Wednesday, July 7, 2010

A Partner for My Bench

I have a confession - I'm a thrift store lurker.  It's not as creepy as it sounds - I promise.  I'm one of those people who goes into a thrift store and more times than not, I leave with nothing.  But every so often I SCORE and get something wonderful.  According to my Grandma , you must go several times before you find a good deal.  (My thriftiness is a trait I've inherited from my mom and my Grandma -- and what a wonderful trait it is!) 

On one of my last thrift store trips I was  perusing the merchandise...not really expecting to find anything....and not really looking for anything particular.  But then as I walked by the furniture I saw this:



 A little ugly, a little worn -- but I loved the shape of it....especially the spindle legs and the handles (minus the dusty bronze color).  And it got better.....I opened it up:



Initially I couldn't decide if I wanted it or not.....(I get this trait of indecisiveness from my Mom and Grandma too -- not so thrilled about this one).  I thought and thought....went home, dreamed about it, thought about it some more -- you get the idea.  The next morning I had made my decision --  I wanted it.  I went back to the store and thought about it again, and checked it out to see if I could use my sewing machine with the table.  I determined that I could use the table with my machine and with that, I took it -- bought it, actually -- for $14.00. 

The machine that came with it seems very nice and well taken care of. (I think I'm going to keep it is a back up -- becuase I always manage to jam my machine while I'm in the middle of a project). 

So I took the whole table apart and took the hardware off -- painted it with my favorite Gloss White from Valspar and spray-painted all the hardware black.   And that was it -- so easy -- but so worth it!


Do you love it?  I couldn't be any happier with how it turned out.  Plus, doesn't my new light look perfect on this table???

Since I wanted to be able to use my machine with my new table, I fashioned a little "shelf" that sits 3 inches below the top of the table for my sewing machine to sit on.  Think of it almost like a floating shelf inside my table.  That way, the table top is flush with my machine. 


And do you see my tape measure?  I bought a fabric tape measure and Mod Podged it onto my table (is there anything Mod Podge can't do?). 

There -- my sewing bench finally has a matching partner.

My sewing table also came with a little spool basket -- but it was '70s yellow:


YIIIIIKES!  Nothing a little spray paint can't fix!


I'm SEW excited to use my new table!  Right now it's at home in our guest room -- but someday when we finish our office I'm hoping there will be a spot in there. 



Linking up to:
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84 Hand-Me-Downers Shared:

Nikki@KreativeKnack said...

Love it! I'm super jealous right now! your so right...those legs are great! Good Job!

the thrifty ba said...

so very jealous!

Heather* said...

I love it! I love You! Your ideas are wonderful! Can't wait to get in the blog mood again after the holidays...took a bit of a break this week

Country Mouse said...

For $14.00 I wouldn't have passed it up either!!! Great buy and transformation!!!!;)

M.O.T.B said...

Lovely!!!!!! Is the stool comfortable? The lamp looks great, perfect!

Traci @ The Bakery said...

AWESOME!!! I love the tape measure....oh so clever you are!!!

Jensamom23 said...

Fantastic! You should be so proud of yourself!

Christine said...

Congrats on a great deal! Very nice refurb on the table, make you proud, doesn't it?

Suzanne said...

$14. What a score. Seriously, it is incredible. Love what you did to is and it's so practical too!

Mandi said...

I love it! Gret idea with the measuring tape!

Anonymous said...

Great job!! The two pieces go together perfectly (though I'd be inclined to maybe paint the very bottom of the sewing table's legs black to match the bottom of the stool's legs?)....you did a terrific job! And I love the measuring tape idea...thanks!

Unknown said...

Hello there~ that hand me down turned out fab. I adore the white! love the bench and the lamp. WAY TO GO! have a great one. Jenn

Pam Kessler said...

That bench is fabulous. Great buys!

Petie@inspirednesting.com said...

Great job! I love the addition of the tape measure :) And, spray painting the spool basket too...does the creativity ever end??

Nana's Fun Stuff said...

Love it!! The stool is a great addition that's for sure and girl, the tape measure idea ~ smart move!! I had to laugh at the thread holder. I have the exact same one that my Mom gave me and still have it to this day. And yes mine is still yellow but you gave me an idea now ;) Have a great day!! ~ Laura

Joy@Thrifty Parsonage Living said...

What a great transformation, and only for $14! I did the same thing with a sewing cabinet from my husbands grandmother. My husband also fixed a shelf for my own machine to stand on. You'll have to check it out at my blog ~ it's in my craft room. I love your idea of putting the tape measure at such a handy spot. Thanks for sharing!!! ~ Joy

Anonymous said...

Looks Great! I recently got rid of an old machine cabinet and I'm so sorry now. It's so true about having the 'back up' machine. Great job. Love your blog title as well. Found you at Backyard Eden.

~Dawn @ BeatUntilFluffy

srldesign said...

It looks great! And too funny, my mother has that exact sewing case in the 70's yellow still =D

Unknown said...

wow! that was a great $14 ($14!!!!) find! and you did a darned fine job amand-izing it!!! i love it.

