thrums

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.

quiltingbuddy

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!

pegquilter8

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

purplefiend

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

pegstar

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

Becky's Crafts

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!

Rodney

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

NoraB

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!

hray

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.

zozee

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 ...)