New Sewing Table

[isew4kidz]

On the 1st of this month I set off to get a desk or table that would be large enough to support a big sandwiched quilt, I figured I could spend as much as $100.00 and no more.

I went to resale shop after resale shop and no table or desk to be found, or furniture either.

Went to the next resale shop and they had two desks, both were the same length as my sewing cabinet but were a nice 48" wide, one just had legs supporting the top, no shelves or drawers and was white melamine, the other one had 3 drawers on each side for a total of 6 drawers, it had a wood grain finish that was really scratched up and looked horrible. It wasn't just the top of the desk that was scratched up, the whole desk was. They wanted $50.00 for the white desk and $65.00 for the wood grain desk.

There were still 3 more resale shops that I hadn't visited so I was hoping one of them would have something. The first two shops only had clothing and books. Disappointed, I went to the last shop in the area and had decided that if they didn't have it either, then I would need to choose between the white or wood grain desks or wait till the right desk came along, and I was really leaning towards waiting. I was hoping to get a desk or table and cut a piece out so my machine bed would be even with the desk, all nice and flat.

So, I walked in the last shop and all they had was clothes and books. The lady that worked there saw my face and asked if I was looking for something, when I told her I was looking for a desk, she said they had a desk in the back room that had been donated to them and had been in their way for months. She told me to go in back and see if that was what I wanted. I went and looked but it is hard to tell when you are looking at it all disassembled to know how big, or what shape it will be when assembled. I looked at all the pieces and the finish was beautiful, no scratches or anything. I went back out and offered her the $100.00 I had to spend but I knew it had to be worth more than that but couldn't pay more, she smiled and said how about $50.00 but you have to get it out of here today. I love my new desk, it is perfect and so beautiful! Turns out it is a huge U shaped desk and had a locking drawer unit and get this the keys were in the top drawer, also one side of the desk has cabinets with glass doors.

Originally, I was going to cut a hole in the top to make my machine flush with the table. However, I never dreamed the desk would have such a beautiful mahogany finish. So, my question to you my friends is would you leave the desk as is or would you cut the hole for the machine? I am on the fence with this, part of me says yes because it will make quilting the quilt easier, and the other part is screaming no because the desk looks so new and pretty.



Jeanette

[bubba]

If you are never ever going to or planning to use it for anything but sewing, I say cut the hole!!! DO IT!!!! You will be so happy with it once you do! If it were me, I'd do the hole where it would not be up against the wall....you want to be able to move the quilt around quite freely.

Nice find by the way!

[isew4kidz]

If you are never ever going to or planning to use it for anything but sewing, I say cut the hole!!! DO IT!!!! You will be so happy with it once you do! If it were me, I'd do the hole where it would not be up against the wall....you want to be able to move the quilt around quite freely.

Nice find by the way!

Yeah, after looking at the photos, I realized my machine and quilt would be against the wall, so I moved the Serger over next to the Laptop, and put the Janome in the center where the big machine is, and put the big machine on the other side where the Janome and Serger were. That is also the only side of the desk that does not sit against a wall.

[Mpyles]

I would spend the other 50 on a small table that you can pull out when quilting that would make the machine set flush with the other desk.

[Kgrammiecaz]

I would for sure cut the hole and put your machine flush. Thats an awesome find and will be a beautiful sewing center. The price was more than right

[isew4kidz]

I would for sure cut the hole and put your machine flush. Thats an awesome find and will be a beautiful sewing center. The price was more than right

I like that idea because it would preserve the beauty of the desk and if I wanted to put my embroidery arm on I would have a hard time doing it with the machine set down in the desk. The only problem with that idea is that I spent the other $50.00 going to the Doctor and paying for the antibiotics to get me over pneumonia.

[isew4kidz]

Girls, I am laughing because I hit the quote with reply button on the wrong person, but I'm sure you all know who I was replying to. I am not at all convinced that the antibiotics are not messing with my head. Thank you all for your kind responses!!

[kensington]

I would not cut that just yet, what you have there is a full desk, computer surface, credenza and hutch. Dh had that same big set up on his office when he was the XO at Corey station. Lots of work space. I would work with it for a while and see what configuration works best for what you do. Once you are sure what machine fits best where for you then decide if you want to cut it and mount your machine then. That's a quilting room all in one!

[hh677]

I would not cut that just yet, what you have there is a full desk, computer surface, credenza and hutch. Dh had that same big set up on his office when he was the XO at Corey station. Lots of work space. I would work with it for a while and see what configuration works best for what you do. Once you are sure what machine fits best where for you then decide if you want to cut it and mount your machine then. That's a quilting room all in one!

I agree with the idea of waiting to do anything until after you are sure that you have the best configuration. I would also be exploring the possibility of having an oversized plexiglass extension table fabricated to match the size of the desk. I don't know what this would cost, but I think it's worth checking. In addition to saving the desktop, it gives you the option of using the space below the plexi to lay out pieces, patterns, tools, etc.

Holly

[easyquilts]

Yep.., we knew who you were ousting to.

I like Holly's idea... I have a small acrylic extension for my Janome, and I love it.... I can sew n any sturdy surface..

I would definitely give this some time..... I kind of feel like you don't really want to cut into that beautiful wood... So, take your time....try different layouts, see how that desk would really function in your space. Just in quilting, once you cut, you 're done.