Kathy said...

I am so excited to see this because my mom just gave me hers and I knew it needed to be re-done but just wasnt sure how...thank you thank you, great job!

Angie - Big Bears Wife said...

Amanda!!!!!!!! THIS LOOKS AWESOME!!!!!!!! I love going to thrift stores!

Nikki said...

From one "lurker" to another...I say GREAT JOB!!!!!!!!!! I tend to lurk at all stores. I never buy anything right away in case "I can find it cheaper somewhere else." lol
Thanks for linking to gettin' crafty on hump day! :)

Something Nice and Pretty said...

Love all your projects...the sewing table is just fantastic and also glad that you can use your own sewing machine!

Rondell

Tonya said...

I have a sewing table just like that in my closet that was my mother's. I don't use it because the machine is having problems and my machine doesn't attach. I never thought of making a little place for my machine to just sit inside of it. Not sure whether I will or not, but it gives me more options.

Katie Olthoff said...

So can you flip your machine in and out of it, or does it just sit on the shelf? Either way, it looks adorable! And I love that you put the measuring tape there.

Debbiedoos said...

Ok so this is pretty impressive!~ It looks awesome....did you say $14.00? Hard to believe. So nice you can sew too...great piece, love the paint job and the legs really are cool. Thanks for joining in on my first party...so much fun. Hope to see you again. Debbie

Olive said...

Fab find with a scary good price. The white is pretty. I enjoyed the B&A party...this is how I found you. ~olive

kaydubya said...

Quite possibly the cutest little sewing nook in all the land!! So pretty!

Morgan//Nuts and Bows said...

This is too cool! I am super jelly too!! Great job!

~Morgan

Meet Virginia!
Meet Virginia!!
Meet Virginia!!!

Kelle Dame said...

So cute! I love it! The stool goes perfectly.

Thanks for stopping by my blog and taking a closer look at our hallway and linen closet B&A. We did replace all the doors (Home Depot has free upgrades to solid core doors sometimes) and we replaced all the trim. The headers above the doors are mdf and we made those ourselves out of different trim pieces. It would be a huge undertaking but worth it! If you want more info on how to get the look just let me know :)

All the Best!
Kelle

Desiree said...

Definitely a thrift find worth buying and making over! It goes so well with your new bench too. Makes me want to sew just looking at it :-)

-Desiree

Bonnie@Creative Decorating said...

Stopping by from debbiedoos party! Great transformation! I love the tape measure idea and will have to try that somewhere in my sewing room!

Maria@BubblegumandDuctTape said...

you ROCK! I love it. My sewing table does not match my craft room but have always been afraid to paint it and I love my little table. But now, I think I can do it. I've printed your instructions yesterday and now I'm sooo excited that I'm going to finally paint it.

Ann Marie @ Twice Lovely said...

Sew cute!! ;)

Bette said...

What a great little table and goes perfectly with the bench!

Maria said...

WoW! I never would have known that you can put your own sewing machine in an old desk! I love it! Way to go! (as usual!) :)

Alison H said...

It turned out beautifully! I desparately want a sewing machine and would love a sewing table. I wouldn't have been able to pass up that steal either.

This was my first visit to your blog and I am already inspired!

Kimberly said...

Very jealous of that find! That's great!

Melissa said...

Great job!! I loved the measuring tape and yes I did see it before you mentioned it!! :)

Anonymous said...

I am beyond jealous...I want one!!! I sew on a small white table from Sam's that I stole from my husband who bought it to take to the beach to clean fish on...nope...all mine now! And I measure and cut on a card table...I'd so love what you created!!! Thanks for linking up to It's Party Time Thursday @ PonyTails&FishScales!

Unknown said...

Wow!! Great job!! You are very talented! I bet you inherited that, too?!! Thanks for stopping by a dash of parsley!

Unknown said...

Wow!! Great job!! You are very talented! I bet you inherited that, too?!! Thanks for stopping by a dash of parsley!

Kelli W said...

That is such an amazing makeover...and only $14 WOW! I love the measuring tape mod podged on! Very clever!

Larri said...

'Sew' inspiring! Thanks for sharing. Happy Sewing! :o)

SewSara said...

oh my word, i love it and i want to steal it!! thanks for sharing :)

Maryann @ Domestically-Speaking said...

I need a cute little sewing table... maybe I'd "attempt" sewing more if it was always set up and ready to go. Enjoy your creation & thanks for sharing at the PoPP.

Jamielyn said...

Love it! It turned out great!! I'd love for you to link it up tomorrow at sundae scoop. iheartnaptime@gmail.com

Rhiannon said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog and showing some love!
I have been reading your blog and enjoy watching your transformations expecially your bathroom makeover!
Come back and check out my giveaway!

Tru said...

Isn't it too bad you couldn't mount the sewing machine to go into the cabinet like the old one. It looks wonderful BTW!

Anonymous said...

