Hand tremors (sp?) & long-arm quilting

[Myra U.]

Hi everyone! I am MEMA1, Myra Ungerman. I live in Castle Valley, which is in eastern Utah about 1/2 way down the state and includes 2 counties: Carbon and Emery. I love it here. I have been quilting since I was about 8 and am now 72. I recently took a class that solved all my piecing problems, so even us old dogs can learn new things! (LOL). Anyway, I developed a tremor in my hands after getting a toxic thyroid. I had to have the thyroid removed and they said the tremor would partially go away. It didn't. When I got my long-arm quilter, a Handi Quilter Sweet Sixteen, the tremor didn't affect my stitches a lot, but I found that I had to be super relaxed and focused to make a decent stitch, especially when doing micro-quilting around a motif (or really any micro quilting). The tremor has gotten worse in the past 2 years and I find I'm having more and more trouble making a decent stitch, but not just in micro-quilting. Has anyone else had this problem. I know the tremor isn't going away and would like to find some help to alleviate the irregularities in my stitches before things get worse. Thanks for ANY help you can give.

[Myra U.]

Hi Myra:

I don't have tremors myself, and so don't have first-hand experience. However, I wanted to write with this little bit of information:

The award-willing quilter Sharon Schamber has severe "essential tremors." I've taken classes with her, and her hands do tremble a lot. However, she's worked around her problem using a stand-up longarm machine for her quilting, and has developed techniques for machine piecing and applique that make it possible for her to produce detailed designs. Her website is sharonschamber.com.

I don't know if switching to a this type machine would help you, but I found, when I got my longarm, that it didn't require as tight a grip and steady a hand as quilting on my domestic sewing machine. Moving the longarm machine around with its handles is also much easier on my arthritic hands. If you haven't already, you could try using a longarm at a quilt show, or perhaps a local quilt store.

It's also possible using a device like her "Quilt Halo" could help you have better control when using your sit-down machine. You can see it here: https://sharonschamber.com/products/quilt-halo.

Best of luck to you!

[Myra U.]

Dear LEAFY,
I am very appreciative of your message. You seem to be the only on who replied. I am sure that everyone is busy, busy making quilts.
I will visit Sharon Schamber's website and maybe even get the courage to e-mail her with questions. I do have a stand-up longarm quilting machine. I understand that the quilt halo is for domestic sewing machines, however, not the longarm. I am wondering if it would still apply to a longarm. I will investigate.
I also have osteoarthritis in my hands, along with psoriatic arthritis elsewhere and fibromyalgia everywhere. I am so lucky to have an understanding husband who supports all my efforts to become a better quilter.
Thanks again from an appreciative fellow quilter, Leafy,
Myra Ungerman in Price, UT 84501

[Myra U.]

Hi Myra:

I do think you should email Sharon Schamber! She makes amazing quilts (and quilting designs), but seemed, in class, to be a warm and helpful person. She mght have some ideas for you. Yes, the Quilting Halo is for a sit-down machine. I don't think there's any way it could be used on a longarm. I rely on an assortment of longarm rulers...these aren't good for stippling, but help my feathers, curves, and whatnot stay under (some!) control.
I'm sorry I don't have more suggestions for you...I know it is a real drag to be in pain all the time. I've dealt with fibromyalgia, too. It can be hard for other people to understand how you are hurting and can't do things, when you look just fine from the outside! Try to conserve your strength, and, as often as you can, use your energy for things you WANT to do, rather than things you "should" do...the house will always need vacuuming, etc...we only live once!
Best wishes -- hope you find some good advice.