From buffet to sewing — all in one table

Yesterday, we looked at putting together the Studio Collection Sewing and Design table. Today, we look at how quickly the table turns from buffet to sewing — all in one table.

I’m looking forward to using it when my crafty pals come over and we need extra space. Before we get our creative evening started, we usually have a light buffet supper. I’m planning to amaze and astound them by setting the buffet out on the table protected from heat with a padded tablecloth.

After supper is over, I’ll do a magic trick, clearing the dishes away to reveal a clever sewing room on casters! I hope they are prepared to be amazed. I’m pretty impressed with this table/cabinet/design surface.

On one side, we can set up a sewing machine. On the other side, there is a surface that can be used to cut out and/or measure. A word of caution here: the table itself is not a cutting surface.

You will need to use a self healing cutting mat. However, the measurement lines match up perfectly to the measurements on the mat. I like that! It extends the width and length of the measuring surface, because the lines go beyond the confines of the cutting mat. That’s handy when cutting a large piece of fabric. The table’s grid is also very useful for marking fabric before cutting.

There’s storage space under the front side of the table. This small shelf is ideal for storing rulers and pressing boards, even an iron.

The swing out shelf table is meant for a serger, but I don’t have one. But, I do have a tabletop ironing board, as well as a pressing board for working on patchwork blocks and other small projects.

This table-within-a-table will be perfect as an ad hoc pressing station.

The Studio Collection Design and Sewing Table features a small drawer — and I mean small — perfect for storing extra thread, sewing machine bits and pieces and seam rippers. There are also two shelves, which can accommodate fabric, books or additional notions. We’re going to create some organizers to make the most of the available storage space.

First up, a pin tray for the drawer.

You will need

• fabric scraps
• decorative buttons
• quilt batting
• finger pressing tool
• chalk marking pencil
• ruler

• Cut two 8-inch squares of fabric, use an orphan quilt block as I have here.

• Cut one 10-inch square of batting.

• Make a quilt sandwich in this order: batting at the bottom, one fabric and then the other facing right sides together.

• Sew around the square using a 1/2 inch seam, leaving an opening for turning.

• Trim the square and clip the corners. Turn right side out. Push out corners. Neaten seams so that lining and main fabric are even. Press with steam.

• Stitch the opening closed. Press.

• Fold the square diagonally. Measure 1 1/2 inches from the corners, and pin. You should now have something that looks like a small tray.

• Using a chalk marker, draw a vertical line at the pin, from the top to the bottom of the tray. Remove the pin, and sew along these vertical lines.

• Flatten the corners to the middle of each seam (see photo). Press well with steam.

I decided to use some decorative sewing themed buttons to secure each corner.

Every nice sewing table deserves a pretty pin cushion. One that uses up fabric scraps is even better. Let’s make one!

You will need

• fabric scraps
• fiber fill
• Sew Smooth thread conditioner
• upholstery thread

For the pin cushion, I used a small vintage milk glass compote I found at a thrift store. These are usually readily available. The “lacy” decoration around the edge is a great place to store scissors. I used the scraps from my stash of precious sewing themed fabrics.

• Add a 1/4 inch seam allowance to the template provided and cut two quarter circles from different fabric scraps.

• Sew two together using a 1/4 inch seam allowance.Sew the other two together, and join the half circles together. Press all the seam allowances open.

• Zigzag around the resulting circle using a narrow stitch. Thread a hand sewing needle with some upholstery thread. Place a dot of Sew Smooth thread conditioner on your forefinger and run the thread between your thumb and forefinger. The conditioner will enable the thread to glide through the fabric without tangling.

• Sew around the circle with a running stitch about 1/4 inch from the edge.

• Pull up the gathering threads until there is a 2-inch diameter opening at the bottom. Stuff firmly with fiber fill. Move the stuffing around, evening out and to plump up the gathered areas as much as possible.

• When the cushion is firmly stuffed, run another line of gathering stitches near the previous ones and pull up on them until the hole at the bottom is quite small. Tie off the thread three or four times.

• Place the cushion in the dish. Use a hot iron and a lot of steam to press the cushion into the dish.

• This will help fiber fill flatten slightly, and further fill in any gathers.

• Use thick white glue to cover the inside of the dish and place the cushion inside. Weight the cushion down into the dish with a heavy book until the glue dries. Decorate with pretty pins. Add your small snipping scissors.

Cute, right?

Tomorrow, we tackle drawer optimization in the small, but mighty, drawer of the Studio Collection Sewing and Design Table. I love the magic it offers when going from buffet to sewing — all in one table!