How To Make A Sewing Table Insert?

When we think about sewing machines, a few different parts are a huge help. But it might be difficult to work on the sewing machine because the table keeps moving! And this is where a sewing machine insert comes in! It is a place on your table where the sewing machine will rest to make sure it doesn’t move and is firm. It sits inside the table and allows your machine to be on the same level as your table. This can make your sewing work easier!

So how do you make a sewing table insert? From your tables to having them pop out of your closet, there are many ways to have a sewing table insert. You could even buy an insert but it might be difficult to match one to your specific sewing machine. That is why it could be a fun DIY project to make your sewing table insert! If you aren’t sure how to get started, then don’t worry. We will discuss how you can some sewing table inserts!

Key Takeaways

• Wood for making sewing table insert is one of the best option as you can customize it very easily.
• Another option you can do is to use the core board to make your sewing table insert for a cheaper alternative.
• A sewing table insert can give a lot of advantage, from ergonomics to giving you a larger work space.

How to Make a Sewing Table Insert from Wood?

When you are thinking about making your own sewing table insert, more than one thing must be considered. For example, the sewing table inserts have to fit the table, and you might consider the material before making one. One such material is wood. Wood tables are common and customizing your table to fit your sewing insert is pretty easy.

The whole process is inexpensive and comes with a knee-lift hole.

Needed Supplies

Now that we have started with the supplies, the next step would be to gather all the materials and assemble them.

Here we are including a step-by-step guide for making a customized sewing table with an insert:

Step 1: Placement and tracing

When you are about to construct a sewing table insert, first, you have to place the sewing machine on the table. Place the sewing machine in a position that you’d be comfortable with. Then trace along the machine and also leave some extra space on each side for the cords.

Step 2: Cutting

The next part would be cut around the traced part. Take the jigsaw and cut a hole according to the trace line. Take help from someone and ask them to hold on to the table as you cut. Cut the corners of the fabric according to your sewing machine. If it has rounded corners, then try to cut it as a rounded part. The corners don’t have to be perfect. You can use the sandpaper later to refurbish the corners into a round shape. You should sand the table until the machine fits.

Step 2: Filling

Well, the hole-cutting might not turn out perfectly on the first try. So you can just go ahead and fill in the splinters or the gashes with the help of a wood filler. You might want to follow the instructions on the package. And once the wood filler is dry, you can just sand the table.

Step 3: Making the Support System

Then, for the next part, you have to make the support system for the insert. Flip over the table and measure the front and back rail distance from each other. Take the plywood and cut the length of the rail distance with 2×2-inch width and height. Place the plum wood on each end of the support system with a gap of almost 2 inches.

Step 4: Drilling

Now make four pocket holes using the countersink screws. Now screw the lines on the tad. Line up the lines and make a pocket hole at the edge. This will attach the plywood to the front of the table. Next, you have to unscrew the tabletop, and the legs should still be in the air. With this technique, you are just installing the bolts that are countersunk into the plywood.

Step 5: Assembling

When you are done with the bolts, make sure that they are not sticking to the back. Now place a large-width plywood sheet under the frame and center it with a support or a bolt. Drilled holes can act as a guide. And make sure not to drill all the way through so the screws are not poking through the back.

Once you are done with the assembly part, make sure to attach the tabletop again, and thus also, the bolts should be hanging through the support rail. Place the sewing machine onto the table and tighten the support rail with the machine bed. And lastly, you have to cover the bolts to prevent injuries. The knee lift hole should be done according to the measurements and on the side of the thinner plywood rail.

How To Make A Sewing Table Insert From A Core Board?

Now, we have included a brief about making a table insert. There is another way to make a sewing table insert. Here, we’ll be using a foam core board or the core board. These are lightweight compared to wood and are very easy to work with. The foam core boards have been used in different DIY projects of ours as they are very easy to work with. Here we’ll be including a DIY way of working with a foam core board and making an insert from it.

Materials Needed

These are roughly the things that you might need for your foam-core sewing table inserts. This project cost us less than $30 as we already had the table. We might say this will not be as sturdy as wood, but they work fine. So here we are, including a step-by-step guide for making a sewing table insert.

Step 1: Tracing around the table

As you are trying to build a sewing machine insert out of a foam core board, you must first trace along the machine. Try to place the sewing machine on the table where you’ll be Working. Place the sewing machine in a position you are comfortable with and where you will work. Then trace along the machine and also leave some extra space on each side for the cords.

Step 2: Cutting the table

The next part would be cut around the traced part. Take a jigsaw and cut a hole according to the trace line. Take help from someone and ask them to hold on to the table as you cut. Cut the corners of the table according to your sewing machine size. If it has rounded corners, then try to cut it as a rounded part. The corners don’t have to be perfect. You can use the sandpaper later to refurbish the corners into a round shape. You should sand the table until the machine fits.

Step 2: Filling the edges

Well, the hole-cutting might not turn out perfectly on the first try. So you can just go ahead and fill in the splinters or the gashes with the help of a wood filler. You might want to follow the instructions on the package. And once the wood filler is dry, you can just sand the table.

Step 3: Making the Support System with the Foam Board

Then, for the next part, you have to make the support system for the insert. Flip over the table and measure the front and back rail distance from each other. Take the foam board and cut the length of the rail distance. This will be the insert’s edges. Attach the support system with the glues at first. Let the glues dry completely, and then drill them.

Step 4: Drilling the screws

Now make four pocket holes using the jogging kit for the wood screws. Now screw the lines on the tad. Line up the lines and make a pocket hole at the edge. This will attach the foam board to the front of the table. Next, you have to unscrew the tabletop, and the legs should still be in the air. With this technique, you are just installing the bolts that are countersunk into the board.

Step 5: Assembling all the parts

When you are done with the bolts, make sure that they are not sticking to the back. Now place a large-width board sheet under the frame and center it with a support or a bolt. The size of the board has to follow the regular size of the cut-out. The machine will be placed here. Drilled holes can act as a guide. And make sure not to drill all the way through so the screws are not poking through the back. Once you are done with the assembly part, make sure to attach the tabletop again, and thus also, the bolts should be hanging through the support rail. Place the sewing machine onto the table and tighten the support rail with the machine bed. And lastly, you have to cover the bolts to prevent injuries.

Step 6: Paint

The last part would be to paint the table as well as the insert. This will give you a seamless effect. Let the paint dry out completely before placing the table and using it.

How a Sewing Table Insert Help?

Investing in a good sewing machine might not surprise everyone, as most people love the idea of having a good machine. The sewing table inserts are not new and are not even the most essential part. Instead, they increase the hand placement area and make the space more ergonomic. When we work at a regular table, we always prefer more width and length on either side of the table as it puts us at ease. That’s precisely how a sewing machine insert will work. They give more resting space for the hands and make the whole sewing process easier.

It is also more ergonomic to work on a sewing table insert. If you are making one yourself, it could give you more options to fit your height and space requirements. Sewing takes a long time to complete and it would be beneficial for you to work in an environment that also takes care of your health. So sewing table inserts can help you out a lot in the long run!

FAQs 

Final Thoughts

Sewing table inserts are handy for those constantly needing to sit at the machine tables. Fashion students and homemakers would be the perfect examples. Even for a commercial tailor’s personal space, having a sewing insert will definitely change the facts regarding the sewing process. You could very easily buy one from IKEA or Walmart, but having your own table insert to your specification would be better. Sewing machines have many accessories that you can add to them. While it might not be necessary, a sewing table insert is very helpful and makes for a very fun DIY project!