When you are past your beginner stage in sewing you will be taking up larger projects.
You will want to stitch dresses that are long and will need more stitching space. You may take up stitching draperies or large quilts.
You will need more platform space for any of these items. The best way is to mount your machine on a table.
A table gives you a lot of space to work with. You can safely keep your sewing machine inside the table when not in use.
Sewing Table Or Sewing Cabinet
This is a debate that most of you must be having when planning to install your machine for larger work. The sewing cabinet gives you more space to keep various things. You have many drawers to keep all your accessories while the sewing table usually only has one drawer.
But when you consider the space you get for stitching, then the table scores over the cabinet. You get a much larger workspace with the sewing table. A sewing table occupies a lesser room in your house and can be moved anywhere easily. When you are not using the machine you can use the table for cutting your fabric with ease.
Know The Machines You Can Install On A Table
Before you purchase your table, you must check whether your sewing machine can be installed on a table. The holes for attaching your machine to the table will be found at the lower bottom of the machine.
Checking the place will tell you if your machine is meant for mounting on a table. If there are no holes, you must understand that your machine was not made for installation on a table.
Modern computerized machines normally cannot be installed on a table. The best option for them is the airlift cabinet. They can be securely placed on the platform and pushed down into the storage space. They are easy to operate and offer enough space for you to work. They can be used for any machine that doesn’t have the provision for screwing to a table.
Choosing The Right Table For Your Sewing Machine
Certain standard sizes are being followed by the table makers. The tables have a storage space of 13 1/8 inches in depth and 13 1/8 inches in height. The width of the machine can be a maximum of 19 ¾ inches. When you select the table, you must measure the machine and see if it can go inside the storage space.
When you look at the different tables you can find that most of them will mention the machines that can be fitted in a particular table. The accessories like hinges, screws, and bolts will usually come with the table. You can also buy them from hardware stores.
The Things You Need
Before you try to mount the machine, you must collect all the things and keep them ready. For mounting a machine on a table that matches the machine you will need screws, a screwdriver, a power drill, and safety goggles.
But if you are mounting the machine on an old cabinet or table, then you will need paper, board, scissors, pens, rulers, sandpaper, and masking tape along with the other things you need for the normal table. Mounting a new machine on an old table is more work, but then it is more interesting and gives you a different look.
Aligning The Machine With The Mounts
There are holes in your sewing machine for fixing the machine on the mounts. These holes are usually found at the bottom of the machine. In certain machines, the holes will be placed at the lower back. The mounts are found on the table.
Mostly the mounts come attached to the tables. Sometimes the mounts are separate and you may have to attach them to the table. You can do this with the screwdriver. The screw holes in the machine and the mounts on the table must be properly aligned for installation.
Mounting The Machine On a Table With Misaligned Mounts
Sometimes the screw holes in your machine and the mounts on the table don’t align. This will need some extra work to be done on the table.
Some sewing machine tables come with additional holes at different places. This will allow you to match your machine’s screw holes with these holes. You can fix the mounting screw at the hole that matches your machine.
But if there are no additional holes you may have to drill the holes on the table. You must measure the length correctly and drill an additional hole to match your sewing machine. You can do this easily with a power drill. You must be careful while using the power drill and use your safety goggles to protect your eyes.
Fixing The Mounting Hardware
You must first screw the mount in the right place. Once you have made the holes you can fix the mounting hardware to the table using the screws provided. Usually, the screws or bolts come with the sewing table.
If you don’t get them you can see the size required for the mounts and buy them from any hardware store. Once you have fixed the mount to the table see if they move freely. The mount should raise and lower freely.
Completing The Sewing Machine Mounting
We have come to the last step of attaching the sewing machine to the mount. You must bold the sewing machine to the mount securely. Use the bolts that come with the mounting hardware or get new ones from a hardware store.
Attach the machine securely and test how it moves. You will now be able to lower the machine into the recessed space and use the table for cutting your fabric.
Conclusion
You have learned to mount the machine on the table. You must consider the comfort of working when you buy your sewing table. See if you can sit comfortably and sew without having to stretch or bend too much. There should be enough space between your legs and the tabletop for the comfortable operation of the foot pedal.
If you are in the habit of doing large projects, you must ensure that your wrists can be kept straight when sewing. This will reduce strain on your back and neck. If the sewing table height is fixed and cannot be altered, buy a chair that will help you work comfortably. You must sew happily.