The Sewing Place

Tools of the Trade => Sewing Spaces and Furniture => Topic started by: Sewbee on October 16, 2017, 14:52:35 PM

Title: Ikea - sewing machine table?
Post by: Sewbee on October 16, 2017, 14:52:35 PM
I like "real wood" that lasts but it seems it doesn't exist these days for sewing room furniture. I am sure it could be handmade but at a prohibitive cost. So there's Ikea . . .

http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/products/desks/desk-computer-desks/malm-desk-with-pull-out-panel-white-art-70214192/ (http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/products/desks/desk-computer-desks/malm-desk-with-pull-out-panel-white-art-70214192/)
Title: Re: Ikea - sewing machine table?
Post by: Mozzy on October 16, 2017, 15:13:05 PM
Have a look at the Alex desks too.  I've just bought two Alex pieces for my sewing room and am happily filling them at the moment.
Title: Re: Ikea - sewing machine table?
Post by: Sewbee on October 16, 2017, 15:17:11 PM
Have a look at the Alex desks too.  I've just bought two Alex pieces for my sewing room and am happily filling them at the moment.

Alex is also on my list - with drawers off to one side. Actually, Alex was first on my list and then I saw this other one with the pull-out. It's a small room - about 8.5 ft x 9.5 ft.

Does your Alex have a glossy surface or is it matte?
Title: Re: Ikea - sewing machine table?
Post by: Iminei on October 16, 2017, 15:29:51 PM
I bought a MALM chest of drawers in the early 00's and put it together all by myself!!!!

It was a very robust piece of furniture and went to my niece when we moved .... I think it was a good piece of furniture. At the moment I have several pieces of  Trofast, a tall storage unit in pine with plastic boxes for fabric by colour, and a horizontal wall hung mini Trofast for notions, bits and bobs.
Title: Re: Ikea - sewing machine table?
Post by: Sewbee on October 16, 2017, 15:39:52 PM
I bought a MALM chest of drawers in the early 00's and put it together all by myself!!!!

It was a very robust piece of furniture and went to my niece when we moved .... I think it was a good piece of furniture. At the moment I have several pieces of  Trofast, a tall storage unit in pine with plastic boxes for fabric by colour, and a horizontal wall hung mini Trofast for notions, bits and bobs.

The fake oak desk that was moved out to refloor and paint the room was a Malm desk, Imi. Very heavy!! I didn't put it together, though. The person who put it together missed half the screws and when the laminate installer took it apart he pointed it out. Needless to say when the new stuff goes in he's coming back to put it together, as well as to do a few other things. I just have to look at a page of Ikea instructions and it's like a deer in headlights! Good for you putting that together!

Imi, that small set of Trofast tubs is perfect for notions!
Title: Re: Ikea - sewing machine table?
Post by: UttaRetch on October 16, 2017, 16:01:56 PM
Take a look at the  IKEA craft room hacks (http://www.ikeahackers.net/category/hacks/craft).
Title: Re: Ikea - sewing machine table?
Post by: Sewbee on October 16, 2017, 16:16:27 PM
Take a look at the  IKEA craft room hacks (http://www.ikeahackers.net/category/hacks/craft).

Good grief! I though I'd read them all but this link is new!! Thank you!
Title: Re: Ikea - sewing machine table?
Post by: Mozzy on October 16, 2017, 16:55:43 PM
The Alex is matte white.  Going to have a look at those hacks although I have been looking already on Pinterest.
Title: Re: Ikea - sewing machine table?
Post by: Bodgeitandscarper on October 16, 2017, 17:06:46 PM
Am I the only one who really enjoys putting Ikea furniture together?  0_0
I must have a look at some of your suggestions for furniture for my soon-to-be-built sewing room.
Title: Re: Ikea - sewing machine table?
Post by: Sewbee on October 16, 2017, 17:10:57 PM
Am I the only one who really enjoys putting Ikea furniture together?  0_0
I must have a look at some of your suggestions for furniture for my soon-to-be-built sewing room.

