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Really need updated comfort first designs (Moderated by Sharon1952)
Posted on: 10/4/16 10:21 AM ET
I started sewing at a time when machines were most often in a cabinet, and one was expected to adjust her/his body to the machine and cabinet. Comfort was not even a topic nor a consideration. Times have changed. Home sewing is no longer a necessity but a choice. And a chosen pastime had better not cause discomfort or pain, or it won't last very long. Research has also changed the sewing furniture landscape as people are more aware of the pain and injury that can result from a poorly designed workstation. Somehow all of this has not translated to an abundance of quality ergonomic sewing furniture though, and for me that is VERY frustrating. I think a large part of the problem is that, for the most part, men who don't sew design the equipment and furniture that mostly women purchase to sew at home. Of course their motivation is profit, and that drives the business more than anything else. I think there are a lot of control/power issues at play in the industry as well. It is strongly apparent in the machine sales model still existent from the 1800's!
I digress. The main point I am raising is that I cannot find a suitable sewing cabinet for MY comfort--to fit MY body. Of course this would require highly adjustable furniture that would fit a wide range of human shapes and sizes. I have thought about my needs as an average sized female and listed what I came up with below.
26-27" bed height (requires proper range adjustable table height)
Table well 28" wide and 14" deep (to accommodate the largest machines on the market) this also allows the body to be centered in front of needle regardless of machine size
Machine bed flush with table top (adjustable height platform)
Table/cabinet minimum depth of 24" (allows comfortable leg position when using pedal and plenty of room on top for large projects)
Rounded front edge of table/cabinet (so the sharp edge won't dig into the arm causing circulation/nerve issues and pain)
For quilting add:
Large flush area to rear and the front left of main table/cabinet top (far enough away from needle position that allows for use of a chair with a back not just a stool), and these should be drop leaf style and/or removeable for the smaller front piece.
Optional addition: a tiltable table top
I have been looking at sewing furniture for 3-4 years and have not found ANY fitting this criteria. I settled for a piece with many of these attributes, but find it lacking a few very important aspects that affect my sewing comfort. Of course I acknowldge that custom made is an option but VERY EXPENSIVE. Although I can afford it if I choose, none of us should be forced into a position of custom, DIY or discomfort. Maybe some of you have found reasonable solutions. We can share experiences and solutions here.
-- Edited on 10/4/16 at 1:00 PM --
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I digress. The main point I am raising is that I cannot find a suitable sewing cabinet for MY comfort--to fit MY body. Of course this would require highly adjustable furniture that would fit a wide range of human shapes and sizes. I have thought about my needs as an average sized female and listed what I came up with below.
26-27" bed height (requires proper range adjustable table height)
Table well 28" wide and 14" deep (to accommodate the largest machines on the market) this also allows the body to be centered in front of needle regardless of machine size
Machine bed flush with table top (adjustable height platform)
Table/cabinet minimum depth of 24" (allows comfortable leg position when using pedal and plenty of room on top for large projects)
Rounded front edge of table/cabinet (so the sharp edge won't dig into the arm causing circulation/nerve issues and pain)
For quilting add:
Large flush area to rear and the front left of main table/cabinet top (far enough away from needle position that allows for use of a chair with a back not just a stool), and these should be drop leaf style and/or removeable for the smaller front piece.
Optional addition: a tiltable table top
I have been looking at sewing furniture for 3-4 years and have not found ANY fitting this criteria. I settled for a piece with many of these attributes, but find it lacking a few very important aspects that affect my sewing comfort. Of course I acknowldge that custom made is an option but VERY EXPENSIVE. Although I can afford it if I choose, none of us should be forced into a position of custom, DIY or discomfort. Maybe some of you have found reasonable solutions. We can share experiences and solutions here.
-- Edited on 10/4/16 at 1:00 PM --
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Leave the world better than you found it.
Posted on: 10/4/16 11:29 AM ET
I used the Ikea adjustable table legs make tables the right height for me. But I don't quilt and I don't want inset machines. I have numerous machines in my studio with only room for 2, so I have to switch out machines sometimes. To get a nice tilt I use doorstops.
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My grandmother taught me to sew when I was 10, and I've been sewing ever since.
