Friend, it’s a beautiful day for a new furniture makeover! I cannot even remember when or where I got this old table, or how much it was. It’s been in my garage for a long time. I’m trying to work through my existing stash though, so I decided to finally tackle it. Today I’ll show you how to repurpose a sewing machine table – into a hall table or even a space-saving desk.
There are lots of Before photos because this table had a whole lot going on – so many pieces and screws! It was already missing the sewing machine when I got it.
This post contains some affiliate links so you can easily find the products I use and recommend. Discover all my favorite brands and tools for doing DIY makeovers Here.
You’ve probably seen many of these tables before while thrifting. After a good cleaning, I planned to remove all the random bits and unnecessary hardware.
There was also the issue of the metal arm (below) and the curved piece of leg that had come off.
How to Repurpose a Sewing Machine Table
The easiest way to remove all the old parts was to flip it upside down. It took two different types of screwdrivers and a bunch of patience.
To reattach the back leg piece, I used strong super glue and a couple of tiny finishing nails and then clamped it overnight.
Below you can see some of the screws that were removed – not even including the top piece yet!
There were also a few small chips in the veneer, which were fixed with a little wood filler.
How to Make a New Wood Table Top
I bought a piece of 1″ x 24″ x 3′ Edge Glued Pine, measured, and then Mr. GITG cut the new wood top. The pine was a little steep at $25, but there’s still a large piece leftover for a future project.
This is the table saw we have. It’s kind of pricey, but we’ve used it a lot over the years and it’s easy to move around and folds for storage. Remember to always follow proper safety guidelines when using power tools.
Of course I sanded the wood really well for smoothness and made sure the edges didn’t have any splinters.
Last time for Furniture Fixer Uppers day, my friend Christy from Confessions of a Serial DIYer repurposed a sewing machine table and she shared a trick to cover the big hole where the metal arm used to be. I didn’t know why I didn’t think of that myself, but her project inspired me to finally tackle this one. Christy’s table turned out very glamorous and you can see it here. (FYI The new top isn’t attached yet in the photo below.)
I stained the wood top with Minwax Wood Finish in Espresso which I already had. I used a lint-free cloth and applied 2 coats of stain, letting it dry well.
The table was painted in Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Country Grey which I also already had. I used one of my favorite Purdy paint brushes and applied 2-3 coats. I also painted the bottom side of the new wood top. (By then it was pouring rain outside, so I had to work inside… you gotta be flexible sometimes!)
After drying, I sanded the paint smooth and gently distressed it with sandpaper. Then I attached the new top with screws similar to how the old top was attached.
Now I should mention that stained wood furniture should be protected with polyurethane – I like matte because it isn’t too shiny. Also, Chalk Painted furniture should be protected with wax – I used Annie Sloan’s clear wax and a lint-free cloth.
Learn all my best tips for how to Chalk Paint furniture here.
I added clearance pulls from Hobby Lobby and now here’s the final result…
I can’t believe I waited so long to do this project!
This repurposed sewing machine table has great curves and a sweet new stained top.
This table could also be used as a space-saving desk – the little drawer is perfect for pens, paper clips, etc.
The wood piece that was added to cover the gap looks like it was there all along, don’t you think?
Here’s a reminder of the Before and After of this upcycled project. Please Pin or share this project with someone else who might like it.
Let me know your thoughts in a comment – I always read all of them! And now it’s time for Furniture Fixer Uppers with my creative blogging friends. Below are the Before photos – visit the links underneath to see the amazing Afters and to learn how they did it:
1. Confessions of a Serial DIYer
2. Salvaged Inspirations
3. Petticoat Junktion
P.S. Here’s another repurposed sewing machine table project I’ve done, from my book Amazing Furniture Makeovers:
Maryellen Webber says
This sewing machine table looks fantastic, love the stained top and the painted bottom! Great job!!
Geri Davis says
I absolutely love it, I’ve passed up so many of these, but no more!!
Great job❤️
Denise - Salvaged Inspirations says
I LOVE repurposed sewing tables and you knocked this one out of the ballpark my friend! It’s gorgeous!!! XOXO
Christy James says
This looks absolutely amazing, Jen! Yours doesn’t even look like it was once a sewing table. Well done! XOXO
Sandi Allen says
Wow! This is so beautiful! I would’ve never guessed it was a sewing machine table if I didn’t see it with my own eyes. Love it ❤️
VAL says
I love old sewing machine tables and this one turned out lovely. Love the stained top and how it stands out with the painted body. Amazing work!