OMG!! Another one!!! I get my skates on when I see Ikea instructions! Aaaagghhh!
Title: Re: Ikea - sewing machine table?
Post by: Acorn on October 16, 2017, 17:35:30 PM
Am I the only one who really enjoys putting Ikea furniture together?  0_0

Mr Acorn loves all kinds of self-assembly.  In fact he gets very disappointed when things come ready assembled.
Title: Re: Ikea - sewing machine table?
Post by: Francesca on October 16, 2017, 20:49:32 PM
OMG!! Another one!!! I get my skates on when I see Ikea instructions! Aaaagghhh!

I hated it until I bought an electric drill/screwdriver. I have put together many an IKEA piece by hand though, blisters on the palms is no fun!
Title: Re: Ikea - sewing machine table?
Post by: Sewbee on October 16, 2017, 21:10:26 PM
I hated it until I bought an electric drill/screwdriver. I have put together many an IKEA piece by hand though, blisters on the palms is no fun!

Hah! Now that you mention it, I remember feeling as if I could conquer the world when I bought my electric drill/screwdriver in America. I ought to consider buying one here. They are very handy.
Title: Re: Ikea - sewing machine table?
Post by: UttaRetch on October 16, 2017, 21:29:39 PM
I don't mind assembling flatpack furniture, but the bigger items require two people.  My sister and me put together this

(https://i.imgur.com/b60Vdce.jpg)

IKEA sideboard.

Title: Re: Ikea - sewing machine table?
Post by: Bodgeitandscarper on October 16, 2017, 21:44:06 PM
In the past, I have put wardrobes together on my own - it was interesting when it came to the stand it up bit...
Title: Re: Ikea - sewing machine table?
Post by: Sewbee on October 16, 2017, 22:11:34 PM
I don't mind assembling flatpack furniture, but the bigger items require two people.  My sister and me put together this

(https://i.imgur.com/b60Vdce.jpg)

IKEA sideboard.

Good grief! You're a pro at this! Good job!
Title: Re: Ikea - sewing machine table?
Post by: Francesca on October 16, 2017, 22:36:17 PM
In the past, I have put wardrobes together on my own - it was interesting when it came to the stand it up bit...

Did that with Mum once and promptly after finishing building it we snapped the leg off.

It's still in that room over a decade later, immoveable, carefully placed on one detached leg.
Title: Re: Ikea - sewing machine table?
Post by: Sewingsue on October 16, 2017, 22:37:14 PM
In the past, I have put wardrobes together on my own - it was interesting when it came to the stand it up bit...
That brings back memories. I have three Billy bookcases, with doors and put them together myself.
The two smaller ones were fine, but the tall one was 'interesting'.

Wouldn't even consider doing it now.
Title: Re: Ikea - sewing machine table?
Post by: Bodgeitandscarper on January 06, 2018, 10:27:54 AM
My sewing table seems to have magically appeared for free - there is a 1.8 metre length of worktop left over from the new kitchen, just needs some legs  0_0
Title: Re: Ikea - sewing machine table?
Post by: Acorn on January 06, 2018, 10:31:12 AM
Ideal!   0_0
Title: Re: Ikea - sewing machine table?
Post by: Ellabella on January 06, 2018, 10:53:11 AM
My sewing table seems to have magically appeared for free - there is a 1.8 metre length of worktop left over from the new kitchen, just needs some legs  0_0

