If you have never worked on quilts or other large sewing projects, a large, dedicated sewing table might seem extraordinary for the job.
However, the large surface area makes it quite easy to manage the project because every inch of the fabric will be laid out across the table for easy cutting, pinning, and feeding into the sewing machine.
But then again, some machines come with a storage tray and a free arm beneath their built-in sewing table, which means that this table will be left hanging even when placed on a large table.
Fabrics may get caught under this table, inconveniencing you every time, and this requires a simple solution; to make a drop so that the built-in sewing table is level with the table it is placed on. Below are some of the basic steps you need to carry out to make this drop.
Identify what you need
Tables might be made from materials like wood or metal. The type of material will determine the tools you need to get the job done. Using wooden tables as an example, they are quite easy to cut through. You will need several tools that include a drill, a jigsaw with its blade, a sander, wood screws, and glue.
Outline the sewing machine shape on the table surface
Identify the spot on the table where you want to place your machine and trace the machine’s outline on that spot using a marker pen while the built-in sewing table is removed. Give the machine a little allowance as you draw this outline so that it does not squeeze in when it comes to fitting it into the slot.
Drill the hole
Using the drill, punch a hole on the wooden surface that can fit the jigsaw blade. After this, switch to the jigsaw blade and cut along the marked outline carefully. Ensure you do not make the hole larger than the outlined shape. It is better to cut inside the marks then move outwards slowly until you reach these marked lines.
Confirm if the machine fits
After cutting out the marked space, try to fit in the machine plus its cables. Expand the hole further if it does not fit until you get the perfect fit.
Build the base
The next thing to do is to build the base support, which will hold the machine in position. Measure the depth from the machine’s sewing table to the bottom end of the machine and match that length with the depth from the wooden table surface to the base support. You might need to overturn the table and attach some wooden blocks on the sides using glue if the machine should sink in deep.
Once you get the perfect depth, attach the wooden base across the entire length and width of the slot using glue and fasten the wooden screws through it to secure it in place, then set the glue to dry.
Smooth out all rough edges
Throughout the construction, you might have ruffled the wooden edges, and these should be thoroughly sanded to a smooth feel. This way, they will not scratch you or tear your fabrics as you sew.
Attach the sewing machine
Fit your machine into the slot with the in-built sewing table attached. The ideal result should be a seamless table surface, covering both the wooden and the machine’s table.
Conclusion
This is just one of the ways of making a drop in a sewing table. Another option would be to build the table entirely from wood blocks and panels, leaving the machine compartment in a similar upper position. This might be a neater DIY project, but it is much more difficult to achieve than the one explained above.