tarheel*girl

Good morning! I'm new here but have just spent the last 6 hours reading through many threads and drooling over some of your craft spaces. I do believe I have found a new home away from home.

A couple months ago, I scored a BEAUTIFUL Stradivaro abinet with the original machine AND instruction book for just $25.00! It appears to be made of mahogany, with drawers on either side and double leaves that open up to a huge work area. I'm still in the toddler stages of sewing so I am a bit intimidated by the gorgeous aqua colored machine but I would love to be able to retrofit my Brother SQ-9000 to the cabinet without causing damage to the cabinet itself. I know the top mounting "boards" (yep, that's technical) will have to be replaced but I don't want to have to cut the sides of the cabinet itself like I've seen in some tutorials.

Is my best bet to get a lift? If so, what do I need to do to make the machine flush and not just floating around on the lift? Please forgive my ignorance, but well, that's what I am when it comes to this - completely ignorant. I've been sewing on a desk but I really, really, really want to use this cabinet. I also know the machine I have probably won't by my only/last so I should probably keep that in mind when I transform the cabinet...?

I love and respect all things vintage and want to show this piece as much respect as possible while making it functional for my needs. Thank you so much for your help! I'm sure you'll be seeing quite a bit of me - I already have plans for a fabric basket, and if that goes well, a rug. *happy sigh* I already love this place!

Nanamoms

Welcome! I don't know how to retro-fit cabinets but would love to see pics of your cabinet and machines. There are several people on the Board who can help you and I'm sure they will be giving you their input soon!

PS: Are you another night owl (noted your post time)? We have a bunch of night owls on the QB, too!

SEW

Welcome! I found myself in a similar situation, needing to fit my older Singer 201 to a more modern cabinet! I spent lots of time fussing about it and finally talked to my DH. He went into his scrap wood supply, pulled out a 1x4 cut to the size of the base of my machine and voila!, my machine was flush with the surface of my cabinet. The fit side to side was perfect but my machine base was still shorter than the cabinet opening, so DH fashioned up a "filler" piece and it has worked out great! Hope that helps!

tarheel*girl

Nanamoms - Thank you for the welcome! I am a terrible night owl, and according to my mother, have been since birth. Thankfully, I only need about 5 hours sleep per night to function like a normal - well, as normal as I'll ever be - human. My two year old would stay up all night if I'd let her but I have to be all responsible and stuff. I will try to get some pics of the cabinet and machine today. Maybe if I have it pulled out, DH will get to work helping me figure it out when he gets home.

SEW - How wonderful of your husband to make it work for you! It sounds like we have/had opposite issues but need/needed the same outcome. My machine is new so it doesn't have handy-dandy mounting holes but my cabinet is old; I'd say from the 50's. Disclaimer: only furniture from the 50's is old...not people. My mom is proof! hehe

pinkberrykay

I was given an old sewing machine table. The original machine was not in there so there was just a hole. DH go some wood and made a hidden shelf on the inside of the cabinet for me to place my machine in so it was even with the table.

Would love to see your table.

Here are a few pics of mine.
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tarheel*girl

pinkberrykay - Believe it or not, I have two very similar sewing machine tables! I seem to collect them...

Your DH did a wonderful job making it work for you. I assume you have to remove the machine for storage, you know, if you ever put it away. lol Thank you for the pictures!

barny

Many years ago I found a desk. DH cut a hole to fit my machine into and put a board in the drawer under it. I have used it for 40 or 50 years. Works perfectly

tarheel*girl

Great idea, Barny!

I've just about decided to leave this cabinet as-is since it came with its original, gorgeous machine. I have a couple other cabinets I can play with that won't hurt my feelings as much if they get a little messed up. lol

I also have a really nifty, double-drop leaf, solid wood craft table that DH brought home a few months ago from a lady that was moving. She gave him all sorts of furniture, and once I figured out what the heck this one was, I was in love! I have to refinish it before I can use it, though. For some strange reason, the manufacturer put TWO layers of veneer of solid wood and the veneer is peeling off.

I do have pictures of it. When both leaves are raised, it's HUGE and there are open shelves on the other side to store my sewing machine...if I don't retrofit one of the other tables similar to pinkberrykay's. As a matter of fact, one of those tables came from the same lady the craft table came from!

This table is in good shape structurally. The veneer makes it look like it's not worth having but I'm sure y'all can see past that.

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pinkberrykay

Thanks for sharing, and she is SO worth saving. I can see the potential in the table, you are a lucky girl!!!

lawsonmugs

tarheel would your machine fit in the center where the drawer is? you could then sink the machine in so it is level with the table and open either or both sides as needed fo sewing. It would hold a very big quilt. just a idea.