Sadly admitting defeat

Drachelis · Post by **Drachelis** » Fri Mar 17, 2006 5:40 pm

Ho Hum- I have just completed what will be my last double thickness padded jack or aketon in this case.

My hands just can't cope with sewing the weight of double thickness upholstery wadding inside canvas anymore. To complete this one, I have had to do it in small stages with Ming giving me hand massages after each session to ease the pain. It is just trying to hold the weight of the garment whilst I sew it - I wrestled it and it almost won.

I will still be making single thickness arming jacks which are much lighter but the heavy ones will have to go by the board - I haven't got the time to take days off sewing to recover each time. ( I suppose age has something to do with it - )

So Deb and Debs - its all yours.

Cheryl

Shadowlight Designs

Kate Tiler · Post by **Kate Tiler** » Fri Mar 17, 2006 6:16 pm

Not to try & dissuade you Cheryl. but have you got one of those devices that you stab with & it stitches? A wooden handle with a reel inside with thread on, a hollow needle & you stab stuff & it stitches automatically. I have one you can have for free if you want to try it (if you can fathom how to use it from my vague description!) It was given me to use in shoemaking, so it is strong enough to go through leather, its upstairs in my shoe leather bits box. I can put it in the post if you'd like to have a go, its of no use to me!

Andy T · Post by **Andy T** » Fri Mar 17, 2006 6:42 pm

I really don't know how you all make these things! I have a mate who attempted to make some jack arms -he found it extraordinarily difficult! Soo is using a wooden tool like Kate suggested the only way?

Deb · Post by **Deb** » Fri Mar 17, 2006 7:02 pm

Andy the only thing needed to make the things is stubbornness and lots of it. The only time I like them is when they are finished and looking pretty or protecting someone

Drachelis · Post by **Drachelis** » Fri Mar 17, 2006 8:52 pm

Thank you so much for the offer Kate, I have one for leather work - that isn't the problem its more arthritic and a dodgy thumb tendon - its the actual holding of the garment so I can sew it rather than the actual sewing unfortunately. The stuffed canvas is so rigid and heavy that it takes over.

Still I seem to be specialising more in the "posh frocks" ( for men and women) as the business develops and I can manage them fine but thank you again for your kind offer.

Deb I totally agree I ike them when they are done - the one I totally hand sewed for Ming is entering its third season and he swears by it. I will probably have a bash when he needs a new one - I just won't be offering the hevy double thickness one for sale any more.

Wim-Jaap · Post by **Wim-Jaap** » Sat Mar 18, 2006 9:23 am

I'm a total nitwit withn this... but wouldn't it be something to hang the garment from the ceiling, and then stitch? you don't have to worry about the gravity bit then.

As I said... i'm don't know anything about it... but this seems like a solution to me.

greenthings Wim-Jaap

Drachelis · Post by **Drachelis** » Sat Mar 18, 2006 10:41 am

Thanks for the suggestion - good idea but when you are stitching the neck nd armholes it wouldn't work and you have to hold the garment firm in order to put the stitches through.

I do appreciate everyones kind concern but it is only one of my lines - I am fine with all the others so "posh frocks" single thickness jacks and alll the rest will still be on offer just not the &**%!!! double thickness ones.

Cheryl
Shadowlight Designs

Kate Tiler · Post by **Kate Tiler** » Sat Mar 18, 2006 9:04 pm

You're welcome Cheryl, I think everyone just feels for you

I've had a request for the wooden pokey thing, so if you already have one I'll dig it out & pass it onto someone else!

Laffin Jon Terris · Post by **Laffin Jon Terris** » Sat Mar 18, 2006 11:59 pm

Have you tried using a "sadlers clam" type arrangement?

It's basically two bent planks of wood that you hold between your knees, forcing them together to hold your work (normally for leatherwork as the name suggests) there is also a sadlers pony which has the same arrangement for holding the work mounted onto a small bench.

The jaws might be a bit short and it might hold a bit too tight, but with a bit of adjusting it might be just what you need.

gregory23b · Post by **gregory23b** » Tue Mar 21, 2006 1:16 pm

Kate you mean the "Awl for all" used in the US for stitching up injured cattle amongst other things, I used to have one, made stabbing 20 odd layers of cloth that much easier, no less boring tho'.

Kate Tiler · Post by **Kate Tiler** » Tue Mar 21, 2006 3:00 pm

Bleaargh!!!! That's a nice image as I go to lunch!

Tuppence · Post by **Tuppence** » Fri Mar 24, 2006 8:01 pm

stubbornness and lots of it

too right - no shortage of that here!!!

