Managing a creative hobby with a disability.

I was delighted to contribute to an article in Simply Sewing magazine on the trials and tribulations of sewing with a disability. I thought I would share some of my further thoughts and tips.

I started sewing as a theraputic outlet from life with a chronic condition. The irony is not lost on me that my chronic condition can make sewing difficult or stop it in its tracks altogether!

This post is written with sewing with a physical disability/chronic illness in mind. However, many of the techniques can be applied to new parents, people working long hours, carers, and people with mental health issues.

Sewing can be punishing on your body. Bending and reaching to cut out; looking down; and sitting for long periods. However, there are ways you can protect your body from short and long term damage.

Primarily, I try to ensure my workspace and tools are as ergonomic as space and cost will allow. I can only cut out at a large table, ensuring that I keep the work as close to me as possible to avoid reaching. I am lucky that I have a dedicated place for my machine (albeit not Pinterest worthy!) which conserves energy for sewing, rather than setting up and tidying away.

I have also found that I need to be mindful of the type of project I select. On ‘good days’ I have more energy to manoeuvre larger pattern pieces and slippery fabric. On days where pain is a real issue, I have found that sewing underwear is a really good option for me.

The pieces are small, so they can all be easily cut from a seated position. It can all be completed at one machine, so no need for moving to an overlocker, and they are surprisingly quick projects to complete.

Many of us with chronic conditions have been told by healthcare professionals to introduce pacing into our lives. This is something that I have resisted for many years as I felt it was far too restrictive. My view was that working this way meant that I had to give up a lot of opportunities as the focus seems to be all about stopping the things you are doing.

It is only in my late 30’s, that I have changed my pacing mindset. I don’t think it is a coincidence that beginning sewing was also a huge catalyst for me to apply the principle to other areas of my life.

Sewing has been an ideal way to create a manageable routine.  You literally have you tasks broken down for you in a booklet with numbered instructions. 

Two approaches I have found useful are:

• Gauge how I am feeling and set up a timer on my phone to remind me to stop and break (trying not to continually hit the snooze button!)
• or; decide what I feel is reasonable to achieve, and mark the booklet as a reminder to stop.

It is a simple fact that without pacing, I could not sew a complete garment without causing myself an abundance of pain and fatigue. It just would not be a viable, sustainable hobby for me if I didn’t take breaks. Don’t get me wrong, there are certainly times where I am so in the moment the prompts to stop are ignored and I sew until I drop…and the consequence is I am out of action for days at a time. This obviously then impacts other areas of my life and relationships.

I am not a healthcare professional, so I can’t give specific advice. All I can say is that, for me, I have realised that a life that includes pacing doesn’t mean I have to stop what I enjoy. It is a change in direction from what I am doing at that moment.

Instead of reaching my final goal in a perfectly linear fashion, there are are pauses, and left and right turns…And let’s face it, this is life! For me, the main interruption is a need to rest, but for others it could be that young children that need feeding, or other work taking priority.

I have found that by slowing down, I have come to enjoy the process of sewing instead of focusing on the final outcome. It has brought back the mindfulness that I originally sought from a creative hobby. As a bonus, the finished garments are generally higher quality, and therefore it is a more sustainable way to make.

To give you a working example of what breaking down takes looks like for me; today I managed three buttonholes. I am proud of my perfect buttonhole for this mornings work! I am now resting in bed with a cuppa whilst writing this, allowing a physical rest, but maintaining mental activity.

Other days showering, dressing, eating, and sleeping are all that is realistic. This is the nature of an unpredictable condition. On these days the most I might be able to do is flick through some magazines, do some online fabric shopping/browsing, or make some plans for my ever growing stash.

In that vein, Instagram is a hive of friendship and inspiration for me, particularly on bad days.

Sometimes we all find it difficult to get the motivation to get started on something. More so if pain is an issue. if this is persistent, I find it is helpful to ask myself ;

‘Are enjoying what you are doing?’

Sure, everyone has the stage in their project where you feel like chucking the whole thing out of the window – perfectly normal crafters rage you ask me! …But if this is more than frustration at a particular task, and is an overall feeling of dread that ‘I HAVE to make XYZ’, it is not worth your precious, scarce time and energy. Remember; this is your hobby!

If/when I reach these moments, often I find a change direction for a little while is all that is needed. Learning something new, reading a magazine, or watching that box set that has been sat waiting in the queue. I have a hand embroidery project which is kept for days that I am needing bedrest.

This can be particularly important if I am having a symptom flare, and can be useful if you are suffering from a burn out due to work/homelife. Sometimes a little absence does indeed make the heart grow fonder; coming back to it refreshed and inspired.

Do you have any tips to share? I’d love to hear how you manage your hobby!