from Marta with Love

DIY IKEA Sewing Table Tutorial

Today I’m pleased to share a DIY IKEA sewing table tutorial showing you how to make a custom sewing table from your INGO dining table.  It’s a lot easier than you think!  If I can do it, you can do it.

DIY IKEA Sewing Table Tutorial - from Marta with Love

Please read through the entire instructions before beginning this project so you get a good overview of what we’ll be doing.  It’s sometimes easier to see photos of the later stages of the project in order to understand the earlier steps.

If you’ve just bought your INGO, make sure to fully assemble it before beginning this tutorial.  Later in the project we’ll be removing the tabletop but you need the table fully assembled to start.  Just follow the always-easy-to-understand IKEA assembly instructions and let’s begin!

Supplies:

DIY IKEA Sewing Table Tutorial - from Marta with Love

Disclaimer: I don’t endorse the brands pictured above and have no knowledge regarding any of their potential defects or safety issues.

  • Ikea INGO or other dining/kitchen table with a rail under the tabletop (this tutorial is not for Ikea tables where you pick a top piece and legs separately –you need that rail underneath in order to attach the support beams that will hold your machine).
  • 1 board to use as a shelf on which your machine will sit under your table.  Must be at least 2 inches longer and wider than your machine.  I have a Janome MC 6600P and used a 12” wide, 21” long shelf left over from our new Ikea kitchen cabinets.  I left it 12” wide and just cut it to the proper length.
  • 1 wood 2×2.  It needs to be at least twice the width of your table (if you’re using the same table as me you’ll need one that’s at least 52” long so you can cut it into two 26” long pieces).
  • Safety goggles (DUH)
  • Jigsaw
  • Medium and fine grit sandpaper
  • Wood filler
  • Miter or hand saw (to cut your 2x2s to size)
  • Drill
    • ¼” drill bit
    • Countersink bit
  • Mini Kreg Jig Kit
  • C-clamp
  • 4 1 ¼” wood screws
  • 4 bolts (4” long, ¼” diameter) –it’s best to use bolts that have threading at least halfway up the length of the bolt, since you’ll be using these bolts to get your shelf to the correct height.
  • 8 washers
  • 8 nuts
  • 4 bolt caps

Construction

Place your sewing machine on top of the table and find a spot where you feel it’s comfortable for you to sew.  My machine is about 4.5” from the front edge and about 17” from the left edge.

Trace the outline of your machine onto your tabletop.  If you’d like room for your cords to tuck underneath, make sure to account for that bit of extra space when you’re tracing.  If you have an acrylic extension table, make sure you trace around it as well if you want it to remain attached to your machine.

Carefully cut along your traced line with your jigsaw to create the hole in which your machine will fit.  It helps to have someone holding the table still for you as you cut.  Go slowly, especially around the corners.  It takes some finesse to get nicely rounded corners (however, some sewing machines have square edges, in which case you’ll be cutting a perfect rectangle).  This was my first time using a jigsaw and my corners were far from perfect!

DIY IKEA Sewing Table Tutorial - from Marta with Love

Now insert your machine to see if it fits snugly in the hole you just cut.  Mine didn’t fit right away so I had to sand the edges down a bit more and kept inserting my machine and sanding the edges until it fit (which, with a 25-pound machine, was quite a workout!).  Don’t worry if it doesn’t fit on the first try –your tracing lines can be tough to get perfect so consider your initial hole to be a starting point (unless you are an expert tracer and jigsawer).  🙂

Once your hole is the right size and you’ve made sure your machine fits snugly, sand all the cut edges, first with a medium grit sandpaper to take care of the really rough parts and then with the fine grit to get it smooth and flat.  The hole I cut splintered a bit in some areas.  I removed the splinters and filled those spots in with wood filler, let it dry completely per package instructions, then sanded those areas smooth as well until I got a nice, flat surface with no splinters or gashes.

DIY IKEA Sewing Table Tutorial - from Marta with Love

Next, flip your entire table over and measure the distance between the front and back rails.  (If you’re using the same INGO table as me, it should measure 26”.)  Cut your 2×2 into two pieces the same length as the distance between the rails and check their placement to make sure they fit snugly in between the rails.

DIY IKEA Sewing Table Tutorial - from Marta with Love

Now trace a line a couple of inches from each short side of your jigsawed hole (the line will be parallel to the short sides).  You’ll use these lines later as a guide to attach your 2x2s (which, by the way, are NOT 2 inches by 2 inches!  I learned that “2x2s” are actually 1.5” x 1.5” –how confusing, right?!).

DIY IKEA Sewing Table Tutorial - from Marta with Love

I didn’t make any exact measurements here; I simply used the width of my level as my guide.  The only real rule is that your line must be at least 2 inches from your hole in order to accommodate the width of the 2x2s (yes, the not-actually-2-inches-by-2-inches 2-by-2s).

Whip out your NIFTY kreg jig kit, clamp it securely to your 2×2 (hint: use a paint stirrer on the underside so your clamp doesn’t dig into the 2×2), attach the drill bit that comes with the kit and use it to drill pocket holes into each end of both of your 2x2s.  READ THE INSTRUCTIONS that come with the kit to make sure you’re clamping the kreg jig the proper distance from the edge.  The length of the screws you use dictates the distance the kreg jig must be attached from the edge.  Ours will need to accommodate 1 ¼” screws.  You should now have 4 pocket holes!

DIY IKEA Sewing Table Tutorial - from Marta with Love

Next, line up the outer edge of your 2x2s with the lines you traced on the underside of your table and attach your 2x2s to the front and back table rails using the 1 ¼” wood screws through the pocket holes we just made.  I must say, making and using pocket holes will make you feel LEGIT.

DIY IKEA Sewing Table Tutorial - from Marta with Love

Once your 2x2s are attached, mark where the 4 bolts will go that will hold up the shelf with your sewing machine.  BE CAREFUL NOT TO MARK THEM TOO CLOSE TO THE FRONT EDGE OF YOUR TABLE, AS THAT’S WHERE YOUR POCKET HOLE SCREWS ARE.  I marked about 3 inches in front and behind my machine hole.  (I apologize for the lack of photo for this part.)

