Chair for machine sewing
 

Does anyone highly recommended a particular chair for machine sewing/piecing/free motion quilting. I am currently using a computer desk chair with arms and do not feel my back is supported well.

Thanks,,,,,,,,,,robin

I just use a bar stool without a back but with a chair pad on it. I don't sit for hours at it...so I don't have any problems with it.

How about http://www.staples.com/Alera-Interva...duct_ALEIN4616

The type of chair that has lower back support.

Good luck
Nan

a solid, comfortable one that FITS YOU!!!

I recommend going and sitting in several. I purchased mine from Office Depot. It is armless and the seat and back articulate independently. It sure helps when quilting a big quilt.

I have an adjustable Koala chair. But I've seen some nice chairs at Office Depot that aren't as expensive.

I use a standard office chair, I found one where the arms flip up and get out of the way. It doubles as my computer chair so I need the arms. I added a memory foam cushion to make it a little more comfy.

About 2 years ago I ordered a backless doctor's stool. I love it. It has a very thick cushioned seat which has shown no wear at all. And I can sit for hours and it is still comfortable. It also has five legs on wheels which gives it a lot of stability. And it has a pneumatic height adjustment for the seat.

I found mine at Ikea. You just have to have one that gives good back support and the height that you need to be at the proper level to your DSM. You just have to go out and test them because we are ALL different shapes with different needs. Good Luck

I have a couple task chairs. One with arms one without arms. The one with arms I can drop. I have an old pillow that I smack around to fit how I feel at the time. They both adjust up and down.

I use a saddle chair for all my sewing. I find it keeps my back in a good position all the time and I find it very comfortable.
http://www.atlanticshopping.co.uk/ba...FXGWtAodfFgAWQ

I can second the saddle chair recommendation. I currently have an armless office chair and while it's okay, I find that I still get back pain occasionally if I sit too long. I have 2 friends with saddle chairs, and one of them takes hers with her on retreats. I got to try it out on the last retreat. She's an early bird and I'm a night owl, so I was able to test it for a few hours after she went to bed. I found it very comfortable!

I have a Swopper available at better office stores and online. It is like a balance ball and you almost have to have good posture. I love it. Pricey but worth it.

My favorite is the bunge (yes bunge) at The Container store. They are pricey but I love it and a couple of my friends have gotten them and love them also. If you buy there - they will put it together for you if you ask. One year Target also had some at a much lower price, I bought one for my hubby and he says he doesn't see any difference. However I have never seen them again - maybe in back to school sales? I think that was when I got his about 2 years ago.

We are both in our chairs most of the day - I work from home and use it at the computer 8 hrs a day M-F

I'm also a backless chair person - I never lean back anyway. With that being said, assuming you wouldn't buy anything that wasn't comfortable for you, I think height adjustment is the most important thing. I like my arms and hands to be in an ergonomic position to avoid shoulder and wrist strain.

Ooooooooooooooooo. I want to try on of those balance balls.

I need a new chair really bad. I was planning on shopping for one today. I have been looking for a while and can't find what I want.

I love my new Arrow Sewing Chair. The back of the chair hits you in the perfect spot! In addition to the chair I also recently bought a Gypsy Sit Upon cushion at a local quilt show which you can sit or or put behind your back. It is awesome.

I found mine at the curb with a free sign on it after someone's garage sale. It was an ordinary chair like you use at a dining table. It turned out to be just right for me. The challenge is not so much what chairs other people use but which is right for you. Trial and error and a lot of sitting in them. The other factor is the position of your machine so just going to the store and sitting in chairs won't give you the whole picture. The chair might feel good on its own but when you factor in how you sit at the machine it is all wrong. Do some measurements before you go to a store and then try to put the chair up to a table closely approximating the height of where you have your machine. You'll probably feel like an idiot sitting there with your arms in sewing position to an imaginary machine but your back will love you later for doing it.
I have my sewing room purposely set up so I have to get up and walk to another part of the room to press, cut etc. This minimizes sitting on one place to long which is part of the problem for sore backs, necks, shoulders. Plus if you get up and down enough it counts as exercise!

My chair also came from Office Depot. No arms, swivels and is on rollers which means I also had to purchase a chair mat to protect the carpet. It would be great if it had a little more back support for the lower back, but a small cushion placed where needed helps. Try out several chairs, check for height adjustment, lumbar support etc. Good luck in finding that perfect chair!

