I want to patch up some small holes in my clothes, but vision and joint issues make it really hard for me to use a sewing needle. Are there any other options?
Accessibility and mending
Which options are available highly depends on your personal situation. I can't give medical advice, only point you to some things that might prove useful.
I've compiled a few ideas that work for me or for people around me. If anyone else has suggestions, feel free to share them!
My vision issues aren't severe enough to interfere with my crafting, so I have no personal experience with this situation. The following ideas are things I've seen used by fellow crafters.
Some people enjoy using a magnifying lamp. This appliance is both a magnifying glass and a lamp in one, so useful when small details are giving you trouble.
(Image source) [ID: a person doing needlework while sitting on a beige cushioned chair. A white magnifying lamp stands beside her, its magnifying glass hanging above her needle work.]
A needle threader is a useful tool if you struggle with manually threading needles.
(Image source) [ID: a metal needle threader lying on a blue background. A purple thread is looped through it, while the threader is looped through a sewing needle.]
If you're using digital patterns, a screen reader might be convenient too (if you don't have one yet). This type of software reads your screen out loud, and makes navigating without an overview of your screen easier, too.
NVDA is a decent open source screen reader. You've also got TalkBack for Android and VoiceOver for Apple products, which should come pre-installed on your device. You'll find them among the accessibility options. Some Android producers skimp on these, so if you can't find TalkBack, you can also download it from the app store.
Microsoft Office and certain PDF readers also have built-in functions to read documents out loud.
I've also found a list of sewing machines suitable for people with visual impairments and a list of low vision sewing aids, but have no personal experience with these.
(Image source) [ID: a yellow seam ripper with a magnifying glass attached to it.]
Joint issues can be really annoying when you want to mend clothes. I'm speaking from my personal viewpoint as a person with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome in this part of the post, so what works for me might not work for you if your problems have a different cause.
If you're hypermobile like me, braces can help a lot! It's always best to check with a medical professional before you start using them, if you haven't yet.
I wear silver splints to keep my finger joints in check. They help a lot when sewing or knitting and such. Splints can be pricy, but PrettySick Supply has tutorials on how to make your own finger splints if you already know what type of support you need. You could also try to 3D print splints if you happen to have a 3D printing lab in your neighbourhood (universities sometimes offer this service, e.g.).
I also use two wrist braces, depending on what I need. One's pretty flimsy, but suitable for daily wear and keeps me from overstretching my wrist. The other one stabilises my wrist. I don't use it every day, only when necessary.
[ID: a hand lying on a black surface. The thumb, index finger, and middle finger all have a silver splint supporting the centre joint. The other two fingers are held together with an 8-shaped ring to avoid overstretching. A flimsy black brace sits around the wrist.]
[ID: a hand lying on a black surface. The thumb, index finger, and middle finger all have a silver splint supporting the centre joint. The other two fingers are held together with an 8-shaped ring to avoid overstretching. A dark gray brace supports the wrist and part of the hand.]
Tools like embroidery stands, long needles, and automatic needle threaders can be helpful for motor issues, too. I've also found this Reddit discussion about cross-stitching while hypermobile and dyspraxic that might contain useful tips.
(While we're on the topic: as a dyspraxic person, I highly recommend keeping a first aid kit nearby when doing anything that involves needles, cutting, or ironing.)
(Image source) [ID: a wooden embroidery stand. White fabric has been inserted in the hoop. The fabric has been embroidered with red, green, and yellow plants.]
Take plenty of breaks, and don't forget to stretch your hands and wrists in-between sewing sprints. Don't overdo the stretches. Try to find a few exercises that work well for you, and be very mindful of your limits when doing them.
Mending without a needle:
Mending doesn't necessarily have to involve fiddly hand-sewing. Some people are more comfortable with a sewing machine instead of a manual needle. There's knitting and embroidery machines, too.
Investing in a good machine can be pricy, so it might be worth a shot asking friends if you can use theirs or checking if your local library or community centre has one that's publicly available.
Iron-on patches, fusible interfacing, and fabric glue are some other options to mend holes that don't require fiddling around with a needle.
