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redbreast 12-28-2012 07:43 PM

Sewing desk for 6500
 
My machine is about 5 years old and I have finally decided that FMQ would be much easier if I had a regular table to insert my machine. Anyone have any ideas where I can find one that does not cost a furtune. I don't need drawers, etc--just table where I can inset my machine. The ones I have looked at are quite expensive and I really don't need all of the extra drawer space nor can I afford to pay for it.

Lorrainep 12-28-2012 07:48 PM

Hi, Redbreast, I'm in the same boat - there are beautiful Horn cabinets here in Australia but I can't justify the cost of a new one and the older ones on ebay don't fit my Pfaff, so I'll be following your thread with interest. I do recommend looking on ebay but check the opening measurements carefully. Good luck!

Chasing Hawk 12-28-2012 08:07 PM

Can you have someone make one for you?

juneayerza 12-28-2012 09:38 PM

I just bought a sewezi table and love it. Some people think they are expensive because there are no drawers or storage. However, they are super portable and come with an insert specific to the sewing machine you have.

Here is the link to the site http://www.seweziusa.com/

leakus 12-28-2012 09:43 PM

I bough a Gidget II for my Pfaff with the insert to fit the machine. The table is not huge but does the job. It is portable and has wheels to take it to classes if needed. It doesn't vibrate. I am pleased.

kathdavis 12-28-2012 10:44 PM

I found a local place that recycles office furniture. I purchased a 6' desk for $35.00 and it works great. You might google to see if there is such a place in your area. I'm near Kansas City, MO.

slk350 12-28-2012 10:52 PM

You can find big desks and older wood tables at thrift shops very reasonable. Cut hole in it to fit your machine and put a support under it with wood and "L" brackets. Pretty simple to do yourself or have someone do it for you. I will probably have to do something like that when I decide to learn to do FMQ. Good luck

ljptexas 12-29-2012 03:52 AM

I made my own table few yrs ago (6' x 22"). I want soooo bad to get someone to make cut out to drop my Memory Craft 4000 (such a workhorse, had to have repairs done few mths ago, $190 but worth it) on so there'll be a flat surface! Really don't like the position now. My Dad, yrs ago, built a cabinet for my Mom where the head hinges up & down into + top that swings out to left but it wouldn't fit my machine & too it doesn't have very large sewing surface.

mshollysd 12-29-2012 06:06 AM

2 Attachment(s)
My DH made the table for me for my Juki 2010 and I love it, so much so, when I put my Juki on a frame, I put my regular 1990 Sears machine in the hole, and then filled it in around. See the picture of the Juki. He made the box underneath with an extra piece of wood and the L brackets mentioned in the previous comment. You need a good type of door though, with support. I used a hollow door that my dad (rest his soul) had attached a heavy cabinet door under neath and that was support enough.

Dolphyngyrl 12-29-2012 08:09 AM

I have the Arrow Gidget 2, they are about the same size as the sew ezi, but a little cheaper. I love mine

dunster 12-29-2012 09:10 AM

I bit the bullet and purchased a Horn cabinet with the mechanism to raise and lower the sewing head. I found that I very seldom need to raise the head (just occasionally to use the free arm) so I would probably be just as happy with a cabinet that just had a recessed shelf for the head. But having the bed of the sewing machine flush with the table, with room all around to support the fabric, is great, for piecing as well as for quilting.

Since I purchased my cabinet, I have seen similar cabinets on craigslist at giveaway prices. If I needed to buy another one, that would be where I would look first.

Wintersewer 12-29-2012 09:10 AM

I have two tables that my 6500 and 6600 fit into. I first bought the Gidget (not II) and my husband cut a little off the end so that it will fit. Later we bought an old kitchen table, 30"X55", and my husband cut a hole and made an adjustable shelf to hold the machines. I can use it with my Bernina if I have the clear slide on table in place. I would not be able to FMQ without these tables.

mpspeedy2 12-29-2012 09:15 AM

I purchased a 4 foot folding table from Staples and had my husband cut the legs off so it is 27" high. I then set my Bernina on it. I have the acrylic slide on extension table and between the extra surface on the big table and being able to see what is under the clear slide on extension I love the set up. I have 18 inches of space to the right of the machine to lay lots of things like scissors, thread, bobbins etc. Under the extension table I keep my extra feet etc along with the accesory box. Under the table I have a plastic storage set of drawers that hold my additional bobbins, threads and other supplies. My machine manual lays right on top of that unit.
I purchased another similar table, only six foot long that sits behind me when I am using my sewing machine. It holds my two stand alone embroidery machines and stores three more plastic storage units under it as there is no room needed for sitting in front of or under those machines as they are push button on and off for the embroidery process. I also have a rolling office chair that I purchased at staples that I use when sewing and only have to spin around to address the embroidery machines. Between the tables and the chair I probably spent less than $200.
If you don't have anyone to cut down the table for you if it is to high it is just as easy to put something under the table to raise the pressor foot pedal to the correct height for you. The swivel office chair is also height adjustable.

kellen46 12-29-2012 09:40 AM

This is for the person looking on how to get a low cost sewing table.
 
