Sew What’s Up Presents
The Sew What’s New Archive
This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
quilting message board “Sew What’s New,” which was
retired in August 2007. It is being provided by
“Sew What’s Up,”
which serves as the new home for many members of “Sew What’s New.”
From: PaulineG
Date: 01-01-2007, 03:53 AM (1 of 4)
|
Am having real trouble finding a sewing machine cabinet that suits me for practicality and my other half for looks. Woodgrain laminate seems to be the pinnacle of style here in OZ (we appear to only have 1 manufacturer) and the veneers just do NOT go with our decor. In a perfect world the look of the cabinet wouldn't matter because I would store it in it's own room - unfortunately I don't have a room to do that so I would need to store the cabinet in one of our living areas. We have a friend who is a cabinet maker and if I nag and plead for long enough he will probably make me one.  I will probably go and buy a second hand cabinet to raid the lift and stuff but I just wanted to ask what everyone thought were the best and worst things (must haves and never uses) about your sewing machine cabinet. I've been looking at some here but looking and using can often be very different. Pauline
|
User: PaulineG
Member since: 09-08-2006 Total posts: 901 |
From: paroper
Date: 01-01-2007, 07:51 AM (2 of 4)
|
When I purchased my embroidery machine I also purchased a quilter's cabinet. That means that the machine table is narrow but the back is gate legged so that you can lift it and have a large area. I thought it might be nice for (some) cutting, although it is too low unless you are sitting. It is meant to use to support a quilt when doing that type of work, which I don't do. However, I LOVE it and I don't put it down. If you do not now, but ever intend to quilt or embroidery, you will too. It is just the right size to support my large embroidry hoops and allow for hoop movement. My other tables would not have afforded me that. The cabinet that my machine sits on is this one.. http://www.robertsmfg.com/model_898/ prior to getting the machine I use for embroidery, I've used this one, although I have never bought the short rolling cabinet, I often use plastic drawers in its place. When I added the quilt table, I also added the corner table to fill in the space for my computer. (I can't get that link to work, but it is just a simple corner). http://www.robertsmfg.com/model_699/ I've had my sewing furniture in several rooms and two houses. I can't even tell you how many times it has been moved and reconfigured and it has maintained its "look" eventhough it is not the most expensive furniture out there. What I really like about it is its versitility. In each space I've had to reconfigure my furniture (some) to match the space available. It is great. There is little wasted space on the corner table and I really like being able to sit in one space and just turn from one machine to the other. It is great when doing large quantities of sewing (garments) at one time. My current set-up does not allow for use of the ironing board but I loved having it close and at chair height when I needed it too although I wished I could figure a way to make it come into the sewing space more without being in the way. pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: weezyrider
Date: 01-01-2007, 08:29 AM (3 of 4)
|
Some mfg's sell just the air lift for the cabinet. Like the Koala and Horn, I would use piano hinges. Go look at all the designs from all the makers. I liked the Sylvia with the corner unit, but it wasn't available here. A lot of the serger extensions are just wasted space as you can't stick anything else under the extension as you need the room to fold it in. I wound up with a Koala Lite. The serger leaf flips over and is supposed to be supported by the door. I found a matching file cabinet and used that for support instead. It's very cramped, but there is much more storage room. See if your friend can incorporate the best features from all the makers. Weezy 
|
User: weezyrider
Member since: 08-19-2003 Total posts: 218 
|
From: mommydionne
Date: 01-01-2007, 06:55 PM (4 of 4)
I have a Koala cub, it's small holds my machine and has a small amount of space for storage, it's ok but I would go for something with more storage inside if I did not leave it set up all the time. It came in multiple finishes, I have a blonded maple that matched the wood work in the house I was living in when I bought it, now 2 houses later it doesn't match, 
Jeanette
|
User: mommydionne
Member since: 01-08-2004 Total posts: 838 
|
Visit Sew What’s Up for the latest sewing and quilting tips and discussions.
This page was originally located on Sew What’s New (www.sew-whats-new.com) at http://www.sew-whats-new.com/vb/archive/index.php/t-21091.html
Sew What’s Up is hosted by ZenSoft