Actually, mine aren't that high. I have moved my sewing machine to the dining room table and moved my placemats. HAHA, I did this after we rushed to Joanns to catch the sale on the sewing table and cutting mat..hahaha. It's a little higher than I like, so I have to stand and sew which is new to me but isn't bad. However, I tend to stand on one leg and after a few days of sewing it begins to ache, must be the old age creeping up on me. :) Anyway, I quilted mine enough that they lay flat, but to be honest, when we eat dinner I always move the placemats. I made them to be there when we aren't..haha that sounds stupid, I know.