Just a quick note this month, as we're busy with shows... but I read a good article a while ago, by a Dr. Christine Hamilton, about eyecare for stitchers, so I thought this would be a good time to share some of the points she made.

She started by stating that the main reason stitchers have to give up their hobby is because of failing eyesight - and as many of us are growing older, we can relate! However, these days most eye conditions are treatable, and we owe it to ourselves to take care of our eyes, not only for the sake of our stitching, but so we can continue to use them for as long as possible.

Eye strain (the most common complaint) can easily be reduced, and I'll give you some tips how, but first here are the symptoms she described: mainly aching eyes, but also headaches over the eyes, especially after a session of reading or stitching. If you have EITHER of those symptoms, get your eyes checked asap, even if you don't wear glasses already. And if you do a lot of close work (like stitching), then it's important to get regular eye checkups, so minor problems can be corrected before they become serious.

The first thing you can do to reduce eyestrain is make sure you are working in good light! Of course daylight is best, but otherwise, a good work light - close to your work - is the next best thing. Not doing a sales pitch here, LOL, but I highly recommend the light we carry (see the homepage on our website if you want more details). It's the light I use, and I love it! With any light you purchase, be careful of the bulbs... ours is LED, so DN get hot, but regular daylight bulbs can get very hot, which can be uncomfortable for close work. They may also cast a slightly blue light (commercial again, LOL, the light we carry has both warm and cool light settings, and you can blend them to get the setting you want!). Halogen bulbs are also good, as they give a pure white light and don't get as hot... however, they can be expensive.

The second tip from Dr. Christine is to be sure you hold your work the correct distance from your eyes. To determine that distance, hold your work an arm's length away, then slowly bring it towards you, until you can see the stitches clearly. If you continue to being the work towards you, you'll find a second spot where the stitches become harder to see... be sure to hold your work in between those two points. As we get older, we tend to start moving things farter away to see them clearly. If this is happening to you, you probably need reading glasses... however, a magnifier may also solve the problem (oh yes, our light as a nice big magnifier, with the LED lights circling it, (GBG)).

Finally, it may be time to change the materials you are using... 32ct may just be too difficult and you may have to go to 28ct, although 14ct Aida is much easier to see, and may extend your stitching life a few more years! Be sure to enlarge your graphs (using a photocopier), which will reduce some eyestrain (trying to read the chart) as well.

Just a note about copyright in closing ... most designers don't mind you making what is called a "working copy", but please destroy all copies when you are done stitching. It is perfectly permissible to pass along a chart when you are done with it, but it is ILLEGAL to pass along a photocopy (or digital copy) of that chart. We designers thank you for respecting our copyright, and helping to save our industry! I am (unfortunately) personally familiar with several designers who have stopped creating designs because they were tired of fighting thieves, who are quite literally taking money out of designers pockets by thoughtlessly sharing our hard work. I am sure it happens to me too, but for the most part I have great stitchers (like you!), who respect my rights, so I thank you! Happy stitching...