For the past few years, my sewing machine has been stationed on our dining room table (most of the time).  This means at dinner time, Stefan has to compete for elbow room with my machine!  That is until my darling Dad bought me a second hand sewing table from their next door neighbours.  Dad spotted it at their garage sale and thought I would enjoy it.   So he and Mum pushed it next door ready for me to collect.   It came full of good quality threads, bias binding, elastic, velcro, sewing machine needles and other bits and pieces.  He was charged a whopping $10 for it...bargain!

This is how it looks unfolded - It is a 'Horn' brand table.  My girls have been having a marvellous time giving their toys 'elevator rides' on the sewing machine lift.  It is a great design with room for my overlocker too.  The side bench on the right also folds out to give extra working space.

Of course I had  plans to pretty up as soon as I got it back to Melbourne.  I set to it with sandpaper and white paint and then pondered over how to tackle the table top. Because it flips out and rests on the cupboard tops, the area of contact wore the paint right off.  I considered colourful contact but thought my choices in that area would be limited.  So we took a trip to Patchwork on Central Park (any excuse), and among other things, I bought this beautiful floral (no name on the selvage - sorry).

I carefully measured and cut the fabric then stuck it to the table top with a thin, even layer of wood glue.  I then covered it in clear contact to make it more durable - and also cleanable.  The handle colour I mixed up myself to match the fabric.  Just white house paint with a dash of red and blue poster paint from the kids' craft supplies!  After painting, I gave the whole unit a spray of varnish.

I'm very happy with how it turned out and also glad to reclaim a bit of space on our dining room table.  Now their's more room for folded washing, newspapers, kids' craft stuff....oh, and plates, knives and forks!

My dollhouse miniature giveaway is open until Sunday night if you want to enter!

Post script:
Sadly, Patchwork on Central Park are phasing out their American patchwork fabrics.  They have found their sales have gone down lately due to people tending to buy these fabrics on line.  They are going to be stocking more liberties and linens.  But on the up side, all their quilting fabrics are on sale until they sell out.  Forty per cent off if you buy a metre or more, with an additional ten per cent off if you finish the bolt.  Man I love that shop!

Linking up here today.