The Joy of Quilting with Your Long-Arm Machine
9
KathyQuilts.com
The importance of frame height
It is important to adjust the frame to its proper height for ergonomic reasons. Working
(especially sewing or quilting) can be hard on anyone physically, so it is important to
have optimum comfort while you quilt to avoid stress or injury.
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), “Tables
should be adjusted so the work is at elbow height and wrists are kept straight. If the
table is too low, workers will have to hunch forward, putting strain on the back, neck,
and shoulders. If a table is too high, workers will have to raise their shoulders to get
their arms high enough to work. This posture tires the neck, shoulder, and upper back
muscles and may result in muscle pain.” [2]
Precision work while standing should be done about 2 inches above elbow height,
allowing your elbows to have support when needed. Precision work is usually specified
as writing or small assembly. Thus, precision quilting (smaller/more intricate quilting)
could fall under this category if you are planning on doing very detailed and intricate
quilting.
Achieving the proper height of your frame for your body type may take time to be
perfectly adjusted. If you are having any pain from quilting, have someone watch you
as you quilt, or film yourself and evaluate. Watch for any awkward neck, shoulder,
elbow, or wrist movements. Even the smallest wrong movement performed over
and over can cause a lot of pain, and you should always have a pain-free quilting
experience.
consider these
guidelines
as you decide the
height
to set up your Frame
LIGHT
WORK
HEAVY
WORK
ELBOW
HEIGHT
