7 of the Best Sewing Chair Options + How To Select the Perfect Sewist’s Throne
When figuring out the perfect sewing setup, there are several key features to consider. The most important is the sewing machine, then the table, then sewing tools and gadgets. But what is one thing that many of us overlook? The chair!
We will look at my top 7 best chair for sewing machine options and discuss how to choose a sewing chair, set it up properly, and sit in it for maximum comfort.
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7 Great Options for the Sewing Chair of Your Dreams
Now that you know a little about what to consider when choosing the best chair for a sewing machine, let’s check out some excellent options. I will start the list with the chair I recently purchased and share my thoughts.
1. Boliss Ergonomic Drafting Chair
If you have a standing desk for your sewing and crafting station, like me, you know finding a chair to work with it can be tricky. I searched for weeks for a great chair that wouldn’t cost an arm and leg, and I finally landed on this chair by Boliss.
It has an adjustable height, tilt, armrest height, footrest, and backrest tilt. The seat on this chair is SO comfortable and gives my lower back plenty of support. It’s a sturdy, well-made chair I recommend to all my sewing friends.
You can read my full review of this chair in my “Absolute Best Sewing Chair for Sewists and Quilters” post.
Check out #7 in this list if you want a desk-height version of this chair!
2. Mimoglad Office Chair
Here is an excellent option for an ergonomic sewing chair with a high back and movable armrest. This chair has a 4” thick foam seat and adjustable lumbar support to help improve your posture and give you the support you need for long hours behind the sewing machine.
The chair also features a headrest and adjustable back tilt to lean it back and rest your back when you need a break. The chair comes in a sleek medium grey and an adorable soft pink.
3. Noblewell Ergonomic Office Chair
This chair is probably the most similar to the Boliss chair from #1, except this is a regular-height office chair. With this chair, you can adjust the headrest height, seat height, armrest height, and backrest tilt to give you plenty of flexibility while working. The back is made with a breathable mesh fabric to keep you cool and adjustable lumbar support.
This chair is easy to assemble and is well-reviewed. It is probably one of the best chairs for sewing available, especially for the price.
4. Arrow Hydraulic Sewing Chair
The Arrow Hydraulic Sewing Chair is a popular choice amongst quilters and sewists. This chair was created specifically for long hours of sewing. The back of the chair was designed with lumbar support in mind, and the seat has a comfy cushion for sitting.
The chair’s height is adjustable between 18″ – 22″, and the base incorporated a five-star 360-degree swivel to allow you to move with ease. A fun added bonus is the seat opens up and allows you to store your sewing tools and notions close to your sewing machine.
5. Pukami Armless Desk Chair
This chair has a nice wide 25.5″ seat that is cushioned for comfort. You can order the chair in beige or light grey. It has equal parts style and comfortability with its adjustable back and “U” shaped seat.
If you are in search of a comfortable armless chair, this might be the perfect choice for you. It has a weight capacity of 300 lbs and has a sturdy base. The one potential downside to this chair is it does not have wheels attached to the base.
6. Furmax Office Chair
Here is an excellent budget-friendly sewing chair that comes in nine fun color options. This is a top-rated chair that has features such as lumbar support, a mesh back for breathability, adjustable height and back, and smooth casters.
This chair is easy to assemble and has a weight capacity of 265 lbs. The seat of the chair has a high-density elastic sponge pad that will help support your lower back and hips while sitting for long periods. A great part about this chair is you can use it for several different things like sewing, office work, or as an extra chair when you have guests.
7. Boliss Ergonomic Desk Chair
How cool is this?! This is a desk-height option for the drafting chair from #1. This chair has the same super comfy seat and adjustable back that I love, and now you can enjoy those features even if you have a regular-height desk.
The height is adjustable between 37″ – 40.6″, which is perfect for most standard-height tables and desks. The armrests are also adjustable. That is a surprisingly useful feature, especially when you are sewing. You get an excellent chair that will last for years at an affordable price, and I highly recommend this chair.
