Arthritis in hands - any suggestions?

I'm looking for suggestions please - I have arthritis in both of my thumbs, very little deformity but very, very painful from time to time. Can anyone advise me, are there any really easy to hold and use rotary cutter/scissors? - or techniques that will help me with cutting and with firmly holding the ruler in place? My finger joints are gradually stiffening and my wrist become painful as well - don't  you just love this ageing process! 

Thanks in advance,

Penny

All I can suggest Penelope, is to search the web, and hopefully you will find something.

 

Caz

Hi Penny

 

I do sympathise with you and the pain and can only suggest the suction handle that a few companies do that attaches to the top of your wide ruler so you can get a better grip. I think Quilt Direct sell them over internet. The LINK is as follows -

 

 

Hope that helps.

 

Marian

Hi Penny

 

For scissors - look at Fiskars 208801 Soft Touch Multi Purpose Scissors. They have a soft grip and are spring loaded. When my hands are bad they make cutting out so much easier.

 

Margaret

Hi Penny,

 

I've got the rule steady that's on the link from Marian - it's expensive (£30+) but I think it's worth it as my ruler no longer moves when I'm cutting strips - I've had tendonitis in both wrists for a couple of years and using this means I can cut for much longer than before (and I don't waste fabric making 'oopsies'!) and I don't get the flare ups I used to (this grip and a machine with a needle up/down button and knee lift have made a world of difference to my wrists!).  I also lock the blade on my rotary cutter in the 'out' position so I don't have to squeeze the handle as I'm cutting - just remember to close it everytime you put it down...

 

HTH,

 

H

I have a very odd looking rotary cutter made by Martenelli  Ergo2000(I think that's the name) it has a grip which is more natural to hold. Kind of like a bicycle handle. I looked all over for it when I was in the US and kept finding left handed versions..so it must be popular there! I finally came back to the UK and got it from Creative Grids. Also Fons and Porter sell a seam ripper with a larger handle to make it easier to grip and trust me, I use it a lot, for some reason my sewing machine mis-sews. (it can't be me, can it???).

 

anyway, have a look on-line and see what you can find. It took a bit to get used to the martenilli Ergo 2000 but well worth the effort. Till last week I suffered from Trigger finger and I too have a bit of arthritis starting in my hands. Also..good old fashioned asperin seems to do the trick for me painwise. Good luck and let us know how you get on.

Cheers,

Kim

Hi again, I happened to find the packaging for my rotary cutter...it's made by Martelli...sorry for the confusion on the name.hope you have some luck finding products to help you.

Kim

Hi again, I happened to find the packaging for my rotary cutter...it's made by Martelli...sorry for the confusion on the name.hope you have some luck finding products to help you.

Kim