Koala cabinet - need help deciding
 

I'm thinking of making an investment in the Quilt Pro Plus IV set up. For those of you who have Koala cabinets - help me make a decision, please. Which one do you have and what's the pros and cons of your set up. I know I definitely want the extension table, no question. Also have decided on the electric lift. But what about these other options: Storage and Shelving kit? Front door shelving? Thread storage boxes? Extensions for left or right or both? Do you have the extra height? I'm thinking this would be nice to be able to use the extension table for a cutting table. I'm 5 foot 6, (no, I won't tell you my weight) and currently use the folding table from Joann's for cutting and like it. Help , please!

As a cutting table ... it would be too low for me for any comfort.
To add extra height, it would be too high for comfortable sewing.

I'm also 5'6".
I currently cut on regular banquet tables with bed risers under.
It's OK, though I much prefer cutting at a higher level still.
Thus for smaller cuts, I do it on my ironing board, which sits a little higher.

I'm 5'6" and have that set up. I didn't get the extra height and don't need it. Thread storage boxes just take up room in the table. I have all my thread up on the wall for easy access.

I wish I had an extension table to the right of my machine. That little space that is there on most is just not enough to hold scissors, small ruler, pins, thread or what ever you need near by. I don't like getting up to reach my things when I am "in the groove" sewing.

A friend has one and she loves it. She doesn't use the back extension part very much as her cabinet is against a wall and it is harder for her [due to her age] to move the cabinet out.

If I had the room I would consider one. Though I imagine I would use the thread storage boxes space for something else.

I want one, I want the higher one,so when the machine is down it can double as cutting table.I go back and forth between a custom made and koala.Then the prices scares me away,and I forget about either of them.But that being said. I would want the sides and shelves. I want More because more is better.And that electric lift too.and the bigger hole,just in case I upgrade my sewing machine.Nancey's sewing had mine on sale one time.Best wishes and come back to let me know if you're happy.

I would take a look at Gristmill Custom Furniture as another option. I am taking delivery of my sewing cabinet early next week and am really excited. I compared Koala vs Gristmill and there really is no comparision. The owner, Jason is a dream to work with and will customize the cabinet to your liking. Unlike Koala, Gristmill is made with solid wood and with prices were very similar!! Here is what mine looks like.......can't wait to set it up at home!![ATTACH=CONFIG]411610[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]411611[/ATTACH]

My Koala cabinet is 13 years old, is used daily, and still looks like new, I love the back extension and use it; but not for cutting. I have a Koala cutting table that I love. It is the perfect height for me. I really like the electric lift on the sewing cabinet. Mine has a side area for my serger which is very handy. It has drawers and storage areas which I use. I have a cabinet to the right of my sewing table. I keep sewing supplies that I use frequently on the top of that cabinet. On one door of my sewing cabinet, I have a cloth holder with pockets for 36 pairs of scissors. When I consider how much use I have gotten from my Koala products, I feel they were well worth the cost.

I don't use my table for cutting either. If I could "improve" anything I would like to have more space to the right of the machine - but the way my room is set up that really isn't practical. The space is large enough for scissors, thread, pins, etc. My table has a slide out spacer which is removed when I want to use the embroidery part of my machine. I had a cabinet that raised and lowered for the machine but that proved to be more of a pain than it was worth! I keep the back of my cabinet open all the time - I use all the space underneath that for storage and unfinished quilts. Good luck in your quest.

I have a Horn table similar to the Koala you are talking about. I wish I had the right extension as the space on mine is too small to hold anything but my sissors and pins. I have the left extension like the one Quilter in MN photo shows but not the drawers below. have a separate 5 drawer cabinet on rollers that fits under the left extension when not in use. My Horn also has a front extension that I leave up all the time. I don't have an electric lift, but have no difficulty moving my machine with the manual one. I love my table. It has served me well almost ten years and still looks brand new. I don't know about the taller cabinet, but for me using my table for a cutting table would be terribly inconvenient. I have my project spread all over the table, and I wouldn't want to move everything every time I wanted to cut. I have a separate folding cutting table that I've had almost 20 years, and if I couldn't have anything else in my sewing room (including my sewing cabinet), I would keep this table. I cut on it, design on it, baste on it, and have even used it as an extra serving table at parties. It is the best and most used sewing tool I own. My previous cabinet had door shelves on the left side, but I found that my project would get caught on the shelves and everything would end up tangled in the quilt or on the floor. I have a lot of thread and store it on wall racks. The are inexpensive at Joann's. Be sure to get the proper insert for your sewing machine hole. If you can get an insert the same material as the table it will be easier than Plexiglas to machine quilt on. You can't go wrong with your cabinet no matter what options you choose.

