How to Build a Dropleaf Table for a Sewing Room

A double-sided drop-leaf table in a sewing room allows plenty of room for laying out and cutting a pattern. The luxury of an expandable table means that when you just want to do a little quick stitching you can pull up only one side to hold the sewing machine. When you are finished, drop both sides and you'll have a narrow display table that takes up very little room. This project takes only a few hours.

Instructions

1

Have a lumber company cut all wood to specifications, or do it yourself with a circular saw. If you have a router, use a 3/8-inch quarter round on both sides of the narrow tabletop and reverse 3/8 inch down for the sides that will swivel into place against the top. The lumber company can route these edges, or you can simply use 1 1/2-inch by 3 1/8-inch drop-side hinges to make the fit.

2

Sand all edges and surfaces first with medium-grain sandpaper and then fine-grain. Wipe the sawdust away with the tack cloth. Use disposable foam paintbrushes to apply one coat of acrylic finish over the pine pieces. Dry thoroughly and apply two or three more coats, making sure to dry between each application.

3

Lay the 1/2-inch-by-3/4-inch-by-27-inch outside brace post on the work table and place the 1/2-inch-by-3/4-inch-by-25-inch inside brace post next to it. Perpendicularly fit both 1/2-inch-by-3/4-inch-by-22-inch cross braces between them at the top and at the bottom of the inside post. Butt-joint these pieces by drilling through the side lengths into the cross braces. Drop in a bit of wood glue before securing them with wood screws. Always use wood glue to insure a strong bond. Build the other brace the same way.

4

Drill down the center of each leg piece and screw in the leg screws. Mark the corresponding spot at the corners of the narrow table top. Drill pilot holes and screw in each of the four legs.

5

Attach 2-inch hinges to the legs and inside of the side braces. Place one at the top and one near the bottom to allow the brace to swing out and hold up the edge of the drop-leaf. Attach the other brace the same way to the opposite side of the table on the farthest corner for best balance.

6

Mount the 1 1/2-inch-by-3 1/8-inch drop-side hinges under the tabletop next to the legs. Screw in the larger edge under the table and the small edge on the under side of the drop leaf. Repeat on the other side. Raise the drop-leaf. Swing the side brace out perpendicular beneath the leaf to hold it in place. Lift the other side in the same way for a fully extended table.