Hopefully, you don't have a computerized machine because you can't put anything magnetic near it !!!

I agree with Debbie C, I would think it would relate to the length of your forearms. Try sitting at the table with your elbow about 3" from the edge (not on the table). Make a fist and measure from your knuckles to the edge of the table. That would be where I'd want the machine needle to be. For me it's about 10½".

My acrylic extension table has 7" from needle to edge, but I set the whole thing back several inches to compensate when I have to use it.

Don't forget the chair, it makes a difference.

My sewing table has the setback at just over 8 inches from the front, and the right hand side from the right edge to the side of my Bernina 550 is 8 inches as well.[ATTACH=CONFIG]464440[/ATTACH] My Bernina 830LE also will fit in this space, that is why you see the curve a little further to the right as it has a much longer opening. My sewing table in the picture is from SewEzi.

My Janome 6500 Sits the same distance ( 8inches) from the front of the table. The sewing table is a Janome brand.
Perfect for me!

Yep!!!! that should do well:)

Maybe this is a really stupid question, but here goes: does a front loading bobbin machine work in these cutouts or do you have to take the machine out of the hole to change your bobbin? Told you...duh!!

Also, what does the machine sit on if you've cut away the table? (Wow...two dumb questions in one posting...must be a new record for me!)

Anita

The table of your sewing machine cabinet needs to be about 28 inches from the floor to the top of the cabinet or when sitting at your sewing machine your arms for a 90 degree angle when placed on the cabinet. This prevents back and shoulder pain. This comes from a lady that wrote an ergonomic book on this issue as well as being ergonomically correct. All of my cabinets are 28 inches from floor to cabinet top. If your machine sits on a table and not in a cabinet the same remains for ergonomics.

My machine is in its original table and it is 6 inches from the edge of the machine bed to the edge of the table.

And something to lift the back of the machine so the needle area is tilted towards you will make a world of difference! I use rubber door stops because they are 'grippy' and the machine does not come off of them. And they don't mar my cabinet top.