Sewing Machine Cabinet Plan

This Sewing Center folds out to provide a spacious work surface and plentiful storage, but when it’s not needed, it closes up neatly into a beautiful free-standing cabinet. From the finger-jointed drawers to the mitered door moldings, you’ll find much to challenge you in this project. Chosen from among the most popular plans in the Woodworker’s Journal, this selection includes plenty of full-color photographs and illustrations, and step-by-step instructions from the author. Measures approximately 30"W x 20"D x 31"H.

Author Rick White, is a long-time woodworker and contributing editor to the Woodworker’s Journal. This plan includes: Detailed exploded view. Step-by-step instructions. Elevation drawings. Complete materials list.

Customer Reviews and Photos for: Sewing Machine Cabinet Plan Average Rating: (1.8) (5 customer reviews) Add your review...

1) Submitted by Jeff Jones, from Bakersfield, CA on 2/11/2008 Customer Rating: Pretty good plan. However I bought it for directions on installing the machine riser mechanism and the plan says virtually nothing about it. I bought one of the mechanisms a couple years ago and am just getting around to building the cabinet and had lost the directions. I contacted Rockler and they answered right back w/ a PDF of the instruction manual!!

2) Submitted by William Booth, from Louisville, KY on 1/6/2009 Customer Rating: Plans require master,novice will have trouble.

3) Submitted by George Sirois, from Naugatuck, CT on 12/17/2008 Customer Rating: I am about halfway through this building project and am thoroughly disgusted with these plans. There are numerous dimensional errors, like parts 5-8 which are identified as 1/2 inch thick, when they should be 1/4 inch. I had already ordered very expensive 1/2 inch cherry plywood for these panels when I discovered the error. Fortunately I was able to correct the order before wasting lots of money. At the moment I am building the drawer compartment and the dimensions are all wrong, resulting in drawers that are located 1/2 inch too low to fit the cabinet. I will have to redo this unit, at considerable expense of time and material. I could go on with many more errors. I am an experienced cabinetmaker and have designed many pieces of furniture, so I know whereof I speak. I would not recommend these plans at all. Ironically, the sewing cabinet is coming out beautifully, but only after much anguish and triple checking of every dimension and much redoing of work.

4) Submitted by D. A. Cruea, from Sweetser, IN on 7/14/2009 Customer Rating: Detail 12 is not dimensioned as to the location on the rear stiles and the shown length of the tenon is too long. I am having to re-draw the entire cabinet to get the proper dimensions and to see if everything will fit when done. My wife and I do like the design very much. Beware if you want to purchase these plans. They require extensive preplanning before you ever purchase any wood. Details 5,6,7 and 8, the panels on the sides and back are 1/2 stock as in the plan. They are rabbeted on the back 1/4 and will be inset 1/4 on the front and flush with details 1, 2, 3 and 4 on the inside of back and side assemblies. Over all if you want a challenge these plans will give it to you. But be on your toes.

5) Submitted by Raymond Harris, from Malvern, AR on 11/15/2008 Customer Rating: I bought the plans for the dimensions for building the sewing cabinet and installing lift mechanism. There were no dimensions on the cabinet nor the mechanism in the plans. To me the plans were a waste of money. These plans were designed for a master cabinet maker not a novice. Editor's note: Plan incudes dimensions for cutting the pieces needed to construct this cabinet. Instructions for lift mechanisms are supplied with the lift.