I need to buy a sewing table and I would like to know what brand you recommend and what features you consider important and which features are luxuries. Thanks for your input.

Everyone seem to like the E-Z sew. I don't have it but friends love it!

I have a Horn it is outstanding! We bought it as a floor model http://www.hornofamerica.com/product...&productID=125 so it was considerable discounted and an impulse buy. I said I wanted one and my DH said okay.
I would check craigslist and kijiji for used ones either Horn or Koala.

Features I like are it is big 4 feet by 5 feet, the back part drops down if needed. It is on casters for easy moving. It is heavy and doesn't wobble or vibrate. It has 3 levels with a push down hydrolic lift.

Hope that helps.

Mine was custom made :)

Is yours built into a closet space?

I love my antique table. early 1900's haha.. bet it was not built for sewing .. but can swing the wood arm in to fold both sides down.. :-)

Here is an example of what might be available on craigslist in your area

http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/fuo/2452529714.html

Good luck

We sell Horn and Koala! They're both great....my personal preference is Koala.

I have Koala and love it, they come plain or fancy and the price depends on all the extras

Thank you for starting this topic, I am also looking for a sewing table and will be following this post.

Elise

someone used a flat door and placed it on top of 2 base cabinets....

It all depends on what you need. If you want something sturdy yet folds up, try the Gidget or the Gidget II
They're available through DayStyleDesigns.com
(Leah Day's site)

I'm gonna' have to pray double time tonight for coveting these sewing rooms! Perhaps I should start now. It will take me till morning to cover all my coveting sins. :?

i have a horn quilter's dream. love it, love it love it. I also have the horn cutting table and a small 4draw unit that fits under the cutting table.

I've moved all of this stuff to 3 different homes, and the thing is still as sturdy as anything! no vibration or motion from the table even when I am sewing at break neck speed and it is VERY heavy.

It can fold to a smaller size if you dont have dedicated space and it also expands from the back and the side. I'm very happy with it.

good luck in your search!

if you go with horn, shop around - there are lots of different prices. I got mine from a place in College station, TX they shipped i

My sewing room is only 12' x 11.6'. Space is a premium and I don't have room for multiple machines, a cutting table, a crafting surface and a serger stand. So what I considered and ultimately did... was this:

1. Define your space. Where are you going to sew? A dedicated room/space that you can leave up? Or in a spot within another room of the house (like in the living room, or dining room, etc.). That will tell you if you need something that totally folds up and away (hiding the sewing machine) or something that can remain open and ready to sew.

2. Graph your space. I know...it's tedious. But ohhh so helpful. Measure your space out and graph it. I happened to use a scale of 1 square = 5" of real space. Measure and plot out the doorways, door swing, windows, closets, any other obstructions... AND put a big X where the electrical outlets are. Trust me...this is important. THEN, after you get done graphing out your space, dimensions, any obstacles, etc..... make several photocopies. Use the copies to draw on.

3. Use the same graph paper to make 'to scale' cutouts of the things you already have and want to use: side tables, machine stands, cutting tables, bookcases, pantries, rolling cards, quilt display racks, pattern chests, sewing tables, etc. etc. Cut them out.

4. Now start experimenting by moving the cut outs around on your room/space design plan copy. What fits where? What needs electric? What doesn't? In your moving things around, don't just place things around the perimeter of your space. Be creative. Here are some considerations:

Lighting? Windows are where? Do you want sunlight behind you as you work or from the side? Lamps? floor standing or wall or overhead lighting?

Work flow: the triangle. Just like in kitchen design, there's a work triangle when it comes to quilting or sewing. And it's different depending on the person, the equipment and the needs. How do you LIKE to work? Do you like to actually move from station (exercise!) to station to iron, cut and sew? Or do you want a small cutting area and a small ironing area set up to either side of you when you sew? Do you serge? Most people like to have the serger set up just to the right of the sewing machine. What are your choices for work area and flow? Consider that when graphing.

