can anyone suggest a comfortable chair as my backaches if sewing too long. should it have arms, rise up and down, lumbar support? i don't mind the investment as long as it works. thank you in advance for your suggestions.

I just have a cheap computer chair.
No arms on it. I tried my chair WITH arms and they were getting in my way.

The thing that helps me most is to get up and move around. My joints begin to feel as though they are "welded" in place. I do some cutting or other jobs and then sit again for a while. Maybe touching your toes once in a while will help loosen up those muscles. I am familiar with those stressed muscles. Give them some care and lay on the heating pad for a while. Feels so good!

Most people like those adjustable chairs on wheels, because you can fit them to your body size. I hate them. For me, there's nothing better than a chair that's NOT on wheels, one of those old-fashioned wooden straight-backed (and I do mean straight and not slanted backward, the way they all are now) chairs with a padded seat. It cushions your bottom and supports your back. You can also move around on it so your weight is arranged differently according to how your back feels. You can't reposition yourself in a chair with arms.

For you, get a chair that's comfortable when you first sit in it. Test to make sure you're sitting straight as you work, with your lower arms parallel to the ground when they're on the table. Again, make sure it's a chair you can reposition yourself in from time to time, too.

I agree with the person who said to get up and move around every so often. That's important, too.

I sit at a student's desk and chair- from the 50's. It's smaller and I find much "closer" to my size. I do the same- get up and move often.

I found the computer chair to be too tall and bulky for me.

I have an old office chair without arms that I can adjust the height. Make sure that the seat area is long enough to fit your boby. Some have a short seat and are not comfortable for longer legged people. I think you should really audition chairs, but do get one with a cushioned seat. Getting up to press seams or whatever helps with the back not aching. :lol:

Go to an office supply store like Office Depot, Staples, etc. and try out office chairs there. One of my quilter friends has a great chair she got at an office supply store and it is so comfortable to sit in and for sure had the lumbar support. :)

I love my office chair on wheels. I requested it as a Christmas gift a year ago. My sewing room is carpteted and it is easier to scoot back than a regular chair. I like the support it offers, and sometimes I raise or lower the seat to change the angle of my knee on the foot pedal. However, I second the "no arms" style. Mine has arms that continually hit against the sewing table.

Another thing I try for tight neck and shoulders is heating up a "rice" neck bag in the microwave and laying it around my neck. You can buy these with a variety of stuffings (corn, buckwheat hulls, etc.) and heat them for about 2 minutes (varies by microwave). Mine stays warm for about 20 minutes and helps loosen up the muscles. Or asking DH to rub my shoulders helps also. (You can make your own "rice" bags...I did them for Christmas gifts last year for friends and they went over very well.)

I bought an inexpensive armless swivel desk chair with air lift. I took the back off it and have a very comfortable sewing stool. I was taught to sew with my back straight, and neck not bent. I bend my head down and never jut my head forward to sew. I can sew all day this way. Oh and a hemorrhoid pillow is excellent to sit on while sewing.

Do u just make closed "bags" with ordinary rice in them or?

are there office furniture stores near you? some places have oodles of used furniture that is reasonable/inexpensive - and still in good condition.

It is important to "audition" a chair. What may be comfy for person A might be miserable for person B. I like wheels (get the 5 leg, not the 4 leg - it's less apt to tip over) and adjustable height.

I also vote with the "no arms" on the chair - they get in the way.

I alternate between a straight back wooden chair and an office chair (armless). The secret is to take regular breaks, stretch, walk around etc. My husband bought me one of those massage seat toppers...very good, gives a full back and seat massage or just the seat and lower back. I have this permanently on the chair at the computer desk. Everyone loves it, cept the dogs who find the hum perplexing!

Sorry...posted rice bag info twice.

I have made two styles of bags, both starting with an inner liner of muslin that holds the rice, either a large rectangle or a U-shape big enough to drape around the neck. Stitch the seams with a small stitch length to make it harder for rice to leak out. I leave one end open, turn it inside out and fill half- to two-thirds full with inexpensive uncooked white rice from my discount grocery store – not Minute Rice. (It might take more rice than you expect.) From experience: Put the bag down into a mixing bowl and use a large funnel or a cardboard shape bent into a funnel to help you get the rice in the bag. And don’t let a 2 year old try to “help.” Be sure to leave enough room in the bag to allow it to drape softly around the neck and also to shake the contents to evenly distribute the rice during the heating. Then stitch the end of the bag closed. I found it a bit tricky to work with the bag at my machine without rice leaking out, and I got rice in the bobbin case, so you might want to slipstitch the opening shut before taking it back to your machine.

