Wednesday, February 4, 2009

SewEzi Sewing Table Product Review

I apologize for getting this review in late. I really thought I'd get it in last week, but the snow (and subsequent babysitting) kept me from getting it done. Here it is--"better late than never!"

I have decided to incorporate reviews of some of the products/gadgets/quilting items that I have into my blog. I want to let you know that I am not affiliated with any of the companies that make the products I’m reviewing.


My first review is of the SewEzi table. As you can see from my pictures, it is a portable sewing table. If you take a look at the "close-up" picture, you can see that it creates a nice size flat sewing surface. I have found it to be sturdy and very portable. For me, it has been a wonderful thing to take to retreats, classes, and workshops. It has rubber wheels and two handgrips which make it really easy to transport. It also has a cover that covers the table to protect it when you are moving it or storing it. You can get different inserts for the table (which must be ordered) so your SewEzi table can be set up to fit nearly all commercially available sewing machines. Something I really like about it is that it folds flat for easy storage. It takes up very little room and could easily fit in a small closet or under a bed. I also like the fact that the table is large enough to support my work while I piece or quilt. A clear insert to make the table into a light box is also available for purchase. I don’t have this particular feature, but some of my friends do. They really like it.

When I bought mine, I thought it was a bit pricey. I think, though, it is well worth the money. The table runs around $249 which includes one specific acrylic insert for your machine and the table carrying case. Additional inserts for more sewing machines are available for $40.00 each. You can order the SewEzi table on line, and you can find them at quilt shows (where you can usually save shipping costs and/or get a “show” price). I have an insert for both my Bernina and my Janome sewing machines.

The SewEzi table is a well built very useful product. I set mine up in my living room so I can sew, watch TV, look out my front window, and “visit” with my husband (rather than being isolated back in my sewing room). Take a look at it at the SewEzi site—www.seweziusa.com.

Let me know what you think about it.

39 comments:

young mom said...

I was thinking about getting one of these tables, but I'm leary of the price tag w/o knowing if this is a quality product. I live in a small apt and don't have room for a special sewing area, so a fold up desk is a must-have. (My family wants the kitchen table back!) Your review was really helpful. Thank you!

Quilter Beth said...

Gosh, you are sure welcome! It is nice to know that someone actually reads my blog--to find it useful is just "icing on the cake!" Thank you for taking the time to comment.

Anonymous said...

where do you do all of your fabric cutting, then? i also live in a tiny house and my family would also love to have the dinner table back! lol! thanks so much for your review!

Quilter Beth said...

I usually cut fabric on my bar or in my sewing room. My dad built me a table that is the right height for cutting fabric. Sometimes, however, it gets so cluttered that I can't cut on it! You are very welcome for the review. Thanks for the comment.

Anonymous said...

thank you so much for the info. Have been tossing the idea around of getting this table but wasn't too sure of the stability or quality of it for the price. Sounds like a wise choice.

Anonymous said...

I have this table, & recently ordered the accessory tray, because there is very little space to your right. I, too, think it is a bit pricey, but is the only one I found that is light enough to take places. Be careful when you push open the legs--the hinge bar on mine broke off, & so did a friends when trying to push back the leg--the hinges are hard to open & close. I just drilled the hole (where it broke) all the way through the leg, & put in a bolt & nut. I do like using this table, & having it lets a friend use it when they come over to sew.

quiltsbythesea said...

Beth, thank you for your review of the sewezi table. I've been considering a purchase and I found your information very helpful. Haven't I seen your self portrait published somewhere? Likewise, Kandinsky is one of my favorite artists, and Same Time Next Year is one of my all time favorite movies. I'm glad I hit your blog. Thanks,

Anonymous said...

beth, i too am looking for a portable table. i intend to leave my machine in it almost 100% of the time. i'm concerned about "sagging" and "fatigue". how much of the time is your machine in the table? have you noticed anything?

Beth said...

I am also thinking about this table. I would plan to leave a machine in it most of the time, didn't think about sagging and fatigue. I'm looking forward to your info!!

Quilter Beth said...

In answer to the last few questions...my self-portrait hasn't been "published." I have posted it a couple of places.

As for the SewEzi table...I have a machine in the table almost all the time. I haven't noticed that it has had any effect on the table at all--no fatigue or sagging. I have a Janome 6500 (which is a heavy machine) in it most of the time.

Anonymous said...

I am also checking out the SewEzi table. I was wondering if you can sew at high speeds without a lot of (table) vibration. Also, I will be leaving my machine in it all of the time.

Quilter Beth said...

I leave a machine in mine most of the time without any problem. I also put the "pedal to the metal" much of the time. There is a small amount of vibration--nothing too annoying.

Mary Landry said...

I am considering the sewezi table but I am concerned about the vibration that I am getting on a white folding table that I am currently using. If it vibrates
when sewing fast, I would NOT be interested - especially for $250.

