The Best Ergonomic Quilting Supplies
Have you ever felt like quilting is a pain? If you’ve been following my writing here at Suzy Quilts, you know I love helping folks learn good ergonomic quilting. And as someone who lives with a chronic pain condition, I know personally how limiting physical pain can be! So today I’m offering you my collection of all the best ergonomic quilting supplies to ensure you quilt with less pain and discomfort.
These are all tools I’ve personally used, or that have been recommended to me by experts I trust. We are all different, so try these recommendations with an open mind— you never know what will work for you! If after trying some of these you still have pain, consult a healthcare provider. Practicing good sewing ergonomics is an essential (but not the only) way to keep quilting without pain.
You Might Also Like...
Your Best Ergonomic Quilting Tool: Time
Simply put, the more you quilt, the more likely you are to experience pain and discomfort. Using a timer (like my favorite, the Time Timer Visual) allows you to pace yourself and take breaks. This is a small, inexpensive way to be more ergonomic!
Good Lighting Helps with Ergonomic Quilting
Your eyes are your best built-in quilting tool, so it’s essential to care for them—which requires great lighting. But first, ask yourself: Am I wearing eyeglasses or contacts that help me see my best? If you need an additional pair for sewing, don’t hesitate—your eyes will thank you. (And your sewing will be more enjoyable for many years to come.)
When we’re used to sewing in the same place all the time, it’s easy to miss a potentially big ergonomic boost: task lighting. When your workspace is clearly lit, you won’t have to stoop or lean over to see fine details, and this alone can reduce pain and stiffness over time. Try these:
- Task lighting: I love the Daylight Smart Go Portable lamp, which can be used to brighten any work surface. It holds a charge for hours and offers a three-step dimmer. And I love how portable it is—perfect for bringing to quilt retreats.
- Light strips: Even the oldest sewing machine can be spruced up with the addition of LED lights, which make it easier to see your work. The Madam Sew Sewing Machine Light Strip is dimmable so you can customize your work surface.
- Clamp lamps: To brighten your sewing or cutting table, try the Daylight Slimline Table Lamp, which clamps to flat surfaces. By clamping a light to your surface, you’re able to direct light into the center of even the largest table or desk. Illuminating your workspace as much as possible will save your eyes!
- Floor lamps: Daylight sells a similar lamp in a floor-standing model, which is great to use next to your armchair or sofa for hand sewing. These are particularly handy if you like to sew in multiple spots at home, because you can easily carry a floor lamp to your preferred spot.
Ergonomic Pressing Supplies
If I’d known how much time I’d spend at an ironing board, I might not have become a quilter! Since pressing fabric is a huge part of quilting, I’ve identified a handful of tools that can help us do so in the healthiest way:
- Irons: This Panasonic iron is cordless, which means you can roam around a bit more and you also don’t have to tilt the iron over and over, because it rests in an angled charging base. Read more about why this is our favorite iron! The Oliso TG1600 Pro Plus has adorable little feet that pop out when you stop pressing, which means you don’t have to tilt the iron 90 degrees up and down – which can cause wrist soreness.
- Ironing board: With a much larger pressing surface than typical ironing boards, the Brabantia Size C Large Ironing Board reduces the frequency with which you need to reposition fabric. Any opportunity to use your hands less means less pain.
- Clappers: Admit it, sometimes you press really hard with your iron to get a stubborn seam flat. Me too! Instead, try using a clapper, which allows you to get your seam flat hands-free. I love the handmade Quilter’s Clappers from Modern American Vintage.
- Anti-fatigue mats: I love the GelPro Anti-Fatigue Mats so much I use them in my kitchen, too. Standing on them helps reduce foot, leg, and back strain. Another affordable option is a House of Noa mat, which is cute and comfy!
Cutting Supplies for Good Ergonomic Quilting
There are lots of ways to make cutting more ergonomic. Try combining a few of these and see how much better you feel:
Trending patterns!
- Table risers: When your cutting table is at the best height for your body, you can apply downward pressure without straining. (Generally when cutting, you want a wide angle at your elbow, larger than 90 degrees.) Try the BTSD-Home Bed Risers, which come in multiple heights.
- Ergonomic rotary cutters: My favorite is the Olfa Ergonomic Rotary Cutter, which works by squeezing the handle. The Grace Company also offers the My Comfort TrueCut Cutter, which can be customized for lefties.
- A more-stable ruler: The O’Lipfa Ruler with Lip Edge helps keep everything more steady (and accurate!) when cutting big pieces.
- Suction cup grips for rulers: I love the Omnigrid suction cup handle, which attaches to my 24-inch ruler to keep it steady.
- Adhesive rubber grips for rulers: By adding some resistance to the underside of your rulers, they will stay steadier. Try the Sure Grips by Ultima.
- Magnetic stays: Sew-Tites offers a suite of magnetic tools that secure your fabric for easier and more accurate cutting. Their Magnetic Cutting System is on my personal wish list!