Posted on: 10/5/16 1:41 AM ET
What is your price point? You noted your reluctance to go the custom route but that could be more economical in the long run. There's also the question of craftsmanship and design features you'd like to include. If you don't know a hobbyist woodworker an Amish design might be the closest compromise. They'll make what you want. But as you noted, it will cost.
This is where the trade off comes in. You've been searching for nearly four years. That's a very long time for a piece of furniture. If sewing is truly dear to your heart and your preferences are exacting, biting the bullet may be the best compromise. You'll have peace of mind and get back to doing the thing you enjoy the most.
This is where the trade off comes in. You've been searching for nearly four years. That's a very long time for a piece of furniture. If sewing is truly dear to your heart and your preferences are exacting, biting the bullet may be the best compromise. You'll have peace of mind and get back to doing the thing you enjoy the most.
Posted on: 10/5/16 8:51 AM ET
Have you checked out the Martelli tables? They make ones that are height adjustable and able to tilt.
Posted on: 10/5/16 8:54 AM ET
My husband is in manufacturing, so I understand why customized/specialized goods are more expensive. And truly quality furniture is expensive now and it always has been.
In my sewing room I have components from Ballard Designs (picture below is from their catalogue). The pieces are about the right height for me, and there are risers available for each component if needed. The photo below is similar to what I have set-up. I sew on the corner segment, which gives plenty of room for fabric beside and behind the machines. I have a work space behind the machine (same position as the desk in this photo), and it's made up of two cabinets and a 4-topper, so there's room to roll my chair underneath and pin or lay out pieces. We are fortunate to have a Ballard outlet center here in Atlanta so I've picked things up over time. If you watch their website they'll have these pieces on clearance from time to time. I love the modular pieces because I can move things around if I want a change.

It would be wonderful to have a cabinet with a hydraulic lift to store machines,, but even when you have those sections added to kitchen cabinets they are very expensive. Have you looked at modular kitchen cabinets? Maybe you could piece together exactly what you want from kitchen pieces - or a combination of kitchen and office pieces?
In my sewing room I have components from Ballard Designs (picture below is from their catalogue). The pieces are about the right height for me, and there are risers available for each component if needed. The photo below is similar to what I have set-up. I sew on the corner segment, which gives plenty of room for fabric beside and behind the machines. I have a work space behind the machine (same position as the desk in this photo), and it's made up of two cabinets and a 4-topper, so there's room to roll my chair underneath and pin or lay out pieces. We are fortunate to have a Ballard outlet center here in Atlanta so I've picked things up over time. If you watch their website they'll have these pieces on clearance from time to time. I love the modular pieces because I can move things around if I want a change.

It would be wonderful to have a cabinet with a hydraulic lift to store machines,, but even when you have those sections added to kitchen cabinets they are very expensive. Have you looked at modular kitchen cabinets? Maybe you could piece together exactly what you want from kitchen pieces - or a combination of kitchen and office pieces?
Posted on: 10/5/16 9:06 AM ET
In reply to SarahBethie
Well...I've looked from time to time over the past 3 years. I did purchase a cabinet 3 years ago, but am not completely satisfied with it. I guess that's why I still look at what is new on the market.
Full custom is an option, but in my experience that doesn't always work out just right either. I'm thinking about custom modification of a ready made piece though--playing with that idea. But none of this keeps me from sewing! Lol. Really 1/2 rant and 1/2 want to see what others think/have done especially shorter people.
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Full custom is an option, but in my experience that doesn't always work out just right either. I'm thinking about custom modification of a ready made piece though--playing with that idea. But none of this keeps me from sewing! Lol. Really 1/2 rant and 1/2 want to see what others think/have done especially shorter people.
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Leave the world better than you found it.
