Monday, June 25, 2007

Why do my shoulders hurt when I sew? Can HAKA Sewing Furniture accommodate my new, big machine?


QUESTION
I recently purchased a Bernina Artista 185 embroidery machine and am looking at buying a new sewing table for this machine. It is presently sitting on a table that is too high and it hurts my shoulders to sew for more than about an hour. Do you have a table/cabinet that will accommodate this machine and if so, how high is it, and what does it cost? I appreciate your help.


ANSWER
You're right; your machine is sitting too high. Your shoulders hurt because you're forced to continually hold your arms up as you sew. This situation can also cause sore neck muscles, headaches and fatigue.
Big machine?
Good news! HAKA Sewing Furniture can provide a "home" for your new, larger machine. All of HAKA's sewing, serging and quilting cabinets/tables can accommodate even the largest domestic sewing, embroidery machines and sergers.
Machine too high?
HAKA offers a personalizing sewing cabinet height choice.The height of your sewing cabinet plays a major role in your sewing comfort.
How do you know what height is best for you? Sit on a standard height chair (approx. 17" high) with your hands resting on the tabletop in front of you. Keep in mind that with HAKA's Tip-Matik Lift (see below), you will be sewing with your hands at this level. Your elbows should form a right angle (90 degrees).
For your sewing comfort, HAKA's Modular Style cabinets are available in a choice of heights: 28", 29" or 30".
For more about choosing your sewing and cutting furniture heights,
check out HAKA’s Height Tips. P.S. HAKA can customize your sewing furniture height to your specifications.
Seating height
For proper seating height for sewing, HAKA provides a #600 Low Storage Bench (for HAKA’s 28", 29" or 30" high Modular Style cabinets) and a #600 High Storage Bench (for HAKA’s 34" high Multi-tasking Style tables). See HAKA's Storage Benches.
HAKA's helpful Tip-Matik Sewing Machine Lift - pictured above
HAKA Sewing Furniture incorporates a precision-built Tip-Matik 3-position Sewing Machine Lift in all of its sewing, serging and quilting furniture. Thanks to this Lift, your sewing machine (AND serger) will sit "recessed" into your HAKA tabletop with your needle plate level with the tabletop. No more struggling to pull your fabric back up onto your machine when sewing - you can sew straighter seams.
The Tip-Matik Lift has three convenient positions:
#1 Bottom storage position - This level is factory set so you can store your machine down inside your sewing cabinet.
#2 Middle "flat bed" position - This level is used for most sewing and is easily adjustable, according to the height of your machine (to bring the sewing surface of your machine level with the tabletop). How is this done? Simply unscrew the 2 screws on the middle black box on the lift and move the box up or down as needed, then tighten the screws. (These instructions are included with your HAKA sewing furniture.)
#3 Top "free arm" position - This level is factory set to bring your machine up to sit at tabletop level. This level is used for machine embroidery and for sewing pant hems, etc. around the free arm of your machine (the part that remains to the left of the needle when your machine’s tool/accessory box is removed).
How the Tip-Matik lift works
Simply push down on your machine – you’ll hear a "click". This is the sound of the automatic position-locking mechanism on the lift releasing. Keep pushing to lower your machine or let the Tip-Matik Lift raise your machine to the desired position. Your machine simply sits on the lift platform - there is no need to screw it in place.

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