I don't know if there has been a discussion on proper chair height, cutting table height, how you should or should not sit while sewing.
Does anyone have any good advice.??? or :idea:

I've read and heard that a cutting table should be no lower or higher than 3 inches below, which makes my cutting table perfect for me.

Getting a proper chair height is always a challenge for me: I'm a 5-foot tall person in a 6 foot tall world. I did discover a folding stool that helps with chairs that are high enough that my heels dangle about an 1-inch off the floor. the stool lets me have a spot so I don't have to dangle.

I am tall, and cutting was a problem for me, my back always hurt from bending over. Then I went to Bed Bath and Beyond and bought bed risers and put them under the legs of my cutting table. Works great, now its the right height. I have a folding table so the legs fit perfect with the risers. Marge

I found a office style chair that actually lowers far enough that I can sit in it all of the way back and my feet touch the floor!!!! Being 5" 2" it is hard to find chairs where my feet don't dangle, too.
Some chairs have an adjustment that allows the back to slide forward or back and you can "personalize" it to fit you.
Mine also has a feature where the seat tips forward or back. It has about 6 different levers on it... NO ONE touches my adjustments LMBO
You can find these on sale/clearance at office supply stores. Mine was $60.00 on clearance.

Sewing machine cabinets heights are usually 29 to 31 inches high. Therefore, I have an office type chair that can be adjusted to the right height. I have tried sewing chairs and they just wasn't right for me. Your bent elbows should be almost level with your machine height. If you have to raise your arms to feed the fabric through the machine, your back will hurt. I don't think a person can say, I'm 5'4" and my height is ?? as each person's arms are in a different place. I had a large drop leaf cutting table custom made and it's height is 36" with is right for me.
Several of my friends put cans of food under the dining room table to raise it at the right height for them. I have a couple old 36" doors that we removed and I use them for drapery tables. We put folding banquet table legs on them and I used conduct pipe and couplings to extend the height. You can put books, wood blocks, etc under the table legs to get the right height.
One friends husband nails several 2 x 4 pieces together, drilled a shallow hole in the center where their table sets and it's just right for her. If you have to lean over to cut, it's too low and will make your back hurt.

I am thinking this may be why my back has been hurting me so much. I work on our dining room table and it is much higher than the chair which makes me raise my arms quite a bit. And I always stand when I cut. . .

Just another reason my husband needs to get cracking on my sewing room :)

Thank you for tip. I am going shopping Monday I hope I can find them :lol: .

Adjustable chairs are wonderful and I need to have my cutting table higher also. I often cut small projects on my ironing board!

Idea #1: What he calls costly, may not what you call costly. Check into it.

Idea #2: Start a kitty to save up for that stool.

Idea #3: Put an add in the paper (or ask around). Offices that are closing or moving may be glad to sell you one of their stools.

Good luck, I love those little stools. Wish I had one too.

An old chair on wheels could be converted to a stool... take the seat off and make a wood one the right diameter. Pad it and cover with fabric. Before putting it back onto the base, decide if the height is right, if it needs to be higher, add another piece of wood to the base.
If you like having a wider seat, find one that is comfortable and remove the back and arms.

We have stores that sell used office furniture and you may be able to find a doctor stool there. I was at an Estate sale and saw a wonderful chair for $20 that had several adjustments on it. The fabric was like new.
Also, go to Home Depot or Lowe's and get a wood shop stool, cut the legs down to the height you want, drill a hole in the bottom of each leg and add wheels. I like a back on my chair that gives me support. Also, some stores like Bed n Bath have bathroom stools that wheels can be put on. If you find a chair that is a little too low, make a cushion from thick foam and cover it, will add to the deco of the room.
I'm real picky on my chairs and only use office chairs that I can adjust the height and back and has at least 5 wheels. You only have one back and as you get older it's really important to take care of it or you will be paying the doctor's more than what a good chair cost.

mu daughter is tall. she couldn't find a table high enough for her to work at comfortably. she found an old chair on the curb and cut the legs to height.
if you can't raise the bridge, lower the river.

I don't understand this. More information please.

I just got one! It arrived really quickly, easy to put together, seems to be good quality, easily adjustable. $121.99 and free shipping... I'm getting a longarm soon and this is what was recommended for it.

http://www.bizchair.com/st205-os.html

Go to www.ehow.com\
It give good instruction on the proper height of a chair/ sewing machine.

Thank you to all, lots of good ideas,, I will try some of them and see if this makes things more comfortable for me.. my dear hubby made me stands to put the table up on... much more comfortable, helps the back alot for cutting.. now just to find the right chair for sewing.....

I'm tall, too, and my back was killing me! I also went to BB&B and got the extra tall bed risers for under my cutting table - PERFECT!