The outer liners are made in three pieces like you would for a removable pillow cover – a solid piece for the front and two overlapping pieces for the back that you leave open to slip the muslin bag into. I’ve used cotton, flannel and fleece (which stretches and is a bit more challenging to work with).

Place on a microwavable plate or in a bowl and mircrowave on high for 1-1/2 to 2 minutes, depending on the microwave and how much rice is in the bag. I take it out at one minute and shake to distribute the heated rice. Do not overheat! The rice could brown if you leave it in too long, or the bag could be too hot and damage the skin. Some people may find these bags a bit heavy, but most I’ve given them to love them. I’ve used them to relax muscle stress and strain at the computer or sewing machine, relax a leg cramp, drape over my nose and eyes to help relieve sinus pain and headache, and for aches of cold and flu. They are great too on my feet on those cold winter evenings when I feel chilled to the bone. Basically whatever you’d use a heating pad for. Some people say they keep one in the freezer for cold applications, but I’ve never tried that (I prefer warm!).
Sorry – didn’t mean to hijack the topic!

I do not know which is a good chair, but a totally agree with the taking a break advice. I make myself get up once in a while, even if I am feeling fine and want to keep going for hours.

thanks for suggestions. many valid points. i too sew on carpet so wheels would be good, and 5 rollers, less chance of tipping over. also the rice bag for the pain. glad you posted the instructions for everyone. i will keep reading suggestions and make up my mind. any more suggestions are appreciated.

I've made some and used kitchen towels as covers. Use 1 towel sewn lenghthwise and then across 1 short end slip the insert inside and use Velcro to fasten together. If you want use two towels together, velcro one end, but I found when you make the insert for this size you need to make channels(make rectangle, leave.opening to fill with rice, but before filling stich most of the way one way and then the other way. Create a maze. I generally have 4 channnels)

Same here. My computer chair works best for me.

I have a cheap office chair at home with arms which i think is ok. Now, at work after being off work due to a bad back my employer got me an office chair with lumbar support..it is much more padded both under your bottom and the back area and also the foam seems more shaped (if that makes sense) my back feels so much better when i sit on that and the guy that sells them comes out and you get fitted for this chair! The chair cost $400 which i felt was not excessive and I will shortly get this guy to get me one for home as it really made a big difference. It has arms which are adjustable up or down and they guy said you have to have the arms as when you get up or sit down you can use them and it takes the stress off your back. I find the arms dont get in my way not even on my cheap chair maybe it just takes time to get used to..

:D :D
I love my chair...
Its the office chair with wheels and arms.....I cannot live without it....Very comfortable on my back.....But standing up and stratching yourself every 15 minutes is also a very good idea..... :lol:

I use a chair purchased from my LQS. It is large, cushy, and on rollars. It does not have arms. I know it was pricey, but I inherited it from my late MIL, along with a beautiful Horn cabinet and a nice sewing machine. I do love the chair...much more comfortable than the straight desk chair I had been using. I do, however, wish I had the stool from my mother's sewing machine cabinet (my brother and his wife have it)...like a previous poster mentioned, it is backless and I remember having much better posture when I was sewing as I grew up as compared to now. My advice would be to check out the office supply places first and sit in several. You want one that will give your back good support and will allow you to adjust for height.

I purchased a Casdin office chair from Staples #709054. It has support on both sides and seat, adjustable height, and nice wheels. Being armless gives me elbow freedom, and the wheels allow me to move from lower ironing table back to sewing machine easily.

Hubby recently bought me a new "office" chair from Office Depot. It can go up and down and has wheels--I didn't want arms. You might want to get a "chair mat" from the office supply store also. The mats are clear and you can roll around on them with ease. The mat is also easier to clean than carpet :D

I agree about getting up every once in a while. It's hard to break away from my project, but my eyes and body need the break.