Eleanor Burn on her Quilt in a day site, under free patterns has a pdf for turning a farm table into a sewing table, scroll to the bottom to find it, also lots of nice free patterns.

http://www.quiltinaday.com/freepatte...asp?file=table

A one ped desk or even a two ped desk would work as well. The point is there an opening for your chair and is it wide enough to accommodate your machine. Personally I like the table as having room to spread out is important. I have one of those expensive Kola tables....believe me it is not worth the price. For one thing I never put the machine down as I sew all the time, secondly it is made with particle board and is already falling apart. I have had to replace blown screw holes, and the edges are crumbling, so are covered with duct tape. For what I paid for it I would think it would be better made. You are really paying for the air lift, which as said I don't use much. Now my kitchen table, a simple wooden one, was bought second hand 25 years ago, has had major use both for meals and crafting is holding up fine. So just get a nice sturdy wood table at the thrift shop and even is you have to pay someone to convert it to a sewing table you will be coming out a head money wise.

Midwestmary 12-29-2012 09:58 AM

I have a Janome 6600 and was in the same boat as you. I ended up buying two used 4 ft folding tables and an acrylic table cut to fit my machine. I place the machine on one table which I have lowered to the lowest position, and then put the second table behind and parallel to the machine. I used styrofoam covered in vinyl to fill in the gaps around the machine and acrylic table. It was inexpensive - except for the table. It's worked well for me for over a year. No vibration and plenty of room for my FMQ efforts.

Feathers-N-Fur 12-29-2012 10:15 AM

http://quiltinaday.com/theater/2300/2301.html

This is how I did mine, but I used a desk and cut the hole just big enough for my machine, so i didn't need a plastic insert like she uses. On the rare occasions I need to use the free arm, I just lift it out and set it on the desk to do the free arm work, the drop it back in the hole. When you make your support shelf, make sure you allow space for your knee lift, if you have one. My husband helped me do this for my Brother straight stitch machine, but I just got a Juki F600 for Christmas, so am sewing on my folding table until he has time to make the hole an inch bigger. the nice part is both machines will fit the table, just with a small gap behind the brother if I want to use it for the bigger harp. Oh, when I'm doing a big quilt, I set my folding table up behind my desk to give the quilt more support, then fold it up and put it away to have more room when I'm just piecing. Works great and I only spent $38. I also did my design wall the way she does in the video, but was cheap and used flannel sheets instead of headliner, love my design wall.

lots2do 12-29-2012 10:32 AM

Great idea - bookmarked it. Thanks!

Earleen 12-29-2012 01:32 PM

I got 2 computer desk from a thrift store for nothing and where the key board sat lowered into the font my machine fits just right and makes the bed even with table top then there is about 4 foot behind machine . There is a hole for cords from where the computer set us was.

vondae 12-29-2012 08:30 PM

E-bay & Wal-Mart both carry the Arrow Gidget Tables at fairly good prices. You might want to check them out. I have an older sewing machine table my hubby reworked for me. He's so handy.

maryb44662 12-29-2012 08:46 PM


Originally Posted by Dolphyngyrl (Post 5747410)
I have the Arrow Gidget 2, they are about the same size as the sew ezi, but a little cheaper. I love mine

I too have purchased one of those for my sewing/embroidery Bernina Artista 165. I can use the sewing part flush with the table and raise it to attach the embroidery attachment. Works very well. I think with the insert (made for my machine) the total cost was about 185.00 and very much worth the cost.

lovelyl 12-30-2012 05:29 AM


Originally Posted by juneayerza (Post 5746678)
I just bought a sewezi table and love it. Some people think they are expensive because there are no drawers or storage. However, they are super portable and come with an insert specific to the sewing machine you have.

Here is the link to the site http://www.seweziusa.com/

I have a sewezi table and I LOVE it!

Grace MooreLinker 12-30-2012 05:48 AM

My husband made a modified leaf for my dinning room table so I can set my machine down into for quilting. that gives me loads of room.

katesnanna 12-30-2012 07:20 AM


Originally Posted by redbreast (Post 5746530)
My machine is about 5 years old and I have finally decided that FMQ would be much easier if I had a regular table to insert my machine. Anyone have any ideas where I can find one that does not cost a furtune. I don't need drawers, etc--just table where I can inset my machine. The ones I have looked at are quite expensive and I really don't need all of the extra drawer space nor can I afford to pay for it.

I have a 6600 and have a Janome table especially for it. The cutout is about 2cm longer than my Horn one. Even the horn table I have is just a table with the dropdown. I have seen one on an American site.
Just like the one in the first post on this page.

katesnanna 12-30-2012 07:25 AM


Originally Posted by Lorrainep (Post 5746541)
Hi, Redbreast, I'm in the same boat - there are beautiful Horn cabinets here in Australia but I can't justify the cost of a new one and the older ones on ebay don't fit my Pfaff, so I'll be following your thread with interest. I do recommend looking on ebay but check the opening measurements carefully. Good luck!

