Today I will show you a very easy project with a repurposed Singer Sewing Machine. I went through a dry spell, not getting any sewing machines, then found myself with 3.
The first one I transformed into a makeup table vanity.
This was a freebie from a neighbor. I've never seen a Singer sewing machine or cabinet in such bad shape.
Dismantle the Singer sewing machine cabinet,
see? Even the machine was in a pitiful condition! Someone had stripped the poor thing of her parts.
Clean the base of the repurposed Singer Sewing Machine
I got busy removing all the wooden parts, which was very simple. Just four large screws hold the Singer Treadle to the wooden cabinet. To make it easy, turn the treadle sewing machine upside down.
It was difficult to tell the base's shape without cleaning it up. I used a degreaser called Krud Kutter. It does all the work for you. Spray it on, wait a few minutes, then hose off the dirt. I did that twice.
After the base of the repurposed Singer Sewing Machine dried, I realized that I couldn't leave it in its original condition. It needed to be hit with a wire brush.
This antique sewing machine T.V. table had some rust, and I used Vaseline!
After I bought all of that wood from the Peddler's Mall, I had to do some reorganization in the garage. I had a large plastic shelf holding all of my paint. I could not slide in the larger pieces of plywood because the shelf was in the way. So, I ordered this handy wire shelf
from Amazon. It's not as wide or as deep, so it works perfectly.
You can see that I could not slide my wood in and out of my lumber storage bench in this BEFORE shot.
Maybe I have an issue with spray paint? Can one really have TOO much spray paint?
Spray paint the base of the sewing machine
I decided I should start using some of that spray paint on quick and easy projects! That last singer treadle was spray-painted black. I wanted to do a fun color for this one. After all, it's only paint! If it doesn't sell, I can repaint it. 
I was initially going to use this table top that came off a pub table for the repurposed Singer Sewing Machine. But I didn't love the colors together. I decided that the top needed to be darker.
I decided to use some of this reclaimed fencing as a tabletop. Because I was in a rush, I didn't take any pictures.
I used three fence boards cut to size and used two smaller pieces to connect them all. (see below) I wanted them to be black, but I didn't want to paint them, so I used some Minwax Gel Stain (classic black)
Add reclaimed wood top
After the stain dried, I did a quick dry fit on the repurposed Singer Sewing Machine to see if I liked this better than the one above. I decided it would work for now.
In this picture, you can see that I made sure to space the brace boards to the correct distance from the base. I used the original screws from the Singer sewing machine to attach the top to the base by drilling pilot holes first.
This machine was missing one of the original casters. I ordered one from eBay. It was easy to put on; I did some touch-up spray painting.
Pretty Repurposed Singer Sewing Machine
Do you like the pop of color on the repurposed Singer Sewing Machine? Or do you think it's too much?
I'm happy I was able to find the extra caster online. I thought I was going to have to remove the other three. I'm still loving my chalk painted cage lamp.
I still have one more treadle machine; it's been painted green. I'm not sure what I'm going to do with it.
If you've done a Singer sewing table, please leave me the link in a comment below. I'd love to do a roundup sharing other ideas.
gail
PS UPDATE! I have re-done this sewing machine table. I used the top to make a Christmas Sign.
Related Content:
Singer treadle sewing machine repurposed into a dressing table or vanity
Sewing Machine Drawers into a table
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.
Barbara Warner
I think the sewing table looks fantastic in aqua! Love the black-stained top, too. You've done a wonderful job!
Gail Wilson
Thank you Barbara! I so love doing what I do! So blessed!
gail
Lizzy
I prefer the ones in black, but it is a cute table. Good work!
Barbara Warner
Gail,
In asnwwer to your question, I would like "my machine" with black painted metal bottom, and a "natural cherry stain" wood top. I like aqua, but not on the metal.
I do like how you show us each step of the cleaning and painting to the wood used for the top. You're a good teacher!!!
Barbara
Tamera
Oh my! What a pop of color.. perfect!
Gail Wilson
Thank you so very much Tamera!
gail
Anne Goldman
Hi Gail, I am just seeing this now and it appears as though you posted this a long time ago! Do you think if I made my two treadle machine bases into a potting bench, they could be left outside (not in winter)...?
Gail Wilson
Anne,
Thanks for reaching out! I appreciate you stopping by.
If there is no rust present, and you paint them with a good paint, say an oil based paint.... they should be fine.
If there is rust present, in my opinion, it will return if moisture is present, even if painted.