Quilter Beth said...

I have to say that the vibration with the SewEzi table is minimal. I have a Horn cabinet in my quilting studio, and the vibration is about the same. I highly recommend the SewEzi. I have never regretted the purchase. I think you'll like it.

Sally Tatters said...

I have a Horn cabinet but often can't put it up, so am considering a Sew-Ezi as well. Your blog entry has really made my mind up for me, so I'm going to order one. But I'd like to know whether the inserts for the Horn cabinet will fit the Sew-Ezi. I have two different machines, and two inserts already for the Horn. Do I really have to buy more? Thanks for the blog

Ellen said...

I was very happy with this table for the first six months. It is nicely portable and sturdy, but sadly the last time I took it out of the closet and opened up the legs, the top of the table cracked! The fabric catches on the jagged edge and makes it unusable as is. I need to either caulk it with something or replace the table top, which will cost me an additional $40, plus shipping and tax. I haven't decided yet what to do. I am very disappointed because up until the crack I just loved the table. I also am not crazy about the purple legs and wish they were a different color.

Quilter Beth said...

Gosh, Ellen, I'm so sorry to hear about your problem. I wonder what in the world could have caused such a crack. I have had my SewEzi for well over a year and have had no problem. BTW, I LOVE the purple legs. I guess it would be nice, though, for them to offer other colors.

Anonymous said...

I'm looking for a sewing table or cabinet and the Sewezi is one of my top picks but I have recently been seeing that people are having issues with them so now I am not so sure.
My machine will stay in the table 24/7 . I might move from one window to the other in the same room but that would probably be about the extent of its travels.

I would like to know if it would be strong enough to hold up to 16 and 17 lb kitties laying on it??

And also I wanted to ask a few more things.
My machine has a hard cover do you think I could use that still over my machine and on top of the table to help protect from kitties?

Is your needle centered on this table?

I love the idea but still not totally sold for the price.
So any help would be great.

Quilter Beth said...

I keep one of my sewing machines in my SewEzi almost all the time. My table has held up very well. I'm not sure what trouble other people are having with theirs. I really don't know how it would hold up under the extra weight of the kitties. I do keep a cover on my machine when I'm not using it. I would think you could use your cover with the table. The throat plate of my machine is just about in the center of the table. Let me know what you decide about the table. If you have any more questions that you think I might be able to answer, just let me know. I hope this helps.

Bammy1 said...

I just purchased a Viking mega quilter and am looking for appropriate table. Would SewEzi do well? I also am looking at the Tracey quilter's cabinet (which seems sturdier but not portable). Don't know the price of the Tracey yet..but the portable SewEzi seems expensive for what it is. Any recommentdations would be helpful; like what do other owners of mega quilters use? Thanks

Quilter Beth said...

I'm not familiar with the Viking MegaQuilter. You would need to contact the company to find out if it will fit and be heavy duty enough for that machine. I use mine with my Janome 6500 which is a fairly large machine.

kgkwilts said...

Just got this table from my hubby as a Christmas gift. I, too, thought it was pricey, but almost everything in the quilting world is these days. It arrived in time to take on retreat (where I am now) and I looooooove it. Couple things I could respond to from previous questions.

If you want to cover the machine to protect it from the kitties, I wouldn't recommend doing it with the insert in place for several reasons. There would be the danger of scratching the insert and I know from experience with my Sew Steady acrylic table that though it will support the weight of the cat, over time a sag did develop that eventually interfered with my ability to flip the bobbin door open. Without the insert, the table would easily accommodate the cover for my Pfaff 7570.

Vibration is minimal, even sewing on ceramic tile flooring. I did put a place mat under the machine to reduce noise, but I always do that anyway. My metal cone thread holder did vibrate off the back once, but I've solved that with a small piece of rubber shelf liner.

Both hubby and I are very impressed. He is a woodworker and former auto mechanic/maintenance supervisor. It takes a lot to impress him and he thinks it is excellently designed and engineered and was quite impressed with the way it was packed to protect the table from any damage in shipment. He also tells me that it is made of the same high-quality material that is used on his high-priced beloved table saw.

I was very much pleased with the customer service I received from SewEzi and would suggest to the woman that had table that cracked that she contact them.


Totally prepared to declare it perfect. My only real disappointment? I understand (I think) but was disappointed to see that it is manufactured in China.

Karen in Reno said...

I used a friend's sewezi table while I stayed with her dog for 10 days. I knew the first day I would "need" one. This is my first day back home and am ordering this evening. I loved it - strong, steady, sturdy and looks good too! I will use it at home as well as when I pet-sit and take classes.

Anonymous said...