Next, unscrew and remove JUST your tabletop from your table and set it aside.  Everything else (the table legs, the rail around the perimeter, the 2x2s) should remain intact.  You are JUST removing the table top so you can install your bolts, which will be countersunk into the 2x2s.

Attach your ¼” drill bit and drill 4 holes all the way through your 2x2s, at the spots you marked previously (you’ll notice that the mark in my photo is NOT where I’m drilling the hole.  That’s because the first time I drilled at my mark, I hit the wood screw attaching my 2×2 to the rail!  Hence the disclaimer above about making sure your marks aren’t near your wood screws!  Trial by fire, folks.).

DIY IKEA Sewing Table Tutorial - from Marta with Love

Now attach your countersink bit and drill sink holes into the top of the 4 drilled holes you just made.  The countersink bit only goes about ½” inch deep so that your bolts, when inserted, are flush with the top of your 2x2s but do not go all the way through.  Test that your bolts fit by sliding them through the holes you just made and ensuring that their tops are nicely flush with the top of your 2x2s.  You should be left with a flat surface on which to reattach your tabletop.  Remove the bolts and set them aside for now.

DIY IKEA Sewing Table Tutorial - from Marta with Love

Now turn your table base upside down, setting it on top of the shelf you’ll be using to hold your machine (mine in the picture has NOT been cut to its proper length yet, which is why it looks too long).

DIY IKEA Sewing Table Tutorial - from Marta with Love

Line up your shelf about ½” past each 2×2 and use the 4 holes you just made in the 2x2s as a guide to begin drilling those same holes into your shelf (it helps to have someone holding your table and shelf steady as you do this).  This will ensure that the holes in your 2x2s and the ones in your shelf line up perfectly for the bolts that will be holding them together.  DON’T DRILL ALL THE WAY THROUGH YOUR SHELF AT THIS POINT.  RATHER, DRILL LITTLE PILOT HOLES, THEN REMOVE YOUR SHELF FROM UNDER THE TABLE AND PLACE IT ON A STURDY SURFACE TO FINISH DRILLING THOSE 4 HOLES ALL THE WAY THROUGH.  Put your shelf aside.

It’s time to put the table back together!

Assembly

First, place your bolts through the holes you made previously so that the top of the bolts are pointed up, and the threads are hanging underneath your table.  Again, the tops of your bolts should be flush with the surface of the 2x2s, thanks to the countersink holes we drilled earlier.

DIY IKEA Sewing Table Tutorial - from Marta with Love

Hold the bolts in place so they don’t slip out, and carefully flip the table back over onto the tabletop.  Reattach the tabletop to your [revamped!] base per IKEA’s original assembly instructions.

Once you’ve reassembled your table and place it right side up, it should basically just look like a table with a hole in the top.  It’s only upon looking underneath that you’ll be able to see your masterful carpentry 🙂

Finally!  Let’s attach the shelf upon which your machine will live.

Your bolts will now be hanging down underneath your table.  Mount the shelf by assembling in the following order for each bolt:

NUT –> WASHER –> SHELF –> WASHER –> NUT

DIY IKEA Sewing Table Tutorial - from Marta with Love

You’ll notice that my bolts in the picture are a BIT too long.  The ones I used on my table are actually ½” longer than the ones I recommend in my supplies list, so if you buy them per the supplies list you should be good to go.  I’ll probably cut these down or disassemble my table and replace them with 4″ bolts one of these days, but for now my too-long ones aren’t proving to be a problem.

DIY IKEA Sewing Table Tutorial - from Marta with Love

(For an ultra-stable shelf, we’re securing nuts on each side of it rather than just underneath it.  This adds some extra tension to keep your nuts from loosening from the shaking that occurs while you sew.)

DIY IKEA Sewing Table Tutorial - from Marta with Love

 

Once you’ve installed the shelf by assembling the nuts and washers for all 4 holes in the order listed above, place your machine on your shelf and simply tighten or loosen the nuts until your machine is sitting at a height that is flush with the surface of your table top.

DIY IKEA Sewing Table Tutorial - from Marta with Love

Put bolt caps on the bottoms of your bolts, especially if you have kiddos!  You really want to protect your littles from hitting the bolts if they decide to play underneath your table.  If you can’t find caps the size of your bolts (I had a hard time), I would try sticking some cotton balls on the ends and covering them with duct tape to provide some cushion and protection.

Now set aside your machine, pull your cords up through the hole, and place your machine back on the shelf.

DIY IKEA Sewing Table Tutorial - from Marta with Love

Plug in your cords, turn on your machine, and put the pedal to the metal!  You’re finished!

DIY IKEA Sewing Table Tutorial - from Marta with Love

You’ll notice I painted my table as well.  Here’s the tutorial I followed to a tee for the paint job.

DIY IKEA Sewing Table Tutorial - from Marta with Love DIY IKEA Sewing Table Tutorial - from Marta with Love DIY IKEA Sewing Table Tutorial - from Marta with Love DIY IKEA Sewing Table Tutorial - from Marta with Love DIY IKEA Sewing Table Tutorial - from Marta with Love

Looks a lot nicer than those overpriced, plastic sewing tables, eh?  It’s cheaper, uber chic, and you get the privilege of saying you made this custom sewing table with your own two hands.  🙂  Win-win-win.

ENJOY, and be sure to leave me a comment here or e-mail me if you make this table yourself using my tutorial.  I’d love to hear your experience and see the finished product!

Also, please visit Carrie’s blog and give her some love.  When I came home from buying my precious Janome with a picture of the shop’s expensive custom tables fresh in my Droid, hers was the first tutorial I came across that gave me the confidence to say “You know what?  I can do this, too!”

