Do we convert or recondition the old sewing machine?

I inherited an old sewing machine from my mother that I use as a side table in the corner of my bedroom. It still exists because I love old things, otherwise it would surely be lost somewhere. And it seems kind of unfair. This car has been in my life since I was born. It's not the famous Singer brand of sewing machines, but Casnica, one of the first Romanian sewing machines, and a very good one. My mother sewed everything with it, and I learned to work with it too. Now, even if it no longer serves its original purpose, the sewing machine can be kept with all its memories and can be useful again, but in a different way.

What you no longer use from an old sewing machine is the sewing device itself. So by removing it it becomes a table in itself. The metal support can be used as it is, and instead of the original tabletop on top, a thick wooden top made of unvarnished plank can be used for a rustic look. The table obtained by adding new elements to those that can still be kept will continue to be useful and sturdy.

But why throw away good drawers? Especially if it's an older Singer sewing machine with carved drawers. The drawers and metal legs can make a beautiful and useful vintage cabinet. The top of the machine can be cut off and used to make two smaller worktops, one placed on top of the drawers and the other in place of the metal pedal.

Also from the old sewing machine you can make a bathroom sink holder. It can be used by removing just the sewing machine or just the leg, the support part. The advantage in the first case is that drawers can be used for storage, but installation will be more difficult. In the second case the installation is much simpler, as any kind of countertop can be used - wood, glass, special moisture-resistant countertop. If you decide to make such a conversion, remember that the varnish used to finish the wood must be moisture resistant.

Transformations are not difficult to make and can be adapted for all sorts of uses, it all depends on your imagination. The old sewing machine could become a bar, a flower stand, a chair or even a lamp.

I'm sure there are many among you who feel it's not appropriate to break a valuable sewing machine to make things you can have without destroying something old and valuable. I have to say - as in the rabbi joke - "and you are right". 🙂 Since I've been writing in Wood Magazine, I have a much better understanding of how differently beautiful is perceived and how something that one person likes very much can seem ugly to someone else. So, for those lovers of old things I say that old cars can be restored and preserved as a thing of value deserves. The car below, for example, was refurbished at Savemob. Although it looked pretty bad when it arrived at their place, you couldn't help but notice the beautiful walnut veneer inside and the gilded headliner decorations.

The car was completely dismantled, the wooden parts carefully stripped, sanded and refinished.

The metal legs were also cleaned and repainted, and the car head was given the attention it deserved. It was taken apart piece by piece, thoroughly cleaned, oiled and reassembled. In the end, the car was back to its original appearance.

I think I've given you all some ideas for using your old sewing machine. To those of you who want to transform it, if you don't have experience in working with wood, don't try to do it yourself. Call in craftsmen or companies experienced in restoring and refurbishing wooden furniture for the conversions you want to do. Their experience is a guarantee that the refurbishing will be done correctly and in an authentic way.