I think it's a great repurpose to make the base into a potting bench! I'd love to see it when you're done.
good luck!
gail
Sheryl Root
I would love to have that front drawer if you are not using it and if you still have it. I wouldn't mind having the other drawers as well. But mostly the front one. Please get back with me on price.
Bev.
First of all I would like to say that your repurpose is wonderful! And I do see that your machine is about beyond redemption. However I do belong to a group on Facebook called, Vintage Sewing Machines, & I have come to realize that some of these old machines, & also the cabinets, are very valuable. Though they may no longer work, or are missing a few pieces, or the cabinet is in rough shape. many can, & are sought after, & expertly saved by many people who truly love the machines. The machines, & cabinets are yours to do with as you will, but before you sacrifice Grannie's machine, for a cute table, you might want to do a search, & learn the true value. The cabinets, machines, parts, manuals, or the accessories which come with them are all sought after items. And this includes many other varieties of older machines, not only the Singer. Please don't take this as criticism, I honestly don't mean it as such. You are free to do whatever you want with your machine, I only wanted to make people aware & offer a word of caution.
Gail Wilson
Bev,
I thank you for your comment, and how kindly you worded it. I have often wanted to pass along bits, pieces and parts but didn't know where to do so. I would never part out or repurpose a family piece. But the items that I've come across for free have been less than desirable. I currently have one more machine in my stash that I think is in fair conditon-but it won't open, so I'm not sure. I can't even remember what brand it is.
thank you,
gail
Bev.
Your welcome..........I truly am amazed at the things that you, & everyone repurposes, which otherwise would end up in a landfill, somewhere. Thank you for all the inspiration.
Sheryl Root
Hi. I was wondering if you still had the front center drawer? I would love to have the drawer. I wouldn't mind having the side drawers too, but mainly the front center drawer. I am restoring a vintage singer sewing machine and the front center drawer is exactly the same as the one in this picture, but mine is in pieces and not all the pieces are there. Trying to find a replaeement drawer. Please let me know and if you do have it, what the price would be. Thank you. My email is slroot@twc.com
Sheryl Root
Hi. I was wondering if you still had the front center drawer? I would love to have the drawer. I wouldn’t mind having the side drawers too, but mainly the front center drawer. I am restoring a vintage singer sewing machine and the front center drawer is exactly the same as the one in this picture, but mine is in pieces and not all the pieces are there. Trying to find a replaeement drawer. Please let me know and if you do have it, what the price would be. Thank you. My email is slroot@twc.com
Gail Wilson
I have emailed you.
gail
knot.great
Truly, so many things could be saved - IF WE COULD ONLY GET THEM. Just today, I bought an identical machine, complete with base; as the one described as "being stripped of her parts". It's in really good condition, and will operate with a little love.
The one part not stripped from Ms. Wilson's, showing in photo, is the one part my machine lacks - the bobbin winder. Any chance of negotiating for that rusty thing?
Gail Wilson
I don't throw much out, but I would have no idea where that part might be. If I ever have one, it's yours!
gail
Doreen @ Altered Artworks
Hi Gail,
LOVE the pop of turquoise on your sewing machine base makeover! I have a vintage sewing machine table sitting on my patio, begging for a transformation. Waiting for the right inspiration and time. You've definitely given me the inspiration. I did repurpose a sewing machine base for my daughter last year. Here's the link to my Instagram photo: http://bit.ly/1SNZ7Cv
gail@myrepurposedlife.com
how fun your repurposed sewing machine base is Doreen! 🙂 Thanks for sharing with us!
gail
Carmela
Hi Gail,
Thanks for sharing another fab project.
My question is about the spray painting- you mentioned that if you end up not liking the shade of blue you used, you'll just re-paint it.. With Krylon and Rust-o-leum paints, would you sand the treadle before repainting it another color? Will the new coat of paint adhere well if you don't sand?
Thanks for your time.
Carmela
gail@myrepurposedlife.com
Carmela,
No, I wouldn't sand if I repaint it. I'm still debating it. In fact I was just talking to a friend about it a few days ago. IF I do repaint it, I will either use my diy chalky paint primer in my Finish Max, or a primer in a spray can. If for some reason the paint doesn't adhere, I'll work it to my advantage with a little distressing to let the turquoise show through. 🙂
gail
Judi
Love the old sewing machine bases.
Just wanted to share.........many years ago in a beachside cozy restaurant .....
all their tables, of various sizes, had a sewing machine base and unmatched old
chairs around them. I loved that homey atmosphere.
gail@myrepurposedlife.com
Judi,
That sounds like a really cool place to visit. I appreciate you sharing that with us.
gail
Jackie
I love the pop of colour. I was going to do mine in reverse, but now I'm rethinking it to do the base turquoise instead. It's a possibility!
