Instructions on Turning an Armoire Into a Sewing Station

Convert your TV armoire into a sewing center.

Now that tube TVs have gone the way of the dinosaur, you may find yourself with an outdated TV armoire. If your armoire is still in nice condition and fits your decorating style, you may not be quite ready to part with it. A TV armoire makes a wonderful sewing center, and converts easily. It offers plenty of storage plus a large work surface, and when you're finished sewing for the day, you simply shut the doors on the mess.

Things You'll Need

• Armoire
• Small boxes, baskets or bins
• Small trash can
• 2 French memo boards

Instructions

1. Remove all contents from your TV armoire. Move it to its new spot in your home, and give it a thorough dusting and cleaning.

2. Place your sewing machine on the main shelf where the TV formerly sat. If your amoire has a pull-out shelf, this will allow you to pull your sewing machine out of the armoire so you can sit at it much like you would sit at a desk. If your armoire does not have this feature, you may want to install a pull-out shelf. A sturdy, well-made keyboard shelf works also.

   Use the electric outlet built into the armoire to plug in your sewing machine, or thread the cord through a hole in the armoire's back panel to access a wall plug.

3. Fill the cubbies and drawers. These work perfectly for storing sewing supplies such as scissors, thread, patterns, buttons, zippers, notions and sewing machine accessories. If your armoire is short on cubbies and drawers, fill bins, baskets and boxes with these items, and place them on shelves within the armoire.

4. Fold cuts of fabric neatly, and store them on open shelving within the armoire.

5. Tuck a small trash can into one of the lower cubbies or shelves.

6. Hang a French memo board on the interior of each door. Use them as handy spots to tuck fabric swatches, loose pattern pieces or inspirational photos.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure your armoire's doors will shut completely once you've filled it with sewing supplies and hung memo boards on the doors. Being able to shut the doors to hide clutter is one of the armoire's best assets.

• Fold and store fabric by color to easily find what you're looking for.

References

• AZ Central: Give Bulky Entertainment Center a Makeover
• Home Workshop: Armoires: Not Just for TVs Anymore
• "St. Petersberg Times": Transform TV Armoire into Bar, Home Office and More

Resources

• Home Organizing Ideas: 5 Solutions for Organizing a Sewing Room
• New Mexico State University: Designing a Sewing Center