FAQs About Sewing Chairs
Before we look at any specific chair for sewing room options, let’s review the FAQs surrounding them. I did quite a bit of digging to find out the general consensus for some of these questions, and I will start implementing some of the tips when I am sewing at my sewing workstation.
Need some advice on setting up your sewing machine properly? Check out this post here.
What’s the Difference Between an Office Chair and a Sewing Chair?
You may be wondering, do companies even make a chair specifically for sewing? The answer is yes; a few companies have developed a chair designed for sewing.
However, many of these chairs are pretty expensive and don’t appear to be the most comfortable option. Some sewing chairs’ sets will be a shorter depth to help you reach the sewing machine pedal easier, but that’s the only significant difference I’ve found.
On the other hand, hundreds of office chair options are on the market, with many of them in a great price range for those of us who like to stick to a budget. For years I used an Amazon Basics office chair that cost around $75 for my sewing needs. I’ll share later in the post which chair I upgraded to and why.
So the takeaway from this question is the difference in what you use the chair for. Are you using it for a home office or a sewing chair?
What Height Should a Sewing Chair Be?
Since everyone’s height and table height are different, I can’t give a definitive answer to this one. I can, however, give you some tips on figuring out the correct chair height for your needs.
Figuring out the proper height for your chair is crucial to maintaining good posture while you sew. It can also relieve any carpal tunnel syndrome or arthritis symptoms you may suffer from if your arms are at the wrong angle for an extended period.
When setting up your sewing space, a good rule is that your elbows should be at the same level as the sewing machine’s bed or even a little above. This will alleviate shoulder and upper back pain as well as wrist pain.
You also want your feet to sit flat on the floor. They definitely shouldn’t be dangling since this can mess with the blood flow in your legs. Nobody wants swollen and stiff ankles, right?
Should a Sewing Chair Have Arms?
This is entirely up to you and your preferences. Some sewists, especially quilters, like to have arms on their chairs to rest their elbows while they sew and quilt. I personally like having arms on my chair since I do a lot of quilting, and I also use my chair as a regular office chair.
Another fantastic fact to point out is that many chairs can move the arms out of the way if you don’t want to use them for a particular task.
How Should You Sit When Working on the Sewing Machine?
I don’t know about you, but when I’m sewing, for some reason, my body wants to naturally hunch into some sort of gargoyle position. Haha! It’s funny cuz it’s true, right? I have to continually remind myself to sit up straight and release the tension.
I know I can’t be alone in my Quasimodo-esque sewing position ( or maybe I am,) but I’ve done some digging and figured out a good set of rules to try to abide by when sewing, especially when sewing for hours at a time.
- Remember the 90° Rule: Keep your elbows and knees at a 90° angle. This will help with blood flow and help ward off aches and pains.
- Release tension: Tension isn’t just something you need to be concerned about with your sewing thread. You can develop a bad habit of holding tension in your neck and shoulders when sewing. I’m guilty of this one, big time. When you feel tense, take a small break, gently roll your shoulders, and stretch your neck. Trust me; it makes a HUGE difference.
- Keep your back straight: Another easy way to develop chronic back pain is slumping over while sewing. It may feel awkward initially but try to sit up super straight in your chair whenever you are sewing. This will not only help you when you are sewing, but it might help your overall posture if you get into the habit of sitting up straight.
- Stand up and stretch: The human body wasn’t meant to sit in one position for hours at a time without moving. The best thing you can do for your body when sewing is to take frequent breaks. Stand up and stretch or walk around your house for a few minutes. Taking breaks will help with blood flow, backaches, and overall body stiffness.
Whether you need a taller “drafting” chair or a regular office chair, I highly recommend finding an ergonomic chair for sewing since it provides a lot of customizability and support. What about you? Do you have a favorite sewing chair? Let me know in the comments below!
Happy Stitches!
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