For many people sewing is more than just a hobby and something you want to do in every minute of your spare time so it’s important that you’re sitting comfortable! Many of us have learned to sew at the kitchen or dining table but as your sewing confidence grows, you’ll want to have an area that you can call yours just for sewing!
Here are a few of my tips before you go shopping!
What’s your budget?
Sewing tables can cost as little as a couple of hundred pounds and luxury tables are like pieces of furniture and can rise to thousands of pounds. How much you need to spend really does depend on what you need from your table. You can pick up cheap pieces of furniture but they aren’t always robust enough and will not last. Always go for a good brand and read the reviews before parting with any cash. Also consider buying a second hand table.
You obviously want it to be sturdy enough as sewing machines are heavy and need to be looked after. The work area also needs to stand up to wear and tear too. Do you need extra storage for example? Some will additional built-in compartments for storage or a drop leaf like a dining room table that can provide extra workspace.
What will you use your sewing table for the most?
A good sewing table will have room for the sewists to pin, press and cut, as well as stand your sewing machine. If you make your own clothes then free-arm sewing to deal with tricky areas like sewing sleeves and hems is a must-have so make sure there is room for this type of machine.
Take your sewing machine’s measurements with you. Some sewing tables allow you to store your sewing machine inside so make sure that the table is larger enough to accommodate your brand and model.
If the space is tight in your sewing room, make sure the table has rounded corners to prevent sewing projects from catching or stop hurting yourself when you get up and down. Always try sitting at the table centred in front of the needle rather than the sewing machine as a whole (as see in the pic above of SewEzi’s Grande Sewing Table. It’s the most comfortable position and will stop you getting back or neck ache.
What’s is the perfect height and size of a good sewing table?
Apparently the average sewing machine table measures around 71cm (28in) high and is designed for sewers who are 5ft 3in tall. Because of this, most people will need to adjust the height of the table so it’s comfortable and you are not hunched over your machine! Can the shelf for the sewing machine adjust for different machine heights?
Will you need to move your table? Many of the contemporary sewing tables have wheels so you can manoeuvre your table from one room to another. Many will also fold down to conveniently store away when you’re not using it!
Catherine Davies-Colley from SewEzi shares her checklist to help sewers purchase a sewing table:
- Flatbed sewing surface
- Stability
- Customised acrylic insert to fit snugly around your sewing machine
- Does the table need to be portable or have to be packed away, or is it a permanent piece of furniture? If it needs to be portable, how easy is it to move and shift
- Durability – can you get replacement parts?
- If you update the model of your sewing machine, how easy is it to update your sewing table?
- Are you easily able to adjust your sewing table for different models and makes of sewing machines, if you use more than one?
About Catherine Davies-Colley, owner of SewEzi
Catherine is very experienced and passionate about sewing and quilting. She has always sewn and studied Textile design and management, which exposed her to industrial sewing practices. When one of her good friends complained of neck pain while sewing, Catherine knew the problem was related to the height that the domestic sewing machine was being used at. Sitting a sewing machine on a dining table means the free arm is approximately 84mm (3½in) too high. This means the arms have to be held in an unnaturally high position to sew, hence the neck pain. So she designed a table that lowered the machine down to the right height and provided flat bed sewing. It’s also portable so it can be taken to classes, retreats, holiday houses, and just about anywhere keen sewers go to sew!
What is flatbed sewing?
This is when the sewing machine arm sits flush with its surrounding area. The most common example of this is in industrial garment manufacturing. One of the benefits of flat bed sewing is there is no tension on the fabric going between the sewing foot and feed dogs. The sewing machine does not have to pull the fabric through, which creates a better seam. Another benefit is comfort for the sewer – the surface of the table supports the fabric and allows for a smooth supported arm action, so no hunched shoulders!
Custom fit for your sewing machine!
The SewEzi Grande is portable and gives you a spacious and comfortable workstation to sew and quilt your projects just about anywhere. Your sewing machine sits down into the table to produce a large level surface allowing for effortless flatbed sewing. SewEzi achieves flat bed sewing by providing a custom acrylic insert for every table it sells. This insert is custom cut to your individual sewing machine (by providing us with your make and model number).
The tabletop measures 120cm x 58.5cm (47in x 23in) and the height of table measures 74cm (29in) and has just over 3cm (1¼in) of adjustment.
To view the full range of tables from the SewEzi, visit www.sewezi.com
Others places to buy a sewing table online:
Arrow Classic Sewing Furniture, www.arrowsewing.com
Craft Storage Tables, www.storage4crafts.co.uk
Hideaway Office/Craft Station, www.teknikoffice.co.uk
Horn Furniture, www.hornfurniture.co.uk
RFM furniture, www.rmfcreateyourspace.com
Sew Ezi, www.sewezi.com
Sew Ready, www.studidesigns.com (They also sell its tables on Amazon)
Sylvia Sewing Cabinets, www.sylviadesign.com
