Monday, March 12, 2012

a sewing table find (and the one in which I utilize a LOT of parentheses)

I'm too embarrassed at the moment to show you the state of my sewing space.  It's currently (and mostly always) a disaster.   We have this awesome sunroom in this house and I slowly took it over when we moved in putting in my treadmill (it's like running outside, right?), my oversized-open-shelved-eyesore of a computer desk (that turned into a makeshift sewing table), and my little blue table (that I typically use my serger on but really love to have it clear for taking photos).

The computer desk is my biggest nemesis (it's sort of like this one).  The lovely display at IKEA with matching boxes and crates and doodads for keeping that open shelving looking pretty is lost on my messy mind.  It needs to go. I bought a much smaller desk, made for just a computer (which is all I need) and moved my computer to the living room (which is considerably warmer in the winter).

Over Christmas break I spent a lot of time organizing my big cabinets that hold a lot of my sewing supplies.  Things that I haven't figured out where to put yet got shoved in the sunroom.  My dining room table is always cluttered with my machine and cutting supplies - which makes eating together as a family in the dining room difficult at best.

So I decided I needed an old fashioned sewing machine table.  Something small that I could move around the house if I wanted to sew somewhere else.  Something that I could put the machine flush with the table for easier movement of fabric while quilting.  Something that was small enough that it couldn't collect clutter, because the only thing that will fit on it IS THE MACHINE.

I was checking out our local yard sale web site and found an ad for a Danish Modern Pecan sewing table.  I emailed.  They replied. I called. I picked it up this morning.
It is in nice condition and I don't even plan on painting it (shocking I know!!)  I didn't even take my machine to see if it would fit.  I figured between me and my aspiring woodworker (aka mrlouwho) we could make it work.

When you flip open the top to extend the table, you see the little hinged parts which hold the machine it was built for (or at least one of the hinged flaps, the back one was gone).  And there isn't a shelf or anything underneath.  But, BUT! The opening is big enough for my machine!

 
My secret plan is to have aforementioned woodworker (or the guys at Home Depot) cut me a piece of plywood (or something) and attach a shelf with some L-brackets to the underside where my machine will sit.  Good plan, no?

Until then, with the extension flap folded up it fits my machine and acrylic table on the top perfectly.
 
And brotherlouwho and I tried it out today and made some more progress on his quilt.  Here's what we've gotten so far.  It's shaping up quite nicely!

 
Where do you use your sewing machine? Inquiring minds want to know!!

21 crafty mcCrafters commented:

Audrie said...

Nice find! You'll have to show us when you get the little shelf attached!

I'm lucky enough to have a dedicated sewing room / studio so I never have to move my machines. They stay put and so does all my fabric. Which the hubs is thankful for because I think it'd drive him mad to have to put up with my mess hahaha

Jennifer Mathis of Ellison Lane said...

Oh it is so cute. I sew on top of my dining room table and would love a table my machine sinks into but I just bought an extension table so hopefully that will help!

Sally said...

I use my sewing machine at the kitchen table. I really would like a sewing table and I have an old one of my mom's that I might be able to modify. I really would love to have one of those swanky ones, but I really have no place for it and I'm not willing to spend the money for it, either :(

Quiltn Mama said...

I have a teeny corner in the living room so everything's packed in like sardines. My sewing table is a folding 4-foot table. Enjoy your new table!

Jocelyn said...

Well your sewing cabinet looks exactly like the one I bought with my first Singer Sewing machine, back in 19.......!! I used it for years until I was given a portable Kenmore. I also sewed on that one for years, until my sweet hubby bought me a Bernina for Christmas one year. That machine is housed in a very cool Koala sewing table with a large back extension. I LOVE IT!!! Enjoy your new (old) cabinet. If you really want to know how old it is, I will email you the year I bought mine ;-)

Artfulife said...

Love it Amy! I usually end up sewing at the table. It does make for a messy looking house ;) So glad you were able to find something that will work so well.

Artfulife said...

Love it Amy! I usually end up sewing at the table. It does make for a messy looking house ;) So glad you were able to find something that will work so well.

