Carol's Needlework Blog

Ouch! If you wrist aches after a marathon stitching session give some thought to whether you may be suffering from a repetitive strain injury. This is an inflammation of the tendons which can cause pain and stiffness in the joint. Not just us needleworkers are at risk of course, computer users and supermarket checkout stafff can also suffer. In fact anyone whose job or occupation involves doing the same movement repeatedly over a course of time. Treatment The first thing to do if you think you might have RSI is to rest the affected area. Not a welcome suggestion when you desperately want to get on and finish your piece of needlework I know, sorry. Then I would advise a trip to your doctor to find out if RSI is the cause in case it is something else such as arthritis. If RSI is diagnosed the doctor may give you a splint to wear when things are bad (I wear mine overnight) and/or anti-inflammatory tablets. If this doesn't help he may resort to cortison injections. I have had these before and just afterwards all I wish is that I hadn't had them! For about three days my hand hurts like mad, but after that the pain decreases and all is well again for a time. Surgery is a last resort! What else can you do to help? In order to keep you stitching (or using the computer) there are some things that you can do that may help.

• Don't hold your hoop in your hand - attach it to a stand so you can use both hands to stitch rather than gripping the hoop with one of them. Use the stand at its full height if possible to avoid you bending your neck to see what you are doing so that your arms are held at about bust level, with straight wrists. Alternatively you could mount your work into a scroll frame and rest it on the arms of your chair whilst stitching.
• Use your non-dominant hand on top and the dominant hand below the work. Once you are used to it, you will find you can stitch quicky and keep your wrists straighter, reducing the risk of pain.
• You could try using a double-pointed needle but these take some practice and you may not like them. They may enable you to stab stitch rather than using the sewing motion, which could help keep the pain away longer.
• If the doctor has given you a wrist support you could wear that whilst stitching or typing. Mine has a metal insert that prevents me bending my hand down. There are also special gloves available called Hand-Eze or Hand-Aid which support the wrist.
• Cool it! By that I mean use an ice pack to reduce pain in your wrist or elbow.
• Use a wrist rest in front of your keyboard. These help hold your writst in a more natural position. You could even try using your mouse in the other hand. This can feel really tricky at first! You can also get mouse pads with a wrist rest, I find mine invaluable! If that fails try moving your mouse and mouse mat into your lap. Or you could try a trackerball mouse where you move the ball rather than the mouse itself.

Hopefully these few tips will help if you suffer from RSI.

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28-05-2007 - Do men stitch?

In times gone past most embroiderers were men. Do men still stitch?

My dad did! Sadly, my father died when I was a baby, so I never got to know him. I do, however, still own some pieces of work he created. Before I was born he knitted me the cutest little blue and white striped cardigan, which survived both of my children as well as me. With my oldest just turned 19, it now lives in my bedside cabinet, from where I take it out every now and then and dream of what could have been.

My father also did the most equisite hand embroidery. Between them, my parents stitched a gorgeous willow pattern tablecloth and napkins. One napkin is still in my possession. A bit worse for wear, due to having left it for a while, on top of the hamster cage. One corner is a little chewed!

More recently I tried to teach my husband, Roger, how to cross stitch. I designed a little soldier and explained how you make all the stitches in one direction, then cross them on the way back. I tried to supervise to begin with but was shooed away to leave him to it.

Two hours later he proudly laid his work on the desk in front of me. Ahhhh. Slight communication problem I believe.

He had finished, the first layer. The whole design was completed in half cross stitch. I gently explained that he still needed to cross the stitches, at which point he walked off muttering "I'm not doing it all over again." To this day he has never tried again.

I do have quite a few gentlemen customers however. Many have returned time and again to purchase their next project.

At other times I answer the phone to hear a male voice asking for a catalogue for his wife/partner etc. Sometimes I hear a female voice in the background giving directions, but occassionaly I wonder if he is just a little shy.

"Can I order a kit for my wife please?" I reply "Of course, which fabric does she prefer?" "I would like, sorry SHE would like Aida . ." comes the reply. Is there something embarrassing about a man doing embroidery? I think not, how about you? Feel free to comment below.

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29-05-2007 - Hardanger Questions

One of my first jobs in the morning is to check my email. This morning brought a message from Tina in the USA.

After answering her, I realised that other visitors might like to know a bit more about me and my choice of stitching techniques so I decided to share the answers here in my blog.

Tina wrote:

"My name is Tina and i am a high school senior. For my final in my sewing class we needed to research a sewing technique and i choose Hardanger Embroidery. I used your beginners guide and it was awesome. I was very proud about what i accomplished. I was wondering if i could ask you just a few questions about Hardanger. I need to have a personal contact for my project and i thought you would be willing to help! "

Tina asked her questions and I include them below with my answers under each one.

What is your personal favorite hardanger stitch?

I love doing 4 sided stitch. In fact I have to remember to count how many I've done every so often or I would go on for ever!

What was the most amount of time you spent on a Hardanger design?

That depends on whether you mean designing it or stitching it? When I "get into the flow" whilst designing I tend to loose all track of time. I just keep going until I am exhausted or the design is finished. Some designs may take an hour or so, others may take days or weeks before I am happy with them. Then I stitch them to make sure they work as planned. After that I get someone else to follow my chart and directions to make sure they are understandable.

How long have you been embroidering?

I can remember embroidering, following a transfered pattern, when a young child with my grandmother. During my school years needlework class meant one thing and one thing only, embroidery! My teacher eventually forced me to make an item to wear, but I never did actually wear it when finished.

What made you decide to take up Hardanger Embroidery?

I loved the crispness of white on white and the look of intricacy of a hardanger design. I also love the fact that I don't have to keep changing colours. Thanks Tina for making me think about this. Of course if you have any more questions feel free to leave a comment or get in touch via my contact me page.

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