Alright, I was so inspired from this last week that I went hunting for an old machine. I found one at the salvation army for 70 dollars and got the lady down to 15! You can see a photo of it in my Fake-Bake Friday post from yesterday. I need some help... how did your husband make the wood piece (take measurements etc) to make YOUR machine fit in there? So glad you posted this one.

Anonymous said...

I featured you at PonyTails&FishScales It's Party Time Thursday!

terelauritsen.blogspot.com

Jeralee said...

WOW! You transformed it into something lovely. I like the decoupaged tape measure, so smart and practical at the same time!

Kara Henry said...

Beautiful! I keep seeing these, but they are always $40+. I would totally buy one for $14. I bet it would be so handy.

Staci J said...

That really is sooo cute! I LOVE the white paint job! Great job! Visiting from Mad Skillz
justsewsassy.com

Maria said...

So smart. I love the tape measure idea too.

trish said...

I love what you have done!! :o)

Lessons Learned said...

GREAT - now i will be on a never ending hunt for the perfect table to d this for with my machine, and i LOVE LOVE that you put the tape measure in there!

Laura said...

Wow this is adorable! You did a great job.

Kaysi @ Keeping it Simple said...

What a great table, I love the white!

Kari said...

What a great find and what a tremendous make over! It looks great!

Unknown said...

Thanks for helping us have another great Anything Related! ~Bridgette

Ashlee Marie said...

LOVE it! I have my grandmothers original sewing machine and table. I've never used thetable, but after seeing this remodel I want to! I think I'll get it out of storage and do this. I especially love the tape measure! Brilliant! I just started a link party and I would LOVE it if you'd consider adding your crafts to it! I'm having flower headband giveaway as part of our first party too! http://imtopsyturvy.com/index.php/2010/07/topsy-turvy-tuesdays-1/

Sarah @ The Pumpkin Patch said...

I love it. I had my grand mothers sewing cabinet. It had a trundle underneath it. I was in such bad condition that I finally had to get rid of it. It was falling apart and had a funny smell. So sad.

Thanks for linking to transform Tuesday. Can't wait to see what else you have done!

Heidi said...

I love this project! And I think it's brilliant that you took the time to do the spool case too :)

Amanda @ Serenity Now said...

AWESOME project!!!!! :) I love that you can fit your own machine inside. It looks beautiful! Thanks so much for the visit today. :)

Amanda @ Serenity Now said...

PS. So sorry for the double comment. Blogger is being messy with me today. :(

Jaimee said...

This is great. I've been on the lookout for something to refinish and use as a sewing table. No luck you, but you give me hope!

Tanya said...

Great score and nice work making her pretty!

Kara @ Mine for the Making said...

so so convenient!!! and so so pretty!!

Robin Ange said...

Love it and I would love if you would link this project up over at my blog www.thetshirtdiaries.com's Upcycled Awesome linky party - http://tinyurl.com/Upcycled5

Emily {Frilly Details} said...

What an amazing find! And a great deal too. I love the new look with the white paint, and adding the tape measure with mod podge is brilliant!

Helena said...

Wow, that looks great! I love old sewing machine tables. And for $14?? You can't beat that.

Thank you for participating in the Creative Therapy Session with Life in the Pitts!

Julie @ Frugal and Fabulous Design said...

Fabulous transformation! You wouldn't even know it was the same piece. The measuring tape is great touch. Your cute table almost makes me want to give sewing another try....almost...LOL.

Thanks for linking up to Fab Friday -

Cheers!

thriftytickle said...

Great find and I love what you did with it (and I love, love, love the measuring tape!) Please come by and link up toVintage Suitcase Friday!

Mad in Crafts said...

Thanks for linking up to the Mad Skills party!

Anonymous said...

Too funny - I have that 70's yellow sewing box and I bought it in the 70's. hehehe Never thought about painting it though. Now maybe I will.

Mark and Ashlie said...

So cute! Love the little bench as well. Thanks for stopping by Sister Sister. Be sure to link up again this week!

AUDRA said...

I LOVE this sewing table! I wish I had one!!

Thanks for linking this up as well!

Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co. said...

From one thrift store lurker to another - fabulous job!

Room to Inspire said...

A great transformation - so glad you linked this post up as well!

Chelsea

B. Fidler said...

Wow! What a find! I purchased a sewing table and stool from craigslist for $40! It is beautiful and I LOVE it, but nothing like the deal you found. And I'm SHOCKED your table still had the sewing machine. How cool! Loved how you updated the sewing table. And I love the idea of mod podge'ing a measuring tape on the inside. Would you mind sharing how you added a shelf for your modern sewing machine to sit inside the table? I'm trying to figure out how to get my Elna to fit in my table. bryannefidler@gmail.com
Thanks!

Unknown said...

Wow, that's an amazing transformation! Great job!

Annabelle said...

WOW! You are really fabulous at modernizing your finds! I'll bet you love garage sales!

Annabelle

Unknown said...

I just got a table from my MIL and was wonderinf if I could get my more up to date machine in and the old antique out, the tape trick was cute too. Stopped in from kara's look what I made!

Great Job!!!
Christy, Home♥Mom

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