Placing your sewing machine on the floor gives the effect that you are using a huge table or working space for sewing. It may not be suitable for your knees or back, but it will make sewing large fabrics easier and faster.
Some sewists can attest that cutting the pattern is easier on the floor where it is wide and spacious. If your living room has a carpet, it can help keep the pattern pieces in place.
Sewing on the floor is not easy on the back and the knees, but it will make your work easier and faster.
You can place your left knee on the floor, your right knee against your chest, and you can use your right foot to control the sewing machine’s speed. Sewing this way, both hands can feed your fabric through the machine.
Most sewists who sew on the floor do so for lack of a table large enough to trace and cut patterns and fabrics. It is easier to do these parts in sewing; as you can see, the pattern pieces are all laid out.
Some prefer sewing on the floor when working on huge, dense fabrics like canvas. Materials used for making sails and upholstery are pretty heavy to lay out on the table and are better cut and sewn on the floor.
But despite the advantages mentioned, sewing on the floor is not your best option as it can damage your back and knees in time.
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Can you use a sewing machine without a table?
Not all sewing machines need a table to function. Most modern sewing machines need not be attached to a sewing table or any table to work.
The treadle sewing machine is considered one of the oldest sewing machines that use a treadle, a mechanism you can operate with a pedal to help move the needle to sew. The treadle can be found below the sewing machine and uses a foot pedal.
Most modern sewing machines such as Janome or Juki use electricity to work, so it is possible to place your sewing machine on any surface which is not necessarily a sewing table. These days, sewing machines do not need the treadle to make the sewing machine work.
Some sewing machines have an on/off button that allows you to operate without the treadle or the foot pedal. It may be cumbersome for some sewists who are used to sewing using a foot pedal, but it is a blessing for those who want to sew on the floor and use both hands to operate the machine.
How much space do you need to sew?
No space is too small or too big for you to sew as long as you and your machine fit. Your sewing space can be a little small since most sewing machines are not bulky and only take up a little space.
You can turn any area in your home or apartment into your sewing space. The challenge is how to organize the things you need for this craft.
There are three features of the sewing space that you must consider: the cutting table, the sewing table, and the ironing station. All three should be present in your sewing area, however big or small.
Cutting Table
Cutting the fabric is one of the steps in sewing that needs a wide and flat area. Some sewists cut their material on the floor for lack of another more extensive space.
Others prefer to cut their fabrics on a carpeted floor because the carpet can keep the material from moving. You can also pin directly onto the carpet so everything stays in place as you cut.
But there may be better options than sewing on the floor, as doing so may strain your back and hurt your knees.
The dining table is the next best thing to the sewing floor, although most dining tables are too low, which can also cause strain to your neck, shoulders, and back. Moving your sewing supplies once you need the table again for dining is also tiring.
Isn’t it more inspiring to sew when you have the right equipment in front of you?
For your cutting needs, a specific cutting table is your ideal choice. You will find various sewing/cutting tables in the market these days. There are cabinet-type with wheels, portable, and foldable sewing/cutting tables.
If the budget is tight, you can make do with what is available in your flat or home. But if you have the means and the space, your best option is a cutting table with all the trappings. Make sure that your cutting table is ergonomically designed for your height.
Cutting tables are meant to be large and spacious to cut patterns and fabrics for your sewing projects effortlessly. The best decision would be to buy a table that suits the size of most sewing projects you make.
Sewing Table
The following requirement to sew most effectively is a sewing table. You can measure and cut your fabrics and patterns on the same table you will use to sew them together. You can find a table that can serve as your cutting and a sewing table rolled into one.
You will find all sorts of sewing tables in the market today. Most of the time, sewing tables come with a folded extension called a drop leaf that you can unfold if you need a wider surface for sewing and cutting.
Some sewing tables have various storage options, like shelves or cabinets. You can also choose a sewing cabinet to store your sewing machine and supplies simultaneously.
Ironing Station
Lastly, it would help if you had a pressing station to produce good quality clothing. Professional sewists recommend that you press as you sew to create high-quality garments.
You can quickly get an iron and an ironing board at home, but you need to decide its location in your sewing area. It would be best to have a permanent space for the ironing station accessible as you sew.
If you are a person who is enthusiastic about sewing, the size of the space where you sew does not matter as long as you can sew your projects from start to finish.
Can you sew standing up?
You can sew standing up as much as you can sitting down. If you sew standing up, you will have a high enough workspace to keep your back comfortable and properly positioned.
Since sewing standing up is not something that most sewists are accustomed to, you can do a few things to sew this way comfortably.
Below are a few tips for sewing while standing up comfortably.
Wear comfortable shoes
You must wear comfortable shoes if you want to sew standing up. Your feet will be under much pressure, so you must be able to protect them.
The ideal footwear for sewing while standing is sneakers. Sneakers cushion the soles of your feet well to make them on standing and sew sprees. Wear sneakers or shoes with cushion and good arch support.
Take frequent breaks
The saying, “too much of something is bad,” applies here, like anywhere. Too much standing can be tiresome, even if you wear the most comfortable sneakers and keep your posture in place.
Some sewists can confirm that they take more breaks when sewing standing up, which is good for the body.
Sewing on a standing desk means you will only stand part of the time sewing. It means you can still sew sitting down in a little less time.
To avoid aching feet and muscles while standing, do random stretches once in a while. You can also sit down and stretch your legs while sewing.
Get a balance board or an anti-fatigue mat
If you are not akin to wearing sneakers at home, you can have an excellent replacement. An anti-fatigue mat can provide the comfort and cushion you can get from wearing sneakers and many more benefits.
The anti-fatigue mat is not a standard flat mat. It has peaks and valleys that inspire you to move about and involves your muscles—standing on the anti-fatigue mat while sewing can help you relieve postural fatigue.
Parts of the mat will give your tired feet a good stretch or even a foot massage, all while doing your work.
The balance board will give you a similar benefit of making standing while sewing more comfortable and active by shifting your weight from side to side or from front to back as you please.
The anti-fatigue mat and the balance board complement your standing desk and are most effective on bare feet or with socks.
Allow time to adjust to sewing while standing
If you are new to sewing, you can try sewing while standing and make it your habit rather than sitting. You may prefer it more than sitting while you sew. Standing while you work is good for your health.
For someone who has been sewing while sitting down for quite a long time, standing as you sew might take a long time to adjust.
Can I use a regular table for sewing?
A regular table can be an excellent choice for sewing if it will be helpful for you to work on your sewing projects.
It is more inspiring to work if you have the right tools or equipment in front of you. But if purchasing a new table specifically for sewing is yet to be among the options, you can use an existing desk. Make sure it is big enough to hold your machine and other sewing supplies.
If you are up for using a regular table as your sewing table, ensure that the table’s height is enough to allow you to sew comfortably.
The usual height for a sewing table is 30 inches. You should check if you need a table that is higher or lower than this that would suit your size best.
No storage options are attached to a regular table if you intend to use one for sewing. It would help if you found other shelves, cabinets, and drawers for your sewing tools and supplies.
If you have no shelving space for your sewing machine, you can stash it below the table so you can still use your table for other purposes than sewing.
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