Sewing Safety: 9 Injuries to Avoid and the Rules That Prevent Them

Sewing is a lot of fun, but it comes with some real hazards that people don't always think about. I've been sewing for 20+ years and I've had my fair share of close calls. When I was in high school, I heard of someone who sewed right over their finger. The needle hit the fingernail and didn't do much damage — but still. The potential is there.

From needle-related injuries to back strain and iron burns, here are the nine most common sewing injuries, what causes them, and exactly how to prevent each one.

1. Sewing Through Your Finger or Hand

The risk: Your sewing machine needle is sharp enough to pierce skin, and if you're moving too fast or not paying attention, it can happen before you realize it. Sewing over your finger could mean a tetanus shot or worse, depending on the depth of the injury.

The rule: Never sew faster than you feel in control. Keep your fingers well away from the presser foot and slow down whenever you're working in a tight area. If you're a beginner or particularly worried about this, a presser foot needle guard is a worthwhile purchase.

2. A Needle Breaking and Flying at Your Face

The risk: Sewing machine needles can snap without warning and fly toward your face. People have received serious eye injuries from this. The most common causes are dull needles, sewing over pins, and pushing through thick fabric too quickly.

The rule: Always start each new project with a fresh needle. Never sew over pins — slow down and remove them before the needle reaches them. Wearing glasses gives you an extra layer of eye protection.

3. Stepping on a Pin

The risk: A dropped pin on the floor is a real hazard. Stepping on one can be surprisingly painful and may require a tetanus booster and antibiotics to prevent infection.

The rule: Always wear shoes in your sewing room, even if you love being barefoot. Keep a pin cushion on your wrist or near your machine so pins have a dedicated home and are less likely to end up on the floor. Make it a habit to check the floor area before you walk around.

4. Swallowing a Pin

The risk: Holding pins in your mouth while sewing is a common habit, but accidentally swallowing one can require surgery to remove it and repair damage to your esophagus or stomach.

The rule: Never put pins in your mouth. Full stop. Keep a pincushion close enough that you always have somewhere convenient to put them instead.

5. Getting Burned by Your Iron

The risk: Irons can cause third- and fourth-degree burns. A flimsy ironing board that tips over makes this risk even higher.

The rule: Never leave your iron on when you're not actively using it. Get an iron with an automatic shutoff feature so there's a safety net if you forget. Invest in a sturdy ironing board that won't tip, and store your iron somewhere safe when it's cooling down. The Oliso iron has a clever safety mechanism that lifts the plate off the fabric automatically, which helps prevent both burns and scorched fabric.

6. Cutting Yourself with Your Rotary Cutter

The risk: Rotary cutter blades are razor sharp — sharper than scissors — and a momentary lapse in attention can mean a nasty cut on your finger or arm.

The rule: Always engage the blade guard the moment you set the cutter down. Don't just rest it on the table with the blade exposed. Rotary cutter safety gloves are also available if you want extra protection.

7. Getting Hair Caught in Your Machine

The risk: The thread take-up lever and feed dogs can catch long hair and pull it into the machine. Other loose items — long sleeves, jewelry, scarves — can also get snagged.

The rule: Always tie your hair back before you sit down to sew. Avoid loose-fitting clothing and dangling jewelry in the sewing room. Don't lean too close to a running machine.

8. Back Strain from Hunching

The risk: Poor posture at the sewing machine or while standing over a cutting table causes neck, shoulder, and back pain over time. Chronic pain from bad sewing habits is a real occupational hazard.

The rule: Invest in an ergonomic sewing chair with good lumbar support and set it at the right height for your machine. Get a counter-height cutting table so you're not bending over for extended periods. Put a reminder in your sewing space to check your posture periodically — it's easy to forget when you're focused on a project.

9. Getting Burned by Your Machine's Lightbulb

The risk: Older sewing machines have exposed incandescent lightbulbs that get extremely hot after extended use. Brushing your hand or arm against one can cause a burn.

The rule: Be especially cautious with older machines that have been running for a long time. Avoid leaning close to the light. If possible, upgrade to a machine with LED lighting, which runs much cooler.

Pin It

Sewing should be enjoyable, and an injury can take all the fun out of it. Most sewing accidents come from habits we develop over time — rushing, setting the rotary cutter down without capping it, keeping pins in our mouth for convenience. The fix for most of them is just awareness and a few small rule changes.

Have you ever had a sewing injury? I'd love to hear your story in the comments!

Related reading: How to Make Better Buttonholes on Your Sewing Machine