Ergonomics and Why It Is Important For YOU

Ergonomics? Ergo what? Seriously it is important! Do you want to quilt? Do you want to sew without pain? Do you want to quilt for a longer period of time? I know I do. Ergonomics is the applied science of equipment design, as for the workplace, intended to maximize productivity by reducing operator fatigue and discomfort.

The problem is that so many people don’t think of their crafting or hobby time as NOT important enough to need ergonomics! Wrong! It has only been a few years that people, employees and doctors have even discussed ergonomics in the work place. You’d go to work and come home with an aching back and you would dismiss it as normal! Pain is your body’s way of saying, “Hold On! Wait A Minute!”.

Having fibromyalgia, I understand pain in a new way. I have learned that I am already in pain and I do NOT need to make it worse, by adding more pain on top of that. Just to be able to sew has been something worth fighting for. How am I going to help other people if I don’t help myself by finding what works?

I am going to be talking a lot about working as pain free as possible. I love quilting and I’d like to be able to do it for years to come, however I recently couldn’t even sit at my machine for periods of more than ten minutes. Changing just a few things has made a BIG difference in what I have been able to do.

My goal is that by sharing what I have learned, am learning and trial and error that I help as many people to sew, quilt and craft… as pain free as possible! Now I’m getting back to quilting!

This is my dedicated quilting area, BEFORE making it ergonomic.

My Awesome Ergonomic Redneck Sewing and Quilting Table… part 1. Inspired by Marguerita McManus… the Crazy Short Cut Quilter!

Here is MY awesome Ergonomic Redneck Sewing and Quilting Table in all its glory!
Part 2:

Part 3 explains a few things that need to be considered before you cut up your dining table. 🙂