Grab yourself a cup of coffee or a Coke, cause my tutorial on this repurposed sewing table is going to be a long post!
It had been 19.00, but then they discounted it to 10.24.
How To: Repurposed Sewing Table
Dismantle Sewing Table
Someone had put in a support board for the machine. I removed that board and any hardware that was inside.
Then, I tipped the machine upside down and took some measurements of the width and depth of the “box”.
Add a Shelf
I cut a board that I had left over from Modern Glass Shelf. The shelves of that project were very heavy and they came packaged in plywood. I used my combination square to measure the position of the shelf.
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I used my Kreg Jig to make pocket holes to hold the shelf in place.
Here is the shelf installed.
Primer Several Projects at a Time
I primered the sewing cabinet when I did Jan’s bench and the Amazing Grace and Kiss Me Goodnight signs.
Paint Repurposed Sewing Table Black
Next, I used my sprayer to paint it black when I did the the signs.
I had sanded the finish off the top so it had a smooth surface after being painted.
Add A Stencil
I used my Damask harmony stencil from Cutting Edge Stencil to give the top some pizzazz.
You can also check out how I did this same pattern on a mirror.
Distress Paint and Stencil
I wanted to sand the image so that it would not be raised at all. Because I wanted it to appear that it was part of the original design. I sanded the black to distress it.
Cathy and I have done a few other side tables, do you like green or blue green?
This side table would be great for a laptop.
The laptop could be stored neatly inside.
This sweet little repurposed sewing cabinet into a side table has already found a new home!
Check out the updated louvered door hall tree:
For now I’m finished with it. Jamie may use it in her booth as is. If she doesn’t then I will list it on Craig’s List and “build to suit”. 
gail
See More Sewing Cabinet Project Ideas
Gail Wilson is the author and mastermind behind My Repurposed Life. She is obsessed with finding potential in unexpected places and believes that with a little hard work and imagination, any old thing can be made useful again, including herself!
Gail reinvented herself during a midlife crisis and has found purpose again. She hopes you will find new ideas for old things and pick up a few tools along the way.
Lisa Gallagher
Nice! I love the stencil idea. I too have one of these cabinets waiting to be redone. Curious about the door in the front. In the pics you were painting it with it open, you hadnāt sealed it shut. Does it still open in the finished piece?
Gail Wilson
Lisa,
It's long gone and I don't recall exactly. But I'm pretty sure I would have mentioned it had I glued the front shut. š Sometimes when I upcycle sewing machine tables, I take the FRAME off the top, then secure the LID to the base where the top no longer is functional.
Hope this helps!
gail
lannieseanpatel
Thank you for this post! You give me hope that I can re-habilitate a free sewing machine table I got a thrift store, but it has a laminate top, with presseed particle board with real wood legs. I think I will do what you did remove all the pieces place a custome fit wood plank and use it as a table stand! I will keep you posted š
Amanda
I'm so glad I found this post! I'm upcycling this exact sewing cabinet! I need a small desk downstairs for a sort of "mommy station"...laptop, general office supplies, bills, coupons etc. I was having trouble figuring out how to finish it as well as how to go from having the little flappy inside bottom piece to having a whole shelf in there.
It's going somewhere out in the open downstairs, so it needed to match the traditional decor...despite my desire for something fun and funky. But staining is more work than I'm willing to put in (I'm 6 months pregnant), and a solid color paint would be boring. I wanted it to stand out without looking out of place. I love the stencil idea!!
Thanks for the inspiration!!
missbmckay
Super cute! Great job. I love the use of the stencil. What a steal at that price.
HomeDefined.com
Oh my goodness WAY cool Gail!!!!!! LOVE it.. you just keep stretching MY imagination! š
Debra
DesignHouse Inc
http://homedefined.com
malia
wow those projects are wonderful... i am especially taken by you stenciling... looks so old and cool
Full Circle Creations
Great job and idea on storage!
Holly
Baye
I used to work in a habitat Restore. At any given time there would be at least three of these sewing machine tables lined up. I am kicking myself right now for not doing something like this. The laptop desk idea is perfect. I need one, my son needs one. I need to get over to the Restore today.
I'd snap that louvered hall tree in a heartbeat. Wish I lived in your area! Guess I'll need to look for old shutters today, too.
Linda@Coastal Charm
Gail,
Now you did an outstanding job on this one...looks very pretty!!!
Blessings,
Linda
Linda Higgins
Oh my goodness, THAT LOOKS LIKE MY SEWING TABLE THAT I SOLD 10 YEARS AGO AT A GARAGE SALE IN ERDA UTAH. I think I sold it for $20. My dad bought it for me in 1966 when I was 14! I used the sewing machine until the day I sold it! It was used when he bought it and paid probably $20 for it! WOW! good job! Did it have the machine with it?
Rosemary@villabarnes
Fantastic transformation on the sewing stand. Love the contrast.
Midwest Cottage and Finds!
i love it!! the black is my favorite--very very cool!!
chris
Michele {The Scrap Shoppe}
Two GREAT projects, Gail! I love that you made the sewing table to suit your needs. Its lovely!
Suzanne@Meridian Road
I LOVE it! That table looks so classy, and it's functional now, too.
Thanks! You gave me some ideas for my table.
The hall tree is really cute, too.
The Primitive Skate
OMG! This is too funny! I purchased a sewing cabinet (empty) at goodwill a few weeks ago for $7.99. I couldn't decide how to do paint it. I posted a picture on my Blog for suggestions. And I read your Blog post today and seen what a BEAUTIFUL transformation that you did with yours. Wow! What a great idea. Thanks for sharing.
Sandi
Terri
Love, love, love BOTH of these projects. I have seen several of those sewing machine tables around "thrift-dom" and never knew what to do with them! Darling and idea!
And that louvered door hall tree is adorable...so many possibilities! Great job!
Cassie @ Primitive & Proper
supercute, gail! i love the finish you gave it, too... i am impressed!
Cassie @ Primitive & Proper
supercute, gail! i love the finish you gave it, too... i am impressed!
Suzanne
Love the repurposed sewing table -- so beautiful and practicle!
Granny
You did a great job on the sewing table. The hall tree is awesome and I'll bet it won't last long Jamie will have to wait for the next set of shutters. š
Terri @ Creative Eyedias
LOVE the sewing table! Very cute idea. The stencil is great! You could probably make some big $$ on this one - saw something at HomeGoods that was not nearly this nice for like $200!
Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co.
Love your sewing machine cabinet! You really went the extra mile on this one. And you got a great deal too. There is a whole row of these caninets at my Goodwill, but they are really expensive!
Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co.
Love your sewing machine cabinet! You really went the extra mile on this one. And you got a great deal too. There is a whole row of these caninets at my Goodwill, but they are really expensive!
Mary
Gail,
What a beautiful job on the sewing machine cabinet! You are so talented. I love those two colors at the end of the post. I have been so drawn to them lately. They are constantly popping up in my inspiration folder.
Megan
Love the colors and the stencil, so darrrrrling!!
Coleen's Corner
Love it! I've passed by sewing cabinets time and time again because my brain couldn't think outside of the box as to what one could become. You've opened doors for me! I really love the design - you have such a keen sense for design!
Lydia
Love both these projects!!! Really love the louvred-door hall tree, very "cottage-y." You are so talented (and hard working!)
Jan@southernjunkin'
Ms Sewing Cabinet looks good! I repurposed one too and a sweet student bought it for college room!
Blessings!!
Susan
Gail, you did some amazing work on that sewing table! Love the Hall tree!
A Pretty Pastime
Gail it's absolutely beautiful! I LOVE the damask design.