One thing I forgot to mention about my cabinet is how the machine is placed relative to the chair. I think this applies to most cabinets too.

What I noticed is that the machine hole is placed so the machine is centered in the chair opening. If you think about it, what really makes sense is to have the *needle* of the machine centered in the chair opening. When we sew, both hands are positioned around the needle. I think that I tire faster at the machine because of the little adjustments I have to make to position myself to the left of where I am sitting. My body has to twist a little to the left, my left and right arms have to compensate for the off-center needle, etc.

If I were to get another cabinet, I would want the kind where the drawers open out on either side, leaving a wide space available for the chair. That way I could position the chair so that I am centered on the needle. I love the drawers along one side of my smallish cabinet, but they make the chair opening narrow enough so that I have to sit centered on the machine rather than the needle.

Mary

Can I borrow DH? Mine doesn't do wood projects. He is an engineer- will design and analyze it for 10 years before buying wood and analyze for another 10 years, use wood for another project, pull out design, analyze again, decide it costs too much now and we don't have the room. Shelf design.

Ok- maybe not 10 years- no, I correct myself- more than 10 years (I'm referring to my "project" car I've been waiting for since 1996 to be finished). Love him, but I find I do better hiring someone to do it.

I have the plans for a real cool table from Keepsake Quilting. The pattern is $15.00. Maybe someday he will build it. I use a student desk from the 1950's. I cut on a 9 foot banquet table. Works for me for now.

Barbm

Cool table, Gem!! I like it a lot! My machine is on top of an older sewing machine cabinet. My DH doesn't want to give up his Mom's old machine which lives inside the cabinet. So mine sits on top. But my cutting table is a hollow core interior door glued to the top of an old 9 drawer dresser. It turned out the height is perfect, and I have TONS of work space plus 9 drawers to hold TONS of stuff!!

great table Gayle...
jlj - that door and dresser idea sounds perfect, what did you finish the door with?

The door is an interior hollowcore door - it has kind of a "matte" finish on it - it's not wood. It was only about $26, so really a cheapy. We didn't paint it or anything. I was going to post a pic but couldn't find it on my computer. I'll look some more & put it up.

OK - Found it.

thanks, my question to you ladies that your husbands cut holes into table tops - what is supporting the machine, there is an old cabinet at my mothers house,with three draws to the right and the chair that the bottom cushion comes off for a small amount of storage, but I believe there are huge metal hinges holding it up or down??? I guess I should go look at it more closely...

We are just going to take the piece that is cut out and attach it with L brackets. Then we will have to find somewhere that has the acrylic for the insert.

Debbie

thanks Debbie...

I'm using a large computer desk right now. Its big enuf for my sewing maching and my serger, plus lots of xtra stuff. But I did buy a pattern for my hubby to make me a cabinet with the drop down and lots of drawers and such. One of these days..........