Alicia Dickerson
I recently acquired an old singer which looks identical to yours before you repurposed it. Mine is missing 2 drawers and I have been unable to find any that match. If you still have the draws, would you be willing to sell 2 of them?
gail@myrepurposedlife.com
Alicia,
I do have 3 drawers, but plan a project with them, so I'm on the lookout for #4. If I can't find a fourth drawer, I would happily share 2 of them with you for a nominal charge plus shipping.
gail
Mona Arnott
I love that gorgeous blue colour. It's different and brings a pop of colour. Just perfect!
Linda@Coastal Charm
Gail,
LOVE this super cute makeover...GREAT color too!!
Blessings,
Linda
gail@myrepurposedlife.com
Thank you Linda! I may be changing it up a little before I go to my craft show in October. hehehe
Mary Jane
I love the color! I did something similar years ago. I found just the bottom part at a garage sale and cleaned it up and painted it. I found the top of a dresser and attached that to it. It makes a nice buffet type table in my daughter's dining room.
gail@myrepurposedlife.com
That's a great idea to marry the pieces together. I really was wanting to use that one table top... I'm sure I'll find another use for it.
gail
Heather @ new house new home
Thanks for the tutorial!! I've always wanted to redo a sewing machine base, but didn't know how! I'm bidding on one at an online auction site. Hope I get it so I can redo it like yours. (found you on Hometalk!)
gail@myrepurposedlife.com
Heather
Thanks for hopping over (from Hometalk) to check out my project. I appreciate your time, and thanks for leaving a comment so I know you stopped by!
good luck with the online auction. Be sure to show me yours when you get it completed. 🙂
gail
Kim Robbs
Look on the web or pinterest I have seen the old sewing machines repainted that are very cute! Would post picture of them on here but not sure how to do it.
Donna Marie
You scared me when you wrote "last week on my Repurposed Life." I mean it took my breath away, as I love your blog and I took it to mean your last week for Repurposed Life--silly me!!! I like the sewing machine table. I have one that is black on the bottom and we used a butcher block top. We used it for a plant stand.
Christina
I love and I love your set up with paints, boards and scrapes. I am a children's mental health therapist but my dream is to have my own store where I refurbish, re-purpose and create my own art pieces. Thank you for sharing.
PS my mom had her mom's singer like yours. I can remember her sewing on it when I was little.?
gail@myrepurposedlife.com
Thanks for stopping by Christina, and taking the time to leave a comment. 🙂 I appreciate it.
gail
carol
Beautiful...well done...questions...you have your paint stored in your garage...I have a lot of paint cans because I do a lot of crafts and after using them and they are not empty I know you are suppose to turn them upside down on the nozzle to clear...well that doesn't seem to work for my cans...does anyone sell the little spray nozzzels? and also...does the weather temps damage the paint cans and paint when it gets too hot or too cold..I live in southern ohio and we never know what the weather is gonna be...and running out of room indoors.. thankyou..
gail@myrepurposedlife.com
When you're finished painting, you turn the can upside down to clear the nozzle? And that doesn't work? I have paint that I haven't done that to, and some of it is YEARS old, and works fine. I keep mine in the garage, but I am careful to keep it on the inside wall (of an attached garage) That's why I had to get a new shelf--the paint HAD to stay on that wall.
gail
Ed Stines
I am new to the re-purposed furniture life but I am loving it like crazy. I used to play golf, gym rat, retired gardener etc however on the day I retired, I was hospitalized and after three surgeries on my knee, I am now battling CRPS - a very chronic nerve pain disorder which is slowly disabling me and for which there is no cure. I had to find something to do since I am not one for sitting in front of the TV all day and night so I decided to get into refurbishing anything I can lay my hands on 🙂 and of course I have a shelf full of unfinished spray paints as well as regular paints and liquid leaf. I live in the Southeast and it gets pretty hot here so I cleared away stuff I had in my now undesired office, for my paints etc. I love what you did with the sewing machine, the colors are very nice and since turquoise is my favorite color, you can imagine how enamored I am of the table you created. Thanks for sharing, I learned quite a bit which I will apply to my new hobby.
gail@myrepurposedlife.com
Ed
I'm so happy you found My Repurposed Life! I'm sorry about your condition, but I think it's best to just keep on going. I lost some latex paint to weather conditions last winter, but all of my spray paint collection has done well. The shelf is on an inside wall of the attached garage. I try to store paint on the outside wall.
