Did the title catch your eye?? Well, this is not your average sewing blog post although it's sewing related. I made something related to sewing and didn't use my machine, a needle or thread. Instead I broke out the power tools!!! The other day, the extension "table" on my sewing machine decided that it just didn't like my heavy (I guess) quilt and a small plastic (oh when will they learn), piece that levels the table against the free arm broke off. Glueing was unsuccessful. So I began a search on line for one of those nice acrylic extension tables, something slightly larger than the one that came with my machine. I have seen them at the sewing expos, but they are so expensive ($100.00 and more for an 18" x 24"), so I did a little DIY search and came across several interesting websites and youtube videos for building one yourself. Not one to shy away from something I've never done before I stopped by my local Home Depot to check out the plexiglass. Given this was not a project with a 100% chance of success, and due to space limitations, I opted for the smaller of the 2 thick plexiglass sheets, 18 x 24" pricing in at about $19.00.
 |
| The starting plexiglass. Protective sheet still on. |
I also grabbed some 1.5" round wooden doweling, about $4.00 and a few pieces of sandpaper, $couple a bucks- and went home at least primed for success.
I used my current extension to trace the opening for the free arm onto the plexiglass with a sharpie.
 |
| took two tries to get the opening in the right place and the right size |
I left the plastic coating on the plexiglass to protect it from scratching. I used a spool of thread (but not the thread) to trace around the corners. My next decision was what to cut it with?? I started with a fine wood blase on my skill saw. It worked great for the corners and for one side of the cut-out piece. However, when it came to cutting the second side- the one that runs parallel to the first cut side, the plexiglass wiggled and vibrated so much it actually cracked. LUCKILY, the crack was in the piece that eventually would get cut out, but alas, I needed to come up with another cutting option. I pulled out a small pipe saw with a stainless steel blade and set about making the second parallel cut. It went slowly but successfully. Now, the perpendicular cut- after saying a few words no one should repeat, I was able to connect a series of small drill holes, and insert the stainless steel blade into the slot. By cutting in two directions I was able to remove a piece of plexiglass in the shape of my free-arm. I then used a 220 and 150 grit sandpaper to smooth the edges. I used a regular hand saw to cut the "legs" - wooded dowel, the sandpaper again to smooth edges and since I'm still not sure how to attach them to the plexiglass, just slid them under with a small felt top for scratch protection.
 |
| New larger table (protective coating removed) all shiny and new |
 |
| old extension table overlay. I have at least 3x more sewing space now |
So, for about $25.00 I now have a pretty nice, serviceable sewing table that gives m e at least double the surface space of my original extension arm. You can make these out of wood too, but my bobbin loads under and not on top so I need to be able to see what I'm doing. It took me about 1.5 hours start to finish. Do you think I should paint the legs??? or how should I attach them?? I'm open to any and all suggestions.
 |
| oh, and that's a quilt I'm working on…... |
