How to Find the Best Sewing Chair That’ll Let You Sew for Hours

Having a hobby or passion seems to be pretty expensive these days. Whatever you engage in, there are myriads of tools and accessories that you need to be fully prepared. Or that’s what manufacturers and commercials tell you. And they all cost money. If you’re just starting your sewing adventure, most people will tell you that you’ll need a sewing machine, scissors, pins, seam rippers, iron, time, space, and some other sewing accessories. Some of them would tell you that you need a decent sewing chair as well. So, do you really need all that stuff or we are buying much more than we actually need? 

It’s a natural question as we tend to buy too much stuff. After all, you don’t want to become a professional, or at least not right away. There’s an old adage ‘All the gear, no idea’ that describes this compulsive need to buy everything you can think of. It is driven by our uncertainties and belief that it would make us feel secure. A friend of mine once told me: “Don’t worry about it. Whatever floats your boat is okay.” But the real question here is do you want to build a boat or sail it?

So, think twice before you purchase tons of gear. You don’t really need everything. But when it comes to a sewing chair, even though it’s not at the top of the most lists of recommendations, you should consider buying one. You don’t need tons of furniture for your sewing space, but a high-quality sewing chair is a must. It won’t make you a better sewer, but there are several reasons that make it a necessity. Here’s why.

Why You Need a Quality Sewing Chair

The shortest answer is because of your health. Your back and neck will be thankful. A professional sewing chair is a necessity for all work that requires long sitting hours. And you will sit and work for many hours, there is no doubt about that. So, an ordinary chair won’t do for many reasons. 

All studies show that back pain is a number two or number three reason for visiting doctor and it’s the most common cause of disability, worldwide. A staggering 80% of people in developed countries have experienced back problems at some point in their lives. And, it’s only natural. We are not designed to sit. Sitting for long periods correlates with several health concerns.

Simply, our posture is not natural while we sit and it affects our whole body. A good sewing chair won’t solve the problem, but it can help you to maintain a better posture and prevent strains and discomfort. Anyway, even with a professional sewing chair, it is a good idea to take a break every hour or so and walk vigorously for a couple of minutes.

Buying a professional sewing chair is a long-term strategy to look after yourself. But, at the end of the day, it has immediate benefits as well. You will not get tired as quickly and consequentially, you’ll sew faster and better. And when you’re done, you won’t be dead beat.

What to Look For

The best sewing chair for you might not be the best for the next sewist. So, it’s not enough to research, read reviews, or trust reputable manufacturers. You should do all of this, but you should also try it, to make sure that it fits you well. However, there are some general guidelines to help you narrow down the choice.

Comfort

You can buy a fancy sewing chair with all the bells and whistles that can sing and dance – it will be worth nothing if you don’t feel comfortable while sitting in it. So, it’s a requirement number one.

Your sewing chair must be comfortable and cozy. And it should stay comfortable after long hours as well. You can’t really test the long-term comfort, but if it’s not comfortable at the beginning, chances are it won’t get any better over time.

Look for Chairs with Ergonomic Backrest

You need an ergonomic sewing chair, but you probably don’t need a headrest for sewing. There’s a lot of science behind ergonomic design, so you will fill the benefits of it. The ergonomic design follows the natural curve of your spine.

Also, ergonomic backrest improves your posture, allows your neck, back and shoulders to be relaxed, and provides support where it’s needed. The ergonomic design has almost miraculous effects. If you don’t believe me, ask professional drivers and office workers who sit all day long.

It Should Be Adjustable

Actually, it must be adjustable. Humans come in different sizes with a different body and limb lengths. So, it’s crucial that you can adjust your chair to fit your measures. Seat height is probably the most important adjustable feature.

Our sewing tables can vary in height and chances aren’t high that you’ll find a chair with a perfect height that fits both you and your table. Customizing seat depth, width, and backrest position will allow you to find the best possible position for you.