For arthritic hands, there's a fingerless glove thing that you can get that goes over your wrist and knuckles, and it's meant to keep your hands supple while you sew. I think you can still get them from the viking loom in york (or through their website which would come up on google).

and half an hour with your hands in a massaging foot bath works wonders!!

the bit I really hate is when the needle snaps into three, and you have to get that last (central) bit out somehow.

but the only thing I've ever found that helps with the weight of the jack while you're stitching is just to sit on the floor, with the jack or gamby or subarmillis or whatever, on the floor too.

oh - and pliers to get the damn needle through.

debs

(who must be one of the few pepole whose sewing kit contains pliers and bolt croppers!!)

Shadowcat · Post by **Shadowcat** » Fri Mar 24, 2006 8:20 pm

I think the gloves are called "Handeze". I used to buy them from the U.S. but have just found a U.K site.

http://www.handeze.demon.co.uk/

S.

Drachelis · Post by **Drachelis** » Fri Mar 24, 2006 11:41 pm

I've got pliers too - and I would sit on the floor if the other arthritic bit would let me - I can sit on the floor but its the getting up that is rwther the problem.

As far as splitting needles - yep - done that one - probing through layers of wadding - pardon the pun but its just like looking for a needle in the proverbial haystack.

Cheryl
Shadowlight Designs

Drachelis · Post by **Drachelis** » Fri Mar 24, 2006 11:47 pm

thanks for that Shadowcat - could well be just what I need to cope with the tendonitis in my thumb - I got some relief from dipping my hands into a wax bath at the physios. Had them wrapped in towels and rested them for 20 mins - peeled the wax off after that. Not only ease from pain but also beautiful smooth skin.

Cheryl
Shadowlight Designs

Andy T · Post by **Andy T** » Sat Mar 25, 2006 2:36 am

when the needle snaps into three,

strewth!!!!

Deb · Post by **Deb** » Sat Mar 25, 2006 12:12 pm

Yes the joy of contortions and sewing with pliers and playing hunt the needle!!!
Those gloves sound rather good - thanks debs

Shadowcat · Post by **Shadowcat** » Sat Mar 25, 2006 12:16 pm

I've been using the gloves for years, and they do help with tendonitis, RSI and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome!! (I have no association with the company!) They are wearable on either hand, a bonus when you lose one - and machine washable - mine get very grubby. Do make sure you get the right fit, otherwise they won't do the job.

S.

Tuppence · Post by **Tuppence** » Sat Mar 25, 2006 2:26 pm

when the needle snaps into three,

strewth!!!!

don't be too impressed by that - they can snap into more.

And as for machine needles - very occasionally you can't be sure you've got all the bits no matter how long you look - the best you can do is to rub your hands over the area where the needle was and pray you've got everything.

But machining jacks can be almost as bad as hand stitching, cos of the ache in the shoulders. (Plus I bent the needle carriage once - not dwelling on that - was very bad day!!)

Andy T · Post by **Andy T** » Sun Mar 26, 2006 11:35 pm

my prescription Debs=order Nigel to run you one hot bath with scents to relax with....bottle of your favourite and glass, relaxing music......

Drachelis · Post by **Drachelis** » Wed Mar 29, 2006 11:44 am

Ordered my gloves on Monday on the net - arrived today!!!!!! along with stitchery catalogue fr.om Heritage

They evidently are tried and tested by needleworkers.

I will let you know how I get on with them

Cheryl
Shadowlight Designs

Steve Stocker · Post by **Steve Stocker** » Wed Mar 29, 2006 12:05 pm

If you are still interested you can view Automatic awls, stitching clams and sailmakers palms here ;
http://www.bowstock.co.uk/acatalog/Stit ... plies.html
Hope this helps.

Drachelis · Post by **Drachelis** » Wed Mar 29, 2006 5:32 pm

Well I have been sewing all afternoon wearing the handeze gloves - sewing rabbit trim onto a very heavy wool houppelande and - .......... no pain!!!!!!! I was doing exactly the same as I had done yesterday ( miles round hem!!) and my hands hurt by the evening - especially tendonitisy thumb.

So verdict so far is......excellent.

I have one unfinnished padded jack that we have used for demonstration of the padding etc. when I get time I might just have a go at finishing it with the gloves - if they manage to ease the pain with that then I will bore you all rigid by recommending them - although I still don't think I will be offering the double padded jacks any more.

Cheryl
Shadowlight Designs

Shadowcat · Post by **Shadowcat** » Wed Mar 29, 2006 5:51 pm

Well that's two of recommending them Cheryl. Glad they are working for you too.