Tools for the Aging Quilter – Part One

Think how much joy we get from quilting.  It is not just a hobby. Quilting becomes a way to show friends and family that we love them. Classes, quilt shops and guilds provide a social aspect.  And many quilters use it as a way to pay it forward by donating quilts. What can you do as a shop owner? Provide them with the tools that they need to quilt as long as they possibly can!

As we age, hand strength becomes an issue. Many women have mentioned that cutting the entire length of the ruler is an issue. They tend to slip and move away from the edge of the tool as they extend their arm. The perfect solution? The Creative Grids® Stripoology rulers. The weight of this ruler is enough to hold it in place without slipping so those with carpal tunnel issues won’t have to apply pressure to their thumbs to hold the ruler in place. And since the rotary cutter is placed in slots, every strip will be the same width.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Be sure to share the Creative Grids® Stripology Squared ruler as well.  It is smaller and may be easier for an aging quilter to manipulate.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

An added bonus? Since you don’t have to re position the ruler with each cut, you can cut 75% faster than with a traditional ruler. For those who can only rotary cut for limited periods of time due to arthritis, cutting 15 minutes instead of an hour is huge!

But sometimes, another ruler is required. That is when The Gypsy Quilter Gripper comes into play. The Gypsy Gripper is designed with two suction cups that attach to any smooth ruler surface. The Gripper ensures that even pressure is applied to the cutting surface so you can relax and rest your hand comfortably over the handle. Since no death grip is required, this tool is recommended for anyone with hand issues such as arthritis and carpal tunnel. Your hand is always away from the rotary cutter so your fingers are out of harm’s way.

 

 

 

 

 

There are also smaller sizes.  Check our website for other options.

4 thoughts on “Tools for the Aging Quilter – Part One

  1. Thank you for addressing these issues……now address the issue of trying to put a new needle in the machine; trying to grasp that little bit of thread to start a new spool; trying to grasp that little “prong” that holds the bobbin in the case ( for those of us who do not have top loading bobbins — seems to me that onedrey

  2. We love the Gypsy Gripper, and so do our customers. One other benefit you did not mention that I always mention to customers is it helps us find our ruler! A thin clear ruler can easily get lost between things – not so when the Gypsy Gripper is attached!

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