dunster

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

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

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

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

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

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

Great idea - bookmarked it. Thanks!

Earleen

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

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

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.