Suggestions for converting a farmhouse style dining table into a combination
 

sewing/cutting table?

My room houses my papercrafting supplies, as well as my quilting supplies. I really don't have space for an additional piece of furniture, and I'd like to work with the table I have if at all possible. I'm noticing that it seems a bit high for sewing, and a bit low for cutting. I know that I can use an adjustable height chair or stool to take care of the sewing part, but that won't help the cutting issue at all. The room is open to part of the common area of my home, so I really want whatever I do to look nice, as well.

Any ideas? And any suggestions for adjustable seating?

If you go to pinterest, there is a lot of sites that you can click on that show the way to alter a table for your machine.
If you had a sideboard you could turn that into your cutting table. I saw the ideal cutting table at Harbor Freight. It is called a workbench for about $149, (which goes on sale for $129 if you watch) and it has 2 drawers and then you can put a bench underneath for your supplies, either in baskets or tubs. That is what I have my eyes on. Have fun and don't worry too much, just go ahead and do it.

What size is the table? I would have a piece of plywood cut to size for one end. If your table is 48 inches cut the plywood 48 x 36. Cover with batting and fabric. Add furniture legs according to height desired.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Artesian-Ro...1-5-in/3557012

You can add molding around the edges to keep the cutting mat in place. Add your cutting mat. You could skip the batting and fabric too. Small screws would hold that mat on the plywood.

This could be moved if you needed the table for eating later.

PS: I have also used one of the cardboard folding boards. Put the cutting mat on top. This is a very light and portable system to use for cutting on the table.

To increase height, you can put bed risers under the legs.

You mentioned that the height is a little high for sewing.
I am "assuming" that you are meaning you put your machine on top of the table, and thus your sewing height is probably another 4-6" above the table top. Some have used the pull out area of the table, and cut a hole to sink the table into that, to make the sewing surface table height.

Depending on the comfort/discomfort level, you could gain your extra height by using a higher chair, such as an adjustable drafting chair. That's what I use for sewing .... it's lowers level is about the same as the highest on a regular stenographer's chair. Plus the higher heights, let me sit right up to my cutting table when I want to work at it, while sitting.

Here are a couple of DIY tutorials that may help:

https://www.youtube.com/results?sear...o+sewing+table

http://www.makeithandmade.com/2013/1...ml?m=1#_bj18Mi

https://www.candiedfabrics.com/2008/...-sewing-table/

http://frommartawithlove.com/2012/10...able-tutorial/

Thanks so much, ladies! I did end up going to get an adjustable chair today, because I figured I would need that anyway, regardless of whether I keep and modify my existing table or buy a new one. I was using an old dining chair that sat too low and had no lumbar support.

My existing table is 36x60, and it's solid wood. There is no pull out area. My machine is a Brother PQ1500SL with an extension table, so it's fairly large. It also has to sit flush with the front of the table in order for the knee bar to attach.

With the new chair, my sewing position is wonderful now, but I'm not yet ruling out a whole different work surface for my machine.

I am going to check out some of the links you all posted and explore the possibilities.

Also google Ikea table hacks for sewing machines. Lots of good ideas.

Cari