HOT TIP (for those with a front-loading bobbin):

Here’s a helpful comment by someone who made this table for their Bernina:

I have a front-loading bobbin on my Bernina so I ordered a Sew Steady acrylic template made to fit my Bernina and just traced around the template for the opening on top of the table.  To change the bobbin, all I have to do is pop out the template (which sits on top of a tiny wood ledge that I installed 1/4″ below the opening).  

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161 Comments

  • Melissa

    Umm…okay. Could I maybe just pay you and your mister to do this for me? You say it’s easy, but I don’t think you and I are speaking the same language, here. 🙂

    It’s GORGEOUS by the way. I’m super jealous. 🙂

    October 26, 2012 at 10:33 pm Reply
  • Amy

    Wowsers! AWESOME tutorial! Bravo my friend!! Now to just get my hubby to do this for me! 🙂

    October 26, 2012 at 11:21 pm Reply
  • Books_Bound

    Wowee! That looks so great. I don’t really have room for this at the present time, but I think it’s something I could totally tackle someday (provided someone loaned me some tools!) What an ambitious tutorial, and pulled off very well. 🙂

    October 26, 2012 at 11:24 pm Reply
  • Elizabeth

    Great job Marta!!! I’m jealous!

    October 27, 2012 at 10:20 am Reply
  • Flaun

    I’m asking for a INGO for Christmas so I can make an awesome sewing table for myself. hanks so much for doing the legwork!

    October 27, 2012 at 10:50 am Reply
  • Marit

    After reading this very carefully, I must say it doesn’t look too difficult. I think I will send my hub a link as a Christmas gift idea. Even easier if I don’t have to do it myself:) Great tutorial!

    October 27, 2012 at 10:54 am Reply
  • Patricia LoCascio

    What a great tutorial! I read the whole thing and think I could actually do this! really good instructions, really clear. Good job, it’s beautiful!

    October 27, 2012 at 1:14 pm Reply
  • mrsmel

    Or you could just order this one from Tony. I have it and it is so sturdy and nice.
    http://www.tonyssewingmachine.com/sewing-cabinets/
    Melody Johnson

    October 28, 2012 at 7:16 am Reply
    • Marta

      Thanks, Melody! But these expensive tables are the reason I wanted to show you how make one yourself for less than $100. The $600 from Tony’s tables would be MUCH better spent on fabric hoarding! 😉

      October 29, 2012 at 9:07 am Reply
      • Deb Myers

        and…. marta, your IKEA/INGO table is soooo cute….so much more attractive than metal! great job!!

        November 12, 2012 at 1:42 pm Reply
    • Laura

      Nice idea but the table but a standard table to too high for most people. Even with using adjustable chair to get to the correct position my feet would dangle.

      October 24, 2017 at 10:17 am Reply
      • Virginia

        You can cut legs off to make table shorter. Get used tables at thirt stores.

        December 30, 2017 at 2:34 pm Reply
      • Theresa

        I have short legs so I put my sewing machine pedal on a yoga block. I used rubber shelf liner on the block (attached with long pins) to keep the pedal from slipping. Works great and my feet/legs are happy.

        June 1, 2019 at 9:27 am Reply
  • Jenelle

    This is so clever! If I had a place to do carpentry, I would totally give this a try. Custom sewing tables are so expensive and I love doing Ikea hacks. 🙂

    October 28, 2012 at 1:32 pm Reply
  • Catherine

    That’s brilliant! Did you submit it to http://www.Ikeahackers.net?

    October 28, 2012 at 3:08 pm Reply
  • Andrzej

    Jakie to proste, dam mojej Tereni do zrobienia.Moja krew…Andrzej

    October 29, 2012 at 12:55 pm Reply
  • Barbara Cain

    Very nice of you to share this with us. I’ve been trying to decide for quite some time what to do with my machine. This just might be the ticket!!!

    October 29, 2012 at 5:21 pm Reply
  • nicke

    i love it so much! you did a great job with this tutorial and if my husband hadn’t already made me a table i would totally go this route! isn’t it awesome having a handy husband! that can be taken two ways…. 😉 xoxo

    October 30, 2012 at 11:58 am Reply
    • Marta

      AHEM –Mike is GREAT and all, but this was 95% Marta! When I say “if I can do it, you can do it,” I ain’t foolin’, girl. Mike was out of town the week I decided to do this, and you KNOW I can’t just sit around and wait for him. He came back when I was assembling the stuff underneath and helped by drilling a couple holes and posing for pictures. We don’t need no stinkin’ man! Okay, maybe we do, just not necessarily to build us a sewing table 😉 😉 Love you to bits!

      October 30, 2012 at 12:22 pm Reply
      • Ching

        Marta, you are spot on! I find it funny that people think my husband is doing most of the work then it comes to my DIY projects that involve power tools and all. We girls can do it too 🙂

        September 13, 2013 at 2:26 am Reply
  • jojomatt

    Love it! I use an old butcher block kitchen table now and never thought of cutting out for the machine. I am tall so I like my machine higher then most.
    I IMMEDIATELY called my husband in to check it out. I just might get it done after all. Thank you for posting it.

    October 30, 2012 at 4:54 pm Reply
  • Jane

    Love this… been collecting ideas for my not-so-functional, clutter-haven sewing/craft room. Your tutorial is jumping right to the top of the list. Thanks so much for sharing.

    October 30, 2012 at 8:58 pm Reply
  • nancypantsy (@nancypantsy)

    Hey, this looks great, and super for sewing flat things. I love the idea, and might ask my hubs to make it for me for a christmas gift! I am wondering what you do when you have to sew a leg hem or sleeve or shoulder? You know, what I mean? My machine sits atop a desk-type deal, and I pull off the the end of the machine so that I can slip a circular thing over it. I guess I could lift the machine up and onto the desk for that purpose.

    October 31, 2012 at 6:49 am Reply
    • Marta

      Hey, Nancy!