I hope you find a lot more projects to inspire you to use up some of that paint!
gail
Marian
Very nice table...what did you do with the machine?
gail@myrepurposedlife.com
I took the wheel off of it and scrapped it. It was so pitiful. I don't know what happened to it before I got it, but it was nearly naked--poor thing!
gail
Mindi
I love the pop of color, and I think I needs some of the Krud Kutter!
nancy martin
A friend gave me an old sewing machine still in the cabinet, all parts including instruction manual and bobbins included. would like to repurpose it without tearing it apart. Any suggestions appreciated
gail@myrepurposedlife.com
Nancy
I would just clean it up pretty and use it as a side table "as is". 🙂
gail
Sandra
Love it! I was able to salvage an old sewing machine(not a Singer; a Howard) of my husband's grandmother out of a storage shed. Sentimental value kept me from doing anything other than restoring it, even with the veneer on top peeling and warping. I did have to do some cleaning and wire brushing on the base, but just repainted it black. On the cabinet, I thought I would have to sand and stain, but when I started cleaning it with Murphy's Oil Soap, the wood was just a beautiful color! I did swipe some stain over it anyway and sealed with tung oil. I use it as a small table in our entryway with a lamp and some photos on it. I still could never paint over the original woodwork.
Debbie @ Refresh Restyle
Love it Gail! Great repurpose!
Debbie
Patricia
I love the color... I just bought some FILA tennis shoes... the exact same color! Ha!... (no link, sorry)
I must say... I like the size of the table top you ended up with. However, the first one with the pub table top...looked much larger. I thought you were going for a pedestal table look for chairs all around.
I would love that too! Especially in a small eating nook... or screend porch. Actually, either of these table would be great for that !
2 thumbs up Gail!
Stephanie@cre8tive
I love the pop of color and the wood stain you chose. I can not believe what terrible shape the sewing machine was in..what the heck? But you made it all look so pretty.
doreen @ Altered Artworks
Gail, I love your choice of color for the base. I recently repurposed a vintage sewing machine base using an old
3-drawer metal cabinet. My pop of color is yellow. It brightens up my daughter's small living room while providing hidden storage--win-win! Here's the link to a photo: https://twitter.com/AlteredArtworks/status/631280405715398656
Terrie Slocum
I love this table and the color is awesome!! It looks like a happy color!
Kate
I like the repurpose, although I'm not a big fan of that color. It's not one of those colors that goes with everything and IMO it's overused in the DIY blogworld. I would have left it black and gone with the lighter wood top. But then, I'm a big fan of black cast iron. A recent issue of TOH used a treadle as a base for an outside planter box.
I have a treadle missing a wheel - never thought to look on ebay!
June
Hi Gail, you read my mind on this project, I love what youve done! I want a cabinet to sit next to my refrigerato, i want to use it for a pantry but I want a vintage door or a door with dr. Office frosted glass in it? It would be the height of the frig, I think 72" and if I used a tall bookshelf the width of a shelf not wider than maybe 10-12 inches. Would you mind making this cabinet for me? I live in Dayton ohio, but I am always looking for a reason to come to tn. 🙂 thank you june
gail@myrepurposedlife.com
June,
I'm actually in Louisville. 10-12 inches would be a very narrow door, and not likely to have a glass in it. 🙂
gail
Eileen Johnson
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/109845678388847017/
We repurposed an old card catalog drawer and a singer Sewing machine base, which was in beautiful shape, into this table. Hope you like it!
gail@myrepurposedlife.com
very pretty project Eileen! I "liked" it and pinned it. thanks for sharing!
gail
girlfromwva
wonderful job & wonderful color choice! i hope you were able to keep the drawers to use for something!
gail@myrepurposedlife.com
Yep, I kept some of the pieces including the drawers. Stay tuned! I haven't started the project yet, but have sort of designed it in my head. 🙂
Julie @ follow your heart woodworking
I think it looks great! Love the colour! What did you do with the rest of the table part?
gail@myrepurposedlife.com
I saved most of the parts Julie. I carried them to the basement shop to work on them when it's too hot to be outside. But since that time, I've sort of taken time off from projects.
I hope to do something different with them. 🙂
gail
Jen@The Evolution of Mom
Love it! I have this exact same machine and I'm not certain what I want to do with it, but this is giving me some great ideas! I love the color!
Jen
The Evolution of Mom
Michele @ The Scrap Shoppe
It looks great, Gail!! Great repurpose! It is so much more useful now. 🙂
Shelia
Oh, I love this and the color just makes it look so good!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia 😉
Mary
Just LOVE your table, Gail.