Horn Sewing Cabinet Review – And the alternatives I didn’t choose!
I recently bought myself a new sewing table – a Horn Sewing Cabinet – Quilter’s Delight Edition.
So this is my Horn sewing cabinet review – honest and unbiased. I am not sponsored by them!
I will talk about why I bought it and what other good sewing tables and sewing furniture options there are out there – the ones I considered, but didn’t buy in the end.
This post contains affiliate links – please see my disclosure policy for more details.
Table of Contents
Horn Sewing Cabinet Video Review
Here is a video demonstration and review of the Horn Sewing Cabinet I bought from my Youtube channel.
You can also read further below for more detailed thoughts and links to everything I talk about.
What to consider when buying a flatbed sewing cabinet
I don’t think of my new table as a sewing cabinet, I think of it more as a flatbed sewing table and the flatbed aspect of it was a big part of why I bought it (see below).
But here are a few other things to consider as you start to compare and contrast different pieces of sewing furniture.
- Does the work area provide enough space for larger projects?
- What size machine do you have and will the cabinet accomodate it?
- Can you switch out different sewing machines in future?
- Do you have a dedicated sewing space to put it or do you need one that folds away?
- Does the table/cabinet have adjustable height or can you use your machine in different positions?
- Does the cabinet give you enough knee room to work comfortably?
- What are the shipping times – and are you prepared to wait that long?
- And of course – how affordable is it? Of couse everyone wants to buy a high quality item but sometimes something cheaper will suit you just fine!
Why I bought my Horn Sewing Cabinet
There are lots of horn sewing cabinets in different sizes. Mine is called ‘Quilter’s Delight‘ – I think because of the placement of the extensions on the table (well placed for quilts!)
In general, a Horn sewing cabinet is considered a high-end sewing cabinet. So they aren’t cheap.
I’ll explain why I bought mine anyway and what some of the cheaper alternatives are below.
Flatbed Sewing!
The main reason I bought this table was because of the custom flat bed Plexi Insert.
It was custom-built for my sewing machine.
It is placed around my machine to allow for a smooth, flat workspace when the machine is in the middle position (I’ll talk about the other positions below!)
I bought the table that is cut for the largest machines (I have a Bernina 770QE), which also should mean that if I ever want to change machines, all I need to do is buy a new plexi insert to get a flatbed surface that perfectly fits my new machine and my sewing table.
Update: I have now switched machines and it was easy to buy a new insert for my Pfaff Quilt Expression 720. The post about why I traded my Bernina in is here.
The reason I wanted a flatbed sewing table so much was because with my old sewing machine extension table – not a flatbed – the quilts would often kind of get caught under the lip of the extension table – so annoying!
Also, I had heard that the position I was holding myself in to use my machine so high up (as in sitting on my dining table rather than flush in a flatbed sewing cabinet) was probably part of what was making my back hurt while I was sewing.
Drop Leaf Table Extensions
Another huge feature is the workspace.
There are table extensions to the left and back of the table meaning there is plenty of space to rest the weight of a quilt when I am at the quilting and binding stages.
This extra space will make it so much easier for me to navigate a quilt – allowing me to keep most of the weight of the quilt on the table, and avoid it dragging on the floor or getting caught up under anything.
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This is the table with the extensions down and the top table insert in:
There are three extensions that fold up and out on the Quilter’s Delight model that I bought.
One is the small side extender, which is perfect for my iron.
The other is the larger extension to the back, which creates additional workspace and a great big cutting table.
Finally, there is the side left extension and a bonus rolling set of cabinet drawers that comes out for extra storage.
The cabinet depth size is perfect and I use my own storage trays inside for storing feet, bobbins, stitch plates, and other items I need close at hand when I am sewing.
The entire table is on easy-roll lockable casters, which allows you to easily move it around your space.
Sewing Machine Lift Mechanism
The table/cabinet has a lift mechanism so you can use the sewing machine with the free arm (top position), use it with the flatbed insert for quilting (middle position), and also completely lower it out of sight (lowest position).
There is an additional insert (made of the same wood as the rest of the table) that fits above your sewing machine when it is down in the lowest position, which gives you a huge cutting surface or a larger area for folding or ironing.
I used to use my dining table to cut fabric, this is much nicer!
*Be sure to use a cutting mat and do not cut directly on the surface of the table.
Customer Service & Assembly
Lastly, upon research and reading reviews, I saw Horn has great customer service and a lifetime warranty on their products (for residential use – not if you are buying this to teach sewing classes), which is important!
But the main thing that decided me on the Horn Cabinet over some of the ones listed below is that I didn’t have to assemble it!
The delivery driver came at 8.41am, got to work putting it together, and was gone by 9.40.
He was very neat and tidy and even lined up the packing materials that he left behind to make it easier for me to dispose of them.
He also demonstrated how to move my sewing machine into different positions and gave me a few other tips too!
Table Details and Dimensions
You have 4 choices in colors for this model which I like, I chose the white one!
- White
- Weathered Oak
- Beech
- American Grey Oak
When the table is closed the dimensions are:
- Wide 127cm
- Deep 52cm
- High 74cm
If the table is fully opened the dimensions are
- Wide 150cm
- Deep 128cm
- High 76cm
I like that you can have a huge workspace, but also fold the table in and have the necessary space in your room if you need it.