      Unfortunately the machine I have, whether on a sewing table or on a normal table, isn’t great for clothing. This is one of the ONLY things, in fact, that I dislike about it (it’s purely a quilting machine). I have a cheap Brother with an open arm that I use for top-stitching bags and hemming sleeves and such, so I don’t ever take my Janome out of the table to do sleeves.

      If your machine does have an open arm, though, I would do as you mentioned and set it on the flat part of your table just while you’re using that open arm.

      Let me know if you have any other questions –I’m happy to help! Have a lovely week 🙂

      October 31, 2012 at 8:27 am Reply
      • nancypantsy (@nancypantsy)

        Hey, thanks for the info! I don’t quilt, but mostly make accessories, home dec, some clothing, costumes, things like that…not to mention repairing my son’s torn favorite (every one of them!) clothing items. Anyways, the flat table would be really nice for larger home dec projects, but because I do use that removable arm a lot, I think the lower-mount isn’t for me.
        It’s a wonderful looking table, and there’s nothing better than putting your effort into something and it turns out to be great and super-useful!!

        November 1, 2012 at 9:17 am Reply
        • Patti

          Try adding a Sew Steady top. Just enlarge the hole to accommodate it. Remove the acrylic when you want to do sleeves, etc.

          I am going to make this, but also have to cut an opening in the front to accommodate my Viking tablet as it extends below the level of the Top of my machine.

          I finally figured how to deal with the weight of my Epic 980Q by installing a full base with supports screwed into the skirt of the table rather than the base that just fits the size of the machine.

          September 4, 2021 at 10:57 am Reply
  • thesewingchick

    Hey Marta – This is awesome. I may even be able to handle it myself. (never used a jigsaw!!). I even have a table already that I could use.

    btw – I saw that you are going to Sew South. Me too! I have enjoyed your blog for a while, it will be so fun to meet you for real!!

    November 1, 2012 at 7:07 pm Reply
  • Krista

    This is an amazing tutoria lady! I am very impressed 🙂

    November 2, 2012 at 12:46 pm Reply
  • Deb

    I am so excited to have my handyman friend try this… wow – thanks so much!

    November 3, 2012 at 11:03 am Reply
  • lisa m

    Well done and great tutorial! For nice rounded corners, I like to drill a hole in each corner of the space I’m cutting out…and that way you don’t have to turn your jigsaw. And all lumber is sized by how big they cut it before they run it through the machine which finishes the surfaces nice and smooth–kinda like quilt blocks 🙂

    November 3, 2012 at 6:25 pm Reply
  • Betty Crenshaw

    LOVE this tutorial. Thank you!! I notice you have a top loading bobbin on your machine. Do you think this set up would work with a front (underneath) bobbin? Might it be too difficult to get at the bobbin once the machine is in place?

    November 4, 2012 at 2:12 am Reply
  • happierthanabirdquilts

    This is so awesome! Thank you! When I upgraded my machine it no longer fit in my sewing table so I’m on top of a sad little folding table, and even with that plexiglass “table” quilting is a pain in the butt. I think I’ll be asking my hubby to make this for my birthday!

    November 4, 2012 at 5:46 am Reply
  • Marlene

    My sister posted this on her FB page! So glad she did! This is awesome! Wish I had more space so I could have one! Don’t think hubby would appreciate me cutting a hole in the diningroom table! 🙂 One suggestion – if you have a dremel, you could cut off the ends of the screws once you are finished aligning the machine. Then you don’t have anything except the bolts to worry about with the ‘little’s! Why is it that is always their fav place to play? Mine were ALWAYS under the table when I was sewing!

    November 4, 2012 at 7:27 am Reply
  • Gertie Pye

    This is such a fantastic tutorial! I am hoping to buy a new machine soon, hopefully with a view to doing some FMQ’ing, but really I need a table that my machine can sit in to FMQ, but I can’t afford the machine AND the table! However this looks quite affordable. And I’m sure I can convince my other half to have a go at this (especially when he sees how much Horn tables cost!)

    November 4, 2012 at 4:34 pm Reply
  • Valerie

    This is so great! I have mentioned doing this to my hubby before, and this tutorial is so well written. Bookmarking now -thank you!

    November 4, 2012 at 6:13 pm Reply
  • Shift Ctrl Art

    What a great table!! Love it!!

    November 7, 2012 at 6:18 pm Reply
  • Tracy

    I have been wanting to do something similar but my Pfaff has the bobbin that is underneath the needle plate. One day I will figure out how to put a latch or swing arm on the table so I can get at my bobbin. I quilt, so I need to get to it often.

    November 7, 2012 at 8:30 pm Reply
  • doug

    There is one last finishing touch you need to make this build totally awesome. Countersink the holes in the sewing machine support board to hide the nuts at the end of the bolts. Use a countersink wide enough so that both the nut and washer fit. Cut the bolt to size or buy a slightly shorter bolt so that nothing projects below the support board. Your knees will thank you.

    November 8, 2012 at 5:16 am Reply
  • Wendy Somerville

    Marta this is a fabulous Tutorial and I am already purchasing the necessary supplies. ie Table from Ikea etc. Our Ikea store is just opening here on Wednesday. ;-)) Yeah!!
    However, I have a Babylock Quilters Dream Machine and it too, as others have mentioned, has the bobbin underneath. Any idea how I could make a trap door to reach it? Please let me know if you have any ideas on this.

    My on/off button will also be below the table top so I will have to make some adjustments there as well.

    Thank you so much for the impressive tutorial. 😉

    November 26, 2012 at 10:11 am Reply
    • Wendy Somerville

      I have come up with a design for this table for machines that have a front loading bobbin like my BabyLock. I also have an acrylic quilting table which will be incorportated into the top. I will let Marta know and send her pics to post when it is finished. 😉

      December 9, 2012 at 8:18 pm Reply
      • Valerie Sanchez

        can you share the design for the front loading bobbin please? My husband working on this project for me. Just bought a Bernina

        October 13, 2013 at 9:45 am Reply
      • earthfairies

        Hello Valerie, I have not made the table yet. I had so many other projects on the go.. However, my design idea for a front loading bobbin was to just notch out the front area of the table. (the piece of wood that drops down in front. Not all of it across the whole front of the table, just an area in front of the sewing machine so it is easier to get your hand to reach the bobbin case. I have a clear acrylic table quilting table that I will incorporate into the top as if came with the Babylock machine. I can see the bobbin case readily. Not sure if your Bernina has this or not. Hope this helps your hubby.

