Not Your Average Sewing Table

Viewer Project - By Ron Jones from Phoenix, AZ
Added on February 15, 2008

This was a project that really seemed as though it should have been easier–but we all know how that goes. I think one of the biggest challenges was getting the leaf on the end to be functional. I didn’t want anyone to be knocking their knees should they be sitting there and it needed to be easy to work and yet sturdy. It’s somewhat hard to explain but the top actually slides on the supports because the top is hinged from a stationary point. Yeah, clear as mud, I know!

Without building a steam system to bend the purpleheart I have no idea how I would bend the 1/8″ strip of purpleheart in such a small radius so I built a form and ended up doing a 3 piece lamination with each piece being just over 1/32 (I love that drum sander!!!) At that point I attached the curly maple edging and inlayed the purpleheart.

Discussion

Kip from Nothern Illinois February 15, 2008 10:40 am

I like it ! Well thought out. The sliding rack is for spools of thread?
Iwish my wife would sew. How many hours did that project take? From the quality of detail I would gues a lot

Thanks for sharing

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ALexander February 15, 2008 11:47 pm

Very nice and very innovative.

lates

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muddler mike February 16, 2008 2:22 am

WOW!!!!!!!! my wife is looking for something like this from me eventually too – I’ll be sure NOT to show her this one or else I’ll have a big order to fill. I agree with Marc about the PH details – fantastic!

muddler

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RJ February 16, 2008 6:47 am

Kip,
The sliding rack is actually for rolls of stabilizer although a thread holder was in the first design. The stabilizer is used for embroidery and would almost resemble small rolls of paper. I think I probably have about 60 hours and maybe $600 in it. This project was actually for a client however since completion my wife did move it to the top of her list:)

Thanks,
Ron

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Pops February 16, 2008 9:40 am

Fantastic Ron, I love the PH. Was it hard to lineup the lift mechanism? It looks like a tight fit. I rate the job A++++

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Jordan February 16, 2008 11:36 am

Ron,

You really acheived a beautiful “look” to this piece, using the “less is more” philosophy. I just love it.

I too am curious about the lift mechanism and wonder if the top opening’s cover lifts out.

I used to think that a drum sander is an extravagance I could live without. With my latest project (a wooden lamp shade) and your use of one, I’m going to have to rethink that.

Great Job!

Jordan

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RJ February 16, 2008 3:51 pm

Thanks for the nice words guys!
Mike,
If your wife sews, quilts or embroiders build her one of these and she will love you forever! Probably one of the most important things to keep in mind is not to leave anything for fabric to catch on hence the corners with large radiiïŠ
Pops,
The top does in fact lift out. It sits on a thin aluminum rail on each side and was actually pretty easy to fit in there.
Jorden,
I am pretty sure once you get a drum sander you will wonder how you ever got along without it! I use mine on almost every project now! Just do it man!!

Ron

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Tim aka Mopardude February 17, 2008 6:35 pm

Very Nice! I am curious thought the secondary color you used for a border on the top. From what I can tell from the pics, you molded it before you attached it to the top? I assume you achieved this by cutting the border strip into veneer thin pieces than gluing and placing in your gig? You find this way better than just going straight to the top itself?

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RJ February 18, 2008 8:36 am

Tim,
Absolutely! Due to the tight radii I had no choice but to go as thin as possible on the laminations in order to help eliminate the purple heart (PH) breaking. I tried going even 1/16â

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Tim aka Mopardude February 18, 2008 11:22 am

So if I am understanding you correctly the border is basically just an inlay piece?

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Pat Boyd In Monroe, CT February 18, 2008 10:02 pm

Nice! I was looking for some plans to build a sewing table for my older sister who makes beautiful clothing. I would love to see yours and know where you got the hardware for it (Particularly the machine lift). Again, nicely done!
Pat

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RJ February 19, 2008 11:32 am

Tim,
Yup just an inlay:)
Pat,
I don’t typically use plans other than details and a rough 3 model but I can provide answers to any of your questions general dimensions, materials and hardware list as well as a list of vendors. Just shoot me an email and I can take care of you:) ron@rjoneswoodworks.com

Thanks,
Ron

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dottiewayne March 18, 2009 12:13 pm

Hi i am a quilter and my husben does wood worken and sayes he woled make one of they’s table’s if i can get the project deriching’s can you tell me how to get them thank you dottie&wayne thank you poohbo@metrocast.net

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Robert Dunlop March 28, 2009 6:38 am

Fantastic table, beyond my expertise. Turned into a furniture piece.

I was wondering if you were able to purchase the lift wholesale. I purchase from Lee Valley or Rockler but that’s still a long ay from wholesale. Can you help?

RJ

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Dan Giles April 17, 2009 6:50 am

Hi, I am impressed by this sewing table project and would like to
build one for my wife, who just got a new Janome machine. Can you provide a bill of materials, especially the lift mechanism, and sources of supply.

Thanks!

Dan Giles
Charlotte, NC

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Ben May 4, 2009 4:18 pm

Great Job. I’ve just started woodworking and would like to eventually do projects like this one. What kind of equipment could I get by using to put something like this together. FYI – Space is a constraint.

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A sewing chick July 8, 2010 7:36 am

You’ve got one lucky wife, dude! I nearly drooled with envy looking at those photos!

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Tina September 11, 2010 8:02 am

I would like to get these plans for this sewing table – it’s fabulous!!!

Thanks

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anna January 18, 2012 8:28 am

can i get the plans.

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Jehna January 25, 2012 5:04 pm

Hello RJ,

As a sewer, I can tell you, this is an amazing table! Thanks for sharing it. I am planning on making a hole in my sewing table/cabinet(A massive beat-up old desk from the 50’s.) for a lifting mechanism so I don’t have to put my machine away every time I use it. Please tell me where to find one, and if there’s a special name/jargon for it. I would SO appreciate that!

Thanks you!

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Tom February 11, 2012 6:46 pm

Would love to get a set of plans and materials list.
Great work.

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Ashley November 25, 2012 9:17 am

I would love the plans for this.

My husband wants to build my sewing table and we were looking for plans. This is the perfect table! Fabulous job!

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Susan October 27, 2015 7:30 am

Hi RJ, I love your concept of this sewing machine table. Can I get your plans on it and where to buy the parts and lift, or did u make the lift too. I am a new grandmother with quilting and woodworking experience. I am truly looking forward to making this. Do you have any other plans or ideas? Thanks Susan

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Jodene December 21, 2015 6:28 pm

Can I ask if you bought the lift or made it yourself. Looking to put an electric lift in a very expensive sewing cabinet that did not come with a lift

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Lena February 28, 2024 6:29 pm

As a sewer I love this table And would love to have one. I wonder if it could have more than one sewing machine hole as I have a serger too.

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Not Your Average Sewing Table

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