I've been trying to find the most hand-saving tools and techniques for corsetry. I've got nerve pain in my hands and arms, which means I need to pace myself a lot. But I'd like to get more bang for my buck

I'm especially interested in the least demanding ways to create eyelets, because wow, ouch! I've been giving the task to my boyfriend, and even he finds it painful! Ideally I'd love something foot-pedal operated, but the only ones I've seen have been way too expensive, especially considering that I'm not starting a business. Any ideas?

But I'd be interested in any advice that relates really. Even to help back or shoulder pain (I hunch a lot, but I'm guessing I just need the right-height desk for that.)

I just figured I'd ask because I know that there are a lot of business bods on here, so I thought that at least some of you must have come up against these sorts of problems before.

Just thought I'd write a couple that I've found so far:

- (a tip from sew curvy's Facebook ) keep a set of lacing panels, so you can sew them onto every toile you need to make
- I've started using wunderweb on the toile I'm making instead of sewing on the boning channels (I may decide this is a bad idea, but it's fine for now)
- I've found that Laura Loft's "pressing bar bone channels" method to be the most hand-stress-free method of making them so far (the double layer cheat might be better, but I haven't tried that yet)

I'll post more if I find any

How did you made eyelets to find it is painful? I use tool and a hammer and can do it myself.

Try wearing a corset while you work - it will help keep from slouching, for sure. My favorite is a single-layer, custom fit, with a light waist reduction (3-4").
The kick-set presses are incomparable, but, yes, super pricey. Also it's hard to get good dies for actually punching the grommet holes, although setting shouldn't be too big of a challenge.

Make sure all your surfaces are the right height for your shoulders and the action you will perform at that station. You can get table risers on Amazon.com fairly inexpensively. I have a fold-out table that I sometimes draft at (no risers), then I put the highest risers on to trace my patterns, then the lower risers to actually cut (with my rotary cutter).