Hi Lorraine from one Aussie to another. Check out Spotlight. They had them for $129.00 a few months ago but I think they may have gone up. Cheers Jude

Belfrybat 12-30-2012 09:04 AM

I have the original Gidget and like it for my regular Janome. Where are you getting the inserts from for the Gidget II? I've looked at a couple of places that sell the Gidget II, but haven't seen any mention of inserts.

Michellesews 12-30-2012 09:07 AM

I also have my 6500 on a SewEZ table, works great!

maryb44662 12-30-2012 09:32 AM


Originally Posted by Belfrybat (Post 5749860)
I have the original Gidget and like it for my regular Janome. Where are you getting the inserts from for the Gidget II? I've looked at a couple of places that sell the Gidget II, but haven't seen any mention of inserts.

Belfrybat, I have the Gidget II WWHT table from www.sewvacdirect.com/ but you have to call them and state the make, model and serial number of the machine you intend to use in that table so they can send you an insert that will fit around your machine. Hope this helps.

Chasing Hawk 12-30-2012 09:47 AM

We are starting on the renovations of the sewing annex. It's the other room my Long arm frame and machine sit reside.
He is going to add a cut out and brace up the lowered section where the machine sits in.

Chasing Hawk 12-30-2012 09:49 AM


Originally Posted by Grace MooreLinker (Post 5749385)
My husband made a modified leaf for my dinning room table so I can set my machine down into for quilting. that gives me loads of room.


Can you post a picture of the table? I would like to see what he did.

MaggieLou 12-30-2012 12:13 PM

I bought an executive desk at a local ReStore (Habitat for Humanity). I think I paid about $25. It's about 6' long and 3' deep. I sit my machine on top but I could have my DH cut a hole in the top for my machine. The desk has a center drawer that I could sit the machine on if I have the top cut out.

maviskw 12-30-2012 02:55 PM

My Darling Step-Son-in-Law made an extension table for my White machine which works wonderfully. I couldn't conceive of doing FMQing without a LARGE extension table all around the left end of the machine. An extra large table and another wheeled table to my left are a big help.

KayS 12-30-2012 08:29 PM

Watch on Craigs list. I got a beautiful table for my machine there from a lady moving across country ;)

maminstl 12-31-2012 05:38 AM

I just picked up a quilters Horn cabinet for less than a third of the price on Craigslist yesterday. I am hoping to get my machine back into my sewing room instead of spread out all over the dining and living room. I would like to get the proper cutout for my machine so am looking into that today.
Mary Ann

JeannieT 12-31-2012 06:00 AM

I was lucky enough to get an older (built 2003) Horn cabinet at an estate sale for my Janome 6500.....found a place online that makes the clear acrylic piece for the opening that is custom cut to fit around your specific machine and it was only $59.99. It was delivered to my doorstep within a week!!

JeannieT 12-31-2012 06:04 AM

Here's the link to the place that I got my machine insert from... they did a great job, it fits like a glove and was FAST delivery.

http://www.sewvacdirect.com/

PghPat 12-31-2012 07:05 AM

1 Attachment(s)

Originally Posted by redbreast (Post 5746530)
My machine is about 5 years old and I have finally decided that FMQ would be much easier if I had a regular table to insert my machine. Anyone have any ideas where I can find one that does not cost a furtune. I don't need drawers, etc--just table where I can inset my machine. The ones I have looked at are quite expensive and I really don't need all of the extra drawer space nor can I afford to pay for it.

My handy guy made a table for my Janome 6600 out of an old hollow core door. If you don't have a handyman you might be able to get a friend to do it for you. It is the least expensive way to go.[ATTACH=CONFIG]384957[/ATTACH]

quilter41 12-31-2012 07:31 AM

DH made me one with an old table that had a drop leaf for quilting. It took him only a few hours and then I painted it white. It can be done with little knowledge of wood working. I bought a plexiglass insert for each of my machines (4) and I'm in business for less than $100. Well a little more for the inserts. LOL!

jgriinke 12-31-2012 10:42 AM

I have an old office desk that my DH cut the hole out for my machine. He made a shelf for it and it works great. Another thing that we made was to sit on top of my desk. Take a piece of paper and draw around the front of your machine, and back. Figure out how big you want a table to sit on top of your table and take that to a glass shop. I got 1/4" plexiglass and then my DH put legs on it. It sits up to my machine and around the back. I think you can order these for almost $100. But, this was about $25.00 when it was done. Mine just butts up to the back of my machine and is the same height. I can take this to classes or retreats.

paulina 12-31-2012 11:00 AM

I picked up a $69 wood dining table from Ikea and cut out/dropped my machine myself.

phusker5 12-31-2012 11:01 AM

old desks as sewing cabinets
 
3 Attachment(s)
My sewing table is great. It is an old desk we bought it at a sale and someone had put a "bottom" in it and all we had to do was reshape the hole a little for my machine. It works great and i love the height of it. If i had more room it would be nice to extend it out to the back a couple of feet but -maybe someday. I have my ironing board just to the left of it and don't even have to get up to press seams just turn my chair.


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