I was at a quilt retreat and 3 lady's had a Sew Ezi table. I knew right away this would be perfect for me to go to my retreats and my friends when we get together and have all day sews. It would also be perfect for when I set up in my living room so I can sew and watch TV with my husband. I don't believe I would use it for a perment table, but it is perfect for a quick set up and breaking down. Mainly so my family can have our kitchen table back.
I look forward to ordering mine! Thank you so much for having a blog about it! These women really sold me! and answered all the questions I had... mainly is is strudy enough? sounds like it is. BTW... I have a Bernina 440 QE.

Mary T. Pratt Salmon said...

Now that I know it is made in China, I will not purchase one. There must be a company in USA that makes something similiar.

Marsha said...

I also have a SewEzi table and love it for quilt retreats and as a sewing table on my porch. I do need to add, however, that my table also cracked. A friend also has this table and her table cracked between the first and second time she used it. My table cracked in the front, hers cracked in the back; but the cracks appeared on the same area of the table on opposite sides of the machine "hole".
Neither of us has done anything to abuse these tables, so I would just caution anyone who purchases one to treat it with kid gloves.

Quilter Beth said...

I have had my table for over two years. I use it for retreats and keep it set up (with my second machine in it) at home. I haven't had any trouble with it--no cracks. Maybe I'm just lucky; I'll keep you updated. 

Anonymous said...

After reading reports of cracked surfaces from at least 3 readers, and reports of broken hinges for 2 tables, and considering the extremely high price and shipping costs, I've decided to forgo the sewezi table which I initially thought was a handy sewing table.

Quilter Beth said...

I feel bad for those who have had trouble with their tables. I, however, still LOVE mine--no cracks, minimal vibration. I wouldn't give it up. Three of my friends have a table too; they haven't had any trouble either. Has anyone contacted the company about the problems they are having? If so, how are they dealing with it?

Ellen said...

Someone asked if anyone had contacted the company about the cracked tops. I did and was told that it was my fault and I could buy another top for $40 plus shipping. I opted not to buy the new top. My husband filled in the crack with some kind of filler and sanded it down real well. It looks ugly, but the fabric no longer snags and it is functional. I would post a photo, but am not sure I can in this blog. For a long time I thought it was just me that had done something wrong and had a problem, but since then I have talked to a quilting class teacher who told me she knew lots of people with cracked tops and now I see that others have posted on this blog that their tops cracked, too. My husband said that is why they didn't offer to replace my top for free; it's too common a problem.

Lorraine said...

I was ready to buy then I saw the dreaded words "Made in China". Darn it. Guess I'll have to make do.

Sew Blessed said...

Well, I have a lot of good questions to ask the dealers when I go to the Houston Quilt Fest the first weekend of November. I want to purchase one there to take advantage of the free shipping. Maybe I can get them to commit to "something" if it cracks in the future. Thank you all for the information.

Quiltdolls said...

my mom bought one at a quilt show & we love it so she bought me one this year, for a early xmas & I love it.

Karen in Kentucky said...

Just curious from those of you who bought one at a quilt show, if you saved enough money to make it worthwhile to wait for a show to get one. I want to order one now, but hesitate if there's a substantial savings involved by buying it at a show. I only live 2hours from Paducah.

Trix from MN said...

I have one of these tables, and I love it. It is the right height for me and greatly reduces shoulder and back pain from long sewing sessions. I have had mine for 10 plus years. I do have a question about the cracked "tops". Do you mean the inserts, or the actual table top? I dropped my insert and it broke into two pieces. This happened several years ago, but the fit around my machine is so snug that I just put both pieces in and don't need to mend it. Does not catch on fabric.

Quilter Beth said...

Trix, I think that it is the table itself that is cracking. (If I'm mistaken, those of you who have had this problem please correct me.) I'm still using mine and having no problems. Since I have first written this post, several more of my friends have purchased the table. They are not having issues either.

Quilter Beth said...

Check out my reply below.

find more said...

Amazing post thanks for sharing the post.Your blogs are admirable and full of knowledge.

Anonymous said...

Beth, thank you for this blog! I found your blog by researching reviews of the Sew Ezi table. I recently learned of this table from an insert in a used quilt book I purchased. Excited about having a portable table for travel I wanted to learn more before purchasing. The blog has helped a lot! Thank you all for sharing your experiences. Yes, the price seems expensive including the individual accessories (inserts $80) but I am thinking of the convenience of being mobile. Sad to hear about the cracked tops and surprised by the comments I’ve read about customer support on your blog and my other research. In this year (2023) I hope SewEzi has taken into consideration the buyers comments and complaints about their product and made some adjustments. I am still interested in purchasing the table but wonder what is the return policy. . . Seems there is none but I will talk with them direct. I live in the sewing world of Husqvarna Viking machines, I quilt and do machine embroidery and hope this table is sturdy enough to support the embroidery process. Thanks again for this blog and all the comments posted. Yes, I read them all!