- AccuQuilt Fabric Cutters: To really up your fabric cutting game, check out the offerings from AccuQuilt, all of which cut multiple layers faster and with less strain. AccuQuilt specifically markets their products for quilters with pain, arthritis, or back issues. If that’s you, this cutting system may really help!
Ergonomic Quilting Tools for Machine Piecing and Quilting
Your best protection from pain when machine piecing and quilting is to take breaks. This is where the Time Timer Visual really comes in handy! Here are some other tools that can make your machine time more ergonomic:
- Quilting gloves: I love the Dritz Fons & Porter Machine Quilting Gloves, which help you easily grip your quilt with less tension. And they last longer than other brands on the market! I use these anytime I’m machine quilting any size quilt, because it helps reduce hand and arm pain (and make machine quilting go smoother).
- Supreme Slider mats: These mats fit onto your sewing machine bed to help your project slide around easily, so you spend less energy wrangling (which can wear out your hands). While they’re designed specifically for free-motion quilting, they can be used for straight-line quilting, too.
- Seam rippers: The Dritz Ergonomic Large Seam Ripper has a cushy handle for comfort. I also like the Dritz Seam-Fix Seam Ripper, which has rubber ends to help you pull tiny threads easily. If you want functionality that’s also beautiful, try out any of the beautiful handmade, wooden seam rippers by Modern American Vintage. They’re smooth and shaped perfectly for hands.
- Magnifier accessory: Many manufacturers offer attachable magnifiers for sewing machines. They can be pricey (like my Janome Optic Magnifier) but they reduce eye strain.And they keep you from hunching over your machine.
- Lumbar support: The Original McKenzie SuperRoll offers unparalleled low-back support, and has an adjustable strap to attach to any chair.
- Seat cushions: If your chair at home (or the old hotel conference room chairs on retreat) don’t have enough support, consider a seat cushion like this one by TravelLite. Good cushions of all kinds help support your body better, which reduces fatigue and pain and extends your quilting time.
Ergonomic Quilting Supplies for Hand Sewing
If you spend a lot of time hand sewing, you must protect your posture. The lumbar support and seat cushion mentioned above will help a lot! Here are a few more things to consider:
- The Lap App: If you’re sewing on the sofa, this handy tool supports your handwork project so your arms don’t get tired from holding it up. And it doubles as a tablet stand for watching Netflix!
- ProsourceFit Exercise Balance Pad: If you’re hand quilting, consider propping up your quilt with this physical therapist-recommended tool. Your hands and arms will rest on a cushioned surface instead of directly on a tabletop, which is where Suzy recommends hand quilting. And your project will be closer to your face, so you’ll hunch over less.
- Footrest: If your feet are supported, you’re less likely to strain your back when sitting and sewing. I’m a fan of the Tilting Foot Rest by Humanscale, and this ComfiLife Ergonomic Under Desk Foot Rest also comes highly recommended.
- Snips: Using snips instead of scissors can reduce hand pain significantly. Try the Tula Pink 5” Curved EZ Snip. Its curved ends mean you can confidently trim threads without puncturing fabric. And the single pinching motion used with them also reduces finger/joint irritation that some of us experience when using small embroidery scissors.
- Massage tools: Consider the Marma Stick recommended by quilter Heidi Parkes. Plus, her Hand Yoga Club account is full of great hand exercises and stretches! This little tool helps you massage your hands effectively,and it fits in a travel sewing kit.
Books That Teach Healthy Quilting Practices
Finally, if you’d like to go deeper in your learning, I recommend two books (and Instagram accounts to follow):
- Sew Happy & Healthy: Smart Ergonomics, Stretches & More for Makers by Rose Parr. Rose is a certified ergonomic specialist and quilter who really knows her stuff.
- Wellness for Makers: A Movement Guide for Artists by Missy Graff Ballone. Missy is a massage therapist with a passion for helping fellow creatives feel better.
Which Ergonomic Quilting Tool Will You Try First?
I hope this collection of the best ergonomic quilting supplies serves you well, and that you experience less pain and discomfort as a result.
Which of these will you try first? Jump in the comments and let us know. If you try something new and document it on Instagram, tag me so I can learn from your experience! Be sure to tag @suzyquilts and use #SuzyQuiltsBlog, too!
Thanks for this. I also love your table. It looks custom. Can you tell us more about that? I’m in the process of building a home and could have a set up like that. Thanks!!
Hi Leslie! Are you interested in Suzy’s cutting table or sewing cabinet? Either way, you can find more information about all of the furniture in Suzy’s sewing room in this blog post: https://suzyquilts.com/need-sewing-room-ideas-see-my-renovated-attic/
Thank you for pullng all these resources together. I’m feeling empowered!
Great article with very helpful resources.
Unmentioned, but my two favorite tools for ergonomic quilting are a rotary cutter with ball bearings – game changer!!! – and Quilter’s Select rulers that all incorporate a grippy underside. The blades last forever in the ball bearing rotary cutters, as a great bonus.
I found this to be a very interesting and informative article. I am just starting to quilt and the ideas mentioned will be a big help. Thank you for sharing.