When working on your hobby.....

**SewCrafty** · 01-24-2006, 02:21 PM

When crafting, whether it is sewing, quilting, needle work or scrapping, do you get up and stretch occasionally?

When I start something I go into a 'zone' I can block everything else out and do whatever craft I am working on for hours on end. So I tend to get very sore shoulders, back and legs depending on what I am doing at the time.

Remember for every 45 minutes you work on something, STOP and spend 5-10 minutes stretching, rubbing your temples to help blood flow and move your head around and look at other things forcing your eyes to focus in close and far away. This will keep your mind and body working together and enable you to continue on with your project without a lot of fatigue and much more enjoyment.

And don't forget to break away from whatever you are working on completely every once in a while. Talk a quick walk outside, get a snack or a drink, just break away from your project. When you go back you will be surprised at how clear your head is and how much more relaxed your body is to continue on.

**homesteadmamma** · 01-24-2006, 02:24 PM

Originally posted by SewCrafty
When I start something I go into a 'zone' I can block everything else out and do whatever craft I am working on for hours on end.

Me too!!

I don't stretch although I do get up and walk downstairs to get something to drink often. I know I should stretch, however when I'm quilting I tend to forget most things.

**madkat2618** · 01-24-2006, 02:45 PM

I am a cross-stitcher, and I find that if I don't stretch out my hands every so often, they cramp up from holding the hoop. The rest of me, however, usually stays in one position for hours! I've been making myself get up and walk a bit--I'll go throw in a load of laundry, or fold a few clothes, or just get a drink. It helps a lot!