Replies

1. 
   GailAnn | Oct 01, 2007 11:27pm | #1

   Well, if you want a nice piece of furniture, this probably won't work for you, but........

   Due to some (long since resolved) family problems, I lived with my Aunt and Uncle for one year when I was about 16-17 years old.  No one in that house was much interested in sewing, but I was. 

   So, my uncle made a table for me, from a hollow core door and two 2-drawer file cabinets.  File cabinets spaced about 4' apart with the door layed on top.  If it had really been "mine" I think I would have padded the top and covered it with some nice fabric.  It was nice to use, just like it was, I appreciated having it in "my" room.

   I think Uncle's goal was to keep me quiet, occupied, and out of trouble.  It worked great!

   Gail

1. 
   craftyjudy01 | Oct 02, 2007 01:21am | #2

   Yes, I've thought about this too.  I don't want anything fancy - just functional.  I had bought cabinets at Lowes when I first made this room into a sewing room - the white laminate ones with 4 drawers and the other kind with the doors that open out and each one has 3 shelves.  We put the 2 4-door ones side by side and mounted the 2-door ones on top - gave me plenty of places to store all my junk  so that's why I probably won't go the file drawer route---but I thank you for taking time to give me an opinion.  The more I think about it, I'll probably go the craft table route from Walmart if I can figure out how to incorporate my serger into this set up.  These $1,000+ cabinets are just too much for me--don't think I'd ever drop my machine -just want something good and sturdy so I can get going with this baby!!!!!

1. 
   Gloriasews | Oct 02, 2007 01:52am | #3

   A single pedestal desk, with drawers on one side, would also work - I have been using it for years for sewing.  The storage is great (drawers not as deep as file cabinet drawers), & it was only $149 at Sears (part of a cheap MDF painted white bedroom suite).  I bought it specifically for sewing, as it has more table & drawer space than an actual sewing cabinet & was way cheaper.   I'd also considered the file cabinets & door idea, but didn't have the room for it. 

   Gloria

2. 
   Crazy K | Oct 02, 2007 05:42am | #4

   I have two 6' office type tables (Sam's Club) set at right angles and then a 4' of the same white plastic table for one of my embroidery machines.  On the two long ones I have a sewing machine and notions then I can just swing to my right and I have my main serger........and at the other end of that table, my Babylock set for coverhem (mostly).  The other table forms the other arm of the 'U' arrangement.  Works great for me.  Under the table with two sergers, I have a plastic drawer unit that I got at JoAnn ETC with about 6 drawers for needles, machine booklets, and other small notions.  This may not work for everyone but it works for me.  I dream of the day I can reduce the amount of excess fabric and get things more orderly but I'm not sure that will ever happen in this lifetime!! 

   No, my sewing area is not filled with pretty furniture.......strictly functional.    I hope my description is good enough to give you some idea..........a descriptive writer I am NOT.

   Happy Stitching!

   K

3. 
   meg | Oct 02, 2007 01:15pm | #5

   All these ideas are great. Just remember that when you're placing your machine into the surface, be sure that the needle area of the machine is centered to your body.
   That is, if you're using a pre-made desk, don't center the entire machine in the center of the knee-hole of the desk. That moves the needle to the left of your body and you will have to lean to the left to use your machine. That's very bad for your posture!

1. 
   maggiecoops | Oct 12, 2007 02:09pm | #6

   Your point about having the needle centred for you struck a chord. When I started sewing I had to share the dining table with my DH who spread himself over two thirds of it. It was an oval table and he managed to hog the area which had no curve and a chair could sit comfortably. I was on an end, because of the shape my chair wouldn't sit square to the needle and I was forced to lean slightly. No problem for 5 minutes, but agony if I had loads of sewing to do. I ended up with a stiff shoulder and neck which years later has resulted in permanent problems with my shoulder and top of my spine. Since then I've acquired my own sewing room with long work benches, everything arranged so I can sew with my needle directly in front of me. A cutting table high enough to stand at without having to be constantly bent over, a normal table is too low to use as a cutting table. I'm 5' 3" and my cutting table height is 3' 3" high, that stops me getting shoulder fatigue, low back pain from being bent at the hips and allows me the perfect height for working. 

   mags

4. 
   Pattiann42 | Oct 13, 2007 04:01pm | #7

   This is a great machine.  It is heavy and should be on a sturdy table.  I have mine on an antique oak work table/desk that was salvaged from a former employer (apparel manufacture/corporate office).  The front of the table has two drawers the depth of the table top and about 4" deep - perfect for storing thread and hoops.

   Enjoy you new machine.

5. 
   suesew | Oct 14, 2007 04:41am | #8

   Do you live anywhere near an Ikea? They have some great tables in a variety of shapes. I just purchased three dressers and will eventually, when I get in my new space, put 6 ft bookcases on top of them to use up all the wall space. I also have one of their 6 drawer rolling storage units. At the moment I am also using a door on two file cabinets!