Sewing machine table??
 

My sewing machine is sitting on a desktop. Its a little high I think.

I am considering getting a gidget I think its called.

How high is your sewing machine? Is your sewing machine flush with the table?

I had a terrible time quilting my last quilt and think it would be so much easier if my sewing machine was level with the table.

I have the Gidget 2 (for larger machines) and it's the perfect height. There isn't a lot of work area though, so I have a plastic table beside it.

I have my machine down flush in an older unwanted dining room table that my daughter was getting rid of. I could never sew with ease or comfort with a machine that I had to reach up to sew with.

you could get u a desk chair that moves up and down, then when your back or legs get tired, a dif position always helps and you could continue using your desk

If you are hunching your shoulders when seated at the machine, it probably is too high and not good for your back, neck and shoulders.

You could elevate yourself with seat cushions if your chair isn't adjustable, but in doing so you may have to elevate your foot control if you're short like me.

My machine is in a cabinet and sits flush with the top. It is only about 27" off the floor. Hope you can find a solution...

I discovered while trying to quilt one of my first quilts that is extremely, if not impossible if your machine is not flush with the table top. In whatever way you can, do this.

I don't know about a gidget, but when your machine is flush with the table it makes sewing and quilting much more confortable. When it's not flush it's almost too much work to try to balance a quilt on the sewing machine bed. It's fine for small things, but not good for larger things like a quilt.

My daughters both have the Gidget tables...they both live in apartments and like the fact that the gadgets fold down and can be slid under the bed. I am considering getting one for my serger. I may be mistaken but I think there is a model where your machine can sit down flush with the top. You might want to ask your dealer about that.

I love my gidget II and it can sit flush or be raised for when I do embroidery. I am also in an apartment

http://www.quiltinaday.tv/tv/2300/2301.html
In this video she explains how to set your machine down into a dining table. I did the same with a desk, since that is what fits in my space. I did my design wall like hers as well, love it.

I have the Gidget. I put an old machine on it and it wasn't as big as the standard machines are nowadays so I filled the gaps with pieces of plastic that I cut from a thick plastic place mat. I love this table. It's sturdy and super easy to fold up and store. I put a very large machine on it this winter because I didn't have another table to put the machine on. I couldn't use the inset so had to put it in the "up" position. The table supported the larger, heavier machine just fine. I sit on a kitchen chair with a cushion when I'm sewing at this table and the height works well for me.

I love my Gidget tables.....very sturdy....and not expensive.

I prefer a machine that's flush with the table. Much easier to work with the larger surface.
Rodney

Hmmm. Interested in the Gidget's. Can anyone please tell me the difference between the "cheap" one and the model II? Size seems the same. Both highly rated. Thanks!

I'm looking for one, but it looks like giget will take a machine up to 17 1/2" long bt 7 3/8" wide whereas the giget II will take a machine that is bigger. See https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=2P4Nbqc6aas

I did this a long time ago. I have large folding tables (the older sturdy type made for offices) and I got a steno chair that I can raise or lower. If I'm sewing for long stretches (which I don't get to do often enough) I will change the height of the chair. It really helps relieve muscle strain.

Brought a table at K-Mart several years ago --it's also sold off & on at Walmart. Plastic top, folds in half when stored, and is 24 x 42" when set up. It has telescoping legs - will be full height of dining table (28") when fully extended, but drop it down to 23" and it puts my sewing surface at 27 1/2" -- so you can look down on your work easily, and not have to raise your elbows while sewing. Because it has telescoping legs, I have a short stack of plastic shelves beneath it. Did have to find a chair which was low enough to allow me to sit comfortably -- ended up with the padded folding chair from Costco -- was supposed to be temporary until I found something better -- no need!-- works great.
Minimum cost, and functions very well. Actually holds both my Sapphire and my H/V S21 serger at the same time -- put them on place mats and slide the one I'm not using off to the side.

The sizes of the Gidget tables refer to the opening, not the table itself. Both the Gidget I and II tables are the same size overall. If you have a larger machine, you need the II. For example, my Juki 2010Q will not fit into the Gidget I table that I already own... the machine is too long. So I use the Juki on top of the table and adjust my chair instead. However, my Singer machine fits into the opening on the Gidget I, so I can use that machine dropped into the opening with the surface flush.

I hope all of that made sense! :)

Oh, and one more thing. The Gidget II table has wheels on one side which supposedly make it easier to move when you close it up. The Gidget I does not have wheels.

lalaland, GREAT idea with the placemat! We seriously have the smartest people on earth here on this board. :)

My machine sits down in a table (a Sew Perfect table, which I love) and it's so much better, in my opinion. When I sew on my portable machine in a class, it sits up on top of a table and I definitely feel the difference. I go home with a stiff neck that lasts a couple days.

Height of your table is going to depend in part on your body and also on your chair. You want to be able to sit in your chair with your feet flat on the ground and your knees at a 90 degree angle. When sitting up straight and your hands flat on the desk (as if you are sewing) your forearms should be level with your elbows (make sure you're not hunching up your shoulders!). Very much like the ergonomics for typing!

For my height and my chair, this means my desktop needs to be 26" from the floor, and my machine is flush with that surface.

Thanks so much for posting this link- I already have a table but have several friends who want to do this and it is a great step by step and has a lot of other interesting tidbits.

I bought an Arrow Gidget about a month ago. I had been sewing on a small round dining table, and it was really hard to manage. My machine was the wrong height, and all of my projects would fall off the sides of the table, since it is round. I really do like the Gidget table. It was priced in my budget, which was really nice. Totally worth it for me.

Some things to make note of if you are still considering making the purchase: I believe the ad states that "most" domestic machines will fit in the drop. Mine actually didn't. I have a Baby Lock Ellure, and I guess because it also does embroidery, it's not considered the same as "most" domestic machines. My husband got out his jigsaw and made a bigger cut and it works just fine.

