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Chica and Jo Chica and Jo

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Turn a Sewing Table into a Bar Cart

by: Chica
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Turn a Sewing Table into a Bar Cart
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A while back, my parents were going to throw out Mom's old, vintage sewing table. The sewing machine hadn't worked in ages, and the table really needed some TLC. I stopped them immediately, because I knew I could refurbish it and breathe some new life into it!

Turn a vintage sewing table into a bar cart

My favorite part about this table is that the sewing machine is mounted on hinges and folds down into the table. So clever!

Turn a vintage sewing table into a bar cart

Then the tabletop just folds over to create a charming little table that you can't even tell contains a sewing machine.

Turn a vintage sewing table into a bar cart

But I didn't need a sewing machine table. What I needed was a bar cart, and I knew this would be the perfect piece of furniture to start with.

Dad was really intrigued by this restoration project, and helped me with the construction aspects. After removing the sewing machine and extra hardware, we squared off the hole and made it just a little smaller than a steam table pan. Then we mounted some rails underneath to hold the pan, and converted the side of the table into a swinging door for easy access.

Turn a vintage sewing table into a bar cart

The steam table pan would be great for holding iced beverages, but I knew that sometimes I would want to use the table for serving food, so I wanted a flat surface. We cut a piece of clear pine to size, making a removable cutting board that could be cleaned easily.

Turn a vintage sewing table into a bar cart

We also added a shelf to the bottom, for extra storage and to stabilize the whole thing.

Turn a vintage sewing table into a bar cart

Then Jo and I painted it with Chalky Finish paint in Relic, first using a small brush to get into the grooves.

Turn a vintage sewing table into a bar cart

We used a larger brush on the rest of the surfaces, then a foam paint roller on the top. We sealed it all up with Americana Decor Light Satin Varnish and let it dry throughly.

Turn a vintage sewing table into a bar cart

For the tabletop surface of the bar, I wanted to do something really unexpected and fun. So we went with a retro sci-fi theme! We used large copies of a Robby Robot / Forbidden Planet movie poster and decoupaged them to the surface. Since this table will undoubtedly have liquids spilled on it, I went with Outdoor Decou-Page to provide some water resistance.

Turn a vintage sewing table into a bar cart

Oh my goodness, look at how cool it came out!

Turn a vintage sewing table into a bar cart

When we did the other side of the table, we just let the poster cover the hole entirely. Then after it had dried, we cut away the excess with a craft knife.

Turn a vintage sewing table into a bar cart

I mounted a wide drawer handle to the side door. I actually couldn't find any towel racks that were small enough to work here, but this handle was the perfect size. The only problem was that it was silver! No worries — a couple coats of black multi-surface paint and it matched perfectly!

Turn a vintage sewing table into a bar cart

This handle works great to hold towels, or S-hooks from which to hang bar tools.

Turn a vintage sewing table into a bar cart

I am so thrilled at how this bar cart transformation came together. With everything in place, it's such a fun addition to a party, and a real conversation piece!

Turn a vintage sewing table into a bar cart

The steam table pan is perfect for holding iced beverages.

Turn a vintage sewing table into a bar cart

And the cutting board is a great option for a flat serving surface.

Turn a vintage sewing table into a bar cart

The flip-open tabletop is great for holding special items... I just need to be sure not to put too much weight on it!

Turn a vintage sewing table into a bar cart

And the extra shelf on the bottom is great for holding bottles and glasses.

Turn a vintage sewing table into a bar cart

Turn a vintage sewing table into a bar cart

And when the party is over, the fun folds away for a clean and simple look.

Turn a vintage sewing table into a bar cart

Turn a Sewing Table into a Bar Cart
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22 comments so far:

  • 1
    Marilyn 05/03/2017 at 6:56 pm

    Brilliant idea.

  • 2
    Rachael Jess 05/04/2017 at 6:22 am

    Oh my days!!! I love this, well I know what I'm doing next time one of these pop up on my free up site!

  • 3
    Ruth Morgan 07/02/2018 at 10:23 pm

    Does the ice-filled pan drip water from below with condensation?

