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One lucky winter, I found an old singer sewing machine at my grandmother’s home. My aunt had found it and upon asking about it, she said I could have it!
Before making any changes, I completed a lot of research to determine if the machine was of any value. Turns out, it wasn’t worth very much even though it looked like it was a beautiful piece at one point in time. Here are some before pictures:
Although many who reuse this style sewing machine only use the base to create a table (check here and here), I wanted to do something a little different.
I found a few hair and makeup vanity transformations and knew this would be perfect for the project. Though it would require a complete breakdown, I got excited and went to work!
Step One: Make a List of Supplies
Materials
- Stain. I used Minwax.
- Polyurethane. I used Minwax.
- Paint for the Base. I used Krylon Colormaxx.
- Wire Brush, like this one.
- 1/4 inch Wood Panel
Tools
- Drill. I love my Kobalt.
- Oscillating tool. Check them out here.
- Sander. I love my Dewalt.
- Jigsaw. I love my Kobalt that came with a package deal. Check others out here.
Step Two: Break Your Desk Down Completely
It was actually pretty easy to break everything down. I used my Kobalt drill took reference pictures for reassembly.
Underneath the hinged cover is another layer of two wood pieces (see below). Take these two pieces off and do not use them in the final product. This will allow you to have a larger hole for storage.
Additionally, you will not used the curved panel used to cover the machine.
Step Three: Cut & Sand
If the veneer sheets are in poor shape, remove the sheets with an oscillating tool. If you want the best, get a Dewalt or Makita oscillating tool.
This takes a lot of work so you are very lucky if your veneer is in good shape!
Next, take a jigsaw (my Kobalt jigsaw is amazing!) and even out the hole in the table top.
Then take your hand sander (I use a Dewalt 5-Inch Random Orbit) and sand everything down. I used an 80-grit then 120-grit progression.
Step Four: Create a Storage Area
You will need to create the base of your center storage area and possible even a side. I used a thin wood panel we had leftover from rewiring our house.
First, I cut it to size and cut small blocks which I then wood glued on the existing table to create supports for the panel to sit on. You can see the supports below.
I also cut a front piece to cover the hole see above in the bottom of the picture. I didn’t attach it because it fit snug.
Step Five: Stain and Varnish
The color you see is two coats of Minwax in Special Walnut and two coats of Minwax Water Based Oil-Modified Polyurethane.
Step Six: Brush and Paint Your Base
My base was incredibly rusty! I spent a good amount of time using a wire brush to get it in paintable condition. It’s ok if you can’t get everything smooth; the paint will prevent any more rusting.
Paint multiple coats of a paint made for metal. Use spray paint or a liquid paint like Krylon Colormaxx.
Step Seven: Assemble Your Parts
It is important to note I decided to turn my table top around so the existing hinge holes would be in the back. I also used my Dremel to create new hinge spaces in the cover. You can see where the hinges used to be in the final photo.
Since I turned the top around, many of the screws did not line up the same. Therefore, I set everything upside down on the board and made sure everything fit before attaching.
Step Eight: Add Finishing Touches
Here is what it looks like once fully assembled!
As finishing touches, add these great under cabinet battery lights and a 12×12 mirror.
Costs
Most of the materials I had on hand, so I only purchased the vanity lights and mirror costing $25.
If you had to purchase the materials, including the stain, poly, wire brush, paint, and wood panel, it would be around $80.
What do you think about this project? Have any comments or questions? Let me know below.
Thank you for this conversion. I have my Grandmother’s and will try this to make a place for keepsakes from her.
Wow! What a gorgeous piece!
Can’t wait to see more!
You did a beautiful job of repurposing! I am planning to do this same project. What do you sit on while doing your hair and make up? A vanity stool or a chair?
I somehow missed your comment! I have a small storage stool from amazon.- https://amzn.to/3E8MMM3
That was my idea for my daughter, but trying to think of a way to repurpose the lid if anyone has ideas!
Thanks so much for sharing this! I love sewing machines and have a few pieces of furniture throughout my home from repurposed antique sewing tables. I have been searching for the perfect vanity for some time and when I came across an antique Singer on fb marketplace earlier today this idea popped into my head and I conducted a Google search. Iām so happy to have found this guide you shared! I cannot wait to get started!
Awesome. I have one. I think I am going to repurpose mine for the same thing. This is beautiful.
Thank you! Share a photo if you choose to do it. I’d love to see it!
Thank you!!! I inherited machine and cabinet, but cabinet not valuable due to some repairs by a family member š. But I love what U did and I need a vanity cabinet. Will show