WOW Quilter in MN - that is a beautiful piece of furniture - I bet you ARE excited to get it. I'm going to go look to see if he has a web site.

I also have the Horn table (Quilters Dream) and have had it for about 12 years now. I love it. I keep the back extension up all the time and have 2 Ikea file drawers on both ends. I also have the 5 drawer cabinet that fits on the left side of the table.
I use the end of the table for cutting -I keep a mat on there all the time. It's great for squaring up blocks, etc.
I use the back extension side for scrapbooking. here are a couple photos.

I suggest you get at least one thread chest (without the thread). I have the Sewmate IV and love it to keep sewing tools in such as the machine feet, scissors, etc. The drawer storage bin is great. The thread boxes were thrown in for free on my offer. I would not pay for them.

I love the outback extension for quilting large quilts. I pull my cabinet away from the wall and pull it up to do FMQ. I was sure I would not like the added height -- I don't like to be on a tall chair. I still use my dining room table to cut -- it's 29", the same as my cabinet. I'm 5'5" and it works the same as it has for the last 50 years of sewing. :o When I get a sewing studio (LOL), I'll add a Koala craft table.

I have the front door shelves, but I really only use the one on my right. I'm not sure I would use them if I had the Quiltmate.

There are a lot of great brands to choose from. For me, the Koala was very attractive and has been wonderful.

I have a Gristmill table as well (I also have a custom designed cutting table by Gristmill). My quilting table is the same design as the one shown by Quilter in MN, but in oak with different handles. I have a clear plexiglass insert.

This design gives me room to put my basic supplies to the right of the machine, close at hand, and plenty of room to spread out my fabric to the left and behind the machine.

Talking about height for cutting. Have you tried your kitchen work surfaces , they are usually just right or breakfast bars. I have raised my kitchen table on those risers making it same height as a breakfast bar and use a stool to sit at.

Those cabinets look beautiful l plus. I have a horn. Make sure you have the bit at left for quilt to rest on. Mine is a pull out separate unit which fits in the cupboard anda set of draws on wheels which have been in many different configurations . This is just a thought, could the cabinet be raised to make a suitable height for cuTting on and in that picture is a raised area for the foot pedal so a raised area in there. You chair would have to be on a lift system.

I have the quiltmate with the lift, extension, shelving and extra height. I'm 5'1". I do all my cutting and sandwiching on it as well as quilting. It has been a wonderful investment for me. I love the furniture. The chair adjusts to the height that is needed. I also have the small cabnet at the end of the quiltmate to add a larger working surface. I leave the extensions up. That was the purpose in getting them so I could have a working surface (and storage) ready for me all the time. Good luck on your decision. I think you will be happy with it regardless of what you decide. It has worked splendidly for me.

Koala Cabinet
 

I need an idea of how to lower the height of my cabinet. I have the taller Koala cabinet, but had surgery and now it is hard to set up and down from the tall chair. Does anyone know how I can lower it. The company said that they could not.

I have a Martelli table that is adjustable height. LOVE IT. Cutting, ironing. Some even put machine on it and stand.

I just got some new furniture from Unique Sewing Furniture. I love it all. Cabinet for my sewing/embroidery machine. Drawer units. I did add the notions dividers and the thread inserts. I like have the organization. And its pretty.
My machine cabinet unit has flip up back to make larger flat surface.

I dont know where Unique stacks up against Koala or ? (The other brands I cant think of!) but it was on sale at my LQS. It’s well made. Was made for my particular machine. Made in Utah. Very pretty. Makes a night and day difference in my Studio!!!

The only thing it does not have is a machine lift in the cabinet like i used to have. But it is working out just great with out it?

All in all i love it!!!😒

https://www.uniquesewingfurniture.com/