I got a question recently about buying a magnifier. I can’t use these because they aggravate my vision problems, but if you are considering this, take some time before you go looking to do some research. No I don’t mean poke around looking at sites for products, but think about how you will use them. Ask yourself some questions: What I can tell you is that you should think about how and where you will be using it in order to narrow down the options. Ask yourself questions such as this: Will I be using it at home only or when I travel to guild meetings and classes? If you will be using it for classes, you’ll need one that’s portable. When I’m at home do I have a table nearby for holding the magnifier? If not, I’ll need one that hangs on my neck, sits on your nose (glasses),
Good scissors are such a joy to use. You might find your scissors more a pain than a pleasure. I did. And then I found large finger-hole scissors. They made my life so much easier. The only difference between regular scissors, pictured below, and large finger-hole scissors, pictured at the top of the article, is the size of the holes. But what a difference that makes. Instead of scissors which pinch as you manipulate them, these scissors fit on your fingers and are comfortable. If you’re doing lots of cutting, this means a smaller chance of blisters or bruising. And no annoying deep grooves in your fingers. Besides all of that if your fingers are stiff, these work better as well. With the large holes, they are easier to grasp. I have a few pairs like this, ranging from fine embroidery scissors to a more serviceable everyday pair with plastic
Earlier this week on one of my discussion groups, someone asked about what kinds of aids there were for stitchers who had suffered a stroke and thereby lost use of one hand. This is a subject close to my heart, because my initial MS attack was misdiagnosed as a stroke for over five years (until I had a second ) attack. Many of the problems I’ve had are similar to those people with strokes have. Obviously the most useful tool here is a stand. which holds your needlework firmly in place. There are many kinds of stands from ones which sit on the floor, to ones which sit on your lap. They are big investments, which improve anyone’s stitching, so test out some and think about how and where you stitch before buying. Scissors can be a real problem, but Fiskars makes a pair of shears with short blades which