I found a chair that is totally adjustable, including that the seat can be tipped forward just very slightly and locked. That sounds a but strange, but what it does is take pressure off the upper leg area, improving circulation. I learned about this from a doctor-quilter guest on Simply Quilts. When I went looking for a new chair, I looked for one that could be adjusted in every way. I also wanted a leather chair because they are so easy to keep clean. My office chair, which is very comfy, is fabric and everything sticks to it especially pet hair, and it doesn't give up that stuff to the vacuum either!

To add: don't just scooch in and out. Plant yourself firmly for a bit to see how your back handles getting up.

thanks everyone for your suggestions. there is a lot to consider. i will keep it all in mind when i go shopping. i new i could count on all you dedicated quilters as i know you spend many hours at your machines.

Hi! While attending a machine-quilting class, I fell in love with the sewing chair I used there. I just ordered a #258 Dynamic Series, with adjustable Lumbar Support. It moves up/down and the back rest is movable also. You can choose your fabric. It has no arms. I opted for the wider seat (22", I believe). I am 67 and have back problems and lots of arthritis everywhere. I can't wait for this chair to arrive. The order form states: Ergonomic Advantage, Omaha, NE. Website: [email protected]. Hope it works for you!

i use a good-quality office chair from staples. not too dear, but not cheap either. good back support and with arms, which i love. also, the upholstery is leather because i'm tired of pins getting stuck in the fabric seat and then getting stuck in my tush.

edit: and wheels.

Ouchie!

I use an old office chair on wheels with no arms on it, and I can lower or raise it. Moving it helps with the strain some.

Maggie,

Could you please explain how the rice takes away pain? Does the rice pack go on the seat or the back, or both? Thank you. Does it work for neck pain?

I have a chair with wheels, and arms that use to be my office chair at work. I bought it for myself at an office warehouse supply place. I like it because I can get my feet on the floor like you are suppose to. I also bought a table from Ikea with adjustable legs that I have lower as well. This has helped my back and kept me from getting tired while sewing.

This may be a bit late but I too have arthritis and I find that if I get up to press rather than having my pressing at hand that does help the "stiffness". I can often get on a roll running chain stitching and than I set a timer to take a break!

I have a chair from Office Depot. Cost over $200 but it is worth every penny. Get the one that has only mesh for the seat and back. It has arms and it is so comfortable that I'm saving for one for the computer. Harriet Hargrave said in a class I took from her to avoid the chairs with foam or cushioning. Get the mesh. She was absolutely correct.

I agree with the rice bags and the getting up to move, in addition I found a seat cushion sold At Canadian tire stores in the car seat cover area, and maybe walmart might have them also. They have a special gel honeycomb foam filling and a handle to carry them with and really make a difference to my sore hips. I take the cushion with me to guild and other meetings, and when they went on special for $15 recently I got a seconde one so I can have one in my sesing chair and one at the computer. I too like the armless office chair with 5 wheels. I like my straight backed wooden chair too but it doesnt scoot back well on the carpet. I long for the day when we can afford to replace the old carpets with a smooth wooden floor.

Yep! Just move around often. I have a bad back and can't sit for long.

OK.. at first glance you may think this off the wall, but here goes.. especially for whoever wanted a stool like the one at the Dr's office. Call your local hospital and see what they do with "old" hospital furniture that they are replacing. Several hospitals I have worked at have an area for furniture items they are replacing, and will take "bids" on them.. You'd be amazed what you can get and what a reasonable price. I'm still trying for a bedside (or overbed) table.. those are soooooooo handy!

I used to get stiff sewing....but when i went up stsirs to the attic room I didn't set the pressing are a close to the sewing machine. I just never got around to it. My back hasn't ached since. Its all the popping up and down

thanks everyone for suggestions. sounds like getting up and moving around would be a good idea. also the seat from the auto dept. is worth looking into. i have my ironing board right beside me and i just swivel around to iron. just lazy i guess. thought it would save time from getting up and could get more sewing done. thought i might look at habitat for humanity store or other second hand store just to see what they have and then i would donate my old chairs to them. they are fine if you are not sitting too long. anymore suggestions are greatly appreciated. happy quilting