Last Updated on 6 months by Susan Mayrich

Did you know that it’s only three steps to know how to make a sewing machine lift? This tutorial will teach you the easiest way to lift your unit even without special skills and tools. We will also talk about what is a sewing machine lift and ways to raise the sewing machine.

Furthermore, please check this guide on how to set up a sewing machine. Other than using a lift, it would be best if you perfected the proper preparation of the unit before sewing. We hope both of these tutorials will make your sewing experience much more comfortable and enjoyable.

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How To Make A Sewing Machine Lift At Home

Step 1. Determine the table dimensions

Decide on the worktop and wood panel sizes, as well as the height of four legs

The worktop will be the surface for your sewing machine, and the panels will be for the shelves of the cabinet
Prepare essential tools for working the construction of the sewing machine lift structure such as a drilling machine, board cutter, wheels, screws, bolts, nuts, and adhesives

Step 2. Construct the cabinet

Install the legs to the worktop and add wheels for the option of easier mobility

To keep the structure from moving, lock the legs first
Install the drawers or shelves on the side of the project to turn it into a sewing machine cabinet
You can also skip this part if you only need a sewing machine table

Step 3. Finish the sewing machine lift

Decide on the type of sewing machine lift to add to the cabinet you made
Set the lift inside the cabinet and secure it in place with a drilling machine
Test if everything works smoothly with the sewing machine

How Does A Sewing Machine Lift Work?

A sewing machine lift is a device you’ll put underneath the sewing machine table or cabinet. This will allow you to find a comfortable position for the machine and avoid strain and wrist pain. There are also various positions for the sewing machine lift: the free arm, flat-bed, and stowing the device.

The stowing position for the sewing machine helps save space when you’re not using the unit. On the contrary, the free arm position lifts the sewing machine, giving you a narrower working surface and keeps the machine from hitting the table or cabinet. And finally, the flat-bed sewing machine has the unit’s arm flush with the surrounding area to help you work on projects that require large space on the machine bed.

Types of sewing machine lifts

Manual

The most basic sewing machine lift is the manual lift. It is essentially a lever that allows you to adjust the sewing machine from free arm to flat-bed accordingly.

Electric

If you want a faster and effortless way to adjust the position of the sewing machine, opt for an electric lift. The only disadvantage is you’ll always need the power source to use it.

The most advanced type of sewing machine lift is the air lift. It uses hydraulics to change the position of the sewing machine at a push of a button.

How Do I Adjust My Sewing Machine Lift?

Refer to the manual of your sewing machine lift
Select the ideal sewing machine position for your current task
Some lifts will be released by tapping

Lock the set screws once you have the position you want

Why Use A Sewing Machine Lift

More comfortable sewing experience, especially for projects that take longer to finish
Machine adjustment can be relative to the size of the sewing project as some require larger working areas

Prevent wrist pain from poor sewing position
Makes cleaning of the working area easier
More space close to the sewing machine for other materials and tools during sewing

Allows you to use the sewing machine table as a regular table when you’re not using the sewing machine

How Do You Mount A Sewing Machine Into A Cabinet?

Study the anatomy of your sewing machine since some have holes for easier mounting on the sewing cabinet or table
Some sewing machines are not compatible to be mounted directly on a surface

Prepare the proper mounting brackets and align their holes with the ones on the sewing machines
Secure the sewing machine to the cabinet via the brackets with screws, bolts, and hinges
Test the finished set-up

It will benefit you if you know how a sewing machine works when preparing its set-up. This way, you can ensure that all mechanisms will function properly after all the installation.

Can You Put A New Sewing Machine In An Old Table?

If you convert the latter, it’s possible to place a new sewing machine in an old sewing machine table. Furthermore, some sewing machines require airlift platforms because they are not designed to be bolted in tables. You can also expect that computerized sewing machines won’t be compatible with old sewing machine tables.

Conclusion

Was this article helpful? We just learned how to make a sewing machine lift, essentially building a cabinet then installing your chosen lift. You can also convert an old sewing table if your machine is designed to be placed on surfaces.

Overall, it’s beneficial to use a sewing machine lift. Just remember to test everything afterward to check if you can work on the machine comfortably.

How To Make A Sewing Machine Lift In Only 3 Steps