This gives you options to store it easily when it is not in use.
For me, I would use this option most when I want to baste a quilt on my sewing room floor. I can fold the table in and push it out of the way!
Pros & Cons of the Horn Quilter’s Delight Sewing Cabinet
Pros
- Flatbed sewing
- Large surface area for large projects
- Extensions fold away to provide more space in the room
- You can change the bobbin in both the flatbed and free-arm positions
- On wheels and easy to move around
- Fully assembled
- I liked that it came in white!
- Storage drawers
Cons
- Expensive
- Shipping Times – I waited nearly 8 weeks for mine I think! A long time to wait!
Alternatives Sewing Table Options
I bought my horn cabinet with my own money from a UK Dealer (link below).
I have found some horn cabinet alternative tables, especially in the US which I have also linked below.
I am an affiliate for some of the places I have linked to and will get a small commission for referring you if you purchase from there (at no extra cost to you). But being an affiliate doesn’t mean I recommend those products more than any others.
The only one I have direct experience of is this Horn Sewing Cabinet in the video. All the others are ones I came across in my own online research when I was trying to figure out the best sewing table to buy for me.
You might have other criteria, so one of these might suit you better!
Horn Furniture Links
Horn of America from Sewing Machines Plus
Weaver Dee (UK) – where I bought my cabinet from (in their online store). They also have other models that are smaller and fold away even more for small spaces.
Comfort Sewing Furniture
In the UK (see below for USA-based options) this option is about £400 pounds cheaper, similar in size to mine, however, it is self-assembly, meaning you have to build it yourself.
If you feel you are confident or have someone who can help you build the table to save money then that is a good way for you to save some cash.
The SewEzi Grande Sewing Table
A more basic table with a lowered bed for your sewing machine. I believe you can manually raise it up to use the free arm and lower it so it is more flush with the table.
It comes with an acrylic insert to make it a flatbed.
You can’t lower the sewing machine down below the table though.
If you need extra space you have to add in more tables of the same height beside it.
It is a great value at a great price, just not as spacious and it doesn’t have any storage drawers. So depending on your needs this may or may not be a good fit for you.
USA links – these are ones I considered for myself that can also be bought in the US.
Sew Ready Sewing Desk (simple table I talked about in the video): https://amzn.to/3pd4JkU
You might be able to buy a universal cut-out insert for this or maybe get one cut to the size of your machine but I’m not 100% sure.
Arrow Norma Jean Sewing Cabinet with Lift
Sew Ready Hobby Table: https://amzn.to/3siCqTR
Sew Steady Extension Table (not a flatbed table – an extender for your sewing machine): https://amzn.to/3qfdXw4
Bahom Sewing Craft Table: https://amzn.to/3EcXzRQ
Arrow Bertha Sewing Table & Storage
DIY Sewing Table
Another idea is to DIY your own sewing table.
If you have a handy person in your family who can cut a hole in a table, and figure out how to rig up a lifting mechanism, that is always an option as well.
There are even folk who sell sewing cabinet plans on Etsy!
Then you can custom-build a table to fit your exact needs.
There are definitely cheaper alternatives out there, just look for what works for you.
Everyone has different needs, budget and available space!
Buy Second-hand
You don’t have to buy a new cabinet at all!
Another good option is to buy a sewing cabinet second-hand.
You can look for old horn cabinets on ebay, craigslist, gumtree, facebook marketplace or even just ask other quilters who might have one to sell to you direct.
Top Tips
- When you measure your space make sure to include a measurement that accounts for your chair and how far you will need to push it out to get in and out of your seat!
- Consider how often you are likely to want to sew in the flatbed position to determine if it is worth the extra money. There are lots of cheaper tables if a flatbed isn’t necessary for you – I really wanted that feature myself though!
Frequently Asked Questions
Different sewing machine cabinets have different openings where the sewing machine sits. Some are made specifically for larger domestic machines and some for smaller sewing machines.
Popular sewing cabinet brands like Horn and Arrow will have options for most domestic sewing machines. But you do need to check which cabinet is best for the sewing machine you have.
Industrial machines are unlikely to fit in these types of cabinets and often come with their own tables.
If your new sewing machine is roughly the same size as your old one then it should fit. But you would likely need to purchase a new flatbed insert for your specific sewing machine model.
I switched machines last year and just bought a new insert and kept using the same cabinet. However, I did buy the cabinet that had the largest opening for a machine to start with. If your cabinet is for smaller machines and your new machine is very big, that is when you might have an issue!
It is simple to measure the opening of your existing cabinet and check it against the dimensions of any sewing machine you are considering purchasing.
What do you think is the best sewing cabinet or sewing table solution?
Have you tried sewing on a flatbed table? What did you think?
I’d love to hear what your quilting table solutions are even if you don’t have a fancy cabinet!
Leave me a comment and let me know!
More Posts you might like:
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- The Easiest Quilt-as-You-Go Method Ever!
- Sewing Room Organization Tips – No Cost Before & After Makeover
- MicroStitch Basting Gun for Quilts – Review & Tutorial
- One Color Crumb Quilt Block Tutorial
- Scrap Fabric Quilt Block Tutorial for Floral Scraps!
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- Free Patterns from Scrap Fabric Love
