Setting up a dedicated sewing station is a big step, and choosing all the furniture can be a bit intimidating.
One of the biggest challenges is choosing the right sewing chair.
Think about it — you’ll be sitting in this chair for hours at a time, especially if you are a quilter.
You need a great chair to support your back, hips, and legs.
A chair can make all the difference in your comfort level when sewing.
This article is exclusively dedicated to helping you find the best chair for you and answering the question, “What is the best sewing chair?”
What’s In This Article
What Chairs Are Good for Sewing?
If you were to do a search online for “sewing chairs,” you’ll find a few results labeled specifically for sewing, but most of the results are office or desk chairs.
What type of chair you choose depends heavily on your table. For example, if you have a regular height desk or table, I recommend using an office chair.
These chairs are made specifically to fit under a desk and make an excellent ergonomic sewing chair since most office jobs call for long hours sitting down just like sewing jobs.
Recently, standing desks have gained popularity, and if you are thinking about purchasing one for your sewing space, keep in mind you will need to sit for some sewing tasks.
In this case, I recommend a barstool since office chairs aren’t tall enough for a standing desk. I personally have a standing craft table and use a barstool when I need to sew sitting down.
What Height Should a Sewing Chair Be?
As mentioned previously, the chair height that you choose depends on the height of your table. Once you’ve decided the type of chair you want to purchase, I recommend using a chair that gives your legs 6”-8” clearance under the table to move around.
Having this clearance is another excellent reason that office chairs are an ideal choice for most sewists. Most office chairs are height adjustable, so you can find that sweet spot that works perfectly for you.
How Should You Sit On a Sewing Chair?
I don’t know about you, but I am guilty of not only not sitting up straight but also trying to sit cross-legged while sewing. I know it doesn’t seem like a big deal if you are doing a quick project, but imagine working for hours while slouching and with your leg in an awkward position. Your body will NOT be happy with you.
When sewing sitting down, you should try to make a mental note to keep your back straight with the back of the chair and have your feet straight in front of you with the foot that is not on the foot pedal flat on the floor. Trust me, your back, hips, and legs will thank you in the long run.
Sewing Chairs vs. Office Chairs: What’s the Difference?
The few sewing chairs out in the market right now all have one thing in common. They are low to the ground and have a wide seat. These are a fair option if you are not planning on spending hours at your sewing station multiple days a week.
However, if you plan to commit several hours a week to sewing, an office chair will probably be a better choice for you since they are adjustable and usually more ergonomic. Office chairs make better sewing chairs with back support.
Does A Sewing Chair Need Armrests?
The answer depends on your personal preference. Some sewists and quilters like to have armrests to rest their arms while they sew, and others prefer an armless chair. Some chairs even offer movable armrests if you want the option to have them or not.
What to Look for In Sewing Chairs
Personal preference will play a significant role in your chair selection. Keeping that in mind, here are some features that I recommend considering when shopping for this vital furniture piece.
- Wheels (Do you want/need a sewing chair with wheels?)
- Adjustable height
- Ergonomic back
- Padded seat
- Armrests
- Weight Capacity
- Price
Best Chair for Sewing: 9 Great Choices for Your Sewing Comfort
I can’t stress enough how important a supportive chair is for your whole body, and I have searched for the best chairs available for my fellow sewists and quilters. I’ll go over each chair’s features, pros, and cons to help you make the best choice for you.
1. Hbada Desk Chair with Armrests
$129.99
This modern design task chair is a beautiful choice for any sewist with its S-shaped backrest curve to support your spine. A fantastic feature of this chair is the armrests are movable and will flip up 90° to put them entirely out of the way.
Features:
- Movable armrests
- Weight Capacity: 250 lbs
- 360° Swivel
- Adjustable height: 17.7”-21.2”
- Affordable
- Adjustable height and armrests
- Wheels
- Seat isn’t super plush
- Backrest isn’t ergonomic
Buy on Amazon
2. Serta Essential Mesh Low-Back Chair
$112.00
Serta is a well-known company in the furniture realm and is known for comfort, so it should be no surprise that this chair is on our list. The back has a breathable mesh that will support your back while sewing.
There are heavy-duty casters (wheels) on this chair that will allow you to move around your workspace easily. It is also an armless chair and has faux leather on the seat.
Features
- Low profile armrests
- Wide memory foam seat
- Large 360° wheels
- Adjustable height
- Weight capacity: 250lbs
- Pros
- Adjustable height: 19 ¼”-22 ¼”
- Classy design
- Memory foam seat
- Back isn’t adjustable or ergonomic
- More expensive than the other Serta
Buy on Amazon
3- Serta Leighton Home Office Chair
$215.99
Another Serta chair option, this Leighton chair looks classy and comfy for your sewing space, don’t you think? Designed to be more like a classic lounge chair, this chair has a wider seat than a regular desk chair at 18” wide.
