Do you have one of these?
 

I have back problems and thus need a new sewing chair. Do any of you have one of these chairs http://www.heavenlyseating.com/sewing-chairs.html and if so, do you recommend them? They are quite pricey, but they promise to cure all that ails you seating-wise. I am intrigued by the fact that they make 3 models according to your height because I am tall and have long legs. I also like the fact that they have 150 upholstery fabrics to choose from. Please let me know if you like yours or not, and if so, why. Thanks, Conniemarie

Oops! that address doesn't seem to work. Lets try http://heavenlyseating.com

How much are they? I hate when they don't put prices on the website. 99.9% of the time I will not take the extra time and effort to ask for a price. I get that dealers set their own prices but they should have a retail at least.

eta: seriously, you have to call or email to find a dealer? These must be the holy grail of chairs to warrant this level of mystery.

I have an office chair too... same reason... I could try it out before I brought it home.

looks like an ordinary office chair. I lean forward when I sew, so the back doesn't matter a whole lot to me. It probably would at a desk.

When I called to inquire about the chairs last year I was told that they run in the $550-$650 range depending on what options you choose (eg.-arms, upholstery, etc.) Yeah, pretty pricy, but I've been watching them on the website for over three years, so somebody must be buying them. They claim one has never been sent back, and most customers wind up buying a second chair. So with my back problems that's why I'm checking them out. I was told that the closest dealer to me was 75 miles away at a custom sewing cabinet shop. That's all I know.

For that price, I would definitely want to go try one out and even sit in it for a little while. Sewing is a different position than anything else, it seems. I'm sorry you have trouble with your back-that's never fun. :(

I have 2 office chairs; one at the computer and one at the sewing room. Both are mesh which is cooler than fabric. Both were under $150. They both have height adjustments and angle seat, back adjustments and height back adjustments. Look for one that will hold your weight. While working full time, there were over 100 chairs in the office and the first thing to go, after upholstery was hydrolics for seat height.

I also bought one at staples...love it. I have a bad back and no issues using it and I sew for long periods of time.

i have inexpensive office chairs. it doesn't bother me because i get up to take frequent breaks, which is recommended by all the 'experts'. good luck in finding something that helps your situation.

Looks like a secretary chair to me. Office Depot has them around here. No way would I spend that kind of money without trying it out. I get up and down all the time. I do stretches and bends to loosen up after I sit on a stool. When I quilt at a short table I use a folding chair with a cushion. I have bought three office chairs and found none of them were comfortable.

Well, maybe it's worth taking a ride. Can your back handle it? I imagine if it is custom made to your specifications, it may be difficult to return if you don't like it.

I also like my office chair from Staples, which looks like the one pictured, for under $100.00.

That is outrageous for an office chair that you can sit in first. I found my chair at a used office furniture store. I was able to sit in at least 100 office chairs to try them out and was able to select the one I liked best for $35. Another one I liked was only $5, so I bought it too.

Try to find some place that has a lot of chairs for you to try out. I don't think one should have to spend that much on a chair like that.

I really like my office chair I got at Office Depot. It has lumbar support.
Like others have said, go to the store and try one. I would not recommend
anything with armrest. Taking frequent breaks when sewing also help.

Holey moley is all I can say. That looks like every other secretary's chair I have every seen. I have back issues also and cannot see where that would give me the lumbar support and upper spine and neck support I need now. After you go try it, could you report back to us on how it is?

Had to get a "special" chair at work which was $150.00. Love my work chair. It is a Staples standard office executive chair.

I purchased a Horn Sewing chair about 2years ago. I am plus sized and I could tell the cheaper office chairs would not last or give me the support I need over time. I spent about $300 and feel like it was money well spent. The chair is very comfortable.

I took a class earlier this year at my LQS and she had several sizes of the heavenly chair. I really liked the one I used and wished I had known about them before I got my chair. Oh well......

maybe you can find a dealer to go look at them. Good luck!

It doesn't look anything more than a glorified task chair you can pick up at Office Depot and just put cushions on it. Whatever they ask for it plus shipping and you can probably get what you need near a store near you.

This is exactly what I was going to say. Have you considered a saddle chair? I have 2 sewing friends who own this style and they swear by it.

http://s7d5.scene7.com/is/image/Stap..._sc7?$splssku$

I bought a 'good' adjustable office chair from Staples and removed the arms so it is more usable. I really like the chair. It took my DMIL less than a week to burn the seat cover with an iron. There is a spot in the middle of the chair where an entire outline of her iron is melted right into the foam. This was about twelve yrs ago and I get to remember it every day when I sit at my machine. Sometimes I think she could break a bowling ball!:D
peace

What the....??? She actually thought setting a hot iron face down on a chair was a good idea? Would it be possible to recover the burned part?

I'd get a good office chair and go to a place like a Relax the Back store or somewhere similar and get a seat or back cushion. Cushion might be a Tad pricey, but far cheaper than your quote.

Bought mine at staples also, very comfortable chair.

One thing, if you have back issues, whatever chair you get, think about having armrests to help you get to a stance after you have been sitting awhile.

