Never try to snip three rag quilts in a row. I completed three for my grandkids before they came, but saved the snipping for last. (I thought if I had to, I'd let them help me snip - crazy lady) I snipped so much I can barely use my wrists, i'm having to wear those carpal tunnel braces. Does snipping do this to you? Even my left hand aches from holding the fabric to snip! Don't save the snipping on three quilts!

What we do to ourselves because we can't stop making things! I've always tried to make sure my hands keep 'safe' as I'd go mad if I couldn't use them. Jan

At the last Quilt Show I attended I saw demonstrated a special type of cutter designed especially for making chenille quilts.They were between $40 & $50 if I remember correctly but it would save your hands & wrists.

Anything repetitious can cause that. I try to rotate the activity. One day I spend a whole day on my computer organizing and my hand and arm was killing me. Snip one, sew one, snip one sew one.
Hope you feel better soon.

maybe just try one at a time next time - hehe!
Sorry to hear of your pain, my hand goes numb when crocheting and can only do a little and stop, do some more, and stop, etc.

Yes, it would cause me so much pain!
Yes, it is the ulnar nerve that handles the pinky as well as the the next two. (I had surgery on mine ouch!)
Soak your arms all the way to your shoulders in epsom salts (at least 20 minutes each time) and take an anti-inflamatory regularly for a few days if you can. Ice at the shoulders for 20 minutes may help or heat and ice alternating.
I hope you feel better soon!

1 comment

by hightechgrammy 24 Jul 2012

Thanks for the ideas. I hadn't done any of that!

Yes, Jan, just that one Uganda quilt I did hurt my wrist all the way up to my elbow for over a month...
my therapist said the scissor action pinched the ulna nerve in my arm.....hurt pretty bad for awhile, so I know what you are going through, can't imagine having done 3!!!

3 comments

by hightechgrammy 23 Jul 2012

Oh Vicki, I'm so sorry you suffered over your snipping! I wonder if the ulna nerve makes your fingers numb. I still can't feel my ring finger on the right hand! I even used clips that are made specifically for rag quilts. The one I made for my granddaughter had lots of piecing, which didn't help. The quilts sure turned out cute, though. I forgot to get pictures - grrrrrr

by hightechgrammy 23 Jul 2012

daughter had lots of small piecing, so that didn't help either. They turned out really cute, but I can't believe I didn't get photos!

by drro 23 Jul 2012

Hi Jan, so you use the sissors made for snipping rag quilts? I think though, 3 at a time would still hurt! Hope they feel better soon:>) hugs,ro