I also discovered that when my machine is running rough, the table bounces. I didn't realize that it was because my machine was running rough until I took it apart today and cleaned everything, particularly the bobbin case. Now that it's running smoothly, I can sew at the fastest speed and the table doesn't bounce at all. So now I know, when the table bounces, I need to clean my machine! LOL.

Here's a link to the one I purchased. There are reviews listed there too. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I hope that helps!!
Ally

I ordered one from Leah Days website along with the acrylic insert.

I have 2 desks with a piece of wood covering them for my work table now. I still want to use the table because it fits my ironing board, cutting mat, radio etc. I plan on putting my sewing machine in the Gidget at the end and I know it will be several inches shorter.... So now I have a new problem!

Im hoping to come up with a solution before I quilt my next quilt top.

I bought the Gidget II last year and the acrylic insert that fits my machine from Connecting Threads. Love the fact that it gives me a flat surface to sew on, so much easier. Its quick and easy to set up and take down as I don't have a place to leave up right now and the wheels make it easy to move around.

Can someone please answer my question? I have a Janome that has a front loading bobbin. Can I use a table that makes the machine flush with the top? (Hope this is clear). How would I change the bobbin? Thanks.

Hi Anita,

From looking at pictures on Connecting Threads, it looks like the lowered part with the machine can raise up flush with the rest of the rest of the table. This would make it easy to change your bobbin.

I just ordered a Gidget table from Leah Day's website and it arrived in less than a week! I haven't set it up yet, but from the comments made above, seems I made a good choice. so thanks QB - I do love this site!!

There should be space left in front of the machine when dropped down. There are plenty of table options for Janome. I have Janome myself! Tables are custom made for the model of the machine. Ask any machine dealer that sells furniture, they can order the correct table cut-out for your particular machine. You could also just raise up the machine to change the bobbin. No problem.

sandy

Anita, I have the same issue with my Singer. With my machine dropped into the Gidget table, I can get to the front-loading bobbin, but not without a lot of difficulty. There simply isn't a lot of room to get your hand in there underneath to pull it out. You can't just raise the part the machine sits on (as Jennifer mentioned above); the mechanism isn't strong enough (it's not like those air-lifts in the more expensive tables). You have to pull the machine out of the opening and put it aside in order to raise that shelf.

I have my Singer sitting on top of the Gidget table, and don't generally use the shelf now. Primarily because of the bobbin hassle.

I bought the Tasmanian table from Kangaroo in Jan. My diamond can sit flush when quilting or be raised for embroidery. I really like it!!! I can raise or lower the whole table with a crank handle. It is big enough to put a second machine on if I need to. It makes free motion quilting much easier then when the machine was on a flat surface. I can raise the machine with a handle, do not have to remove it. You can have the insert made to fit any machine. It is expensive. It really helps me so I guess the $$$ is worth the convenience.

I used to get the biggest headache and worst stiff shoulders when I'd go quilting at church where I had to sit with my machine on the table. One of the ladies suggested a boat seat cushion to sit on, and boy is it a life saver. My DH picked one up at Fleet Farm for $8. I store it in my Tutto rolling cart when my machine isn't in it, so I always remember to pack it when I'm packing up my machine. My friend also uses it when she comes for a sewing day and her machine sits on the table.

I should take a pic, but we took a computer desk with the slide out keyboard tray and cut a hole in the desk for the machine. Then in order to have the machine level with the desktop we only needed a 1 by 4 for the right height. I love it. The cubbies at the back hold notions, shears, books etc.

Two Cats..... That sounds like a great idea!

Get ready to laugh.

I am tall. I am nearsighted to the point of having to be aimed at the right wall come eye exam times. Okay, a slight exaggeration but very slight. Discovering trees had leaves was a wonder. I thought those were green halos. No, I wasn't old enough to drive when we made the nearsightedness discovery.

So between tall and very nearsighted, I have my machines raised. On a normal height surface, on upside down rectangular baking pans that rest on sheets of no slip shelf liner. One pan per machine. That 2" does the trick. Lowering my chair was a no go - elbows got in the way.

You may all wipe the tears of laughter from your faces, blow your noses, and keep on with what I hope is an especially nice day.

:-) Pat

I use a 6 foot folding table (the kind you find in church halls) and a chair with adjustable height. I bought both when a former employer was moving and getting new furniture. Inexpensive and it works for me.

I have a sewing table...not sure if it is a Giget, but it's similar. I find it too low for me....perfect height for me
is my dining room table....downside is there is no hole for the machine.

I had my own secretarial business for nearly 10 years and I used the desk for the keyboard; so having my sewing machine on a 6 foot banquet table was about the same, although I know I might not hunch over so much if my table were lower. I have a craft table for my sewing machine with a 6 foot banquet table next to it, which works in the limited space in my bedroom. I really miss having my large dining room table for sandwiching my quilts, but that's not possible now in our apt., although I'm thinking of getting a folding table to bring out when I need to sandwich quilts, might make it easier.

Thanks for your answers to my bobbin question. I will stick with my "L" shaped Sauder (from the late 1990's) sewing cabinet.

Because I sew mostly with antique machines in a cabinet, I prefer to have my machine flush with the table. I have a Horn Quiltmate II for my more modern electric machines, 4 machines share the cabinet.
The pictures show 2 of the machines, all 4 of my machines have a free arm insert so any of them can use the cabinet. #1 machine is a Bernina 930, the other a Viking Sapphire 875.
Sharon in Texas

I have two 'sew perfect tables' and they are wonderful. Very sturdy the height is adjustable and they make custom inserts for any machine. The best on the market in my opinion