sewing machine cabinet
 

Hi - looking for a sewing machine cabinet. what do you have and what do you love/hate about it? where would you suggest I look for one? Thanks

I have an Arrow cabinet they call Big Bertha and that it is!. It has a lift so you can adjust for the height of your machine. Also lowers down so the cabinet can be completely closed. I have had it for maybe 8 years or so and it has worked very well for me. I was sewing in our guest room when I got it and used to fold it clear down when company came. Now I have the lower level for sewing so really don't need to put it away. The company makes an acrylic insert specific to your sewing machine. When I got a new machine I was able to order a new insert from the company. I believe I ordered it from Sew, Vac Direct. I would not have been able to do the assembly myself but my husband didn't have any trouble with it. The price range was right for me.

My favorites are 7-drawer kneehole desks. I have 3 for machines, 1 for 'all-in-one' computer, and a student desk with 3 large drawers on the left side that holds hoops & stabilizers for the emb machine on top.. I love the storage in each desk for each machine. Mercy! I didn't realize I had that many desks until I started this post.

The Amish around here make them. My favorite part is the thread drawer. These are available in a variety of woods and run about $1000.00 out the door. Depends on where you live what it would cost to get it to you. There is an acrylic insert to go around the edge of your machine, so you really can't switch machines unless you were to get a different insert. The drawers are dovetailed and the hardware is no-slam.

I have a cheaply made smallish table with a lift. Picked it up on Craigslist for $20. But it does the trick. Can lower the machine all the way to close it up or have the upper leaf extended to the left when open. It has 4 or 5 drawers on the right-hand side of cabinet. Also has a small leaf on the right hand side top which covers a shallow, open compartment presumably for corralling your tools/threads for that session. I don't have enough room to take advantage of that small space.

I see cabinets frequently enough on CL that I think it's worthwhile trolling there if you are in no hurry.

I use a 30x 60 table for sewing and embroidery machine. There is a 20x 60 table next to it in an "L" shape. This set-up works better for me. Plus not enough room around the machine to layout and spread out various tools or fabrics. I can store the serger and other storage boxes under the tables too.

Think about how you sew or quilt. How much storage do you need? Will the table fit if you purchase a different machine? The specialized sewing tables don't have enough storage for my supplies. Check there is enough space at the back of the machine if you want to quilt large projects.

I need to be sitting directly in front of my needle and so many cabinets have you sitting too far to the right with no way to get your chair in front because of the limited space tp put your chair. For his reason, I bought the SewEzi table that is completely open in front and allows me to position my chair where I need it. This table comes in two sizes and with an insert surround for your machine. Other inserts can be purchased for about $50 if you change machines. It’s affordable and portable.

Thanks! Right now I have my old machine in an Arrow cabinet with a lift- have had it for years. but the new machine is too big for the opening. Thought about using a jigsaw to make the opening bigger - but then I would have rough edges.
I was looking at another Arrow - but they are expensive - never thought of craigslist! The new machine is on a folding table but vibrates too much if you sew fast.

You can get a veneer that is on a roll and would stick to the rough edges if you want to make your current desk/cabinet opening larger.


I personally use an old bank desk - heavy as heck, and has the area to the right of the drawers (which are all on the left) completely open. I love the desk as it's big enough to have my sewing where I want/need it, my tray with bits and pieces to the right and still not be crowded. My husband made inserts for two of the three drawers and most of my thread fills them.

Check out Sewing Machine Plus sometimes they have cabinets on sale. I bought a cabinet by Fashion now Galaxy. It is worth every penny. I have electric lift, comes with cut out for flatbed as well as solid insert to use embroidery machine. Plenty of draw space. Back lifts to provide additional quilting space.
Well made cabinet "a piece of furniture" .

The table w/lift that I picked up from CL has part of the right side of the bed sawed away as well. Apparently the original owner of the cabinet had gotten a new machine which didn't fit so son (from whom I bought the cabinet) sawed away a bit for her. The sawed off section is to the right of the machine where all the wires are so it has no impact on fabrics/machine bed. Would that work for you??

I was lucky to pick up a Horn quilting cabinet on Craigslist some years ago - It has a manual lift, but I don't change machines or even close up the table so not a big deal at all for me. If you sew a lot, I think it is worth the money (or expertise if you have it ) to have your machine set at table height. I have had this table 3 machines ago, so will just order new acrylic inserts when I change machines.

I have several that are in cabinets. Only one can change out from one machine to another. The problem with all cabineted machines is the space they take up. I was just looking at 2 different cabineted machines one that is interchangeable and one that is not. I wanted to switch their locations for the smaller cabinet to be in my sewing room where I can put a different machine in it to make my sewing room look a bit neater. It comes down to the space each one takes. This is just something to consider. I love the way they all look. As far as were to look for one I would start of Craigslist only because I am one of these people that look for a bargain anywhere I can find one before I go to a retail store of any kind. I would also look in resale shops. I don't mind refinishing a nice piece of furniture to get it to look the way I want.

I also have a Horn cabinet that I just absolutely love (almost as much as my machine). I had to have a larger cabinet that my Janome 15000 would fit in (and it barely does fit, just have to twist cord a little bit to lower machine). Got the machine from my LQS that I got my machine from, kind of expensive, but never, ever have I regretted the purchase; I've had it for 3+ years.

I have a Koala, and I love it.....lots of storage, sides and back extend out. There is a lift for the machine up and down.....It us an expensive model, I got it for $400.00 on craigslist, really lucky!!

Sewing Cabinet
 

I have a Koala, and I love it.....lots of storage, sides and back extend out. There is a lift for the machine up and down.....It is an expensive model, I got it for $400.00 on craigslist, really lucky!!

I love my Singer 15-91 in its original cabinet - I learned to sew on that machine (1962) and so the cabinet is very comfortable for me - the leaf folds out when I am using the machine. No storage really except a very small drawer on the front. And there is a bit or storage in the stool under the cushion. My Janome has a table that it sets into (made for the machine). I like it because it's always set up - I just put a cover over it.
Never thought about a larger cabinet since I have most of my sewing items in other cabinets - all my embroidery thread is in its own drawers and I have built in cabinets for other items and a closet with all my fabric.

That sounds perfect!!