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“Helena” a painted sewing cabinet

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Hopefully you will love this painted sewing cabinet!

I am starting to do too many “like” projects. I know a lot of bloggers name their pieces, so I thought I’d give it a try to see if it makes things easier for me to remember this repurposed sewing cabinet. (as a reference)

 

Old Sewing Cabinet

old sewing cabinet
I named this piece after my Aunt Helen, who gave this to me. They had removed the sewing machine, so I didn’t have to do that dreaded chore.

scratched top
The top had some wear and some scratches, but it was solid wood.

empty sewing machine cabinet
Typically, I remove the hinged part in the front and install a shelf for a laptop or other small items that need to be stored. I decided to mix this one up a little.

Dismantle Your Project

dismantle cabinet

I removed the entire “top”. I pried and banged and voila! There was a ridge of thin wood that was inset in the top. I used a rasp to remove the bulk of the wood, and then the orbital sander to smooth it all out.

discard this piece

This is the part that I removed.

sand top of cabinet
I sanded the finish off of the top of the cabinet. You can see the difference here. On the left is the top, on the right is the “framed” piece I removed.

Sewing Cabinet Makeover gets Painted

painted sewing cabinet
I used my paint sprayer to prime it and paint it. I used the same paint I used on the items in my bedroom last summer. It is from Glidden, Crisp White Linen. It is almost white.

Stain & Seal Table Top

stain table top

I used a dark walnut stain from Minwax for the top.

stained table top

I wiped on two coats of Wipe-on Poly.

wipe-on poly

 

Reassemble Painted Sewing Cabinet

Kreg Jig
To use the Kreg Jig Jr. adjust the slider to the thickness of your wood. Mine is set at 3/4 inch wood.

using a kreg jig
To attach the top to the base, I used my Kreg Jig Jr. I clamped it right on the base.

kreg jig pocket hole

Pretty pocket hole! (ugly glue left from the manufacturer)  I didn’t notice it in real life. EVERYTHING shows up in pictures!

reattach top of sewing cabinet
I tuned the base upside down on the underneath side of the top.

under side of sewing cabinet
I inserted my self tapping pocket hole screws to attach the base to the top.

furniture makeover

There ya go! I think it’s missing something.

Add Applique

apply furniture applique
I had the plaster-type applique that I got from Jan. I first tried to glue it with Gorilla Glue Super Glue. The underneath side of the applique is very shiny, and a little concave. The super glue didn’t have anything to give it “tooth”. So I then reached for the handy dandy Gorilla Glue Dries White 2x Faster! This glue has never failed me, and this time was no different. Because there was empty space, the Gorilla Glue had room to do it’s stuff. In case you’ve never used this glue, I’ll tell you that it oozes or expands. That’s what I love about it. Use too much, and it will ooze out, but used correctly YOU will LOVE it too!

 

White Sewing Cabinet

sewing cabinet makeover with paint and stain
I painted the applique to match the cabinet (table base). I have not distressed this yet with sanding and or glazing. Folks around these parts just don’t “get it”.

white sewing machine cabinet makeover

I LOVE the dark walnut with the white! It’s my favorite look.

pretty white side table
I love giving new life to something that somebody was ready to discard! Isn’t the painted sewing cabinet so pretty? This was the first time I had removed the inside “frame”, but I bet it won’t be the last time!

gail

 

See More Sewing Cabinet Project Ideas

sewing cabinet project ideas

37 Comments

  1. I think I’m about to Pinterest all of them. I always feel bad about the ones abandoned in the thrift stores. I think I’ll go rescue the one I saw the other day.

  2. It is gorgeous and deserves a name – all designers name their handbags!…Helen is a fine name for that piece. I love all of your cabinet creations.

  3. I really like how you refinished the cabinet with the mix of the dark stain top and white body. I was given an old sewing cabinet that was in pretty bad shape (looked like it was left somewhere damp). I just painted the whole thing white however “her” legs are a dark brown metal. She just got some jewelry in the form of chunky white ceramic knobs with antique brass details. I spray painted the brass Espresso to tie in with the dark brown base. She still needs a little something for the pop out drawer though.

    Have a great day!

  4. That is the coolest Sewing Table makeover I have ever seen! Great work, it looks stunning. -K

  5. Cute! I love the dark stained top with painted white base. So nice.

    I like that little jig thingy too.

    Pat

  6. I’m glad I went ahead and put the bunny pics on my blog since you missed them on FB…I just loved that little guy! (or maybe girl..lol) You’re right about it’s ears…they weren’t even bunny size yet..he was such a little thing! (kinda looked like a mouse in some of the pics!)Sounds like you’ve been a busy lady with all that mowing, sanding, sawing and assembling! lol OH and I did wear shoes in the garage this time! (my poor foot is black and blue and sore!)Your cabinet turned out lovely..I like the white with the dark wood…so pretty!Try and stay cool girlfriend!Love ya loads!Missy

  7. I love that look! The dark top is so pretty with the white base. I like the applique you added, too.
    Helena is one of my favorites!

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