Shopping for sewing table--machine on top or inset?
 

I'm looking at sewing tables with more room behind and to the left of the machine; I'm tired of the old student desk I use with almost no room on those sides. Since I've used this desk for over 15 years, I'm really used to having my machine sit on the desktop.

Do you like/prefer to have your machine set into your table? Seems great for quilting, but what if you wish to use the free arm for hemming up jeans or whatever? Do inset tables have covers for the opening so you can use the free arm if you need it? Ideas and opinions, please!

Best wishes,
Hallie in NM

It depends on which table you buy. The expensive tables with airlift allow you to raise your machine up to table height. I just set my machine down onto a shelf under the desk top, so on the rare occasions I want to use my free arm I just lift my machine out and set it on the side of my desk. Once you use your machine set down at desk height you will love it. It is much easier on your shoulders.

Been sewing for the last 9 years or so, using a my machine on my dining room table. Noticed that after sewing for a couple hours, my back hurt. Found a used portable sewing table at a thrift shop and wow, what a difference. Much more comfortable to sew. Yes, you have to move your machine to a different surface to use the free arm, but I don't do that often. Check with the manufacturers to see if they make a solid insert, some really high end cabinets will let you raise your machine to make it flush with the table and also raise it all the way to use your free arm. VERY pricy.

You can buy the lift mechanism by itself, still a bit pricey, but someone handy with tools could make a custom table very easily.

I like my machine in a recess, so that I have the whole table to put my design on. It is comfortable and no back acts after sitting for some time. Mary

I have my Bernina sitting in my old Singer sewing desk well. I would rather have a table with an insert cut out. EB did a demo on one of her show and her son actually did the steps during the taping. I would assume it is somewhere on u-tube.

I have two machines a vintage cabinet mounted and a 20 year old Viking. I used the vintage way more because it was recessed in a cabinet. A few months ago I finally broke down and bought a cabinet that recesses my Viking , All I can say is WHY DID I WAIT SO LONG. !!!!!

I was able to find a new one at a good price , it was a discontinued model. I was never interested in the motorized version that lowers the machine, as I keep my machine in it own room in the "ready to go" position.

My machine is oversized so bought a Bertha table. I had to put it togather but I have to do that with lots of furniture.
It is great for having the machine inset level with an insert for around the machine. Makes fabric and quilts easier to funnel thru the machine.
Used to have a plastic table around my machine and the quilt kept getting caught on the edge of the table. Hated it.

I have 2 Singer machines, 2662 portable and a 401 Slant-O-Matic. The 401 is recessed in the desk cabinet. Actually, it's in position to sew. I have my 2662 on a 6' folding table. The 401 butts up against the table. I have recessed the 401 to use the 2662 in the past. If you know of someone who is pretty handy, you may want to check out the thrift stores for executive size desks to cut an insert for you. It will depend on your budget and space. So take measurements with you. Good Luck and show us photos when you get set up.

I have a Horn table I got years ago. I love it; it was worth every penny I paid for it. It has the inserts to fit both my Pfaff and my Viking. It has a solid insert so when it's in "folded" mode it looks like any table. I had it in a small room so it was always "folded" with just the clear insert around my machine. When I finally got a sewing room/office, I was able to "unfold" all the components and its huge. Tons of room. Next to my machine, the best investment I ever made as far as any "extra, can live without it" item.

I too prefer to have my machine inset into the table. When I bought my Pfaff 7570 in 2000 it came with a Koala quilting cabinet with the lift mechanism. I love it. I also have a featherweight and 2 Singer 301's. I have been lucky enough to have card tables for them that also allow me to have the machine inset into the table. Even without the autolift feature I would prefer the machine to be inset. I rarely have need for the free arm but I still would prefer the inset table.

My main machine is a quilting machine (Janome 6600), so it doesn't even have a free arm. It's set down into the table and for me that's a big deal, I'm much more comfortable sewing that way and my quilt gets hung up much less often. I bought a SewPerfect table and I LOVE it. It's expensive but it's built rock solid and will probably last longer than the machine will.

If I need a free-arm, I can use one of my portable machines, but I don't sew garments so that's not an issue. I can sew small circular things like hot cup cuffs on my 6600 without a free arm just by bending it around a bit so it doesn't seem all that necessary. (In fact those cuffs won't fit over my free arm anyway so it's completely moot for that particular project.)