$500 + for a sewing chair? YIKES! I found a high-end office chair on craigslist for $40 and my back is well supported - no pain.

I managed to melt a spot on my carpet with an iron - so I guess anything is possible.

But the chair does seem to be a ???????

A sore back is no fun. There was a very informative show on this subject on Simply Quilts quite a few years ago. The guest demonstrated the proper height of the table and the sewing machine. She also suggested tilting the machine a bit so that the user's arms are bent at the elbow with the hands at that same height. Does that make sense? Much as a typist needs her hands a the proper level to avoid neck and back stress. I know my machine is not at the proper height for my height (SHORT). I deveop stress pain between my shoulders and neck. I do have a good supportive office chair, but I think the position of the machine is equally as important.

I DID buy one at a Sewing EXPO a few years ago- it does all those things-matches my sewing room, but I can't manage to get in the habit to pull the chair up so my back rests on it. I try when I first start sewing and find myself with the chair pushed back and leaning again. The chair does it's job when I do use it. You can probably fine one for less with the same features (except color choices) at the office supply stores.

This looks like an idea to follow up on. Might try this before I spring for a really expensive chair. Thanks for the idea.

I also have back problems and considered this chair. I actually went to a quilt shop in Nevada and tried it out and was disappointed. It really was not comfortable for me. Even though they make them for different heights (I am very short) it still was not comfortable enough for me to pay that much for it. My LQS bought some relatively inexpensive chairs and they were so comfortable, even for an all day class, that I asked my husband for one for Christmas and love it (Price 99.00). If you will PM me I will fine the ordering information if you are interested. (Free shipping.) Good luck with your back problems.

In the past I developed a bad case of sciatic (sp)nerve in my left leg. After PT and other treatments, I discovered my"office chair" was the culprit. The plastic base for the seat cushioning had a sharp edge all around to hold the foam cushion and you could feel it through the cushion and upholstery. It was pressing on my leg every time I sat at the computer or sewing machine. So check if the cushion does cover and "cushion" the framework of the seat. If you can get an adjustable one for seat height, then you can raise and lower and thus relief your body. I find raising my seat to the highest level so my arms are level with or above the table height helps me sit up straight and relieves the back pain. Hope you get this solved soon so you can enjoy your quilting.

Sounds like my DDIL. Years ago her cigarette burned a hole in the upholstery of my new car; I'd had it less than a week! Now I wouldn't even let anyone smoke inside my car! Especially her!

Years ago I took some classes with Harriet Hargrave. In one of the classes the entire first part of the class was on ergonomic sewing/quilting. I tried the [expensive] chair she used but found it didn't fit my body even with the adjustments [whew!] However, at the store I saw what their secretaries and workers used and asked to take one home over the weekend and see if I liked it. On Monday I ordered one for myself and love it. It almmost forces me to sit straight and I don't tire so easily. It is a Swopper. It can be ordered online or at a office furniture store. It has been worth the price.

I agree with others. I also have an office chair to sit on it works great. A girl friend has the cushion you see advertised on tv and she said that works for her.

Mine came from Staples. Has lots of positions, adjustable back and was on sale for $75.00 when I bought it 4 years ago. Still no complaints.

I use an old fashioned secretary's chair anywhere I have to sit for a long time. In at work they wanted to throw it out and get me one of those high back leather chairs and I told them NOOOOOO, don't touch my chair! The first thing I did when I got my job in the office was to move out one of those and put in my old timey one. It gives me great back support and so does the one I have at home. They were both made in the days before they decided to switch from four legs that lasted forever to five legs that don't.

I've been looking at one for a while, but haven't made the purchase yet. The shop where I bought my machines, and take them for cleaning, sells these chairs and they are (sorry) Heavenly! I've had many types of office chairs over the years (as I work in an office) and not one comes close to how these feel.

If I'm in that chair for a couple of hours a day, that's more time than I spend in any one place else (except work). Also, I look at it as a long-term investment - not as something that would have to be replaced every couple of years.

Any chair is good if you don't think about it at all while using it and don't notice odd aches and pains after you get up. If this is the holy grail for you - and maybe it is - at very least check into the return policy before you commit. I have a nice office chair in front of the machine I use most, a somewhat inferior office chair in front of another machine and an antique round piano stool in front of a third. All work fine for me, but maybe I don't have the health problems that you have and would notice a big difference if I did. I have to agree with those who point out that the back rest doesn't matter if you're not inclined to lean back while sewing.

My DH was surprised that I liked the piano stool, but I moved it up here after it finally dawned on me that the backrests on my sewing chairs were extraneous. Apparently my heinie is well enough padded that a solid wood seat is no problem either. I love that it swivels, as do the office chairs. As long as I'm not fighting to get up and down, I'm happy.

I, too, have severe back pain. A few years ago, a office supply store was going out of business. So I went there and bought a very good quality office chair. Even with the chair, it is still very painful to sew. One thing I have learned from my chiropractor is this. Only work for 15-20 minutes at a time and then get up and walk around for a few minutes. I think you can get a good quality chair for less than $600.