Seat Cushions

With all said and done, we’re not done with comfort issues, yet. The sitting surface plays a part as well. If you sit in your chair for hours, what seemed to be a comfy chair may turn into the pain in the neck (or other areas). Material and the firmness of the sitting surface can make a difference.

It’s not just about comfort but also about blood flow and relieving pressure points. So, your chair should come with a somewhat soft but firm enough padding. You can also purchase ergonomic cushion separately, but I guess it’s a bother and unnecessary extra effort. You might consider it though if you already have a perfect chair with a cushion that is too firm.

Backrest Lumbar Support

Your chair should provide some support for your lower back. It prevents slumping and reduces pressure on your spine and the lower part of the trunk of your body. Make sure to adjust it, so it follows your natural shape of the spine.

Durability

Professional chairs aren’t cheap so you don’t want to make the investment too often. A good chair should last for years. You should consider the strength of all parts including cushioning.

It may be constructed to withstand the earthquake, but if the cushioning wears out easily, it will not be comfortable any more. Check out the weight capacity as well.  If your weight exceeds the chair capacity it may break down, and most certainly it won’t last long enough. 

Materials

While this may not sound like a crucial feature, it is worth considering. You don’t want to sweat because the material won’t let your skin breathe. It should also be a material that is easy to clean. 

Functionality

This requirement should be at the top of the list, but most other features contribute to the functionality. So, when we talk about practicality, we need to consider how the chair fits our needs. If your workspace is crowded, you probably don’t want a bulky, big chair even if it’s comfortable and everything else. Think about your preferences and priorities. Here are some other features to consider.

Armless Chair

Many great ergonomic chairs come with armrests. It’s a great feature for office workers so that they can rest their arms when they don’t use them. However, for sewing, it might be better to get one without armrests. They can get in a way and limit the freedom of movement. This is not a must, though. It depends on your preferences.

Swivel Casters 

A chair with swivel casters will allow you to roll around your working space without effort. It’s not a huge effort to get up and get what you need, but it can be bothersome if you do it often. It is easier and more fun to get your scissors or fabric without leaving the chair.

Swivel

It’s another cool feature that is not necessary, though. Chairs with swivel allow you to reach different sections of your table or nearby drawer, without a strain. Some people love this feature, others don’t, so it’s up to you.

Beautiful Design

Your chair doesn’t have to be beautiful by no means, as long as it’s comfy and functional. However, these days we like our stuff to be beautiful. So, don’t sacrifice quality for good looks, but if you can have both, why not?

Best Sewing Chair Choices

Now, you know how to choose and which features to consider. Here are some of the most popular and highly recommended models. I have put in the mix a couple of different models, from budget options to a high-end sewing chair. There are many more great models but this list can help to get you started.

Arrow H7013B Adjustable Height Sewing and Craft Chair

This chair is the first on my list, but it’s not necessarily the best. It is designed specifically for sewing and crafts. This chair has a simple design, but all features that you need for sewing.

AmazonBasics Low-Back Computer Task Office Desk Chair with Swivel Casters

No products found.

AmazonBasics chair is one of the best budget choices. Most people will find it comfortable and supportive. It can be used for a variety of tasks. It is made of breathable and durable materials so it’s great for long sewing sessions.

Reliable SewErgo Ergonomic Task Chair

Most chairs have similar features and it all comes down to quality. However, Reliable Sew Ergo chair has a couple of more or less unique features. It has glides instead of wheels for more stability and to avoid unintentional slides. Waterfall seat edge and contoured cushion provide comfort and pressure relief.

Boss Office Products Perfect Posture Delux Fabric Task Chair

This is another budget chair. It is a very lightweight model, yet strong enough to have a capacity of 250 pounds. A 6-year warranty shows that the manufacturer is pretty confident about the quality and durability.

Office Star Mesh Back & Seat, 2-to-1 Synchro & Lumbar Support Managers Chair

If you like modern design, this might be the right choice for you. Besides good looks, it has retractable armrests, so you can choose to use them or flip them over to get them out of the way. Mash back and seat provide comfort and breathability. There’s also a model with a cushioned seat.