Does anyone use a backless chair (saddle chair maybe) for sewing?
 

I am not happy with my rolling office chair-it puts pressure on the back of my knees and no adjustment will fix that. I'm wondering if a seat-only type chair is better. I'm short so I have to have something that doesn't rely on my feet being planted on the floor.

I have my grandmother's old wooden sewing chair, lyre back; removable seat cushion for storage. I am 5'2". I find it actually very comfortable to sew with. Granted, it's a bit 'sticky' when wanting to move around a bit, but the comfort level more than makes up for that issue. Look on craigslist. I see many of them, of different vintages, listed there all the time.

If you use a foot pedal, then consider an exercise ball - it's very comfortable, and you soon adjust to using it. Also, when you want to stand up, it rolls away so you can just stand up. I really like it now I've gotten used to it and it's the only thing I use.

If the seat is high enough for me to sew I can't put my feet flat on the floor so I'd fall off an exercise ball. I can't alter the height of my sewing machine table and I bought it specifically for this machine (the machine sits in it and there is a hydraulic lift) so I don't want to use a different table.

Plus there are too many unseen pins on my floor to trust it to an exercise ball. lol

I'm only 5'1" and use a chair with wheels, no arms cause I can't stand them. My chair was purchased at my sewing machine dealer and is totally adjustable. When sewing I use the foot pedal so the right foot is on that and the left foot is usually resting on the pedestal legs. There is no way I could sit for hours sewing on a backless chair. I keep my ironing board within arms reach, just have to roll the chair over to it, but I do have to get up and walk over to the cutting table, even for minor trimming.

I don't think I need a back. I've been keeping track and the last several times I've sewn, I never even touched the back of the chair. However, my legs were killing me. I have no sewing machine dealer so I can't go and 'try on' chairs or anything.

I bought the thing called knee's ease. I think annies catalog has them. You place the foot peddle on it. Then I have a small stool, the plastic kind you get for a very few dollars that I put my left foot on. I have several in my sewing room. I'm 5'1'', with replaced knees, so this helps me a lot. I also have a chair with wheels.

Use a platform to put your feet on. The foot pedal can be prevented from sliding with some of the rubber self liner.

Roughly 40 years ago we had a sewing center made. Part of it is a box on swiveling wheels, complete with a comfy rectangular pillow on the top. The "box" has a hinged top and lots of room inside. It rolls around my uncarpeted sewing room (watch for threads and tiny bits if fabric in the wheels) and fits into the knee holes at the sewing stations. Every once in a while I make a "slipcover" for the pillow.

If anyone decides to have something like this made or to upgrade a table, desk, etc., consider a formica top for it. Mine was slightly textured and the ensuing 40 odd years haveworn the texture off where I touch it while sewing. BUT, there are no scratches, potential fabric stains, water marks, etc. We will not discuss what I have done to the finish and needle plates on my machines. Oops, digression. Regression? Sorry.

Pat

Have you tried a pillow behind your back? I am short and if the seat of the chair is too deep, I have to move my body forward in the chair. Most times I don't need more than an inch, so I have a very thin pillow that I use. I bought a throw pillow at WM and took out one of the two inserts in the pillow, because it was too thick with both in it. That puts me sitting me in the chair perfectly.

Try with a towel first to see if this will help. Or fold a quilt so that you get support from it. Hang as many as you need to get comfortable so they don't slide down and see how much you need to be moved forward in the chair. Then make a pillow. Or leave the quilt there?

FYI.....I have to put a throw pillow behind me on most couches, otherwise blood flow is restricted to my legs. The seats are just too deep for my short legs.