Question on advantage of sewing cabinet that recesses the machine
 

I am looking at a new sewing cabinet so my sewing machine will recess down and be flush with the top of the cabinet. As I sew now my machine sits 4 inches higher on the cabinet top. What I want to know is: will I be less tired at the end of the sewing day and will my seams be more consistent with an even surface. I guess I want to know if anyone has noticed a difference in the ease of their sewing with the change.

When I was piecing my king size quilt I had problems with it getting hung up on the extension table as well. That was one of the reasons I have decided that a new cabinet with a recess feature would be nice.

I finally took the plunge and cut a hole in my table that I've been using as a sewing table for years. Got DH to help me cut it and build a shelf to go under it and hold the machine. I wish I had done it eons ago. For me the difference is not just that the quilt doesn't drag on the corners of the table, but even with my adjustable chair as high as it would go I was reaching UP to the level of the machine and my shoulders would ache by the end of an afternoon doing FMQ. And having my chair that high was putting pressure on my legs and causing my feet and ankles to swell.

I did some research and supposedly the most ergonomic position for sitting and sewing is for your both your feet and knees to make a nearly perfect 90 degree angle. Your SM should be at a height where your elbows also make a 90 degree angle when your hands are lying flat on the bed of the machine. The change has made a world of difference to me.

I managed to find a Horn sewing cabinet second hand....it has the very cool adjustable bit for the machine. It has made a really big difference for me to have the machine flush with the work surface....far less of a struggle, and more room for quilts to spread out, plus a nice slippery surface so nothing gets caught up.

I have done a lot of sewing both ways and would definitely recommend the recessed way if at all possible. Also the heavier table the better to prevent vibration.

My husband built my sewing table. 8 foot by 4 foot, he cut a well for my sewing machine, and I love it!! Especially for FMQing and sewing on bindings. No drag at all, and much easier on my back and shoulders. I really appreciate it after taking my machine to classes where it just sits on a table and is so much higher. Always so happy to get back home and put it back in the well!!

I like having my machine even with the table - makes sewing much easier, more accurate and I'm not as tired after sewing all day.

I also have a Horn. It's wonderful, you can order a plexiglass insert for you machine on the internet. You just measure you opening(older Horn's have a different size) and you machine model. It does make a different when piecing the blocks together and quilting. I would be lost without it

Ask the salesperson where you are purchasing your cabinet and see if they make an insert for your machine. I purchased my cabinet from my Bernina dealer, and they had the insert for my machine, which was included in the price of the cabinet.