by Diane BriggsI have physical problems that make it really difficult for me to reach anything on the floor, my solution is to keep a pair of needlenose pliers near my machine. When I drop a piece of fabric or a spool of thread, I use the needlenose pliers to help me reach the item, making my arms are just a bit longer with this ‘extension’.
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Great idea, Diane. I sit in quite a confined space where I sew and also find it handy to anchor my small thread snipping scissors with a lanyard to my machine cord, so they don’t drop all the way to the floor. I also have a telescopic magnetised wand for picking up pins that end up on the floor. Need is often the mother of invention!
That’s a good idea. My mother is 92 and can’t bend over to pick up anything and she relies on a Grabber. She’s so proficient with it that she can pick up a straight pin from the rug, but it is just too long and unwieldy for some things. The pliers would just make her arm a little bit longer instead of a yard longer and have a good grip on the item. Good tip!
Hi Diane
As a short person of only 5 ft I have trouble reachine things I live in a mobile home where the air conditioner is on the roof now when I want to turn the air on I have to get a stool and stand on it to turn the air on One day I saw a long handle tong used for bbqs it is long enough that I can stand on the floor and turn the air on or off
That might be a though for you to think about as the handle is a little longer than pliers
hope this helps
I keep my long barbecue tongs by the machine to pick things from the floor, or that elusive swatch of fabric that slipped behind the machine. I also have a magnet glued to one side of it to help pick up pins and needles. Works great!! Obviously I have a different one when I need it for cooking!
Sometimes things roll away from you and if you’d like to extend your reach a little further they sell “grabbers” in the invalid care sections of hospital supply places. They could make your life even easier. I hope this helps.
Thank you! I hadn’t thought of needle nose pliers. I have a plstic spagetti fork and an 18″ ruler that I use to slide dropped items towards me. I will keep my needle nose close at hand.
Great tip! Another help is the kitchen long handled pinchers used to pick up hot food. I know there is another name for this tool, just can’t think of it right now. I use that to get things high on the shelf or if items roll under the table.
I am wondering if you could use one of those long armed “grabbers” like people use to reach into tall caninets or to pick up things off the floor. I am glad to hear your limitations have not kept you from quilting.
God Bless
I am a Physical Therapist and we give our patients a reacher if they are unable to reach things.I think Walmart sells them and I am sure you can find one online.I have a long one and a short one that I use around the house because I’m only 5′ 3″. I’m tired of pulling out a chair to reach the top shelf.By all means get one for yourself and make your life easier!