Portable sewing chair for retreats
 

Hi! I need a sewing chair to take to quilt retreats. I was just at one with typical folding chairs, and oh my aching back. I'm on the tall side, and those chairs were just way too low. Anyone have a suggestion? I need something lightweight, and I drive a small car with a hatchback (I can put the backseats down).


Thanks!

Folding chairs do become uncomfortable on long retreats. I have seen several gals bring that purple round pillow that adds height and padding. But I think the best thing I've seen is someone bringing in an office type chair with height and back adjustments. Some secretarial chairs are lightweight.

I have solved this problem. I have a little plastic stepping stool for my grandchildren. I take this along and put it on the chair. It will raise you up about 4 to 5 inches, just enough to bring your elbows level with the bed of your sewing machine. Now lots of my friends do the same. Let me know if this works for you.

I have an inexpensive desk chair. I turn it upside down on the back seat of my car with the chair back hanging off the seat. If I need added cushion I just grab a pillow. At least I have wheels and swivel

My friend and I each bring our own office chairs in her little teensy car... we drop the chair back and put our chairs with their backs to our front backs.... we are very careful at packing our machines and fabric /projects and our suitcases in the remaining space.
When I retreat alone with another group, my most important piece is my chair....I carry it up flights of stairs etc....without it my retreat is not a retreat...

I always take my office chair to retreats, but sew days at our meeting location are back-killing. I'm working on a "retreat-seat" pattern for my guild to make for a fundraiser--will let you know if it works!

On this board awhile back there was a gal who found a link to some chair rollers. What it is basically is that you buy 4 - 3 wheel rollers, I got mine at Harbor Freight, tennis balls, that you make an X on & slit to close to the bottom so you can get your chair leg in, & a bolt to go through the tennis ball. My uncle made mine & it gave me the extra height, since I'm vertically challenged, & also made a regular chair into a rolling one. I still did use a pillow pad to sit on but it worked without too. Needless to say, everyone at the last quilt retreat was checking it out. I'll try & find the pictures of it that were online & post them. I think I also googled how to make chair rollers.

I do the same thing, never again will I go to retreat without my very own rolling swivel office chair. It even raises and lowers so fits any table. I even covered it in some fun sewing related fabric. Has served me well for years!

I have a set of the tennis ball/ rollers and love them for the 'pew chairs' that are provided at the quilting retreat center, and our church sewing day. in addition, I purchased a boat seat cushion-flotation device from Fleet Farm. It's filled with layers of dense foam, which don't squish down to nothing when you sit on it. This helps raise me up high enough to comfortably sew in almost any chair. (saves me $$ on Massage and Chiropractor appointments, too)

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Here is a picture of the ones my husband made....These bring me up just high enough to be comfortable to sew...if you need to be a little higher bring a cushion with to sit on...

Thanks for pic

Thank you for the information and picture!

I usually put two chairs stacked for height. I was taught to sit without my back touching a chair back when sewing. In fact my grandmother's sewing chair was a three legged stool. Back held straight, no jutting forward or hunched shoulders. This was the way our Home Ec teacher taught us to sit when sewing. We could bend our heads down but never stick our necks out. In fact all my teachers insisted on good posture when sitting at our desks at school. And no slumping or slouching ever. LOL Prim and proper for sure but I have never had a back ache from sewing all day or sitting at a desk. Having good posture over the years is very important as we age.

I was at a retreat earlier this month and someone had a bungee cord chair from the Container Store (like this one, but hers was red: https://www.containerstore.com/s/des...BoCPPQQAvD_BwE). It was both lightweight for transport and comfortable. Almost everyone was trying it out.

I had that exact same problem at my first retreat. Table too high, chair too low. I came home with an aching back and legs for days. Could hardly get out of the car.
Next retreat I had a Sew EZ table and an office chair with no arms and an adjustable seat. What a difference!
Loaded it in my hatchback upside down. No more pain!!

Thanks for all the great tips!!

I don't mind sitting in the provided chairs to visit but found most to be horribly uncomfortable while sewing. I purchased a medical type stool which travels easily. I also just purchased a bungee (flat not round cords) chair and find it the most comfortable chair that I have ever owned. I doubt it will go on longer travels but it's my go to close to home.

At home I have the bungee office chair from the container store and love it! You can can find a coupon on line and it has free shipping.

For my Monday Sewing group I take a special cushion to put on the folding chair. It raises me to the correct height and is softer. It takes a bit to get use to the balance but after a few minutes it's great! https://www.amazon.com/Dyna-Disc-Bal.../dp/B00077E32C

My goodness! I also have the bungee cord chair from the Container store. Was actually sitting in it and didn't think of it when I posted before. It is the most comfortable office type chair I have ever sat in, so comfortable in fact that I didn't even think of it. Wanted one after a friend brought hers to retreat, liked it so much that I told my daughter about it and before I knew it.....she sent it to me for my Happy Birthday!

I have a lot of friends whom bring their own chair to retreats. I purchased a stadium seat at Job Lot and just put it on the seat and it works fine. It is a large oval circle with a piece which flips up for your back. It brings your body up a little and it definitely does the trick and relieve the back issues.

Clever Donnamarie, I have never thought of stadium seats. They are in my garage gathering dust once football is over. Thanks for the idea. I will definitely give that on a try.

I have the opposite problem. I'm too short. I have to sit perched on the edge of the chair so that my feet can touch the floor. If I sit with my back against the backrest I can't bend my knees!

Such awesome ideas!!!
 

I just cant tell you how awesome the ideas are on this board. The talent and resourcefulness of the members is simply amazing! I cant wait to make these up to try at my next retreat!!!

I just sent away for one of those boat cushions. I used to use a pillow that would be flat.