Upcycled Singer sewing machine as vanity

Cyclist

I'm building a one bedroom cabin and wanted something a little different for bathroom vanity and storage. An old Singer treadle sewing machine fit the bill. Drawers were unscrewed from the base, sewing machine was removed. Old broken ply was removed and used as a template (saving the Singer motifs) and replaced with marine play. The treadle section was painted black and company motifs gold. Drawers were lacquered in a natural varnish to highlight the ply grain and to protect from the damp bathroom environment. A salvaged piece of old marble was placed on top of the treadle section for the basin.

Materials

Marine ply, Dulux gold spray paint, Dulux black spray paint, small brads and glue for re-fixing the motifs, small paint brush, small artist paint brush.

Tools

Chisel, screwdriver, nail pincers, pliers, hammer, jigsaw, hand saw, clamps, battery drill, screws.

Steps

Step 1

Remove old sewing machine and unscrew drawers from treadle machine base. Remove broken and cracked old ply with chisel, hammer and nail pincers. Singer sewing machine motifs were partly broken on front of some drawers and sides of the drawers.

Removing old plyPly removed and kept for templateMotif on side of drawer, to be removed and restored

Step 2

Purchase marine ply and use old ply as template for new pieces. Cut out new pieces using a jigsaw and hand saw.

Varnish new pieces.

Varnish drawers and sidesVarnish sides

Step 3

Paint removed motifs gold.

Painting motifs gold.

Step 4

Paint treadle base black and highlight Singer company motif in gold paint.

Re-painted treadle base and company motif

Step 5

Glue and nail new pieces of marine ply onto top and sides. Re-attach gold motifs to drawers and sides.

Re-attach side motifsRe-attach drawer motifs

Step 6

Paint brackets black and attach to bathroom wall.

Attach restored drawers to brackets on bathroom wall as storage unit.

Installed drawers on bathroom wall

Step 7

Place painted black treadle base against bathroom wall.

Attach piece of recycled white marble on top of treadle base to hold bathroom basin. A local plumber cut out the hole in the marble for the piping and installed the taps, as I did not have the tools, the qualifications or the necessary knowledge for this step.

Basin installed on restored treadle base and recycled marble piece

MitchellMc

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @Cyclist. It's amazing to have you join us, and many thanks for sharing your wonderful project.

I love your clever use of the sewing machine table. They are such ornate pieces and definitely deserve the new lease on life you've provided. The base used on your sink looks sensational, and using the top as an additional storage unit was a stroke of genius. You're really done a great job at restoring them.

Well done and thanks again for sharing.

Mitchell

Cyclist

Thanks for the words of encouragement Mitchell - much appreciated.

It was a labour of love to restore the sewing machine drawers and base, to use in the bathroom. I have also built two barn doors to use in the cabin, as barn doors take up a lot less room in a small living space.

Jane

Dave-1

Afternoon @Cyclist

Now that is a upcycle! Pun not intended!

Just came across your project in the land of the big blue F Love the sink stand and how it looks. How have both the storage and the stand held up to everyday use?

Dave

Cyclist

Hello Dave,

Both the stand under the marble counter top and the storage drawers are fine. I moved into my one bedroom cabin over two years ago and have been using both items continuously in that time.

Jane