Storage: bookcases? closets? pantries? Dressers and chests? What do you have or want? How will it fit into your space?

Electric: It's not a good idea to string extension cords all over the place. Look at where your outlets are in your space. It's possible to 'extend' an outlet about 6' to 8' foot by using a powerstrip that is afixed to a wall, cabinet or some other surface. In fact it's a good idea to use them. In the event of a storm, you can quickly switch off everything by flipping the switch on the strip. But in any case, there might be an area or areas in your space where power is just not an option - like inside most closets, or beside doorways. Plan those areas to have items that don't require power: books, storage, treadles, quilt racks, etc. etc.

Think up: Depending on your space, you can utilize vertical space too: put shelves above doors to display items or for storage. Hang thread racks on walls, use kitchen cabinets(check out Lowes clearance areas) or pantry cabinets for storage.

Think neat or ?: If your space is out in the 'main' part of the house, chances are you'll need ways to close up and quickly hide your stash, books, working materials, machines,etc. Consider cabinets with doors over open bookshelves, fold up/away sewing furniture, or make cloth 'slip covers' to shroud your mess when dinner time comes, or guests arrive. If your space is a spare bedroom... just close the door.

After you've figured out what space you have, where things will go that you already have/plan to use... then it will be very obvious what types/sorts of sewing maching tables/furniture you can use. Available space and price will be your guide.

Back to what I did, in my small room. I chose to buy a Horn multipurpose table. It's 36" high, has a fold down back, and a machine drop area with drawers on the other side. I use a drafting chair to sew. With the top up, I have an instant cutting table, crafting table, pinning table, ironing table, sewing table...all in one. All at the right height for me to stand without stooping, or sit in the rolling drafting chair. Full size is 60" x 40". With the back folded down, it's 60" x 20". If I really need space, I drop the machine below the surface and cover the hole with the tabletop insert. Instant HUGE surface to work on. I put this in the middle of my room abutted up to the serging table (which is the same height). I used a telescoping leg, 4' blow-mold utility table. I have storage underneath it, and the serger onthe end. It's set at the 36" height too.

My number one issue was space. So having a table that was 36" high and multipurpose useful was the key. I thought about using two 6' tables up on risers - but didn't have the room. Remember your walk way areas, for comfort and ease of movement...should be 30" or so. If you are a (forgive me) larger sized person, probably 35" to even 40" would be more comfortable to you. Leave yourself enough room to move around your space!

This is what works for me (picture attached). What works for you will likely be very different. That's great. You'll figure out what you really need and what will really fit....by graphing it out ahead of time. You might be able to make your own table out of 2 nightstands and a kitchen counter top or table top, or you might want to use old vintage sewing machine tables back to back, or even purchase a brand new table. The graph will tell you what your possibilities can be.

Good luck and keep us posted on what you discover and find.

Yes, My husband designed my sewing area.

Chasing Hawk. Nice use of closet area, space. Love the kitchen formica top. I almost did something similar in my sew room, would have loved it too. Ah well...

Looks grand.

Thank you Kwendt for your time and effort in providing a well thought out reply. I am looking at the Horn site to see if that meets my needs. My husband is a carperter (retired) and we have a double closet with lights in the guest room where I sew. I had already asked him about doing something very similar To Chasing Hawk some time back. I need to decide which direction to go. He built my drop leaf cutting table. It is extra high because I am tall.

Thanks, it is actually a sheet of Melamine. My husband does wonderful work as you can see.

Check out http://www.traceystables.com/ I just had the Quilters Workstation delivered. I liked the leg room. It is a corner table with machine cut out (insert for your machine included) and drawers. Her tables are really made nice and prices are reasonable compared to some other brand names. Now I need to sell my Horn quilters cabinet!

I also have a sewing 'closet' can shut the doors and no one is the wiser to the mess. Now the fabric I have just stacked on the love seat in there, but we can't have everything.... Until I get a new house with a dedicated craft room.

