Was at the Atl Quilt show today, took a beginning FMQ from Dbbie Kratovil, really enjoyed it. In the course of wandering around I stopped off at the Horn (Sew and Vac out of Knoxville, Tn) booth. I currently do most of my sewing in the window of our dining room on a cheap quilting desk where my machine sits on top of the desk. The available space is 102" long. My current desk is 50" x 19", and fits with a dining chair on 1 side and a big space on the other.

Having a machine lift and a flat surface is *very* appealing to me as I really want to get into FMQ in a big way. I was gonna pull the chair I am using for a junk pile out of the there and was going to put in plastic drawers and put my small table top ironing board on top, I figured if I had the drawers, I could put the junk piles in them and free the ironing board.

So a 60" wide x 19 1/2 deep (55" open) x 29 3/4 " H model 3180 (quilter's dream) will cost me $1845 and give me a nice big flip up on the back and a pull out space on the drawer and when we want to use the DR table I can flip the back down out of the way. The small drawers would be an addt'l $264, but look kind of small, but would match. Since it's on public view...but I'm not that kind of person, usually. The other one I'm considering is a medium Quilter's dream, model 3140. it's 47 1/2 " wide x 19 1/2 " deep x 29 3/4 " high. for $1099. I kind of think if I'm going to be able to continue to sew (health issues) as much as I've been able to lately, I should go for the bigger one. We could afford either one, so it's not strictly a money issue, tho I blanch at putting out that much money. (cheep, cheep, cheep).

He also said he'd throw in 2 plexiglass inserts one for the Nina, and one for the FW. A good chair will be an additional $160 for the 6 way chair with the rest of the purchase, or $200 for the taller drafting chair which would allow me to sit and iron on my tall cutting table (which I need to do).

Any one have any experience with Horn or Sew N Vac? What do you guys think about the size vs price difference? Is the bigger one worth 2 x the price of the little one? Which chair would be best? I might go for 2 he had a close out on the smaller chair, then I could get rid of the one that sinks to the bottom when I sit on it...I have killed the lift...and I'd have my tall chair I've been looking for. Help, please!

I have the larger table without the drawer set. Just one drawer on the left with an insert that clicks in over it when the drawer is pulled out. It is older but the same thing. I love it.

I would opt for the right side additional section over the drawers. I dont know what it is called but I cant tell you how many hundreds of times I have wanted "something" on the right to either put things on or to have a cutting matt/iron on. Like I said, mine is the older one so I cant get the right side attachment.

I purchased the Arrow, Big Bertha with the quilting leaf on the back that can fold down or lift up as needed. I love it. Priced much lower than Horns. I don't know maybe the quality of the materials differs.
Chairs are very imp. I would get the chair of my dreams. Hard to replace the chair you purchase. I will have my new chair for a long time I am sure. Mine is adjustable and priced better at office supply store than through my quilting store.

GGin, I have 2 office chairs now, including the one that won't hold, I was hoping better quality???? And it woud come out to about the same if I got the close out chair for $100. I'll take a look at Arrow. Guess if I don't get it now, I can always wait till fall.

Look at the Tracy tables too.

As far as chairs, they are very important. If you want a good chair like what you are seeing there, you should go onto a regular business furniture or office furniture supply store online. Not Office Depot etc.

Im not sure you will beat that price though. I own Han's and Herman Miller's for my office. One of them followed me home one day and took up residency in my sewing room. It's a $500 chair. But I have NO back problems sewing 15-20 hours a week

I have a Horn 3156 that closes up and locks the machine and 4 drawers to the right away from kids (and husbands). It's about 42" x 20" closed and 84" long x 39" deep open. But the 39" deep is only the 42" section around and behind the machine. It was about $1500, including the added drop leaf in back that gives it that depth. It has swivel out bins on the inside of the door that opens to the left, 4 drawers to the right, and all that space. At the time I bought it, I NEEDED to be able to keep both the machine and all the (sharp) supplies locked away from my kids. I also have a Koala desk which doesn't lock or conceal the machine, just has the lift, two drawers to the left, and a shelf underneath those, plus a drop leaf in the back. It's about 55"x20" with the leaf down, 55"x40" with the back leaf up. Nice feature is that there's a matching insert that fills the machine well so that it can be used as a work surface/desk when the machine is down. It was $900. There's a rolling chest to fit under the drawers to the left, but then you can't use the shelf, so I didn't get that. Hope this gives you an idea of space and storage compared to price. Both seem great quality to me. Sewing furniture is pricey, but built-ins weren't right for me. I doubt this will be my last house.