I am new to quilting and my chair is hurting my back and Butt! Hee Hee! does anyone have any good tips on chairs, posture,... ?

Go to a good office supply store and try out all the chairs. I have a mid back, no arms chair that I got on sale at Staples that's perfect for me.

I have one of those secretary chairs as well, got it at a yard sale for $5. A few months later the back fell off! I sewed some indutrial strenght velcro together, wrapped around the back and the post, and fixed it. I keep saying I am going to make a cover for it, so my "fix" won't show.

The moral to this story is, get a secretary chair. Oh, maybe the politically correct term would be admin assistant chair.

ha ha... Maybe I'll barrow mine from Work since Tax season is now over and my Administrative Assisting is over until next season LOL! I'd have to get something for my carpeted floor for mobility. has anyone tried an exercise Ball? I here They help with posture.

I have 2 chairs/machines. One chair is an office-type chair purchased at Wal-mart. It is ok and suits the purpose. However, my dear hubby and kids bought me a very nice Horn chair from my local LQS for Xmas. It is the very nicest chair! More pricey...I would never have spent that much money. For many years I used our very uncomfortable dining room chairs. I second the posters who suggested you try an office supply store. Sit in several before you decide. I do not want a chair with arms, either.

I have several exercise balls, love them for working out on, but would not reccommend it for sewing/quilting. Then there is the possible pin prick problem and then a flat ball.

I too have wondered what would be good. I tried one of the $400. chairs at a quilt show recently and it was fabulous. It tilted forward, supported the back, leg adjustments etc, etc. Have yet to go to the office supply store yet. Whichever I decide will be on my Christmas list though. But I do have to say, the one at the quilt show did everything except quilt. Loved it

I buy a cheap office chair that has air lift and don't put the back on it. It keeps me sitting straight and I have no aches anymore from sitting and sewing for a long time. I bought a hemorrhoid pillow and it's the best I've found to prevent butt numbness.

I went to an office supply store and tried out every chair they had in stock. I bought the most comfortable chair and have carpet in my sewing room, no problems with moving around for me!

Definitely a "secretary's" chair. Height of seat from floor adjustable, back is adjustable up and down to fit the back. back can also be adjusted forward or backward to fit depth needed by you. Remember, just like in using a keyboard, for sewing, keep arms from elbow to hands parallel with floor. keep legs from hip to knee parallel to floor. I have an ergonomic pillow to sit on, helps me sit up straight. If I don't, it quite literally, wants to throw me in the floor. Silvia

Thank you . I am interested in the ergonomic pillow. Can you tell me the brand and where to get it?

Thank you all for your help! As for the exercise ball... Never thought about the pins!!! What were they thinking! Maybe I should switch my Secretary chair for the exercise ball. LOL! keeping the chair at home!

I bought an office chair - the executive type. With arms, adjustable seat and back. It does tip forward, but I've always hated that feeling of falling out of the chair. The seat is about worn thru so I bought one of those cushions (think early American design) at Walmart. I'm happy with it. I can lean back, put my feet up on this desk and read the computer when I get tired of sewing.

I use a chair I got from Wal mart. It supports my back and has adjustable height. Works for the computer and my sewing desk. Much better than the dining room chairs.

I use a leather office chair that we bought from Sam's. Sometimes I wish the arms could be removed but then I would probably sit too close to the machine. This forces me to try to break a bad sitting habit.

Oooh great question! I'm interested in everybody's answers too. I have age on my side, but have a bad habit of terrible posture which stresses my back and neck. Just can't seem to remember to NOT SLOUCH!

go to www.ergosew.com. I'm not affiliated, just a satisfied customer.

Welcome aboard. We all love the quiltingboard and I feel you will too.
For the floor, I have the big plastic mat used 'at the office'. It is large and lets my chair move easily when I want to get up.
For the chair, I use an old 'ladder back' dining table chair. I cut some length of off each leg to put my feet flat on the floor. It's not the dream chair but it gives me proper support where I need it and I am glad to have it. I actually have 2, one for me and one for the person in the room visiting while I sew.

That's what I have too, but I got mine at walmart.

I too have a good secretaries chair without arms. I can adjust it according to which part of me is hurting at the time. The seat raises/lowers, back raises/lowers. For me, the adjustable back is most important. Be sure to sit in it as if you were sewing before purchasing.

Also, be sure to get up and move around a bit every once in a while.

I'm short, and I use the table to sew on. A 5" thick book under my left foot, a 4" book to rest the pedal on under my right foot, and 2 rubber door stops under the back of the machine to tilt it forward, and I have solved my back and neck problems. You could also use blocks of wood instead of books. Rubber doorstops were $2 the pair at the local supermarket.

