Do you prefer a flat sewing surface or having your machine on top of the table?

My hubby has been hard at work building new cabinets and a new countertop for my craft room.  (I know, he's a doll!)  He’s about to start work on the countertop surface and wants to know if I want him to cut a sewing machine-sized hole in the surface for my machine to fit in so I will have a flat sewing surface.  I’ve never sewn like this before but have, of course, seen people on TV and in catalogs have this setup.  I’m thinking it would be ideal for free-motion quilting and for long seams or heavy fabrics.  Picture the sewing surface of my machine level with the surrounding counter and the bottom of the machine resting on a shelf underneath.  There will be no plexiglass or clear surface between my machine and the counter, though.
My question—is it worth it or am I better off just leaving it on top.  I have no doubts he can install it this way, but there will probably be a small gap between the countertop and the machine due to Singer not making square machines…  Also, if I get a different machine in the future, it most likely will not have the same shape.

So what do you think…should I have the machine cut in for flat sewing or just stick with it on top like most people do?  Tell me what you'd do...he's ready to start and waiting on my indecisiveness!  THANKS!!!!!!!!

There are times when a free-arm is a must have, and times when a flat surface would be great.  Ideally, I'd want one of these things, and a cut-out shaped for my machine.    I'd imagine you could get a cut out made out of lucite/lexan at a glass/plastic company for not too much money.

Snaps to your DH!
I would need the free arm capacity myself. But if you don't use it that way much then the flat surface would be great. You could always lift the machine out when necessary to use the free arm.

I also prefer my machine on a slight tilt toward me so I don't bend toward it as much.

My sewing table is exceptionally vintage.  My grandfather made it for my grandmother when she used to sew drapes for the Sears catalog.  So, imagine when the last time Sears sold drapes made by a housewife in Detroit, and you can imagine how old this table is...

Anyway...my table has a cut out that enables a flat surface, but has a drop in piece that looks like another mini table that I can put in if I want to enable the free arm.  When I'm using it flat, and the machine is in the hole, I throw a towel over the minitable and use it as an ironing board.  It's perfect for chair level, I don't have to get up and down, and it's great for smaller projects.

Great discussion ladies.  For me, I rarely use the free arm so I prefer my machine to be flat with the surface of the table. Although Detail's table sounds to be the best of both worlds.

Detail- I would love to see a picture of your table with & without the "mini-table".  My husband is just about to start work on my new table and I think I would like to change the design.

Sure, I rene!  I'm stuck workin' for the man right now, but I'll upload to flickr or my site when I get home.

But, um, I'm not going to clean my basement before I take the picture, so no laughing or horrified gasps!

Thank's y'all, Detail I am also intrigued by your setup and would love to see pics.  Keep the opinions coming everybody, I think I've got another day before he gets that far!   
What do y'all use the free arm option for?  I've used it for the occasional sleeve, etc, but can't think of that many uses...Of course, I just got up and may not be thinking clearly just yet!
THANKS!!

My hubby made my table too and I also had this delima. I like the flat surface most of the time, but sometimes it is nice to have the free arm...especially when sewing bulky bags. I like it for the top stiching around the top. Anywho, my hubby ended up cutting out a hole for my machine to fit in, but the shelf it sits on is removable and I can take it out and then put my machine on top of it. It works great for me. What a guy!! 

Children's clothing and mending.I try to order my construction to avoid tight spaces as much as possible but it's harder with children's clothing, you inevitably end up with a binding or a facing or a hem where you really need the free arm or you wish your free arm was smaller even!

Good point Dixie! Now the best thing would be to have two machines, lol. Actually my mom had hers set up like that. But I don't have room for a serger and two machines and the laptop. Maybe if I cleaned my desk. 

I would go with the best of both worlds, inset with a filler for when you want the arm.

Thanks, y'all.  Okay, I'm gonna tell him to cut the hole with the hope he can make the shelf to fit in the hole for free-arm sewing, but if not, I can just pull it out to sit on top for those parts...I'll have to pull it out for embroidery anyway.
I really appreciate the help!!!!

Folks sewed childrens clothing, inset sleeves, hemmed pant leggs, etc.. for nearly 100 years on flat bed sewing machines.  Once I learned to sew "in the round, on the flat", I found that I could actually  sew a smaller diameter item on the flat bed surface than I can fit around any of the free arms.  Having a machine with a smaller & narrower foot really makes things easier when sewing tiny items.

Anyhow, I recently did a blog entry illustrating this techique while hemming a pair of jeans:
How to Hem Jeans or Pants on a Flat Bed Sewing Machine

For me, the flat surface it preferable to using the machine on top of the table.

I agree that you really don't need a free arm... unless you are patching jeans.  I have three small kids and I'm stuck at how to darn or add patches to knees without a free arm. 

Any suggestions?

I couldn't even manuever around the knees WITH a free arm all that well.  Getting the two horizontal strips sewn with the free arm is easy, but the verticals - not so much for me.   I usually just open up the non-flat felled seem and patch knees that way.  I find it quicker and easier to do that than to wrestle with wads of  heavy denim around a free-arm in contorted, convoluted ways.  But, that's just my approach. 

Aaaah!  I never thought to do that! Opening up a side seam would be so much easier.  Thank you.