Nan, that is the exact chair that I have been looking for. Our local Staples had a similar one, but it was a floor model and there was a stain on the seat. They wouldn't discount it, so I walked. But now I will order! Thanks for the link!

I bought the colorful one on HSN. It was well worth the price.

I use an adjustable computer chair but I also use a gyspy sit upon in the seat and have found it helps with my back.

What does a saddle chair look like? Thanks.

I just bought an office chair from staples. It's pretty comfy BUT it was too short, even on the highest setting. They're all about the same height, I guess. I tried using a thick pad on top and it didn't feel very stable or comfortable. So I bought bigger wheels for it. It made it a couple of inches taller but I could use another inch or so, so I think a thinner cushion might be the thing. The wheels on my sewing cabinet are already pretty small so I don't think I can lower it any.

there was a link posted:
http://www.atlanticshopping.co.uk/ba...ool-black.html

I use an adjustable height office chair with no arms. I think the main thing is to find a chair that you can adjust high enough so your arms are bent at a 90 degree angle at the elbows, so you don't tire your shoulders from long hours at the machine. If being too high for your feet to touch the floor (if you are short for example), you can always add a box or lift of some sort under your foot pedal. I am tall, so don't have this problem. Measure how high you need to be when sitting at your sewing machine before you go to the store and take a tape measure with you, so you can see if the chair goes high enough, before you buy it.

this thread made me laugh! Years ago, I was using an old old office chair that my now ex BIL found on his garbage truck route. worked prettygood, looked horrible and had metal wheels. So i went to an office supply store and tried out several and got one with adjustable height no arms. Worked great for a long time but now it doesn't stay locked in to the height I set it at. I start out 'above' the machine and end up looking up at the machine. I rolled over the computer chair and love it, but it has arms that love to hold on to quilts!

I agree with quiltstringz -- the Bungee chair is incredible -- could sit in it all day. The arms don't interfere with my sewing table -- and it comes in lots of neat colors. You can get it at amazon.com.

I would be very interested to know where you made your purchase. I have not been successful in finding a chair that measures comfortably to my dining room (aka sewing) table

My DH got me the perfect chair for my birthday last year at Office Max. It is a fully adjustable manager's chair that has a memory foam lumbar support. You can put the arms on or leave them off. Up, down, tilt, recline, roll about .... ahhhh. My poor aching back loves this chair. :-) I didn't have a chair mat, so I put a half sheet of left over pegboard on the carpet (white side up so I can see what I drop) ... works like a charm!

Thank you for all of your interesting replies.....Swopper, saddle chairs - never heard of the
se....

This is quite common with hydraulic chairs. If you are handy, or know a handy person in your life, do a search on YouTube for "how to fix hydraulic chair" and you will find several how-to videos for fixes. My son fixed mine for me. :)

I have a sewing chair designed especially to fit me and I love it. The lumbar support is just in the right place and I can reach the floor, too. It also has storage under the seat. Love my guys that made it possible

I finally started using a stool that turned out to be the right height for me.

Had a car accident last fall, neck and back problems (oh joy). Found using a YOGA ball, has helped by leaps and bounds.
I was happy to be able to sew with out as much pain and discomfort. Doctor was happy, because I was able to go back to something I enjoy without having to take a hand full of pills. Good luck

I sit on any chair but only say for 30 mins at one time. Learnt my lesson years ago sitting for. Two hours quilting, could hardly move for the next 3 days.

I would kill myself on a yoga ball. lol. In order to be tall enough that my neck and shoulders don't kill me I have to be sitting up high enough that my feet don't touch the floor. I'm not quite there yet but closer than I was.

I also use the saddle chair. So much easier on the back.

I used to work for an office supply company so that is where I would look for a chair. I know I would want one with wheels so knowing that I would suggest 5 wheels v/s 4 so it does not tip over. Next suggestion is to think about how long you will be sitting in the chair. Make sure it has the cushion that is comfortable. Then look at something that will adjust up and down to a height that exceeds what you think you will need so you have options to raise and lower within your comfort zone. It is also nice if you can adjust the tilt of the seat a little which will change your weight distribution slightly and make a difference in how long you feel comfortable at the machine. The best way to shop for a chair is to go and test them out. I have been known to sit in several then drag the best three to a display desk to see how the fit when not out on the open floor.

Good Luck!

I found some bungee chairs online. Will it work without the arms?