        October 13, 2013 at 1:24 pm Reply
  • Chelsea Rogers

    This makes me want a new sewing machine – one with a top load bobbin. I have an old drop in table that I got from my mother in law’s estate, and I have to haul the machine out ever time I change the bobbin. Such a pita.

    November 28, 2012 at 2:51 pm Reply
  • Jody

    This will work as long as you have a drop in from the top bobbin style machine or you will need to lift it out to access the bobbin case from underneath. I notched my table in the front for my bobbin access.

    December 9, 2012 at 5:35 pm Reply
  • Lauren @seraphym

    omg! great idea… I’ve already told the man to add this to his DIY Project list for this summer 😛

    December 12, 2012 at 1:00 am Reply
  • always alice

    Hubby and I have done this to an old kitchen table we found…….but using the nuts and bolts for adjustment was such a great idea!!! Will keep that in mind if we ever do this again…..Thanks!

    December 12, 2012 at 10:02 am Reply
  • Beverly

    Awesome! And I chuckled at your legal disclaimer:-)

    December 16, 2012 at 3:14 pm Reply
  • Glenn Duncan

    I just did this for my lovely wife and worked almost perfect. I didnt do my conversions from imperial to metric too well and at first the machine sat too deep into the recess with no way of raising the platform. The original cut out fixed that quick smart. It now sits on the platform.

    Thanks for the simple instructions
    Cheers
    Glenn

    December 30, 2012 at 1:41 am Reply
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    […] DIY Ikea Sewing Table Tutorial – From Martha With Love […]

    January 22, 2013 at 6:55 am Reply
  • Shannon Murphy

    Thank You. I made this with a drop leaf table that was going to the fire place, love it when not in use I can drop the sides to save space.

    January 28, 2013 at 9:00 am Reply
  • Daniela

    thanks for a great tutorial – already showed it to my husband 🙂

    February 16, 2013 at 11:30 am Reply
  • Florence

    Hi ! We live in France, and we are now making the sewing table following your instructions !! It is a great process, first times (drilling, using a saw…). It is very challenging. When the table is ready, we can say, we did it ourselves !! I am very excited. Thanks for your tutorial !!

    March 5, 2013 at 3:46 am Reply
  • juan

    I want to make this for my gf’s birthday. Is this IKEA table sturdy enough to resist the movement of the sewing machine? I’d like to hear someone’s experience using it.

    Thanks!

    March 5, 2013 at 12:45 pm Reply
    • Marta

      Hi, Juan! I’ve been using my table for months now, and it hasn’t loosened a bit. It feels just as tight and sturdy as it did the day I built it, and my machine weighs a hefty 26 pounds! Even when I’m sewing on my highest speed, the table doesn’t shake. I hope that eases your apprehension 🙂

      March 5, 2013 at 1:23 pm Reply
  • Ilene Atkins

    Hi Marta,

    Recently stumbled across this tut, and what a blessing. I have quilted my last quilt with a raised machine! I spent this afternoon transforming my Ikea table into a flatbed, with the help of your instructions. The adjustable bolts were an inspiration. You are right, it is not hard to do. I had only a little help from the mister in the house, mainly I used his tools, but did most of it myself. I had to adjust for a bottom loading bobbin, and my plug-in cord, but otherwise it is great. Can’t wait to get back to sewing. I’ll be linking you up with my own blog. Thank you, thank you.

    March 10, 2013 at 4:56 pm Reply
  • Mike

    just a suggestion… put some Loctite thread locker on the bolts underneath the table to hold the nuts in place for good, and you can take off the extra bolt length with a hacksaw or Dremel disc. just cut it flush with the bottom nut OR leave a half inch and cap them with rubber vacuum line caps from an auto parts store.

    March 15, 2013 at 12:31 am Reply
  • Shelley Gardner

    I would have drilled two holes near the back side of the sewing machine for the cords to go through so that they weren’t pinched along the machine. If you drilled a hole along the line that you would cut later, you would end up with a half circles after cutting the space out for the full machine. Love the rest of your design, and as the others have said, a few tweaks could improve upon your design for an even lovelier table.

    April 20, 2013 at 8:36 am Reply
  • April Lauer

    I wonder if u can do this same thing to a really nice desk with drawers? Or can u add little compartment on the right side of the machine to hold tools. Like a cute little organizing holders. But also I saved the old lift that came with a older sewing machine cabinet I had and I wish I could use that on a table like this. I thought to save that thing in hopes I can re use it someday. I have 2 large drafting tables I bet I could do this on them but the shelf on it that’s under them is in the back. But if u turned it around sure the shelf would work but no place for your legs. Plus it’s a deep shelf. My machine is huge though. Just wish I could do this with the tables I have. Don’t have money to go buy a ikea table right now. But if I get money later maybe I could if I can’t do this with any other table I have. And what about if u wanted to change the machines to the hole? Guess would have to custom order a plexi to fit to those machines in the same hole?

    April 20, 2013 at 10:28 am Reply
  • Livie R.

    I made my own sewing table using a desk I bought from Office Depot. It has 3 drawers, one of them very deep (for files), a closet on the other side, and a pullout keyboard stand, on which I placed the sewing machine (I made sure to anchor it underneath). My husband used a jigsaw to cut out the hole for the sewing machine. I love it, because of all the drawers. It also has a hole for the cords, which I use for loose threads by placing a plastic cup underneath to catch the threads.

