How to Cut a Hole for a Sewing Machine Insert
If you are going to be seated at a sewing machine for any length of time, it is important that you create an ergonomically correct sewing table, or you will soon experience pain or injury. Take a few moments to cut an insert for your sewing machine in your table to give yourself the ergonomically friendly sewing table that you need to make your sewing experience an enjoyable one.
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Instructions
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Place your sewing machine on the table, to the right and to the front. There should be a few inches separating the machine from the front and right edges. Draw around the machine on the table, to mark where the opening will need to be cut for your sewing machine. To help you envision what this will look like, place a few of the elements on the table that you will frequently use, and situate them around the drawn opening. For example, you might put a pair of scissors on the table between the front edge and the opening you have drawn, and maybe a spool of thread and a coffee mug to the right of the opening you are about to cut. You might have more, or different, commonly used items, so whatever you use, position them now the way you use them when you sew. Now is the time, before you make any cuts, to ensure that the opening is where you need for it to be.
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Cut the opening with a saw. A jigsaw is ideal, but your on-hand of supply of tools, or tools that you can borrow, will dictate what you use to cut the opening. Wear safety goggles. Once this is done, try the opening by lowering the sewing machine into the opening you have just cut. If necessary, make more markings on the table and cut again if the opening proves to be too small.
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Support the edges of the opening that you have just cut from underneath, by taking lengths of wood that are same height as the lengths of wood separating and supporting the two table surfaces. For example, if there are 3 inches between the two table heights, take four 3 inch pieces of wood and position them between the two work surfaces, making sure that they do not interfere with the positioning of the sewing machine. They can be permanently positioned by marking the location of the supports, removing the sewing machine, turning the table upside down and affixing them to the bottom layer with screws.
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Check the overall height of the table. Sit at the table, and rest your hands on the surface of the top table. Your arms should form an L shape, with your forearms at right angles to your body, and your upper arms perfectly parallel to your body, and your shoulders should not be hunched. If your table is too high, your hands will reach up to rest on the top table. Make the necessary adjustments to make the table legs the correct height to provide the ideal ergonomic position.
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Replace the sewing machine one more time to make sure that everything is in order. You can then remove the sewing machine and sand the cut surface until it is smooth and free of splinters and jagged edges. If desired, paint the table. You now have your own custom sewing table!
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Tips & Warnings
Of course, in order for you to cut a hole in your sewing table for your sewing machine, you must have a two-level, or two-tier, table. If you don't, you can always build a second table, made the exact height of the sewing machine, and place it on top of the single level table, and that is this surface in which you will cut the hole.
Always operate power tools with caution; use safety goggles and any other safety accessories to avoid injury and ensure your safety.
References
- Photo Credit electric saw image by Albert Lozano from Fotolia.com
