Tips to make old desk into quilting table
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Martensdale, Iowa
Posts: 319
What you could do. The middle area where you chair goes into you could put one of those sliding shelve units in. What I am talking about is the kind they use in kitchen cabinets where the shelve slide out.
The best solution to the problem is cut the legs off. My husband has to cut down every cabinet I get because they are just to tall for me.
The best solution to the problem is cut the legs off. My husband has to cut down every cabinet I get because they are just to tall for me.
#23
Here is instructions from Quilt in a Day on how to turn an farm table into a sewing table. I'm sure it would work the same for your desk. http://www.quiltinaday.com/freepattern/
#24
Since the el piece is the right height, I would see if someone could move the drawer to the left side of the desktop (most of these pieces are modular, so moving the drawer may not be a problem), then turn it so the desk is along the left wall and the el section is where the desk now sits - a lot easier than cutting and fussing, you'd still have the extra space while quilting, wouldn't lose the storage space in the drawer, and a whole lot easier, I would think. If you were piecing, your machine could be anywhere on the el work space, so you have plenty of room to manage all the pieces, etc. around the machine as you work, if you were quilting, you could move it so it was right on the edge where the two pieces come together, so the quilt doesn't fall into a chasm and get bunched up. Or maybe just move it closer to the joint, and add a phone book or something to make a 'bridge' to the desktop. Just not my phone book, it's about 6x8" and 3/4" thick - will be good for strip piecing but not much use when trying to create height!
Last edited by MdmSew'n'Sew; 05-09-2012 at 06:07 AM.
#25
I have an old executive desk I use as a sewing table. I can use the center drawer to put my machine in and it's pretty much level with the desk top. It also has two pull out shelves on each side. I've debated about having my DH cut a section out of the top for my machine but I would hate to lose the top of the desk. If you cut a hole in the desk top, make sure you cut it a little larger than you need and mount a shelf to sit your machine on just deep enough to keep your machine level with the desktop. Use the piece you cut out to replace in the desktop if you move your machine. That way you still get the use of a level desktop without a hole in it.
#27
Super Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: S.E. Queensland, Australia
Posts: 1,503
Why not raise your chair to a suitable height, then use a box or footstool to put the foot pedal, and your feet on, so they are not uncomfortable. Glue a bit of velcroe to the bottom of the pedal, and perhaps fabric to the box to stop sliding.
#28
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Quilting, crocheting, sewing and crafting in my Sewing Room...Peaceful and wonderful !!
Posts: 5,317
Thanks I have an L shaped computer table I use as my quilting/sewing area and had been thinking of doing the drop down item for the machine. This just might help ! Thanks for sharing
#29
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Central NY
Posts: 859
My husband just modified a garage sale table for me like this: He cut a hole to fit my machine. He took a board a little bigger than the hole and using carriage bolts hung it right under the hole. These carriage bolts are long enough, 4"-5" or so, to make the shelf adjustable for any machine. They do show on the top of the table but are rounded smooth and shiny. They could be recessed into the top, but I didn't want him to bother with that. He cut 1" off the legs because I'm short. The shelf adjusts with bolts and there are rounded caps on the ends so nothing will catch on them.
We are looking for another cheap ($20 or so)table or two so he can modify some to sell. We're hoping to get $75-$100 for a nice big sewing/quilting table. I live in Central NY.
We are looking for another cheap ($20 or so)table or two so he can modify some to sell. We're hoping to get $75-$100 for a nice big sewing/quilting table. I live in Central NY.
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