I've been looking high and low for a different sewing machine cabinet. The one I have now (was my mother's!) doesn't allow me to sit in front of the needle. Awkward and tiring.

I've tried craigslist and my request is on some Google pages....but no result.

I did find a sewing and cabinet store 80 miles away (I live in the country in SW Iowa) and finally got to see and try some Roberts cabinets. Nice but tooooo expensive.

I'm down to two choices:
A sewing machine table (about $130) that holds my machine flush (I don't want it on top).

A cabinet large enough so I can sit in front of the needle
http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog/p...DID=xprd398503
And this doesn't have any reviews written about it...

My DH said to get the one I want now since I use it a lot. (He's a wonderful guy in many ways!!!)

So, do I get the table or pay close to $700 for more????

thanks for your help!

Oh, it's costly!!!

others may disagree but i think that price is far too high for a table that provides so little workspace behind the machine. it would be fine for piecing, but would be a major pain once you got around to quilting a top.

I say get the table or keep looking! Just think of how much fabric a$700 would buy!!! LOL

Good point about the fabric...

Hold out. Shop around. I would expect more for my money. Just my view.

Very pricy. My hudband built mine very much like the one at Joanns but with a lot more counter space. He used malmaine (sp?) to do it. It has a door on both end that opens and has to slide out shelves. on the slide out shelves he put pegs to hold my thread. If your husband is handy he could make you one much cheaper. Mine goes along one whle wall so I have plenty of room to do everything,

That would be wonderful!
I already asked my busy husband who farms as one of his jobs. The farm and machinery are constantly in need of repair. So, he said he wouldn't get to it...

He might be more inclined to help if he could see how much moolah he could save by building it for you. My hubby doesn't like to do carpentry things but he would balk at my spending that much for a sewing table. It could be really simple and still do the job.

Another idea, maybe you have a friend who is handy at building things who might be willing to swap his skills for something that you or your husband are handy at...maybe you could make a quilt for him/her or do some cooking, etc. I'm very frugal and would have a problem spending that much but that's just me.

It really is worth it to have one made for you. Here is a pic of the one hubby did for me; it took him just a couple of hours, and the most expensive part was the acrylic sheet for the insert he cut for me (around $30 IIRC.) I love it so much, I had him cut a second insert for my other piecing machine so I can swap them out. I now pair this table with its twin in my sewing room to give me lots of quilting space.

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-17094-1.htm

My most favorite sewing table in the whole wide world was the kitchen table Mother had when we were growing up. I hate so much that I didn't keep using it.

Since this is an opinionated question, I can't see paying so much for so little for many of the same reasons already stated.

But, your in a kind of bind, since hubby could do but lacks the time and you need a solution. If it's affordable to you, meets your needs and wants, you'll buy it. I'd suggest taking the drive to check it out in person to see if it truly meets your expectations as well as sewing needs. That's a lot of $$$ to lose if you aren't 100% happy.

My Mom had a sewing cabinet and the stool opened up for more storage, thread racks and so forth, but it was just too small and I developed a great dislike for things like that. But that's just me. I'd be happy for you if you're happy with it.

I got a real nice desk at the office store...
K

You might check in your area and see if someone would be willing to make you one that is larger for sewing quilts, has a storage shelf underneath, for that much money or less :D:D:D With the economy being like it is, someone may want to make some extra money :wink:

i use an old 8 foot long by 4 foot wide dining room table.

Hmmmm, I just thought of someone who could make this and I'd love to make a quilt for them!

Funny you said that...my first suggestion to DH was to use my parent's old, sturdy dining room table. It's just a catch all now. He said he didn't want to cut into it.

You all have been soooooo helpful :-D . I'll let you know what I end up with.

I would want a lot more for that kind of money

That sounds like an AWEFUL lot of money. What I don't like about the sewing desks I looked at is that I have very limited mobility. Right now I have a table and I can scootch the whole length of it without bumping my knees.

I think it's highway robbery, the prices those sewing furniture places ask.

Take the "sewing" out of the description and think "table". Costco sells a nice 6' long table that is height adjustable. A sturdy desk is nice and has the added perk of drawers. Tables/desks come in a variety of shapes and styles, you could find the perfect one for next to nothing.

My first sewing table was my son's old computer hutch.

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...

garage sales, yard sales, auctions, flea markets, rummage sales
not only can you find a reasonably priced table but you might find other treasures such as vintage fabric or on a very good day a quilt or quilt top 8-)

I bought one from a friend that bought it from WalMart. http://www.walmart.com/search/search...sewing+cabinet Give this a look see.

May I suggest checking out :
http://www.traceystables.com/

I have seen these tables and really want one. They are custom built so you can really get what you want. They are not cheap, but oh so worth it.

One thing that I have noticed is that with a lot of cabinets you sit centered on the machine, not centered at the needle. This can cause lots of back/shoulder/neck problems.
Also, I don't want a "lift" mechanism in my table because I leave the machine set up permanently. So why pay for that part of it. Especially if it is a "hydrolic" or "electronic" or what ever lift. <G>
(I am not associated with Tracey's Tables, just really want one.<VBG>)

Have fun deciding.
Pati, in Phx

I have a nice Horn cabinet and love it. The store gave me a discount. It was an older model. Like, I didn't care.

I just purchased this quilter's cabinet/table from JoAnn's. Regular price is $229.99 and I used a 50% off coupon. The nice thing about this cabinet is the top has a grid and there is a fold up leaf in the back, which would be great for quilting. The machine does sit on top but I don't think it would be difficult to cut out a section and add a drop down for the machine. http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog/p...ID=xprd1134127

Hmmmm, that's an idea. I think JoAnn's sale ends the 30th.

Edie, I just purchased this same desk/table from JoAnn's using my 50% off coupon. I'm in the process of changing my sewing room around before we set it up. I'm so glad you mentioned the machine sets down in the top 2". I didn't realize this! I think this table is a great buy, especially with the fold up leaf in the back!

Here are more sites with tables. Hope you find something you like.

http://crafts-sewing.hsn.com/storage...c.aspx?prev=hp!sf!dept&rdr=1&sourceid=googlegeneral&cm_mmc=Paid% 20Search%20General-_-Google-_-Crafts-_-sewing%20cabinet&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc& utm_term=sewing%20cabinet&utm_campaign=Crafts

http://www.dealtime.com/xGS-sewing%20machine%20cabinet~NS-1~linkin_id-8010230~cid-3522159572

http://www.sewingmachinecabinets.com/

http://www.sewingmachinesplus.com/sewing-furniture.php

http://www.ask.com/web?l=dis&qsrc=99...cabinets&ifr=1

http://www.allbrands.com/products/abc0314.html

I would buy the table for $130 and look for a folding table that folds up that is the same height. I bought a Lifetime table from Sam's Club for $40. and I love it. It is the same height as my sewing machine table and it is easy to move. It adjusts to 3 heights so I could use it high for cutting and in the low position it is a great craft/play table when my great grand kids come. Unless you have a very large space something that folds up is likely to keep you happier for a long time. I also have a table that is fastened to the wall and folds down against the wall when I am not using it for machine quilting. When I machine quilt the wall table is upto catch the quilt as it goes through my machine in front of it and my folding table is to the left to support the quilt. You can do a search for Lifetime folding tables and have a look.

Thanks a bunch! I didn't think to check Amazon and it had the lowest price for Bertha.
Still don't know yet...