Robbie McKee says
I love the color and the paired stain. May try to copy that combination.
Cheryl Atkinson says
A great makeover. I am iding AS chalk paint for the first time and it took 3 coats. Is.that normal?
Jen, Girl in the Garage says
Cheryl, it depends on the type of wood, if you primed before using a light color, and what color you’re using. The really light colors do often take 3 coats.
Jen, Girl in the Garage says
Thanks so much, Robbie!
Jen, Girl in the Garage says
Thank you so much, Val! 🙂
Jen, Girl in the Garage says
I appreciate your kind words, Sandi. 🙂
Jen, Girl in the Garage says
Awww thanks so much my friend! And thanks for helping me figure out that wonky side area! xo
Jen, Girl in the Garage says
Aww thank you Denise, you’re so sweet! xo
Jen, Girl in the Garage says
Thank you Geri! I think I’m going to have to hunt more of these tables down now, haha! 🙂
Jen, Girl in the Garage says
Thanks so much Maryellen! You can’t go wrong with the paint/stain combo. 🙂
Jann says
Love it! May I know where to get that rug please?
Jen, Girl in the Garage says
Thanks Jann! Mine is the 6×10 size from Decor Steals – it comes back in stock sometimes but not for long. I think it’s normally $120. You can get on the waitlist though: https://www.decorsteals.com/large-calligraphy-bamboo-mat-679.html (It might be available elsewhere too) Hope that helps 🙂
Lizzy says
Really cute! I see old sewing tables a lot, and this was great inspiration.
Mg Jade says
Love it did a great job! On the other hand I need on of those sewing tables , I regret getting rid of one I had years ago, now I need one, it went with the machine😕
Barbara says
Beautiful!…now I know what to do with the old one in our garage 🙂 BUT tell me more about that FLOOR!
gwen turner says
I was literally just given a sewing machine cabinet this morning and it’s got the little drawer like this one, not sure it’s got the pretty lines though, but it should turn out nicely after replacing its top! Thanks for all the hints. (Unfortunately, mine still has the singer machine in it, so it weighs a TON! I may have to dismantle it before taking it out of the truck!)
Thanks Jen!
Robin says
Absolutely gorgeous. Love the way it turned out. I also love the bicycle book ends. Where can I find them? Thanx for sharing
Sue says
Great transformation! I love the contrast in the painted and the wood top. I still am using my sewing machine table (with my sewing machine) but I will keep my eyes open for one at yard sales to transform, too. Thanks for sharing!
SONJA HANSEN says
I am so impressed. Don’t know how I have missed you before. I’ve had one mostly prepped for a couple of years and it is now high on my to do list. I have a question about your floor. Did you stencil that? I have a perfect place to use that kind of a stencil. I’m also interested to know if you stenciled the pattern on the piece on the cover of your book, or did you free hand it? Thanks for sharing your talents with the rest of us.
Mary Loveland says
Jen, that is a really nice job on saving that table. I would have liked to have seen you use that wood conditioner on the raw wood before staining it.
Just a comment, you and Christy and Denise are all so so good at saving these pieces but I don’t understand why you all don’t get a router and put an “edge” on those tops. Every time I see a make over where the new top is left straight edged I know it’s a make over. That table is all curves and the top is totally straight edged and lovely but doesn’t look “finished” to me. Please don’t be mad, I would REALLLLLY like to see you gals using routers, they just take practice to be proficient.
Jen, Girl in the Garage says
Thanks so much, Lizzy! xo
Janice Simpson says
I’m so excited to open this today. I am cleaning out my house. I have two old sewing machine tables. I never considered taking the old sewing machines out and doing this. I was going to donate one of them and just keep the one that was my grandmother’s. I’m now going to keep them both. And I’m going to repurpose them. Thank you so much.
