Features to consider while choosing a chair for sewing
If you’re in the market for the best chair for sewing, there are some specific features you should look for. This will ensure you have the right chair for your size and one that will last for multiple projects. With the right sewing chair, you’ll also find that you experience far less pain and discomfort. However, if these do become an issue, there’s nothing better than a relaxing massage from the comfort of your own home – we’ve reviewed some great massage chairs under $1000 and even more budget-friendly massage chairs under $500, so check them out if aches and pains become bothersome.
Dimensions
There are a few reasons the chair’s dimensions are essential. The size of the seat and back are something to look at because different sizes fit different people more comfortably. If your buttocks and legs are a bit wider, you don’t want a slim seat to sit on, or it won’t support you properly. Smaller people can use wider chairs, but it doesn’t work the other way around.
The back dimensions are also critical for similar reasons, though the height is also something to look at. This is especially true if there is lumbar support in the backrest, as seen in the Arrow Height Adjustable Hydraulic Sewing Chair or the Boss Office Products B315-BE. This needs to be set at the right height or it won’t give you the proper support and may actually cause discomfort if positioned incorrectly.
The height of the entire chair needs to fit the length of your legs, keeping them on the floor instead of forcing them out in front of you. This also helps the chair to fit comfortably under the table or desk you’re using.
Maximum capacity
The maximum capacity tells you whether or not the chair will be strong enough to support your weight. Most chairs do have a high weight capacity, like the Boss Office Products B220-FCRM, which has a maximum capacity of 275 pounds, so they can support a lot of weight without causing damage to any of the parts.
Adjustable height, backrest, swivel features
Adjustability is a great feature in any sewing chair. Such adjustments should include the height, so you can raise it or lower it to fit your own height, as well as the height of the table you’re using, allowing you to fit comfortably beneath it. The backrest may have an adjustable depth, so you can move it back or forward to give you the right amount of support for your body type. Adjustable tilt is also handy, so you can recline the chair as much as needed, which is excellent if you want to take a break from your sewing. A 360-degree swivel seat lets you turn the chair to reach things around you as you work. This helps reduce back and neck strain, keeping you working on those projects for longer.
Upholstery material
The chairs we’ve reviewed here use either some sort of fabric or vinyl for the seat and back. These both have their benefits and weaknesses. Both are pretty durable, though can be torn if they come in contact with sharp objects, such as scissors. Fabric is usually a bit softer against your skin, especially materials like the Sherpa fur-like material used on the Boss Office Products B220-FCRM. Vinyl can get a bit warm to sit on, especially in the summer months, but it cleans easily with just a damp cloth. Whichever you choose will likely be based on personal preference more than anything else.
Materials used for the base
The base materials are what holds up the chair and keeps it rolling around the room, so they need to be made of extremely durable materials that can hold up under pressure. Some of the products listed above use metal, like the Modway Edge Drafting Chair, which is extremely strong and resistant to damage. Plastic is also common, though a bit less durable. It is cheaper to manufacture, so many brands use it to keep the cost of the chair as low as possible. If you choose the plastic models, you’ll need to be a bit more careful with them to ensure they last as long as possible.
Weight
Though you won’t notice the weight of the chair while you’re sitting in it, you will definitely feel the difference when you try to move the chair. Even though all the chairs we’ve reviewed are on wheels, they will still roll easier if they are lighter in weight. There is a downside to the lighter chairs, though. When you sit down in them, they could potentially roll backward, so you’ll need to hold onto them to prevent this. A heavier chair, like the Modway Edge Drafting Chair, will be a bit more stable in this area.
Warranty
Though you want your chair, or any other piece of furniture you buy, to last forever, there could be issues you aren’t expecting. To ensure that any manufacturer defects aren’t going to cost you an arm and a leg to repair, you’ll need a decent warranty to cover these types of issues.
Some products have better warranties than others, though. For instance, the AmazonBasics Low-Back Computer Chair has a one-year limited warranty, which is pretty good, especially if your chair shows any issues early in its use. The Boss Office Products B220-FCRM chair goes well beyond that, though, with a six-year limited warranty. This guarantees that almost any problem you have with your chair will be covered by the company.
Extra features
As well as the features we’ve listed above, there are a few other ones you may want to look for, to increase the comfort and usability of your new sewing chair. One handy feature is a foot ring, like the one on the Modway Edge Drafting Chair. This gives you a place to rest your feet, which is especially handy if the chair is raised high enough to keep them off the floor.
Another great extra is some storage space under the seat, like the little compartment on the two Arrow chairs we reviewed above. This gives you some space for your smaller sewing gear, like scissors, thread, or even patterns. For those with a smaller sewing room, this is especially beneficial, as it saves some space.
Thick padding on the seat is a must, to keep you comfortable while you sit. Hooding on the casters adds some protection, keeping the wheels from getting damaged as you roll around the room. If the chair uses fabric for the covers on the seat or back, adding a zipper to make them removable allows you to clean them when needed. These are rare, but if you can find them, they are well worth buying.
Chair arms can get in the way when you’re trying to sew. If your chair has them, it would be best if they can flip up and out of the way when you don’t need them, like on the Modway Edge Drafting Chair.
Tips on how to make your sewing as comfortable as possible
- A comfortable chair, with decent padding on the seat and back and adjustments for height. It should also have back adjustments for depth and tilt.
- A table that is high enough to keep you from hunching over while you work. It should also be big enough to hold the entire project you’re working on.
- A well-lit sewing room, with overhead lights and lamps you can adjust to shine directly on the piece you’re working on, whether cutting or sewing.
- Keep the foot pedal within easy reach to avoid stretching out your legs.
- Tilt your sewing machine forward if possible, to relieve strain on your neck, back, and arms.
- Add some relaxing music while you sew, to keep you calm and reduce distractions.[/wpmfc_cab_si]