I too went to and office supply store. I bought two admin without arms and fully adjustable for height, angle, etc. Have used them for several years and my back and butt are doing just fine. My cats love them also.

I bought a used office chair a year ago..and it was one with a back support. My back and butt still hurt..then low and behold..I was at the drug store..and the medical supply salesperson told me what I needed. She had seat cushions with a hole in the center..I have been using it for 2 months and it no back pain..no butt pain. Works wonders

I bought an 'up & down' adjustable bar stool from Bed,Bath & Beyond. I can raise it when I'm working at my cutting table which is elevated and I can lower it to sew. In it's lowest position it's a little higher than a regular chair which gives me a much better view of what I'm sewing. And it was reasonable pricewise.

I'M WITH YOU ON THE age and slouching. Have to make myself sit up straighter. Think I will try the chairs out at office max or office depot

I have an office chair with no arms. Works good, but I have put one of those plastic office pads on the floor for easy rolling and it also protects the carpet for wear. We also have these in the computer room.

I attended a Harrient Hargrave machine quilting class. The whole first portion of the class was on quilting ergonomically! She has a Hermann Miller chair. That didn't fit my bocy well and was way too expensive for me. So I saw what the secretarial staff were using: a Swopper. I talked the store manager into letting me try the Swopper over the weekend. I loved it so much I ordered one. I got it from an higer end office furniture store. It is fully adjustable for height, no wheels, so I have it on a little throw rug to protect my wood floors and so I can move it a bit. It cost a bit more but is really worth it. It is like sitting on a balance ball in that it forces you to use good posture. I know you can find it online.

A hemorrhoid pillow :thumbup: what a great idea! I would have never thought of that myself. You are terrific and clever... and smart! There is nothing like numbness when you were having fun sewing. :roll:

This sounds like a good chair! I'll have to check it out!

Just checked it out on You tube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0oovXobVX4 Looks like a chair for me, but a bit pricy at this point :(

I kept checking the office supply stores like Staples for chairs. I found one with about 9 different adjustments on clearance for just a little more than a standard office chair. I did NOT care tht it was "last" years design LOL
It was the best money I have spent. I can adjust it for sewing or being on the computer :D:D:D

I tried the big exercise ball at the computer...I had a hard time w/ sewing though.....w/ one foot on the pedal, I had a hard time keeping my balance....
It may work for some younger sewers.. not too expensive . I have a balance issue on my own two feet !

I was just about to say...the ball is great for computing and designing, but you can't sew, because you need both feet for balance. An office chair with wheels on a mat is great. My husband bought me a massage chair pad (fits the back and seat of my computer chair) this works well.

the kids next store gave me an office chair. Penny

I love my exercise ball. I have been using it when I sew for years. I even let the air out and take it with me when I leave for the winter. Of course I take my sewing machine and a box of fabric, too.

The ball that I have is a heavy rubber, purchased through my Chiropractor, not the soft ones that dimple when you sit on it.
Balance is no problem unless I cross my legs--oops. I use to have lower back problems, but have improved greatly and no fatigue from sewing long hours.

Good to know! Thanks! No problem with pin punctures? :)

I have never had a problem with pins. When they fall they either lay flat or the flat head pins stick into the carpet like darts making it easy to pick up.

I ball is very firm, not the squishy type. I've had it so many years that I can't remember the brand name.

I have discovered a new pillow of sheepskin for only 16.97
It does not let your derier get sore nor hips nor tail.
the back is cut out. It is superb for quilting and all other
sitting tasks! it is found in the dream products, inc catalog.
www.DreamProductsCatalog.com plus shipping of course.
MED

I have discovered a new pillow of sheepskin for only 16.97
It does not let your derier get sore nor hips nor tail.
the back is cut out. It is superb for quilting and all other
sitting tasks! it is found in the dream products, inc catalog.
www.DreamProductsCatalog.com plus shipping of course.
MED

I used to sit at the diningroom table and was so uncomfortable on those wooden chairs even with a good cusion. So now I use my soft-cushy office/computer chair which rolls easily on my carpet. It has arms which feels great to me and is specially shaped to fit my lower back. I've had it for years and love it. It has airlift and moves to all angles. I bought it in an office store. I just sat in every chair they had till I found the right fit. But I also have another CHEAP office chair from Walmart which I use at my Grace frame for handquilting. I despise that chair and it is soon going to the dumpster! Nobody could possibly sit comfortably on it.

Does anyone have the Arrow sewing chair and what do you think of it.???