My table is two doors hinged together. Nice and big all around. My machine is also recessed and I love that as I never have to worry about fabric shifting as it drops over the side of the arm. When doing something like sleeves I just lift it out of the hole and set it on top for that job.

I have my machine inset and I love it. This way gives you a smooth, level surface for moving a quilt around. If I take the fitted insert off, I can use the free arm w/o moving my machine.

When I'm quilting or putting quilts together I use the recessed part in my Horn table. Makes such a difference. However when I'm piecing I find putting my little machine on top makes it so much easier to see well for that accurate 1/4 inch. Old eyes just don't work the same as when I was younger. I think your body will enjoy a recessed machine when you plan to sew for a long time.

I love having my machine set down into the table. It's made a huge difference in my piecing and quilting comfort. When I have to use the free arm, I take off the plexiglass insert to access it.

I have a Sew Ezi table. http://www.seweziusa.com/?gclid=CI3B...FQ4BaQodxgsAOw I like it because I can fold it up and take it with me, and I have the top insert for both my Bernina 440 and my Singer Featherweight. If I need to use the free arm with my Bernina, I just have to remove the insert.

I built my own sewing table, a 4x4 sheet of plywood. The sewing machine I cut an square hole for, then using 4 bolts made a shelf that I adjust for the perfect height to let the removable top of my Bernina 830 (old) sit flush on the top of the plywood. No issues with quilts sliding off as most of the room is on the left side of the machine. If I need to use the free arm (what free arm? I paid a lot of money for it) I lift the machine out of the hole and place it on top. Wait, never happens. I don't sew anything but quilts. If I need to put my back up Elna in there (Even Berninas need a tune up occasionally) I adjust the height of the shelf and ignore the space between the free arm and the side of the hole.

Works really nice. I did use to have a Pfaff I used on top of a desk all the time (in Europe) and found it to be a pain to sew on for more than a few hours at a time. tim in san jose

I just went through this. My Viking is set into an Ikea table, and I love it. (Found an online tutorial on how to do it). But with the Juki, the machine I intended to do all further quilting on, DH bought a 3x6 butcherblock top at Lumber Liquidators and ordered adjustable legs from Ikea. Unfortunately, he didn't have the right saw to cut a perfectly-fitting hole through butcherblock (only a man would buy that heavy a top in the first place). So, since the Juki has a really nice and slippery extension table, I figured I'd leave it on top and try it.

This resulted in serious neck and shoulder pain. The solution was to raise both my chair and my feet, so that the extension table was at the height the table should have been. ( if this makes any sense).

So, IMO, sinking your machine into the table is best, but if your extension table is excellent, you can compensate.

The adjustable legs are a lifesaver and well worth the money. It gives you the freedom to change your mind about the table height AND if your floors aren't perfectly level, they solve the problem.

hope that helps a little.

hugs,
Charlotte

Thanks for the information, everyone! Sounds like I can justify this purchase; I've just finished quilting a full-size quilt and will be finishing four quilt tops in the next month or two. If I didn't like quilting I'd just send them out to be finished, but I DO like the quilting part!! The full size I finished a couple weeks ago was a big wresting match.

I was looking at the Tracey's Tables at Albuquerque Quiltweek and may go ahead with that for my birthday in April. :-) It was very sturdy, nice looking, had storage space, and people who have them seem to like them a lot.

Hallie in NM

I have wondered about the insert system. Both my machines are table top. And I too, get a sore back/neck so I've learned to take frequent breaks. However, I am tall and I find I need to slump/crouch to clearly see the needle+ particularly when I FMQ. A lower chair makes it awkward for my arms. I can't but think an insert would make the whole situation worse?

This is one I've been looking at instead of trying to make one. Also I have the adjustable Sewing Mates insert. It adjust for whatever machine you use. I love it. Check it out here sewperfecttable.com
http://sewperfecttables.com/sewing-table-original.shtml

I use my machine on table top. Not really the best but it works.

I have a Juki and took a 6' ft banquet table and cut a hole for the machine. I made a "platform" under the hole and it works great.

I bought a sewing table with a custom insert and my machine sits level with it....in front of that I bought 2 tables at Home Depot ( the kind you set up for a party) and put one in front of the machine table and one to the left of the machine in a L shape and it works perfectly while quilting and cutting out fabric.

