Library Card Files Converted to Sewing Room Storage
 

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A gift from my neighbor - two credenzas of library card files.
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Here you can see one of the credenzas where I removed the drawers, sanded, and primed the carcass.

Each credenza has four sections bolted together. Each section - 15 drawers. Each drawer 5" wide by 17" long, about 3" deep. Perfect for notions storage.

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Sanding, priming, painting drawers. This photo shows 40 of the 120 drawers.
Drawer fronts are wood and pulls are brass.
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Detail of finished drawers

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Two box sections stacked to make a sewing table base.

I love those old library card files - they turned out really nice!

just wonderful

Wow, that's so amazing... Love your 'covert' operation! :o

And... I want your sewing room!!

wow, you have a great eye for the possibilities, well done.

From a retired Librarian, WOW! Some library's still use them but most have converted to computer usage. I always liked the card files, grew up using them.

Awesome looking.

Thanks for all the great comments. The library card files have been wonderful to store all kinds of sewing notions. Makes finding things easy. I have a couple more things to share on another post about organizing my sewing space--dedicated shelves and props like a vintage doily stretcher I use to store things out in the open. It keeps me "aware" of new ideas, and projects to finish.

Wow. Those are quite simply, amazing!

For many years every time I saw a card file or a picture of a card file I would think "I wish I could get one of those for my sewing room!" . Yours is beautiful and I'm jealous!

Now that's what I call a sewing room. The files look fantastic and I bet you can store some notions very nicely.

I have two of the "stacks". Where did you get the black plastic inserts? Those rods that run the length of the drawers are a pain in the neck! Thanks for any into.

Wow Oh Wow!!! I truly wish I had them...what a wonderful idea!!

Those turned out great!

Family Dollar Store has all kinds of plastic bins, and these "thread spool size bins" caught my eye right away back in 2012 when I was setting up the studio. I know what you mean about the file card rod taking up space in the drawer. I removed some of the rods (experimented) and stored the rods in a wastepaper basket for safe keeping under my sewing space. With pliers and some effort you can remove the exterior brass button end from the card file interior rod. The brass button fits snugly back into the drawer front hole. You could glue the brass button in place with something like E6000 glue in a tube. However, I'm keeping my possibilities open by saving the rods. The next person who owns my home and studio might want the rods back in the vintage drawers for whatever reason. My thought about restoration of vintage and antique items is, "preservation if possible". So that is the only reason I haven't glued the brass buttons in place.

super nice!!!!

Great refinishing job!! Love your room. So organized.

That's such a great idea!! I also love anything to do with re or upcycling. You're going to love using them!

I love how they turned out. I will be on the hunt for some of these card files.

Fantastic! I love it. Great ideas. :)

I am so jealous, love your sewing room.

I don't think one can ever have too many drawers so this is a perfect set-up in my opinion. You did a fantastic job on rehabbing the cabinets and what a job that was! They look practically brand new ... but I guess you did make them "brand new". I am extremely jealous of your sewing room/studio. If only I had the room and could be lucky enough to stumble upon library files ... and be lucky enough to live near you for mentoring.

Holy moly!! Great use of those Library card cabinets. Not only did you save a piece of history, you also have a great looking sewing room. Awesome job!! Love your space.

Love the files and your sewing room.

What a wonderful addition to your sewing room...you did a fantastic job.

I love your idea with the library file drawers! Why... you've even painted them the same color as my office/sewing desk! If you don't mind, would you please pack those up and send them to me. I'll gladly pay the freight costs. :D

~C

That is awesome

Wow what a great space to encourage creativity! I love it when I see items repurposed, you did a fantastic job, it must have been a lot of work to sand that all down!

This is fabulous.... My general contractor recently did restoration work for state building and has several old book shelves with glass doors from law library. He is giving me some for my sewing room when I move. I'm very excited to put them to use in my new sewing room. I love your repurposing idea...just awesome... Dream room..

That is really great!! Our school library gave the old card files to the science department and they are used every day!! Yours are prettier!!! :D

Great re-do of the Library card cabinets! Fun room too!

Wonderful idea. BrendaK