I have lost the ability to make a pincher of my left thumb and the rest of my left hand. I can't grasp and hold anything, and thus I can't do hand embroidery or stitching of any kind. Anybody know of devices that would let me still stitch without using my left hand to hold the fabric or maneuver the hoop or fabric? I'm sort of at a loss. Went to a hand therapist today and she really couldn't find anything that would help me beyond an electric can opener.
Sunny
Well, Sunny. Golly! so Sorry. I'm sure with all the fine specialists available that you're on the hunt for a solution . . . think I'd begin with an old chiropractor. (Not the ones with all the fancy new equipment they need to pay for.) Our precious old guy has easily restored some snarls we've had in one muscle/nerve/something or another. Meanwhile, there's an embroidery hoop on a stand that you sit on. ( You sit on the stand's base, not the hoop.) You just might be able to embroider with one hand. Of course you can - we've seen people who can fasten diaper pins with their toes so I reckon it's possible. Might even be easier since the cloth wouldn't wiggle and kick like a baby. Polly
"Sunny" I have lost the ability to make a pincher of my left thumb and the
Get some sort of clamp that would attach the hoop to the pivot of an anglepoise lamp?
----------------------------------------------------------------------------- e m a i l : j a c k @ c a m p i n . m e . u k Jack Campin, 11 Third Street, Newtongrange, Midlothian EH22 4PU, Scotland mobile 07800 739 557 Twitter: JackCampin
Sunny, If this came on fairly suddenly it sounds like what happened to me last November. Within a few days I went from mildly sore wrist to not being able to grasp or pinch anything without agonizing pain. Does that sound like what you've experienced? Here's what I had.......
-- Jeri
Oh Sunny I'm so sorry this has happened to you!
How about a scroll frame on a stand?
Claudia
I popped 'arthritis aids' into Google and got back some excellent gadgets for lifting, grabbing, holding and so on. I am sure there are things on the market that will help you.
If you have some strength but no grip, try putting on a potholder and using that. The friction will keep things still enough and the extra fabric will mean you don't need to grip so hard.
Otherwise look surgical stuff. They have loads of thingies and gismos for grabbing and pinching. Needle holders, forceps. 'third hands' whatevever. And talk to your medics, they may have some other ideas, and things to try before buying, too.
However, I hope this is only a temporary inconvenience, but whichever which way, I hope things soon improve. Nel (Gadget Queen)
There are a number of needlework stands that are made specifically for holding a frame, hoop or Q-snap. Most are VERY expensive so be prepared when you start looking. I have a Grip-It "Sit on It" (cost was about $75.00 12 years ago) and love it but I don't think they are in business any longer. I can't for the life of me remember the name of any others but I do know that inexpensive needlework stands have been available at Michael's, Joann & even Wally World in the past. Check out those places if there are any near you. You can also ask over at RCTN
-- the Needlework newsgroup. You will get all sorts of info from the folks over there. Don't forget to check with your LNS if there is one near you. Don't forget to check Google -- search for the words needlework stand.
PAX, Tia Mary
Can you use your fingers to grip? Could you use something like a small vice grip to hold the hoop and then hold the handle of the vice grip with your fingers? There are lots of cool gizmos in a hardware store - perhaps you could find an even better sort of clamp.
Good luck! Allison
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