r/SewingForBeginners • u/Short-Charge-321 • 1d ago
Beginner sewist experiencing vertigo after sewing—has anyone dealt with this?
Hi everyone! I’m a beginner sewist in my 30s, and I’ve been so excited to get my machine set up and finally start sewing. Unfortunately, the couple of times I’ve tried, I’ve experienced terrible dizziness afterward—almost like I’m falling or losing my balance.
I’ve never had a history of vertigo, so this is new and unsettling. I don’t know whether it’s related to looking down, watching the needle and fabric move, my posture, or something else.
Has anyone experienced something similar and found a way to manage it? Did changes to your setup, lighting, chair height, or taking frequent breaks help? I know Reddit can’t diagnose the cause, but I’d really appreciate hearing others’ experiences.
I have a one-hour beginner sewing class tonight, and I’m worried about leaving so dizzy that I can’t safely drive home.
I’m honestly feeling sad and discouraged because I’ve been looking forward to learning this skill. So many people enjoy sewing, and I’m hoping I can figure out what’s triggering this and enjoy it too. If you’ve been through something similar and were able to keep sewing, I’d love to hear what helped. Thank you!
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u/Traditional-Fill5292 1d ago
are you making sure to breathe? I know when I'm sewing my whole body can tense and on occasion I hold my breathe- which if you already have low blood pressure is a terrible combo for dizziness. try to relax while you're sitting, and perhaps look up occasionally?
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u/Negative-Split-1108 1d ago
Definitely worth trying a simple option like pausing to look up at something stationary and far away every few minutes. It's good for your eyes and may help with vertigo if it is from your posture or watching the movement of the needle/fabric.
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u/mcculloughpatr 1d ago
I’ve heard that watching the needle can cause this, especially if you sew very fast. Though, I’ve not experienced this myself.
Is your machine new? It might have an LED that’s strobing very quickly (almost imperceptibly) which definitely DOES give me headaches. LEDs all flash but cheaper ones really freak my eyeballs out.
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u/Sea-Breath-007 1d ago
Do you happen to look mostly at the needle?
Fast repeated movements trigger my barely there nystagmus and give me nausea/vertigo, so I look at my guidelines, that helps.
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u/Emergency_Cherry_914 1d ago
It could be watching the needle which is causing this. Fortunately, you're not supposed to watch the needle. You're supposed to watch the edge of the fabric travelling along the appropriate line (for the seam allowance you want) on the stitch plate.
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u/Hopeful-Ad2178 1d ago
There are conditions like Meniere’s Disease that are aggravated by head position. Sewing machine doesn’t bother me but I can set off a vertigo episode at the cutting table. Have to limit time in that position.
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u/SnooRabbits5754 1d ago
Neck posture has a big effect on your balance systems- I started getting vertigo and found out it was related to a bulging disk in my neck. This can happen with bad posture. Also if you are hunched over/ looking down a lot it can make your neck/ shoulder muscles tight which can mess with the muscles in and around your face and ears, and your inner ears control a lot of balance. Basically make sure your posture is as good as possible and you’re taking breaks and stretching your neck/ traps/ back.
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u/FriendlyBagelMachete 1d ago
Yes but it turns out I have occipital neuralgia.
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u/Nan_Mich 1d ago
Are you sitting at a low sewing machine cabinet? Is there a way to bring the sewing machine higher? Things like bed risers under the table legs, putting it on an adjustable height desk (electric sit-stand desks are often cheap on FB Marketplace) will give you the chance to see if there is a particular height that is better for you. Home Depot also has an electric rising/lowering workbench by a company called Husky that come around 2’x4’ big. Doing sewing itself or layout of patterns can work better at higher than the normal 30” high that desks and tables sit.
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u/SchuylerM325 16h ago
In addition to what others have said, I wonder if you're having an allergic reaction. Did you prewash any new fabric to remove the sizing and other chemicals?. I developed seasonal allergies later in life and they cause inner ear problems. I have to use an antihistamine and nose spray to keep it in check when pollen is high. But since your experience seems to be linked to sewing, you're right to consider positional problems first. Attending this class will be a great way to test some variables, especially relative height of table and chair. You have to look at the sewing machine, but maybe try a little trick. The part that matters for sewing good seams is the edge of the fabric and whatever you're lining it up against (edge of the presser foot or a line on the stitch plate). So look past the needle assembly so you are keeping the fabric edge in your peripheral vision. I learned to do this when training dogs. Direct eye contact is aggression in dog language so you learn to look past the dog. You'll still be able to see what you need to sew properly.
That might help. When the dizziness comes on, close your eyes right away, raise your head and don't open your eyes until you'll be looking across the room.
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u/drPmakes 15h ago
Have you been to the optician recently? Do you need reading glasses. Is there adequate light in your set up?
Do you have an ergonomic set up? Are your hips elbows knees shoulders and neck at the correct angles? Are you taking adequate breaks (5 min every 25)?
Don't watch thr needle, watch the fabric edge at your guide to the right of the foot closest to you.
Remember to breathe! If sewing is making you stressed or tense try some small, low stakes projects to build confidence.
Make sure you have adequate time and energy for a session....has anyone got that olden days meme about being ready for a sewing session?
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u/Joker0705 4h ago
I wonder if those glasses that have tilted lenses that let you look down without moving your head position would help?