Jen, Girl in the Garage says
Thank you Barbara! Here is some info about the rug: Mine is the 6×10 size from Decor Steals – it comes back in stock sometimes but not for long. I think it’s normally $120. You can get on the waitlist though: https://www.decorsteals.com/large-calligraphy-bamboo-mat-679.html (It might be available elsewhere too) Hope that helps 🙂
Jen, Girl in the Garage says
Wow, great timing! I’m sure your table will turn out amazing, Gwen! 🙂
Jen, Girl in the Garage says
Thanks so much, Robin! I got the bookends a few years ago from Target. 🙂
Jen, Girl in the Garage says
Thanks so much, Sue! I’m happy you liked the table. 🙂
Jen, Girl in the Garage says
Hi Sonja- thank you! Here is some info about the bamboo rug: It is not a stencil. Mine is the 6×10 size from Decor Steals – it comes back in stock sometimes but not for long. I think it’s normally $120. You can get on the waitlist though: https://www.decorsteals.com/large-calligraphy-bamboo-mat-679.html (It might be available elsewhere too.) The dresser on my book cover was not stenciled – I painted the pattern freehand, mimicking a design I saw on a rug I loved. Hope that helps! 🙂
Jen, Girl in the Garage says
Mary, I totally understand. We don’t have a router, so that’s a little beyond my skills at the moment. It’s something to learn for future projects though. 🙂 I do like to sand the edges so they’re not completely flat/sharp, but not quite as curved as store-bought table tops. (And this way, it’s more doable for DIYers who also don’t have routers – but if someone wants to do curve the edge, that’s awesome!)
Jen, Girl in the Garage says
Janice, how wonderful that you have two you can update! I know they’ll turn out beautiful. 🙂
Naomi Shelton says
It turned out really well, Jen. I love old sewing machine cabinets because they always remind me of the hours my grandmother spent teaching me to sew on her old White treadle machine. Also, the hours and hours she spent sewing clothes for me and my siblings in the early fifties when we were semi-poor. She made us such beautiful garments on that old machine that we didn’t know we were poor!
Anyway, I love what you did to make this sewing cabinet useful. The only thing I would do differently is to figure out a way to make the edges of the new top piece beveled to sort of echo the shape of the legs. I have no idea how hard that would be but I think it would look nice.
Thanks for sharing this project, Jen. An interesting and fun project to read about.
Heather Taylor says
Hi Jen,
The table looks great, I just wonder why you didnt use the original lift up top instead of putting a new piece of wood on?
Cheers
Heather
Heather Taylor says
Hi Jen,
Scratch that question, I went and had another look and saw that the lift up top was in 2 sections!
Cheers
Heather
Lisa A Howard says
I have one just like this but I want to leave the sewing machine in it. What are your ideas for that? Would I have to put something around the bottom,? I do not use the machine but my mother gave it to me and it does work.
Jen, Girl in the Garage says
Lisa, I think it would be difficult to update the table with the sewing machine still attached. You could paint the wood, but if you want to leave the machine there, then you wouldn’t be able to change the top piece. Even just painting the table could make a big difference though!
Jen, Girl in the Garage says
Thanks so much, Naomi! I actually answered another person’s comment about the edges – I don’t have the right tool for that yet, but maybe someday! 🙂
Jen, Girl in the Garage says
Heather- yes, it was 2 sections. I thought of trying to make it work but it was overall much simpler to just cut a new top. I did save the other pieces for a future project (I have no idea what yet though, haha). 🙂
Bob says
I found one in the trash stripped it and made a wok station for my porch. It worked out great. I made it so when I was finished I could store the wok inside the machine compartment.
Love how yours came out wish I could post a picture of mine.
Trish says
This is adorable!! Love it. Now I know what to do with an old sewing cabinet if I come across one. Thank you for sharing.
Judy says
Thank you so much for this! I have a sewing table EXACTLY like this one, which housed a Singer Slantomatic. My Mama gifted it me in the early 70’s for Christmas. I gifted the machine, buy couldn’t part with the table. NOW I know just what I’ll do with it!
Jen, Girl in the Garage says
Thank you Bob – yours sounds like a great transformation too!
Jen, Girl in the Garage says
Thank you Trish! I’m so glad you like this project. 🙂
Jen, Girl in the Garage says
Wow, what an awesome coincidence! I’m sure your table will turn out beautiful, Judy! 🙂
Barbara DiBartolomeo says
My lady you do fabulous work. I
David Lee says
YOU’RE not going to believe this! But I have one of these—virtually identical to yours—in my car right now to go to the dump today, 9-28-2021! BUT THEN your blog came across my news feed on Google and I think I am NOT going to take it there, but re-do mine also! Thanks for the out-of-the-blue encouragement. Great job!
Jen, Girl in the Garage says
Thank you so much, Barbara! <3
Jen, Girl in the Garage says
Oh wow, now that is perfect timing! I’m so glad you’re saving yours and giving it new life! 🙂