apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

in my experience, IKEA products tend not to be the sturdiest. with that said, this particular product is designed to be minimalist and spindly, so i would be especially suspicious of it.

especially if it is intended to be a sewing table...a sewing machine creates all sorts of vibrations and movement on the table, and even the heaviest tables can wiggle apart.

I'd definitely recommend against. go to craigslist and find something of higher quality used for the same price.

I have this table, and do NOT recommend it for sewing. Your machine would beat it up too much. This table is definitely too frail for sewing.

Hmmm, that's easier said than done, amt230. My space in small, and there doesn't seem to be much, if any, small drop leaf tables out there (it needs to be 20" x 24" and only extend to about 38").

i went to ikea to potentially buy this table as a kitchen table and decided not to b/c it is not very sturdy at all. even as just a place for a few people to sit and a bit of extra counter space.

You're in LA, sparkle? What other craigslist zones are in your range? You have a car, of course, right?

although a little more expensive, this one looks like it would be a fantastic sewing table
http://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/products/90132713
sorry i used the canada site

I don't know, it was easy enough to find the exact table you are looking to buy from IKEA on craigslist. Use losangeles.clpic.com to browse pictures faster.

If you really want to try this table, at least you'll only be wasting $25 this way.

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/fuo/918999138.html

And what's the guarantee that a Craigslist purchase will be any sturdier?

amt230, you have just changed my life.

I don't understand your question, patrick.

Oh sorry, amt230, I thought you meant find a different, better quality table on craigslist. I've looked and haven't really found anything that I like or that would fit in my space.

Hearing others say that the table isn't study enough is good enough reason for me not to get it. :)
I don't necessarily need a drop leaf table, but at the same time I need something that's about 24" x 34". I also don't mind spending up to $200 for something that's sturdy, a perfect fit, and looks great. I guess I just need to keep hunting... and stop going back to browse the ikea website!

I have that table and I use it for sewing. It's not the sturdiest thing in the world, but it definitely never slips around while I am working, and the size and weight of it are good for moving around the house as needed.

craigslist would be a good place to get some different ideas about other tables, too.

How about one of those mount-to-the-wall jobbers? it sounds like your space is seriously limited, so maybe getting it out of the way entirely when not in use would be a nice feature? those can even DIY, and are very sturdy when mounted properly to the wall. of course, the look is not for everyone.

amt230--

I was just commenting on how people seem to think that second-hand from Craigslist is a fail-proof godsend.

And that you still have to go and see something in person before commiting.

I should note that I use it at the smaller size (folded) for sewing mostly, so maybe that helps it stay stable.

while I didn't mean to represent that any product bought through craigslist will be fail-proof (it can't make an item that is inherently crap magically nice), I think its undeniable it offers items at a less than retail value for people that may be cost conscious. I'd rather get a used room & board table from craigslist than a new one direct from IKEA.

and I'm pretty sure you still have to go see something at ikea as well before you commit, so I'm not sure how that is a negative factor for craigslist.

why hate on craigslist so much?

amt230 - you're amazing.

LOL I'm pretty sure the table amt230 linked to on CL is, in fact, IKEA....

I bought the Leksvik drop leaf table to use for dining and sewing, and so far it has been great. It does not take up much room, but expands if necessary when cutting fabric.

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20116052

I'm an avid sewer with limited space. i think the table depends on your machine. i have a larger bernina and the Muddus was way too rickety to use. i purchased this one instead; http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20104718
it is really really sturdy and doesn't shake one bit when i'm going full steam. the only draw back is it weighs about a metric ton. my husband put wheels on it so i can roll it around when not in use. the drawers are good for scraps and odds and ends. big bonus is when both leaves (or is it leafs?) are open it makes a fantastic cutting table (just watch out for the gaps).

I have this table and I've used it for sewing for over a year without any problem. It's always seemed pretty sturdy to me and I'm a little confused by the people saying it isn't. My only complaint is that the orientation of the table changes when it's small versus when you expand, so it's not always convenient.

Interesting comments. I also have this table - purchased out of utter desperation when I moved back to LA without any furniture. It is NOT sturdy. To avoid getting rid of it, I put a nice white board on top of it that is longer than the table is when its fully open, and it lives insignificantly now in the corner as a computer/work station.

It was unpleasant to dine on (for me) and I can't imagine using it for sewing but we're all different. The good point it has is that it is not a huge ugly thing. It can sort of "disappear"....

If you really want one, I'll do better than Craig's list - let me know where you are in LA and if it is doable, I'll give you mine for nothing. It's black. In excellent shape. I just didn't want to trash it and it will give me an excuse to pick up something else that fits the furniture that I finally have too much of. Really, if you want it, its yours. Le me know. Free.

Amending my post: I purchased this because my "cottage" is smaller than a shoe box, really, buildings my size don't exist.....so the advantage of this piece is that it really takes up no space and if that's what you need, then certainly it is worth picking up for free......:) And if you're interested in a 3 drawer black malm, nearly new, I'll throw that in also, just pick it up because otherwise they go to Out-Of-The-Closet...thanks..

Thanks for the offer, JacksonMarie, but I don't think that table will work for what I need after all.

I had the very same problem when I moved into my place.
Nothing small enough to fit in my space could handle the vibration from my serger and regular sewing machine.
Solution:
I ended up buying a folding table at Staples:
http://www.staples.com/office/supplies/p4_Iceberg-Standard-Grade-Resin-Folding-Banquet-Tables_111192_Business_Supplies_2_10051_FEATURED:SC2:CG39:DP1555

I stow it behind my couch when I am not using it.
But what makes it actually usable with the machines is placing four thick cushy styrene mouse pads end to end under the machines. This absorbs the vibrations and prevents the machines from bouncing all over the place.
They stow easily with the machines.

Hope this helps!

ug, actually read the posts please, enamorada...

"it was easy enough to find the exact table you are looking to buy from IKEA on craigslist."

i have this table as my scrapbooking table and it's actually pretty hefty. it doesn't wobble around on me at all!