Shontelle said...

We moved late last year and I finally have a sewing room, albeit one I share with my two kids. We share an Ikea Vika Curry table to sew and craft on and I tell you, it sure beats sewing on the kitchen table which is what I used to do!

Katy Cameron said...

Oh, have fun with your new toy! I have what is nominally the dining table which is at one end of the living room. In reality, no-one's dined on it in 10 years, and it would be rather impossible right now ;o) My only problem is that it's quite high, and although I have a booster cusion on my adjustable desk chair, I think I need another one! Although a desk that the machine would sink into would help my height issues, I often use the free arm bit for bags and clothes - you can never win!

Dee said...

Hurrah for you! I love upcycling, repurposing and renewing older anythings for use today!

Love the new quilt!

Nancy said...

After 40 years of wedded bliss (most of the time!) I have a nice large sunny sewing room...I use a SewEZI table for my machine surrounded by 6 ft banquet tables.. another banquet table on bed risers for a cutting table ..I even have a sky light! (only because it was here when we bought the house..)

Rebecca Grace said...

1. Love your new top
2. REALLY LOVE your New York Beauty block
3. Your new sewing table reminds me of the one my mom had for her 1960s Singer, except her machine was bolted into the table and didn't come out
4. I'm spoiled with a big bonus room in the house that SHOULD have been a play rooom or something, but I make my kids keep their toys in their bedrooms 'cause the sewing room is MY toyroom and their daddy doesn't want the sewing machines and fabric stash kept in HIS bedroom. ;-)
5. I see lots of orange in the quilt you're making for your son! I'm making a quilt for one of my sons right now, too, also with lots of orange. It's his favorite color, and I think orange is like the boys' version of hot pink -- it's about as colorful and fun as you can get without getting girly. Love it!

Lex said...

I sew at the kitchen table, probably to the annoyance of my Hubby, but I shove it all to the side enough to eat at one corner :P

pinksuedeshoe said...

oh that is pretty. really! I sew at the dining room table. And i justify it because we also have a kitchen bar. But Sunday and yesterday we ate dinner at our table because I put everything into my bedroom. I need a better system.....

Go-Go Kim said...

I love it!!!! I love the quilt and I cannot wait to see you!!!! You crack me up!

Sweet Woodruff said...

I have a huge sewing room and I still end up sewing at the kitchen table. *sigh*

bethanndodd said...

I sew in my sewing room. Although, it is getting quite cluttered so I really need to clean it out! I love your sewing desk but I adore your little guy's quilt! Hope your day has been fabulous! Smiles~Beth

Grandma G said...

I have a sewing cabinet pretty much like that one. I bought it with my machine nearly 42 years ago! The only thing I dislike about it is that the left front leg gets in my way a lot. Other than that, I love it. My machine is not portable, so it lives in there all the time.

I sew in our spare bedroom in the basement. It's a small room and VERY crowded, and getting more so the more I sew. It also contains a double bed and dresser, plus my ironing board, tubs of fabric, a rolling table that holds my sewing basket and supplies... all that and my NordicTrack which I have to nearly crawl over to get to the ironing board. Oh, yeah... and a chair that holds a fan that I use when I'm exercising. Whew! I think I need to add a REAL sewing room onto the house! Especially when our kids come home to visit and need the room to sleep in. ;)

Kat said...

I sew on the dining room table. My machine gets moved 2 days/year -- Easter and Christmas. If I ask my kids to put something on the dining room table, they look at me like I have 4 heads. If I ask them to put it in my "sewing room," they know right where to go :-)

I love your new table, it is beautiful!

Amber and The Boys said...

I sit on the floor. Not kidding.

PauletteB said...

I love your new sewing table. I actually bought one too that is very similar to yours. I also have the same problem. I bought it at a Goodwill with an old Morse sewing machine attached to it. My husband will need to unscrew it and make a shelf to sit below the hole. Please keep us posted when your husband does this with your table. I would love to pass on the wisdom to my husband who will soon have to make that for my table. Thank you!

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