What are Adaptive Techniques?

Adaptive Techniques

Adaptive Techniques are ways that quilters, with different physical limitations, can adapt traditional sewing and quilting methods in ways that allow them to start or to continue with their hobby. There are many tools that can be used to help quilters with arthritic hands, lights and magnifiers for visually impared, and a wide variety of cutters and rulers that are ergonomically designed to make cutting easier. As in the images to the right, this quilter, Nola Emerie who suffers paralysis in one arm, learned to use clamps and weights to hold the ruler steady for cutting fabric.

Benefits of Adaptive Techniques

The biggest benefit of Adaptive Techniques is being able to find new techniques and tools to accomplish your sewing tasks more easily.

Tools and Supplies Adaptive Techiques

Finding the right needle for you to work on your project is an example of Adaptive Techniques:

• Large Eye Needles, Self Threading needles and even Side Threading needles are available for visually impared or "mature" eyes.
• Hand warmers, gloves and finger stilettos are available for arthritic hands.
• Magnifiers for your sewing machine to better see the presser feet are available.
• Organization bins, holders and mats are available so you can always find what you need and keep it close at hand.
• Handles for rulers and ergonomically designed rotary cutters make cutting easier.
• Scissors for quilters that are left handed.

What I Wish I Knew When I Started Adaptive Techniques

The quilters in The Quilt Show segments about ADAPTIVE TECHNIQUES strategies are truly inspirational. Also, don't give up! Ask your friends and other quilters to help you research and look for options and different ways to accomplish the task at hand.