    April 21, 2013 at 2:33 pm Reply
  • Homemade sewing table | deborah woods

    […] My sewing table boyfriend and I made from instructions found on this site. http://frommartawithlove.com/diy-ikea-sewing-table-tutorial/ […]

    April 30, 2013 at 3:49 pm Reply
    • Jared from The Sewing Table Store

      I’ve heard a lot about using Ikea tables to make a really good sewing table. With instructions like these you’re gonna put people like me out of business!

      Also, some people use Ikea’s little stackable cubby boxes to outfit their sewing spaces. I couldn’t find the link for the picture I saw but it’s another idea to go along with it. And you just have to stop at Ikea once for everything!

      May 25, 2013 at 3:59 pm Reply
  • Kathleen Williams

    Wow! Thanks for the idea and the tutorial. I can do this. I was thinking that I’d get additional tables to extend the surfaces to be able to get a huge quilt on it and also have cutting surfaces when not quilting. I’m thinking of getting 4 of the tables, cutting one up to fit the sewing machine. I’d stow one table behind the sewing table and two tables adjacent to the sewing table and other table. This would create a huge working surface that would be far cheaper than anything than can be purchased. Sweet. Thank you so much.

    May 17, 2013 at 2:30 pm Reply
  • Beth F.

    Wow, this is awesome. Marta, how heavy is that machine? I would love this for my Juki 2010q but its 25ish lbs and I wonder if the bolts could support that weight?

    May 27, 2013 at 11:40 am Reply
  • DIY IKEA Sewing Table Tutorial | from Marta with Love | Spice Ridge Journal

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    June 6, 2013 at 6:12 am Reply
  • Mark

    Excellent write up and photos! Thank you. My daughter and I have a weekend project!

    June 26, 2013 at 12:50 pm Reply
  • NellyKelly

    Oh my goodness, you win Bestest Blogger for sure…. This is an amazing tutorial with an amazing end product! And I have the exact same sewing machine, so I can see just what the end result will be, no worrying that it’ll be too heavy or too deep. I’m trying to FMQ a moderately big quilt right now with the machine sitting on top of a folding table from Target. The combination of height, vibration, and friction/pulling is making this one feel like a long haul. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I’ve been avoiding buying a premade table because of the cost and the look (because it has to live in the dining room of my open plan house.) This is so perfect!! Thanks again!

    July 2, 2013 at 8:39 am Reply
  • Driving Chad Crazy! And birthdays on a budget! | My Heart Has Hands

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    July 10, 2013 at 12:35 pm Reply
  • Kathy@KayakQuilting

    Wow! This looks great! I wonder if this would work on the Ikea tabletop like this one.http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/S39932699/

    It seems like this table is sturdier than the tabletops that you purchase separately from the legs (which is what I have in my sewing room right now). What do you think? Thanks!

    July 14, 2013 at 3:55 pm Reply
  • DIY Custom Sewing Table | AmyLiz Studio

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    July 24, 2013 at 10:14 pm Reply
  • Za kraj tjedna... - Dizajniram.com

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    August 16, 2013 at 11:19 am Reply
  • Gaye Galyan

    Just finished making your sewing table. Your instructions were amazing – my husband thought your instructions were just as good as IKEAs – and he loves IKEAs instructions! Thank you so much for making a sewing table so affordable and fun. Now on to the painting…

    September 2, 2013 at 2:42 pm Reply
  • Nenna

    I am so excited to have found this tutorial! I really need a good sewing machine table (the folding table I’m using sooo does not cut the mustard) and can’t afford to spend upwards of $500 on a new one. I just happen to have this exact table (it’s our old kitchen table that’s now serving as our outdoor dining table), and I’m going to play Bob Vila and transform it into a sewing table. If it wasn’t 10:30 pm, I’d be reaching for the jigsaw right now!

    September 12, 2013 at 8:37 pm Reply
  • Kim

    Followed your tutorial this weekend and it worked out great! Thank you.

    September 24, 2013 at 7:01 pm Reply
  • Sarah

    how do you get the knee lift to attach? Or do you use it?

    September 24, 2013 at 8:48 pm Reply
  • 101 Ikea Hacks - EverythingEtsy.com

    […] DIY Ikea Sewing Table Tutorial – From Marta With Love […]

    September 25, 2013 at 10:31 am Reply
  • Driving Chad Crazy! And birthdays on a budget! » crysti caro

    […] what does this have to do with Chad? When I found out how expensive these were, I found a blog post about how to build one yourself. (the drop down part so the machine sits flush with the table) And now he doesn’t have to […]

    October 5, 2013 at 9:11 pm Reply
  • jenamiles

    Just curious – when you painted and finished it, did you use the wax or a polyurethane? How does it deal with drag on larger items that you are sewing and sliding across the table? As a quilter, that is my biggest concern with this 🙂 I just custom built a 5′ x 5′ table that will do triple duty as a dining table, sewing table, and homeschool work center for 3 kids. The last thing to work out is what finish I’m putting on it!

    October 20, 2013 at 11:06 am Reply
  • Emily T

    I used your tutorial to make my Inga sewing table today and your instructions are awesome! I’m planning to paint mine with an enamel paint to maximize smooth glide of fabrics. Thanks again!

    November 17, 2013 at 2:08 pm Reply
  • A Blogging Worm Hole | happypathbookclub

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    February 13, 2014 at 2:21 pm Reply
  • Jacquie

    This is so clever. I will be trying this very soon. I am just about ready to start some serious quilting.

    June 15, 2014 at 1:43 pm Reply
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    June 18, 2014 at 11:44 am Reply
  • Kelly

    This is a wonderful, practical and inexpensive! You just saved me a fortune! Sewing tables are ridiculously over priced!! Thank you for sharing!

    June 18, 2014 at 4:17 pm Reply
  • The Best Hacks From The Fan Site IKEA Doesn't Want You To See | Gizmodo Australia

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    June 18, 2014 at 9:02 pm Reply
  • Anel

    About how much did u spend?

