SunQuilts

I have had my current sewing machine cabinet for quite some time now and have been very pleased with it. But my new machine is much larger and does not fit the desk. So I am researching cabinets. One of the features I really want is the ability to sit directly in front of the needle rather than to the side as with my old cabinet. My question is how can I tell this when I am researching on line? I can't tell just by looking at the pictures and I don't see anything in the description. I think I am rambling here and I apologize. I guess what I am hoping to learn is whether anyone knows of a cabinet which definitely has rhos feature. Thanks for any help.

quiltingcandy

Are you suggesting you want to use your machine like the Sweet 16 or Tin Lizzie sit down machine?

I haven't tried it yet, but I was wondering if I could turn my Janome in the sewing table it sits in, so that I could sit in front of the needle and have a side table to support the quilt.

SunQuilts

I guess I wasn't very clear. I just want to be able to sit in front of the needle when I do any kind of sewing. Well, to be honest all the sewing I do is quilt related. It just seems to me that all the cabinets have the sitting space so far to the right that I am looking at whatever I am working on from the side rather than head on. Does that make anymore sense?

nellie

i think your looking for a sewing set in cabinet not a quilting table,right well there allbrands.com that have a sale going on rightnow

Bree123

I would look for a wider space under the table. If you only have the width of machine & right of that underneath, you will not be able to line up directly in front of the needle.

I wish I could give you more advice than that. It depends on the size of your machine. If possible, I would try visiting some quilt shops that sell cabinets to test drive them. That should help give you a better idea. The lowest end Koala cabinet I looked at (not very seriously, just to learn how to make my own table) didn't allow me to sit centered at the needle. I made my own DIY inset from an Ikea INGO table. I am hoping to add a few small drawers on the left side under the table to store notions so I totally get the challenge of not having the drawers eat into the space needed to sit centered on the needle, rather than centered on the machine.

Belfrybat

Not a cabinet, but I like the Gidget II table for my Janome 8900. With the machine pushed all the way to the right, I am able to use the plexiglass piece that comes with the machine to fill in the gap on the left. I just lay the plexiglass on the table -- works great and gives me room to sit in front of the needle, although I usually don't. I don't have it set up right now so can't take a pic.
http://www.amazon.com/Arrow-Gidget-I...=sewing+gidget

ManiacQuilter2

EB demo on her TV series how to cut an opening in a table and build the support for holding the machine. I am not sure you would be happy with sitting right directly in front of the needle with the bulk of a quilt needing to go under the needle.

EasyPeezy

Why not? Where are you supposed to sit? On the side?

tessagin

I like my 401 with the desk cabinet. I can sit either side of the needle. if you know of a carpenter or someone good with wood tools. You could customize your own. My DH and I were looking for a new desk for me. I wanted something like our kitchen table top. He's putting a top together and we are going to put it on top of the 2 file cabinets we purchased. This way you would have storage and the space you want on either side of the needle. Could put it on top of a couple bureaus and storage underneath when not in use.

tessagin

I meant to say space on either side of the machine.