  • 4
    Chica 07/03/2018 at 9:26 am

    Ruth, we haven't noticed, but I could see that happening if the ice is in there a long time. A towel tucked underneath would work to catch the drips.

  • 5
    Ann 08/28/2018 at 11:22 am

    I am so gonna do this with my mom’s old sewing machine.

  • 6
    Amy Morgan 01/12/2019 at 2:47 pm

    This project is amazing! You did so many extra things to this upcycle to make it unique and I will definitely have to try them on the sewing table I have! Thanks for all the details - probably the best I’ve seen on Pinterest for repurposing sewing tables.

  • 7
    Chica 01/14/2019 at 9:46 am

    Amy, thank you so much! We'd love to see your table when you're done. Tag us on social media if you post a pic!

  • 8
    Kim 11/24/2019 at 8:23 am

    I just picked up 2 of these in a road side trash pile...1 of them is headed this way! LOVE THIS IDEA!

  • 9
    Chica 11/24/2019 at 8:32 am

    Kim, what a great find! Tag @chicaandjo on social to show us what you create!

  • 10
    Molly 07/20/2020 at 4:05 pm

    2 questions...what size steam table pan did you use? And what kind of rails did you install inside?

  • 11
    Chica 07/20/2020 at 5:13 pm

    Molly, you should measure your table's opening and choose a steam pan that will fit your space. Don't forget to measure for the available depth as well, so you don't get something too deep. As for the rails, we just used some strips of wood and we screwed them into the sides (from the inside) to hold them in place.

  • 12
    Ruth 09/20/2020 at 9:20 am

    How did you attach the shelf? Is it sitting on corner bracket?

  • 13
    Chica 09/20/2020 at 9:43 am

    Ruth, you guessed correctly. We used corner brackets to attach the shelf to the bottom.

  • 14
    Lily 03/18/2021 at 12:54 am

    Amazing ?

  • 15
    Lisa 08/08/2021 at 11:16 am

    You did an amazing job on this! I want to do a similar project but my concern is that if someone puts any weight, whether from bottles, platters of food and such or if they lean on the open top part, it will cause the whole table to topple over. Any ideas on how to add a leg or legs to the table to support the lid when it is open?

  • 16
    Chica 08/08/2021 at 11:30 am

    Lisa, we're glad you like this project enough to try it yourself! We have found that the weight of the ice/bottles in the main part of the table is enough to counter balance the weight from average items being placed on the open top. If you want to add extra support, though, your idea to add a leg would probably work well. Maybe attach a flat board to the top and bottle of a leg (sort of like a capital letter "I") and then tuck that under the leaf when it's in use.

  • 17
    Jack 12/04/2022 at 2:38 pm

    Absolutely, brilliant idea. I had a vintage sewing table like that where the hinge broke that connects the machine to the table. The table being made out of that sawdust particle board there really is or wasn't a way of repairing this family heirloom. Being the in the family I really couldn't just through it away, I mean that would be like making a landfill a gravesite for a loved one. :-(

    The only pan that I could find to fit in mine, believe it or not was a cat litter pan that is made of stainless steel from amazon.

    I have not started the project yet, but I wanted to thank you for helping save something that is a treasure to my childhood memories. Such an awesome blessing.....

  • 18
    Chica 12/06/2022 at 11:34 am

    Jack, we're so glad we could inspire you to restore the table in some way! If you share the finished project online, be sure to tag @chicaandjo so we can see how it came out.

  • 19
    anthony 02/12/2024 at 10:16 am

    I have that exact model table. Do you happen to know the year or approximate era? and was it a singer?

  • 20
    Chica 02/12/2024 at 1:45 pm

    Anthony, I'm sorry but I don't know the year of the table. The sewing machine was a Singer, but I don't know if it was original to the table or swapped out at a later date.

  • 21
    Nikki Osborn 04/28/2024 at 12:12 am

    Do you what the model this sawing machine is. Thanks

  • 22
    Chica 04/29/2024 at 10:45 am

    Nikki, this sewing machine was a Singer, but I don't know the model. I no longer have it to check.

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