Posted on A. C. Moore’s Forum:, July 2008
Location: Port St. John , FL
My Mom had a stroke that has left her right (dominant) arm and hand are useless. Does anyone know of any one-handed sewers or any adaptive devices that may help her get back to quilting?
Location: New York
I don't know about piecing a quilt but if she wants to try hand quilting maybe a small standup quilt frame would help her. One that she could step on to hold steady. I don't know for sure that it will work but with practice I think she might get the hang of it.
Location: Delaware
If she has a green cutting pad, she can pin the material into the pad to cut it and use it as a second hand to hold it while she pins the parts together. Have her use the sewing machine foot to hold the material as she guides the fabric through to sew the pieces together and her foot controller to sew the material together. Go slow, or less pressure on the foot controller, and it is possible to continue to sew. Sometimes you can purchase already cut blocks from the store or through EBay (they even have auctions by sizes too.)
I am 36 and had a stroke Sept. 2011. My right hand is paralyzed right now. I have a suggestion for cutting fabric (straight lines). This works for me. All you need is a cutting mat, rotary cutter, ruler, and 2- 10 pounds weights. What you do is you lay out your fabric, place the ruler where you want to cut, and place the weights over the ruler (to hold it down), and cut.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea! I am 50, lost the use of my right (and dominant) arm in a car accident 5 years ago. I have missed sewing terribly! I tried to find one-handed sewing ideas several years ago and found nothing. I'm glad I tried again today, I am determined to find a way to sew again.
DeleteI retired in October 2008 as a Software Trainer for an Interational Law Firm. I had a stroke in July 2009 which affected my dominant side. I am a Quilter. I use Accuquilt GO! to cut my fabric. Accuquilt.com I have Innovis 4000D which has enough bells and whistles to allow me to sew and embroider. I purchased magnetic hoops for my machine so I wouldn't have to stuggle trying to hoop my fabric. DZGNS.com
ReplyDeleteI had a stroke July of 2011. I have left side paralysis and want to get back to my crafts and quilting/sewing. I will explore DZgNS.com. Any other suggestions
ReplyDeleteMgaboriault1256@Gmail.com
my stroke was in 2000 when I was 39. I was a seamstress at the time-so I really miss sewing. I,too,would like to get back to sewing/crafting but don't know where to begin. so hard to hold things down without use of my left arm. I won't give up and will keep looking for ways to get back there. wishing everyone the best!
DeleteI'm not much of a sewer but I did take home ec in high school. My teacher was a lovely woman who made all of her own clothes. She was born with out a left hand. Her arm ended just below the elbow with a little bit of a nub. She was able to use that to brace against things but had no real function from it. I never did figure out how she did all the things she did but she was a very accomplished woman. I am now over 50 yrs old and I still think of her anytime I think something is too hard or impossible for me to do.
ReplyDeleteHi i am 30 and i had a stroke in 2013 and have no use in my left arm and hand. Have just started back quilting again. I use a magnet to hold the materual to place under sewing foot and clips instead of pins, the guide on my quarter inch foot helps sewing and slowing machine down helps. I have wonderful ladies at class that cut my fabric for me
ReplyDeleteHow do you guide the fabric through the machine? most machines have the pressure foot on the left side. that's a problem for a right handed person. my left arm is also useless from a stroke and I really want to sew just using my right. thoughts? thanks!
DeleteWhere did you get your magnets?! I never thought of that! Also where do you place them?! (I'm a little excited about something actually working. I had a stroke 4 years ago and have no use of my left arm and DESPERATELY want to sew/quilt again. I have an Accuquilt GO but my love was always with McKenna Ryan patterns and most that I've done or have found are applique. If anyone could help, I would be so appreciative! I'm scared I will screw up and then I get frustrated with myself (which makes matters worse). If anyone could help, I would be so appreciative! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI have a brain tumour that has resulted in the loss of movement on my left side. Reading all these sewing tips are great if you were ever good at it, I never was very good, but am getting into cosplaying and making costumes and crafts again after years of rehab for my good arm.
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone have any recommendations for a newbie right-one-handed person wanting to sew?
Has anyone tried the "backwards" machine?
I can cut draw & cut patterns & material using various tricks I've learned from other areas of my life, it's using the machine that I struggle with.
I am in a "temporary" one-handed-life presently (6 months to a year). However, I do have limited abilities in general, for all of the rest of my blessed, daily life. I have loved sewing since the time of a young girl.
ReplyDeleteI quit sewing for about three or four years because I could not see well enough to thread the machine needle; and because my fine-motor was not steady enough to get the thread to the needle eye, let alone through it. (The foot pedal gave me trouble, too.)
I have not used what was refered to as a "backward machine", as I did not know these existed.
Within the past couple of years, I was learning of the new Singer Sewing machines that can sew without a foot pedal (push button), and some of these machines have automated needle threaders...I now have one of these newer machines: Singer Fashionista machine. I, also, use the new squeeze clips for holding the fabric edges together to sew.
As for paper crafting, I have found many helpful tools that are available.
My kitchen has many, many adaptive tools as well.
I WILL say this: don't quit, don't give up, don't toss-in-the-towel; I found trial-and-error combined with lots of practice (& lots of patience with yourself) YOU WILL SUCCEED.
Bless you for sharing.
A good Bernina machine will have an auto threader, as well as a knee lift.
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