    June 21, 2014 at 2:45 am Reply
  • Linda To

    Omg love this! How did y fill the space between machine and table to prevent needles falling into the gap?

    September 6, 2014 at 5:42 am Reply
  • Leah

    Hi Marta, I just finished making a sewing table following your instructions to the letter! It turned out wonderfully and I am so grateful for your fabulous tutorial! thank you so much!
    -Leah

    September 14, 2014 at 5:57 pm Reply
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    November 26, 2014 at 7:17 am Reply
  • Cablearms

    This is excellent tutorial! Thank you very much – i’m about to do a craft room reno and this helps a lot for my sewing table that my husband will build for me 🙂

    December 15, 2014 at 4:20 pm Reply
  • Sewing table

    […] bad (or is it?) I am not sure, but this might be the link on how to make the table from the post. DIY IKEA Sewing Table Tutorial – from Marta with Love Vicky Reply With […]

    December 30, 2014 at 12:52 pm Reply
  • nycsewingchick

    So, what do you do when you need to get to the bobbin? Lift teh whole machine up and out every time?

    January 3, 2015 at 2:06 pm Reply
    • Lynn

      As nice as this table is, it only works for machines where the bobbin is accessible from the top. The rest of us will have to wait for her next tutorial!

      September 17, 2015 at 10:01 pm Reply
  • Sewing Table - Page 2

    […] this table is easy to make ….go to this link and check it out…DIY IKEA Sewing Table Tutorial – from Marta with Love "May there always be work for your hands to do" Reply With […]

    January 21, 2015 at 5:59 pm Reply
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    January 30, 2015 at 6:19 am Reply
  • Sewing Room – Done! | Juniper Quilts

    […] the right is dropped down into the table.  My husband and I built it according to the instructions here if you’re interested. Then we have 2 of the Raskog carts, also from […]

    February 7, 2015 at 1:25 pm Reply
  • Vero

    Hi! My father and I made this, using your instructions loosely. Thank you very much for the inspiration. You can find pictures here : http://imgur.com/a/O7B3Z

    February 15, 2015 at 3:23 pm Reply
  • Anja Richards

    Hi Marta, Great to see another DIY sewer. I have been thinking to do the same but I want to have a table at the same height as the trestle tables I use around my table to hold the whole quilt (and for using the Flynn Multi Frame) I also thought about making a lip or rotating clips so I can slip in the cutout to lift my machine back to table top height for sleeves etc so I can continue to use the power cords and pedal in the same location.
    Off to lift some concrete with my very own jack hammer now 🙂

    March 4, 2015 at 3:39 pm Reply
  • Craft Room Redo – details « Crafty Coffin

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    March 12, 2015 at 8:21 am Reply
  • The Best Hacks From the Fan Site Ikea Doesn’t Want You To See | That will be my next tweet

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    […] Diy ikea sewing table tutorial – from marta with love […]

    March 27, 2015 at 2:16 pm Reply
  • tierneycreates

    Very cool!

    May 23, 2015 at 9:34 pm Reply
  • Lorena

    Hola !! me encanta tu pagina !!! pero quisiera pedir por favor en idioma español, no hablo ingles y es muy dificil para mi entender y poder aplicar .-
    saludos 🙂

    July 7, 2015 at 9:00 am Reply
  • Sueli

    Amei sua ideia, vou fazer uma pra mim, obrigada.

    July 19, 2015 at 10:23 pm Reply
  • PrinterT

    I can’t wait to try this with an old desk I’ve been using for my sewing table! Thank so much for the step by step instructions!

    August 26, 2015 at 1:29 pm Reply
  • Tips and Tricks for quilting with a small harp?

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    November 20, 2015 at 9:48 pm Reply
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    January 3, 2016 at 9:51 pm Reply
  • cathy

    C est super comme idee.merci cathy

    January 10, 2016 at 1:11 am Reply
  • joe v

    Great article – the only question I have is how do you fit your hand in to change the bobbin? My brother nouvelle 1500s has one small compartment, and another next to it in the extension table (that I wont be using if I drop it in a table as you did.

    March 8, 2016 at 7:08 am Reply
  • thewiremonkey

    This is so nice. I hate the way commercially available sewing tables look–so bulky and they do not fit with my decor at all. I might try this with the Nornas drop leaf table to have a really big cutting/sewing station.

    May 6, 2016 at 12:23 pm Reply
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  • Nia Lorre

    Brilliant. Thank you so much for this excellent, detailed tutorial. I can’t cut up the make shift table I am using so I will be on the hunt for one that I can. Love that little jig thingie.

    July 27, 2016 at 8:55 pm Reply
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  • Mikey P

    Love this!!! I do have one question…do you hit your knees/legs on the bolts under the table? Is there room to turn the bolts the opposite way to attach? Thank you!! 🙂

    December 9, 2016 at 9:22 am Reply
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  • msblondegecko

    Thank you so much for this great tutorial! I just finished my similar table with just a few changes. I have a front-loading bobbin on my Bernina so I ordered a Sew Steady acrylic template made to fit my Bernina and just traced around the template for the opening on top of the table. To change the bobbin, all I have to do is pop out the template (which sits on top of a tiny wood ledge that I installed 1/4″ below the opening). The second change is that I used longer wood screws for the pocket holes. If you have a 2×2 board that you are drilling pocket holes and follow the instructions on the Kreg jig kit, you will need a screw that is 2.5″ long for the 2×2, which is actually 1.5″. A 1.25″ wood screw would not be long enough to attach the 2×2 to the table.

    October 20, 2017 at 10:48 am Reply
    • Taft

      MsBlondgecko, would you attach a photo of your machine cut out and also with your acrylic insert and machine in the table? I have a side loading bobbin in my Janome 1600.

      March 29, 2018 at 12:37 am Reply
      • msblondegecko

        Sorry I am just now seeing your question. I can’t post pictures on my reply but you can send me an email at msblondegecko at mac dot com.

