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I have always stitched in hand, I hate the bother of hoops and snap frames. After 45 years, I have become quite good at keeping the tension constant. My problem stems from the fact that I now have arthritis in my left thumb, in the joint next to my wrist. Any hints on ways to help me hold my fabric with this "gimpy" hand so that it doesn't cramp so bad?

I don't know about ways to hold the fabric as I stitch using hoops and q snaps

I know that you can get gloves (handeze?) that help to ease the strain on joints etc, perhaps something like that might help?

hope you find a solution!

A thumb brace/stabilizer might help you. Here's one I found on amazon.com:


http://www.amazon.com/Imak-Smart-Flexib ... humb+brace" target="_blank" target="_blank

Good luck with that (I have had carpel tunnel in my wrist & know that pain!)

Creative Comfort has a great glove meant specifically for thumb support. I've got fibromyalgia, so I often have to wear supports while stitching. It takes some getting used to, but they're a big help.

Thank you for all of your suggestions. I will try one of the glove supports. My sister, who has RA had an idea. There is a tube of styrofoam insulation for small pipes, like the pool-noodle, that comes in small diameters. If I take a 6-8 inch long piece of that and roll my excess fabric on the left around that, it would give my left hand more to hang onto and support the base of my thumb at the same time. I will have to try them both and let you know how it works. Thanks again for your help.