rolling vs folding chair for sewing
 

I was planning to buy a new rolling chair for sewing but then I got to thinking how nice it would be to fold up the chair when I wasn't sewing so it wasn't taking up so much room. Does anyone use a folding chair? Would I regret it?

I love my rolling chair. Good back support, adjustable height, with all the getting up and down to press or square up it is easy to roll up to and away from my machine. It is much more comfortable than a folding chair, I have used both. If you get a roller make sure NO arms, had one, kept getting fabric stuck on or round arms.

Folding chair does sound nice, issue is that I don't think you will find one comfortable enough or with enough support to use. If you are only sewing for 10-15 min at a time that would be one thing but we all know you will be in that chair longer! Heck other than your bed it will probably be the most used piece of furniture you have

I have a rolling chair that I love. I need the one I can adjust up and down and one that gives me good back support.

LOL No kidding. My computer chair is right up there too though. Maybe a folding chair is a bad idea. lol. I'll start shopping for a smaller rolling one that wouldn't take up a ton of room.

I used a folding chair when I first began and found myself struggling to turn and get away from it when getting up and having to turn it often when I had to get up or reach to get things.. I gave myself a present and bought a sale chair at staples and enjoyed it so much.

FYI - I was told when shopping for my new office chair that the arms on the office chairs will come off if you do not want them on.

As far as a fold up chair taking up less room, personally, I'll take the rolling chair anytime over fold up.

I'd love to find a chair where the arms fold up rather than having to take them off completely. I have had office chairs where you can leave them off and I've had some that they have to be on because they help support the back.

I started with a folding chair and now I keep it folded up behind the door for company, bought a rolling chair and much happier. The rolling chair can be adjusted and moved, the folding chair got to be a pain. JMHO

love the rolling chair. gets me from place to place quicker and I am a lazy quilter. hehe

ditto on the rolling chair for convenience

Add to the fact that most folding chairs are lower than a standard chair ... and for most of us it would be too low for comfortable sewing.

You do need to do what is right for you ... not what others think!

The exercise ball is the best of all - comfortable, rolls away when you want to stand up, rolls under the sewing desk when done for the day - good for core strengthening too.

I have a rolling chair and I would not replace it with a folding chair. It is an old wooden rolling desk chair my dad got with a roll top desk years and years ago. The one downfall? Threads get stuck in the rollers. I have to burn them off from time to time.

I like to sit up higher than most chairs, so I confiscated my DH adjustable chair he used for reloading. It's just perfect and I can raise the seat up high enough if I want to use it at my cutting table. I also have a stool that drummers use. I use this at my embroidery machine as I don't sit there very long at a time. Both chairs are easy to get out of and both are very comfortable. BTW, I can get a back for my stool but just haven't seen the need for it yet.

True, took mine off years ago.

Like a good pair of shoes, a comfy ergonomic chair is a must. Be sure to check what kind of casters are on them. They make them for carpeted floors or hard flooring.
Sandy

Ditto for me. I used a folding chair for a long time but it just doesn't give enough support as the back is usually lower than a rolling chair & of course, it is not adjustable for heights. I too would prefer to be able to put it away when not in use but the other issued are more important in my decision than just that one. Most rolling chairs come with arms but I just removed mine & absolutely no problem.

Ditto for me. I used a folding chair for a long time but it just doesn't give enough support as the back is usually lower than a rolling chair & of course, it is not adjustable for heights. I too would prefer to be able to put it away when not in use but the other issues were more important in my decision than just that one. Most rolling chairs come with arms but I just removed mine & absolutely no problem.

I have used anything and everything as a chair. Hands down a rolling chair with arms is the only way to go ! I have 3 and love everyone. 1 for the computer, one for my sewing machine and one for my other sewing machine, I still have some orphans that don't have a chair yet.:cool: Personally I love the arms, thinking of how it looks and deciding if it looks like it is supposed to, just lean back and go on or stop and decide if the material has made some alien move and changed how it looks. It is really nice to have arms when taking apart and rearranging the pieces:D

I have a roll around chair. Not onlydoes it roll it has five legs which makes it more evenly balanced, it raises and lowers, and the arms 'roll' back to be out of the way, the this allows the chair to roll right under my sewing table
out of the way. Loved it so much we also bought one for the computer. Picked it up at Walmart for around $70 (I
think).