        December 19, 2018 at 8:43 am Reply
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    February 13, 2018 at 11:42 am Reply
  • Indretning af det “perfekte” syrum – Tante Quilt

    […] Mit seneste projekt er at ombygge sybordet, så symaskinen er sænket og i overflade med bordpladen. Jeg tror det bliver en DIY IKEA hack, som jeg har fundet en del varianter på, på andre blogs. Se f.eks. From Marta with loves DIY IKEA SEWING TABLE TUTORIAL […]

    February 16, 2018 at 3:06 am Reply
  • Suzanne G.

    Your table is marvelous Marta! I’d like to do it too, but my machine weighs 45lbs. I think you said the piece your machine sits on is from an old cabinet-it it solid wood or MDF? Do you think that and 4 bolts would be enough to hold this much weight? I’m a little leary of destroying an expensive machine so I’d be VERY grateful for any advice you provide.
    Hope you see this!
    Thanks much.

    February 24, 2018 at 7:17 pm Reply
    • Ren C

      Hi Suzanne, I’m wondering how this turned out for you. My machine is 30lbs.

      April 26, 2021 at 7:21 pm Reply
  • ladybugx6

    Great tutorial, however that think that interested me the most was the Ikea PLUGGIS bin …. can you tell me where you purchased the clear plastic divider sitting on top of the bin? Thanks

    March 8, 2018 at 8:13 am Reply
  • Grandmaofone

    Thank you so much, I JUST MADE THIS TODAY! Still have to paint it to match my desk since I will have a office/sewing room come October. By the way for anyone else Ikea shipped the table Fedex to my home for nine dollars shipping. The Ikea is not close to me so that was a deal. Happy sewingL

    May 20, 2018 at 2:43 pm Reply
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    June 22, 2018 at 10:39 pm Reply
  • CHOPPINET Anne

    super your tutorial, I will certainly, when I have time

    November 19, 2018 at 11:00 pm Reply
  • Susan Wild

    This is excellent – I ahev thought about adapting the table I use now – and this will be very useful if I decide to go that way. Thanks heaps.

    December 27, 2018 at 3:42 am Reply
  • Sue Gardem

    Thanks for an excellent tutorial. I have been doing lots of my own handiwork around the house from landscaping, painting erecting Ikea cupboards and furniture and general repairs since living by myself for the last 10 years. I have been searching for the exact same table hack to do – from using insulation foam to adding another table underneath but have not been happy with anything I have seen so far. Yours is brilliant and very doable. I also have a Bernina with a front opening bobbin so will use that tip with the perspex. This will be my project for this year. By the way my last project was my cutting table which is a new door without holes for handles set onto Ikea Kallax 4 shelf unit at each end. I put wheels on them but not the Ikea ones which were expensive so got them from our local hardware in Australia Thank you again

    January 6, 2019 at 4:19 pm Reply
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  • Teresa

    Martha,
    Same as many other people, I have been looking for a good hack for a sewing table. I stumbled on this one and was sold. I made plans to hit Ikea and pick up the INGO table when we went to Charlotte two weeks ago. When we got to Ikea, they had them instock but they also had the NORRAKER. It was at the $159 price point but was marked down to $89!!!!! Solid white birch, very slightly larger and heavier weight. Pulled out your instructions I had printed to double check if it would work and loaded it up. It worked out great with a few minor adjustments. The only trouble we ran into was that my Singer Touch and Sew has a rounded area on the right side that does not sit flush with the table top. The other is once the extension on the left side of the machine was removed there is a support “leg” that runs along the front. We were able to turn the machine at an angle and wiggle to get it in without having to cut any more out of the table top. The top of the machine was too wide to take it in from the bottom, I tried that first. All in all, It turned out great and I completely love it! I have already started a new quilt project. I can not thank you enough for the pics and instructions. The NORRAKER table has a poly coat unlike the INGO so I would have to sand it to paint it but it’s cool for now like it is.
    -Teresa

    May 29, 2019 at 1:33 pm Reply
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  • Robyn Wimmer

    Reading this in Jan 2020 so not sure you’ll answer. RE “HOT TIP (for those with a front-loading bobbin):

    Here’s a helpful comment by someone who made this table for their Bernina:

    I have a front-loading bobbin on my Bernina so I ordered a Sew Steady acrylic template made to fit my Bernina and just traced around the template for the opening on top of the table. To change the bobbin, all I have to do is pop out the template (which sits on top of a tiny wood ledge that I installed 1/4″ below the opening). ”

    I have a Pfaff Expression 2048 and wonder where to buy a Sew Steady acrylic template as I also have a front-loading bobbin. Hoping you’ll see this and respond to wimmer.robyn@hotmail.com Thank you!

    January 12, 2020 at 10:58 am Reply
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  • gdkook

    Can’t picture what you are describing for front loading bobbins. Can you show a picture or elaborate please? thanks

    May 31, 2020 at 1:57 pm Reply
  • Dana

    I love this! I have everything I need but the countersink. What size did you use? Thank you!

    December 20, 2020 at 12:30 pm Reply
  • Donna P.

    I love this idea BUT – I have a machine that you can drop part of the plate to sew sleeves- inside a circle… any suggestions on how to alter your design to accommodate that ?

    January 11, 2021 at 10:35 am Reply
  • Kathy De

    I love your design. I’m guessing that if I were to do it, I’d need to take my knee lift into consideration. I’d also have to concern myself with those bolts hanging down. You might have addressed this, already. But I cringe thinking of the painful meeting of my legs and those bolts.

    January 11, 2021 at 7:21 pm Reply
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  • Almira

    Thanks for the inspiration! I have one of those tables in my storage space and now I know what to do with it! Your instructions are perfect, I have all the tools and the kreg jig set so this is an exciting project for me! Thanks again for sharing!

    April 17, 2021 at 8:36 pm Reply
  • Sadie

    This is my exact machine and i have been searching and dreaming of an inset table. Bonus we just moved close to an IKEA! Thanks for sharing this 🙂

    January 10, 2023 at 11:58 am Reply
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