Posted on: 10/5/16 1:25 PM ET
I totally get the issues of being short and comfortable while sewing. I'm 5'2" and I'm constantly adjusting my sewing chair. When my arms are in the correct position, I can't reach the foot control, and my head (eyes) seems too far from the needle! After buying a beautiful new BERNINA 770, I needed something sturdy to put it on. I couldn't spend another several thousand dollars on a ready made custom table, so I spent many hours online looking at different set-ups, then I headed to craigslist. Some of my wants were, storage (drawers), a large surface on the left of the machine for quilting, the ability to sit comfortably in front of the needle rather than centered on the machine. It also needed to be heavy duty enough to hold this large machine without shaking. I knew I didn't need a lift for the machine, since I'd never used the one I had for my old machine. I ended up buying an L shaped office desk for $50.00. It had 2 drawers on one side and 3 on the other section. It was ugly plastic oak veneer over particle board, which I painted white, but very heavy and sturdy. It was conveniently made in 2 pieces, so the right side we easily took the top off, made a lower shelf, which is where the machine sits and made a new top(longer than original) with a cut out for the machine to fit into. I did the designing and measuring, my husband did the wood working. I will add, he is not a wood worker at all!! If he could do it anyone can! He used metal braces where a craftsman would have used dowels, which I was fine with because they don't show and are secure. He used 2"x2" square lumber for the new legs and to add support where needed. Though it's not a beautiful piece of furniture it's not ugly either. Once painted, you wouldn't know how pieced together it is. I don't have a "before" picture but I'll try to post some "after" pics. Forgive the mess, I'm in the middle of a project with fabric everywhere!!
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Theresa
Posted on: 10/5/16 1:41 PM ET
I'm 5'6", but when I sit I'm the same height as all of my munchkin, 5'1"-5'2" female relatives - my torso is short! After developing carpal tunnel very quickly while typing at a computer at a regular height 29" desk, I learned that a 26" height is perfect for me - for pretty much everything.
I sit my machines on the 26" height. Recessing a machine into the 26" height would be problematic because the machine underneath the table is then poking into my knee space. You might want to think that one thru a bit.
My tops are solid oak with a bullnose edge. (Bullnose is the proper term for the rounded edge.) They are used restaurant tabletops. Formica/Wilsonart tops can also be manufactured with a bullnose edge and if you pick them up yourself and install yourself, they are really economical. Home Depot and Lowes both keep them in stock.
My legs are used iron/steel restaurant table legs that were cut down to get the 26" height. Legs from Ikea can do the same thing. I bought an extremely high quality steel pedestal from a used office furniture dealer for $50. Spray painted it (it was mauve!) The quality is lightyears beyond anything that can be bought at current office supply stores.
It is possible to put together work stations in a manner more economically than custom furniture, it just depends on how much of a DIYer you are.
I sit my machines on the 26" height. Recessing a machine into the 26" height would be problematic because the machine underneath the table is then poking into my knee space. You might want to think that one thru a bit.
My tops are solid oak with a bullnose edge. (Bullnose is the proper term for the rounded edge.) They are used restaurant tabletops. Formica/Wilsonart tops can also be manufactured with a bullnose edge and if you pick them up yourself and install yourself, they are really economical. Home Depot and Lowes both keep them in stock.
My legs are used iron/steel restaurant table legs that were cut down to get the 26" height. Legs from Ikea can do the same thing. I bought an extremely high quality steel pedestal from a used office furniture dealer for $50. Spray painted it (it was mauve!) The quality is lightyears beyond anything that can be bought at current office supply stores.
It is possible to put together work stations in a manner more economically than custom furniture, it just depends on how much of a DIYer you are.
Posted on: 10/5/16 4:23 PM ET
Here are a couple adjustable tables that seem to meet the basic criteria. No, they are NOT inexpensive. However, all the sewing room furniture I've ever seen is pricey, and these prices are comparable to other name brand sewing room furniture.
Kangaroo Kabinets Tasmanian Height Adjustable Table
Sew Perfect Dream Table This one does tilt.
CMC
Kangaroo Kabinets Tasmanian Height Adjustable Table
Sew Perfect Dream Table This one does tilt.
CMC
Posted on: 10/5/16 5:15 PM ET
In reply to CM_Sews
Both of those tables are very interesting. However, they are designed to be raised, not to be lowered under standard desk height(28" - 30"). Again, I suspect it has to do with the recess feature for the machine to be lowered.
I sold mostly upper quality office furniture for several years. One thing to keep in mind is when buying furniture with moving parts, cheap is not the way to go if you want something to last. Its definitely an area where you get what you pay for - and why many companies began buying refurbished used furniture in the mid 90's. The "good stuff" is pricey!
I sold mostly upper quality office furniture for several years. One thing to keep in mind is when buying furniture with moving parts, cheap is not the way to go if you want something to last. Its definitely an area where you get what you pay for - and why many companies began buying refurbished used furniture in the mid 90's. The "good stuff" is pricey!
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