I got my "sewing center" from JoAnn's and I love it.l It collapses into a nice sized credenza when it is shut, but when it is open there is a place for my machine that sits lower than the table itself. It has a little bookshelf for books and magazines, it has a small drawer for scissors and cutters and stuff and another drawer for my thread and bobbin winder and Calculator. The top of the table has a back that opens up to a 46x46 top, perfect for setting blocks on, it has a grid on the top 1"; grids with 1/8" rulering. It was $129.00 I believe with a 50% off coupon. I love it. Google Sew Essentials Quilters Design Table. That is mine - sold by JoAnn's. It is not expensive and it does the trick and I like that the machine is down about two inches from the table. Hope that helps. Edie

I didn't cut mine either. I just put my machine on the top. The table was so big I could do everything on it from the planning to the final seaming. If you don't want it scratched you might consider have a glass cut to put over the top of it. I really liked using it. My bad. Would have, should have and didn't keep it.

I like it! But I need a table/cabinet in which my sewing machine sits in it, is level with the top. (My old machine isn't portable.)

Yesterday, I visited a family woodworking shop of excellent quality about 25 miles from here. Their beautiful, hand crafted, oak, solid sewing cabinet is wonderful-and costs $580.

I asked if it was possible to make one without drawers (like what I have now) and is wide enough for me to sit in front of the needle.
Yep, $300!

I also looked around for a large old desk or table-maybe one possibility.

I'm glad I'm still looking thanks to all your info. Haven't decided yet!

Too pricey! Go to a second hand store, pick up a desk for $50 and tweek it. OR get 2 file cabinets, and some countertop scraps and position it between the cabinets. BUT! if you can afford it, and $$ is no object - go for it!

if you just want something to put the machine on that is comfortable look up SewEzi. It is a fold up table. I really like mine as the machine can be moved around.
There has been a lot of discussion on some boards relating to using an old typewriter desk and even converting a solid door into a sewing table.

I love my cabinet..bought at a sewing expo 20 years ago...has 24 inches to the left of the machine, 6 in to the right (room for coffee mug or pin cushion) and 30 in behind. One drawer to the left and door that opens w/sliding shelf deep enought to store two machines.Lots of room for when I machine quilt a project. Make sure you have lots of room to the left/back of the machine. Otherwise you'll be cramped when working on larger projects.

My friends all purchased that expensive desk a few years ago. They love it. I just couldn't see spending that much on a desk to sew on.
I had an extra old office desk. The kind with lots of drawers. Well, I asked my husband and he cut a spot in it for my machine to fit in, and then made a drop down area for it to sit in.
Maybe instead of having someone build a whole new desk, they could redo an exsisting one. The top it large and I have more drawers than the really expensive desk.

JG, you did what I did, they make great sewing tables.

Could you convince the hubby (or a neighbor, brother, handy-friend) to cut out the top of your existing table so you could drop your machine to the level of the table? If your handyperson could screw braces at each side of the opening, they could attach right angle brackets at the level of your machine, then cut plywood to support the m/c. The major expense would be an acrilyc filler around the m/c, if hole in the table top is larger than the current m/c. If you are quilting, a portable banquet table with fold-up legs could be set up behind the wooden table to add space. I can see a couple of file cabinets or shelving underneath to hold baskets or bins for your supplies...OOOOOO the possibilities...