I have a bad back and my husband bought me an ergonomic chair that is great for my back. Little did he know that now I can quilt longer than I used to....LOL

I also love the arms on my chair.

I think a good chair with great back support is as important as your sewing machine. I have never sat in a comfortable folding chair.

Oh how true ... I have always wondered who designed folding chairs, as I have yet to find any that are comfortable or at a right height ... for anything!!

A good chair is valuable as a sewist ... less strain on your back, plus the height adjustability is important according to the task.

I have a drafting chair, which at its lowest is about the highest a standard chair goes. The low setting is perfect when I am straight stitching, yet I like it a little higher when I get into quilting mode. Higher still, I can sit up to my cutting table if I want to sort patterns or design PP patterns, etc.

I think comfort is way more important than style. Try out every chair you are considering of both styles and think about sitting in them for hours. You want to come away from an afternoon of quilting with a sense of satisfaction in your accomplishments, not a loss of sensation in your behind.

I love my rolling chair. I also know that one of my quilting teachers fell off of her non-roller chair trying to pick something up and broke her leg.

I use an office chair mat under my chair (I also have carpet) and it works great. I bought a floor model at PIQF of the sewer's chair, but I think any decent roller chair without arms would be fine. I even take my chair to classes where I know they use folding chairs. Otherwise, I get a back ache. I had sciatica a few years ago and sitting in a folding chair prolonged periods of time irritates it.

Most folding chairs sit with the sitter leaning back into the backrest. A good ergonomic chair has height, seat tilt and back tilt adjustments that fit the person.

I have been shopping for a new chair. Mine isn't very comfortable. I haven't found one I like. It has to roll. I prefer no arms and it need to be height adjustable. I like to sit up higher when I FMQ vs when I sew. ANy suggestions on a good brand.

I have a small rolling chair that is uncomfortable for the computer, but for some reason is great for sewing. Can't explain that. But it is small, and fits in my crowded room.

I have both. One of my machines has a narrow area where your legs go and to get close enough so there's no back strain, I use a folding chair. But not just any kind. I found one of the old wooden ones like you used to see in country Churches. I got a kitchen cushion set for it and it's very comfortable to sew using it. I do have a rolling chair for the other machine and it's wide enough that I can scoot it up under the cabinet so it doesn't take up a lot of room.

I couldn't agree more! Buy the BEST chair you can get. I will admit that I have fibromyalgia, but I have
developed some somewhat serious and costly ailments from sitting too much in a cheap chair at the kids.
I got a wonderful heavy duty, well built "roller" and no new problems. So comfy!

Love, love, love my rolling chair with lumbar support. I can adjust the height and tilt and my back is always comfortable. Yes, sometimes I have to give an extra push to move it out of the way but the trade off is worth it to me. We put a piece of pegboard over the carpet and I roll around freely. <3

I forgot to mention that my "fancy" hydraulic chair, with yes, lumbar support came from a thrift store for $18.00
and dh didn't want me to buy "another thing".
Well, guess who loves it now? ;)

A chair with good back support is essential for a healthy back when you are working.

Same here. And I like to swivel from my sewing machine to my ironing "board" --which is simply a short IKEA unit with shelves that doubles as a nightstand.

I bought a rolling chair at a warehouse sale. It swivels and moves out of the way easily. I love my chair. It adjusts to any heights. It has no arms to get in the way. Its a side chair from an office confront room.

Rolling chair! Up and down is way easier!!

May I suggest you try your local craigslist or perhaps a warehouse sale with office furniture? Try out all you can find in your price range. Best chairs to sew have NO ARMS for ease of movement, height adjustment and great back support. I would not be without my clearance room office chair from Staples ($29, originally $99). Also you might find one at yard/estate sales. Best of luck in your hunt!!

I have two sewing machine stations in my craft room: one station has a rolling armless chair and the other has a dining room straight back upholstered chair that is no longer used in the dining room. After using both chairs, I have now have the dining chair up against the wall with the plastic bin holding the pieces of fabric from my latest project.
I move my rolling chair back and forth instead. Only wished I had hardwood floors in this former bedroom.

Rolling chair pros: adjustable height when working at different sewing tables, back support, lightweight,
The con's : rolling on carpet.

Dining Chair pros: looks nice with sewing room furniture and armoire
The con's: the seat height is the seat height, no adjusting, difficult to turn to grab a tool, need to pick up to move it, and no true back support

bottom line: go with the rolling chair.