I did this, and covered it with vinyl to make it slippery for quilting. A bit of wooden beading around the outside made it look like an old fashioned desk. It's too big for where I live now, so I have one that is similar to the Joann's one. It is convenient to drop the leaves when not in use and it was cheap.

That is nice but where are the prices listed??

I have a Koala and I love it.

I have a Horn cabinet and I loove loooooove loooooooove it!

Here is mine!
http://www.hornofamerica.com/product...&productID=133

Kwent!!! wow!!! great suggestions!!!! I have a large L-Shaped room. I can fit 5 of us (Sewing group friends) in my room comfortably, although we use Mum's kitchen (which is off my sewing room in her basement apartment) as the cutting/pressing room.

I plan to revamp my space in the near future and I have a good idea what I want, but I DEFINETELy need to graph it out and put in exactely what I want!!!

thanks for sharing all that great info with us! Your sewing space is very cute!

I use an Ikea computer desk but have not had it modified to allow the machine to sit flush wit the surface...at least not yet. I had space limits and the price was good for this desk. It has cabinet doors on the side where you sit but I took them off and use stacking plastic drawers in the openings.

Anita

Check out Martelli's -- if you have a jillion dollars --wish I could afford it.

I don't have a lot of money and was wanting the "perfect" sewing table...I bought a used folding sewing table at habitat...I can move it easily and any machine fits. Plus I can use the Samsonite folding tables and they are the same height. I'm always on the lookout for another one. They may still be made. In the 60s they were popular.

I bought three 6' x2' tables at Office Depot for $30 a piece. I measured the height I wanted before I shopped and these were perfect. I use each one for a different machine, sewing, serger, embroidery etc.

Then I bought three drawer plastic cabinets from WM to fit under the tables to hold additional parts (which I'm always misplacing), pieces for the current project and and info dealing with that machine I want to keep from magazines or the internet that I can never find when I want it.

I will take some pics as soon as I unload my card in my camera. It's full.

I also use the space under my cutting table to hold those plastic drawers from WM for storing all kinds of stuff. Labels on the drawers keep me sane.

I just got a Gidget 2 to use my Viking Mega Quilter for table top quilting - love it and the price was better than the SewEzi - I paid about $235 with the insert. It's very sturdy and the MegaQuilter is heavy!! The insert just came in yesterday so am anxious to try it for free motion quilting. I got it from AllBrands.com but you can get it for the same price from DayStyleDesigns.com - their service is great!!

I have a smaller one designed and sold by Elna to fit my machine. It is very solid and does not shake or take up too much room in my small sewing space. If I need the extra room while actually FMQ then I put my ironing board at the back of my table.

My husband bought a counter top about 10 feet long from the local home improvement store and used 2 x 4s and made it just the right height for me. It was cheap and gives me tons of room for laying out projects. I love it plus I wheel all my storage carts right under the table.

I love my Koala

you a so so lucky and great to have in closet too.

Love your cabinet and sewing area!

I have a very small room as well (12 x 10) so I needed to get very creative with space. I wanted a U shape so I could swing from the ironing board to my machines. My dad made me my machine tables with the lift for the serger and a drop leaf that can be opened up for FMQ. I have the dimensional drawings if anyone wants them.

I bought a floor model 3140 Horn and love it!. Also the 4 drawer caddie which fits right under the 3140. also a chair--good prices. At the Atlanta sewing expo 3-4 years ago bought the matching 6 drawer chest--no tax, no shipping and it was on sale--love all! MGrubbs, Covington, Ga.

Thanks ladies for the great ideas. I need to rearrange my office sewing room. I this will help greatly. I have an old workhorse that I do my mending & tough sewing on & my Janome is on my dining room table so I can watch my gr. grandson & sew. But it looks messing & is the first thing someone sees when they walk into my living room. So would like to change.