This discussion is about tilting your sewing machines and sergers. There have been many pros and cons regarding this issue. I have been researching this for my book, and for the Happy and Healthy Serging page at my web site. I would like to share some information with you on this subject.

     Four years ago I was almost bedridden from damage to my neck. I could not even pick up my new baby granddaughter without LOTS of pain. I was told that surgery was the only answer to my situation. That was not an answer I could accept. Surgery can go wrong and cause permanent damage. I did not want to live like that, so I began studying everything I could get my hands on to help improve my situation and resume some sort of life. The second MAJOR factor in improving my health (next to Yoga) was to TILT my machines while sewing. I spend many hours a day at the serger or sewing machine. My body would sometimes be "locked" in place when it was time to get up. It is not good to ignore your body. It will rebel. Pain is the result. I use a Tilt'able at all times. I also use the Sure Foot System to keep my feet, hips, and spine from going out of whack. How many of you chase your foot pedal across the room while sewing. I called Anna Zapp, one of the owners of SEW-ERGO, Inc., (the manufacturers of the Tilt'able sewing platform) got some info from her regarding the rumor flying through the internet that it is damaging to tilt a sewing machine or serger. This is a verbatim comment from Anna regarding this issue. "I have tilted my computerized sewing machine for ten years and I have sewn professionally for 27 years, 8 hours a day. I have never had any problem with my machine that was caused from it being tilted. We work very closely with the sewing machine manufacturers. Husquvarna/Viking has just made a deal with my company to carry our Tilt'ables under their own private label. If tilting a sewing machine during usage would cause damage, they would NEVER put their name on it." Go to the SEW-ERGO web site to find out more info from sewing professionals who use the Tilt'able on a daily basis.

     My personal concern with the suggestions of using a gel filled wrist pad, rubber erasers, mouse pads and such, is that it is not stable enough to suit me. There is a lot of vibration when the machine is not TOTALLY supported on the bottom, and especially when it is sitting on rubber. What if the machine vibrates off of the eraser? What if the gel oozes out and you find your machine sitting in a glop of goo? I paid more for my SM than my mom paid for a brand new car in 1970. No goo for me, or rubber either. The cost of a Tilt'able was about the same cost as a trip to the Chiropractor, but it has saved me MANY trips. Treasure yourself, you are worth it!

     I hope this helps to dispell the rumors about damage being done to your machines caused by tilting them. Think of the damage caused to your body by NOT tilting your machine. It has taken me 4 years to undo most of the damage done to my body. Machines are usually out of the shop in a week or so.

     No afiliation, just a very happy and pain free customer.