The seat also has memory foam to mold to you and give your hips and lower back support. This chair does have armrests, but they are a low profile design, so they won’t get in the way if you are quilting a large quilt or working on another large project.
Features
- Low profile armrests
- Wide memory foam seat
- Large 360° wheels
- Adjustable height
- Weight capacity: 250lbs
- Pros
- Adjustable height: 19 ¼”-22 ¼”
- Classy design
- Memory foam seat
- Back isn’t adjustable or ergonomic
- More expensive than the other Serta
Buy on Amazon
4- NOUHAUS Ergonomic Rolling Desk Chair
$369.99
This ergonomic office chair has all the bells and whistles if you need something extremely adjustable to fit you perfectly. Pretty much everything is adjustable, low-profile from the armrests to the back tilt.
Unlike the other chairs on this list, this chair has blade wheels that help it glide smoothly over carpet or hardwood floors. It also has a slightly higher weight capacity of 275lbs.
Features
- 135° Back tilt
- Adjustable headrest
- Adjustable armrests
- Lumbar support
- Adjustable height: 18 ½”-22 ½”
- Completely adjustable
- Breathable mesh
- Complete neck and back support
- More expensive
Buy on Amazon
5- Yaheetech Mesh Rolling Lumbar Chair
$53.98
Easy to assemble and built to support your back, this chair is a great, cost-effective option if you want a chair that will give you ergonomic support without breaking the bank.
This chair comes in several different color options and has an adjustable height of 12.4”-16.3”. The back support offers lumbar support, which is essential if you are sitting for extended periods.
Features
- Adjustable height: 12.4”-16.3”
- Weight capacity: 200lbs
- Ergonomic back support
- Breathable mesh fabric
- Color options
- Ergonomic design
- Wide seat
- Wheels and armrests (depending on your preference, these could be a pro or con)
- Weight capacity is only 200lb. Not great for some.
Buy on Amazon
6. BOLISS Mesh Ergonomic Drafting Chair
$229.99
This chair designed to provide maximum comfort and support for long hours of work. With its breathable mesh backrest and adjustable lumbar support, this chair promotes proper posture and reduces the risk of back pain.
The adjustable armrests and foot ring ensure a customized fit for users of all shapes and sizes. The smooth-rolling casters and 360-degree swivel feature make it easy to move around while sewing.
Features
- Breathable mesh backrest
- Adjustable lumbar support
- Adjustable armrests
- Foot ring for added support
- Smooth-rolling casters
- 360-degree swivel
- Suitable for standing desks and drafting tables
- Ergonomic design promotes proper posture and reduces back pain.
- Adjustable features provide a customized and comfortable fit for users.
- Suitable for use at standing desks and drafting tables.
- May not be as cushioned as some users prefer.
- Limited color options available.
Buy on Amazon
7. Flash Mid-Back White Mesh Ergonomic Chair
$100.56
If you have a standing desk or a tall craft table, I wanted to include a chair in this list for you. Drafting chairs are a taller version of an office chair and should work with most standing desks.
This chair is an excellent choice for sewing since it gives you that ergonomic support and flip-up armrests. If they are in the way, you can easily push a button, and they flip up out of the way.
Features
- Adjustable height: 21 ½”-29”
- Movable armrests
- Weight capacity: 250lbs
- Breathable mesh
- Ergonomic back
- Adjustable height
- Option for tall desks
- Affordable
- Different color options
- Could improve the seat cushion
Buy on Amazon
8. Arrow Adjustable Hydraulic Sewing Chair
$329.00
This adorable chair is a lovely choice if you want a chair specifically for a sewist in mind. The fabric features sewing machines and notions with bright, fun colors. The chair seat also includes extra storage, which could be helpful if you have limited storage space in your sewing area.
Features
- Cute fabric
- Extra seat storage
- Weight capacity: 250lbs
- Adjustable height: 18 ½”-22 ½”
- Back adjustable height: 28 ½”-32 ½”
- One year limited warranty
- Extra storage
- Adjustable seat and back height
- Color and fabric options
- Expensive
- Not as much support as other chairs on this list
Buy on Amazon
9. BOWTHY Ergonomic Home Desk Chair
$129.88
Another simple design task chair that will work in any sewing space, the Bowthy office chair gives you plenty of room to move and work with its armless design and heavy-duty casters.
It comes in several different color options and allows you to adjust the tilt of the back and the seat height. The fabric is also a soft, wear-proof fabric that won’t fade over time.
Features
- Adjustable height: 17.3”-21.3”
- Weight capacity: 250lbs
- Multiple color options
- Armless design
- Heavy-duty casters
- Easy assembly
- Simple design
- Adjustable height and back tilt
- Affordable
- Not the best choice for lumbar support
Buy on Amazon
There we have it — 11 fabulous choices for your crucial chair selection. When choosing your chair, figure out which pros and cons are most important to you, and then go through this list to see which chair fits your list best.
Good luck and happy sewing!