I have read up on this from various magazines, etc. If you are sitting on a chair that is comfortable to you and your feet are on the floor, say in regular low heeled shoes, bend your elbows at your sides. The machine should be at your hands. However, I am 4'10" and I would not want to bend by upper body down to see the needle because I feel the pain of that. I really like to sit on an adjustable-in-height chair, have a wooden 2" tray to put my feet on which allows me to be higher and comfortable at the same time. That way I can see my sewing and follow the 1/4" line that I have put on my machine. My eyes follow the line, not the needle. I know there has been questions about this on the board before and everyone seems to do whatever they need to in order to sew. I know I like lots of space at my machine, both sides, like in a "U" shape around me, since I had rotercuff(?) surgery on my shoulder. I just need to be comfortable because I stay at it for a few hours at a time. I don't have an ironing board near me but since I just got one of those small irons, I will be building something that works, but I will put it maybe inches lower so I do not have to raise my right shoulder. I would try different heights till you find something comfortable. Good luck