwik is amazing stuff. Thanks for the tip. Much nicer not wearing vinyl gloves.

I will say that after a year away from riding the stitching horse I was very much beginners again and did not really come back up to speed and accuracy until last piece... oh well good to have gotten some hobby time.

Edited August 11, 2017 by plinkercases

[skinhacker]

Thanks I will give it a try

 

[TonySFLDLTHR]

Here is a little rubber disc that we have used with great success when hand stitching.

http://springfieldleather.com/1.5-Rubber-Sewing-Disks-4pk

 

Edited May 31, 2018 by TonySFLDLTHR

[cradom]

Maybe some way to attach that disk to a finger so you don't have to pick it up every stitch...? Looks like a good thing to have.

[Aven]

I have arthritis in both thumbs, in the bottom joint.  I can't grip things like I used to anymore.  I've found a few things that help with hand sewing.  Using a stitching clamp to hold it so I don't have to grip the work piece makes a big difference for me.  I found a leather thimble years ago that I wear on my thumb.  It has a metal disk that you push against.  Mine is made out of 2+ oz soft leather.  It's three times as thick as the one I found at JoAnn's.  If you search for coin thimble you'll find something like it.  The closest I see is Clover Coin thimble, but it's easy to think the leather is thick looking at the picture, but it could be an illusion.  But if you pick up one of the cheapies, you'll have the coin insert and a pattern to make your own.

I found an awl on ebay that is a long slender one.  The point is fine and the taper isn't aggressive.  I use it to stretch open the holes I've punched with a stitching chisel.  Once it's opened up a bit, the needle slides through and they close back up afterwards.

Tools help, but they can do only so much.  I found that cutting out wheat, potatoes and tomatoes (night shades) makes a big difference in how much my hands hurt or don't hurt.  If I have a couple slices of bread or white potatoes at dinner, I know my hands will ache the next day.  This is my trigger.  Yours may be different.