I was just reading a post today on the Quilting Board Digest. Misskira was asking about our home made or re-purposed sewing tables, and it got me to thinking, and I thought I would share...
My hubby built me a great table, years ago for that very first HQ home frame, the one that had rails that taped down to a table top. It was a horrible frame, but I
HAD to have it! That frame didn't last to long in my sewing room, but the table that hubs built, has become my greatest asset.
It's a full 12 foot long, and I use every foot of it daily. The frame is just simple
2" x 4" lumber. The top and shelf underneath is plywood with a few coats of enamel paint in it. It's no beauty, but its very functional. My favorite part is the recessed light box on the end. With all the fusible applique that I do, it's been a god send!
I know that many like the drop down for their machines to sit in. I have found for me, that with having the over sized table top, I haven't really needed the recessed machine bed. I also keep my table about a foot away from the wall, so as I work on a large project, it can drop down behind if needed. (it's also a great place to store extra "stuff" like batting scraps, etc, etc! And NO, I am not going to show you my mess back there!! :-) :-) That's the joys of hiding places!
A small set of drawers on one end is a great place to store all those "supplies" we collect. You all know those 100 different pair of scissors, etc... LOL!!
And by attaching pegboard to the side of the cabinet, I had the perfect place to hang all those rulers we collect, too!
(rats my hidden batting scraps are showing from behind)
Hubs had no idea that I would find a use for every nook and crannie.
It was easiest to attach the cabinet to the table by screwing it into the end of the frame. The gap from the legs makes for a perfect place to store those big rulers and extra cutting mats.
Then there is all that storage. It's a great place to keep "stash" and scraps. I never dreamt that I would ever fill all those drawers, when I bought them! Gheez, just how does that happen???? I probably shouldn't mention the hiding places on the floor under the table too!!
Here is the most important part of it all, those "Sliders". They are a must for moving this thing out to vacuum on the rare occasions that I can't stand the mess anymore!! This table is one HEAVY beast, but I can move it myself with these things on it! :-)
When I am not using my light box, I have a 2' x 4' ironing board that sits on top of it. It is just the best! Home Depot sells 1 inch plywood pre-cut into this 2' x 4' size. I just rounded off the edges with a saw, put 2-3 layers of cotton quilt batting down, then bought that silver ironing board cover fabric from JoAnn's fabrics. You just wrap it around and duct tape it down. When it needs replaced, you just peel it off, put on a new cover. It really can't get much easier than that!
My table is 3 foot wide, and the ironing board is 4 foot, so for a long time I kept my trash can under it. They I found a great sale on these drawers. Can you really have to much storage space in your sewing area?
Now the down side to all this, is the more flat space I seem to have, the more "stuff" I seem to have strung across it, piled up on it, stashed underneath it, etc, etc, etc... Some days, I even scare myself!! LOL!
I have a very minimal amount invested in it. My guess is the table would be in the $200-$250 range if I had to built it today. I had the set of drawers on the one end hanging around this house for years and I waited for a sale for the others. The pegboard was rescued and recycled from another project.
The options are endless, and this table can grow and change as my needs do!
:-)