You can buy legs for worktops in B&Q, Ikea probably does them as well.  Worktop height is great for cutting out, much better for the back.
Title: Re: Ikea - sewing machine table?
Post by: maliw on January 06, 2018, 11:13:37 AM
I was in Ikea last weekend and I was surprised to see a designated 'sewing' set up. However there were  wooden shelves which I'm sure have been on sale for years  more as storage in a garage/ utility area. I didn't take a good look as there wasn't anything I needed. My sewing table is an Ikea pine desk that I bought 20+years ago. It's still going strong and isn't too battered.
Title: Re: Ikea - sewing machine table?
Post by: Bodgeitandscarper on January 06, 2018, 16:27:54 PM
You can buy legs for worktops in B&Q, Ikea probably does them as well.  Worktop height is great for cutting out, much better for the back.
Thanks, I'll have a look in B&Q, didn't think of them, doh!  This bit of worktop will be desk height for sewing machines, as you may have noticed a rather large island unit has just been put in as part of my new kitchen - mainly for cutting out  0_0
Title: Re: Ikea - sewing machine table?
Post by: Morgan on January 07, 2018, 13:05:59 PM
a folding table example (http://thesewingplace.org.uk/index.php/topic,3116.new.html#new)

A couple of these adjustable IKEA tables (http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/products/desks/desk-computer-desks/finnvard-linnmon-table-white-spr-09001986/) are in use in my sewing space.
Mostly they are pushed together and I adore having the table space for pattern drafting, cutting and sewing all in one place.
An inexpensive and easily moveable solo solution as the sewing space is up 2 flights of stairs.

When the sewing space was on the first floor and before that on the ground floor, two Horn cabinets were ideal (and I used the island unit in the kitchen for cutting out).  It's astonishing how much stuff could be stored in those Horn Cabinets.  (sold one and going to list the other for sale soon)

This looks like a terrific hideaway solution for a multi-use room
https://www.gumtree.com/p/arts-crafts/facade-sewing-cabinet./1279052450 (https://www.gumtree.com/p/arts-crafts/facade-sewing-cabinet./1279052450)

Title: Re: Ikea - sewing machine table?
Post by: Vegegrow on January 07, 2018, 13:43:46 PM
That Gumtree cabinet is rather lovely Morgan .. My sewing room stuff is limited to flat pack and flat pack that will go up a  semi circular staircase  that is rather narrow.. its a very old house..
Title: Re: Ikea - sewing machine table?
Post by: UttaRetch on January 07, 2018, 14:23:52 PM
a folding table example (http://thesewingplace.org.uk/index.php/topic,3116.new.html#new)

My improvised cutting table are

(https://i.imgur.com/ElzKcoQ.jpg)

a couple of wallpaper pasting tables.  They give a generous 6ft x 5ft cutting area, but my back and sciatic nerves really feel it after only just a short spell.

Homebase sell this

(https://i.imgur.com/9sphzSj.jpg)

folding table (https://www.homebase.co.uk/lifetime-seasonal-folding-party-table-1-83m-6ft_p374173) and a pair would make an big cutting area, but they would be too low.  However, if you had a big enough room, they could stand on a built up platform made from decking.  This all begins to sound a bit expensive.
Title: Re: Ikea - sewing machine table?
Post by: Ellabella on January 07, 2018, 16:48:51 PM
I have the folding table and to get it to the right height I put some bed raisers under each leg.

The look a little like upturned plant pots with a depression in the top for the leg.  Just the right height for me and only £2 from the local charity shop.
Title: Re: Ikea - sewing machine table?
Post by: Bodgeitandscarper on January 07, 2018, 18:22:36 PM
I have the folding table and to get it to the right height I put some bed raisers under each leg.

The look a little like upturned plant pots with a depression in the top for the leg.  Just the right height for me and only £2 from the local charity shop.
I use those under the legs of my dining table at the moment for cutting out, so much better when it's higher.
Title: Re: Ikea - sewing machine table?
Post by: poptart on January 25, 2018, 12:57:56 PM
I like "real wood" that lasts but it seems it doesn't exist these days for sewing room furniture. I am sure it could be handmade but at a prohibitive cost. So there's Ikea . . .

http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/products/desks/desk-computer-desks/malm-desk-with-pull-out-panel-white-art-70214192/ (http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/products/desks/desk-computer-desks/malm-desk-with-pull-out-panel-white-art-70214192/)
Hi Sewbee, did you get one of the Malm desks in the end? I'm looking at getting one and wondered what you thought of it (or anyone else who has one).