This is the machine I use to quilt. It was my first sewing machine and it's been the best. I even sold it to a friend at one point in order to upgrade, only to realize that I missed it too much. So I bought her a new machine so I could get this one back! :o)
When I quilt I use a plexiglass extension table that fits around the base of the machine to give me a larger work surface. The only problem is that it make the surface just a few inches too tall and thus leaves me with aching sholders and back after I quilt for a while. I've tried to remedy the situation by sitting on a taller seat, but the base of the table then hits the top of my legs. I just learned to deal with it- until now!
My sewing table consists of an old console I got from a thrift store, a couple table legs, and a large piece of MDF. This sewing table measures almost 4 1/2 feet square. and I LOVE IT! Since I made it myself (sort-of) I didn't mine cutting into it! I set my machine on the table and traced around it. I also traced around my other machine (the one for piecing you can see in the bottom right of the pic) just to make sure my hole would be big enough. Then, using some of my 'other' favorite tools I drilled a pilot hole and used a jig saw to cut out the opening.
After a trip to several hardware stores trying to find the right parts I finally decided on "L" shaped brackets. They screw into the sides of the platform (the piece that I cut out) and then screw into the bottom of the table top. I measures and was lucky enough to find brackets that would put my machine almost flush with the table top.
Here is the finished project! It's not very pretty but it functions just right. Guess what? I've even quilted 3 quilts since I did this last week. With the large table surface the quilt has plenty of room to spread out and I don't get as much drag as I did before. Also, the strain on my shoulders and back is so little that I was able to quilt 2 quilts back-to-back without a problem.