For under $150, including shipping, you can get a Gidget table for a regular size machine, that will allow the machine to recess, or be on top. You can buy a SewSteady insert to fit any machine for about $69-$65. If you have a larger machine you can get a Gidget II for about $250, and I think that includes the insert.

The tables are 42"x19" and quite sturdy. I have to butt them up to a larger table to quilt, but they are fine for piecing.

I have a very old cabinet my husband took out the old machine made the opening large enough to put my machine in he also installed a lift it is really nice I don't remember how much the lift was but I am thinking around $100.

He also made the insert to match the cabinet.

I would love to have a desk with the machine on the level with the top of the desk. I use an extension on my machine but that isn't the same thing. Still have to lift arms up to stitch and it isn't even with the top of the desk so the quilt hangs over the sides.

I have a quilting table with a insert that is removed for when you need it. Very nice.

I bought a computer desk which is kind of straight C shaped /-----\. On sale at Staples for about $100. The middle section has a drop down area for your keyboard. I put my machine on that section for most general sewing, but can raise it up to the height of the rest of the cabinet if I want to use the free arm feature. Make sure you measure your machine's footprint if you go this route. Many newer machines are quite large and won't fit the smaller openings.

I recently purchased the Sew Ezi table and really like it. It is light weight and much more sturdy than the pressed wood tables. A number of quilters got together and purchased them in "bulk" so we had a cut on the shipping costs. Each table was shipped to the person who ordered the table.

I also use a pneumatic massage stool. https://www.earthlite.com/massage-su...age-stool.html Many of the traditional chair have too deep of a seat and I ended up sitting on the edge of the chairs and slouching. With this stool my feet can touch the floor. If I'm at a workshop I can adjust my chair to a standard table. It's easy to put in the car for retreats.

I recently stumbled onto the best table ever. It's a Quilter's Vision by Tailormade. It has lots of room on the left and a a hinged flap across the back and the airlift system to make the machine sit on top, or inset. Yes it was kind of expensive but I got it for 40% off and it was well worth the price. Before I got this table I had trouble quilting on my DSM but now...easy peasy. My best investment yet!

Look it up on google, I bet you'll love it!

If you do not carry your machine out for classes, go for the inset. It makes FMQ much easier when table is level all around

Here's my Horn cabinet, I have 4 plexiglass inserts and can use any of my 4 machines.

Sewing Table
 

I prefer table with insert area...when I set machine on top of table I have left shoulder pain

I found a used Gidgett 1 table and my machine can either be up or down. I love it!! It has plenty of room to the left for smaller quilts & if I do a big one, I use a plastic folding table with more than enough room for the largest quilts! As for hemming pants... I just hemmed three pairs today without a problem!

I sew with vintage machines. I far prefer cabinet mounted machines over tabletop machines for sewing. Portable machines are much nicer for storing though. I don't think it's possible to have too much surface behind or to the left of you and your machine for quilting. If you use your free arm frequently a desk with a lift and an insert to fit your machine is a good investment. If you don't use the free arm feature much then you can probably save some money and not buy a lift. Just lift the machine out when you need the free arm.
If your budget is an issue (mine is) I've seen some older (1970s?) Kenmore cabinets with built in lifts that pick the machine straight up and down. They can be had cheaply from thrift stores but it may take a while to hunt one down.
Dc989 good point about the size of machines. Vintage machines in general have a smaller footprint than many new machines though they're hardly standardized either. Measure before you buy.
Rodney

If you are interested in a "used" sewing set-up, you might check Craig's List - Albuquerque - search for Australian and you should see an ad for a Koala QuiltMate III set - includes the sewing table with lift, and 2 storage drawers - all for $700. Not sure if the insert would fit your machine...but it would be a great deal. Thanks!

Update: That one was sold by the time I called (it was a great deal.)

I finally went ahead and order from Tracey's Tables; it should be here in a few weeks.

After sewing on a table or desk top until JUST LAST week, can I just say what a fool I was to not get an inset type table sooner? My shoulders were always hunched up, I was reaching. I didn't necessarily know I was uncomfortable until I quit, but oh boy, when I did quit...

Last week I spent some hard-saved money for a Janome table off Craigslist . Great price and what.a.difference! Elbows are relaxed, shoulders aren't scrunched . yes, I'd love a little more space but it's a small sacrifice for the comfort factor.

Get an inset. Go directly to get such a table. Do not pass GO. Do not collect $200. (Well, you might want to collect it ...)