This page is intended as a basic guide to matching a sewing machine and cabinet. We have tried our best to give you accurate information here, but there are so many quirks and peculiarities in the history of sewing that we still make new discoveries on a regular basis, and there are far too many “What if?” scenarios pertaining to vintage sewing machines to cover here. Always trust the measurements in our listings over this general guide and do not be afraid to ask questions before ordering.
Modern Sewing Machines:
Elna & Janome
Modern Elna & Janome Sewing Machines easily fit into one of two tables offered by the company. They use a series of different filler plates to fill the gap between the machine and cabinet. These tables are always in a sewing ready position.
They also offer add on drawers and other storage options to customize your table for your needs.
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In Cabinet Option
Modern Sewing Cabinets are made in several styles. Some will use or or an electric lift to lower the machine straight down into it’s storage place. Others will require you to remove the machine. Many of these offer very clever storage options for all of todays modern accessories. Because of the wide variety of machines and shapes today, most of these table have a universal cut out and incorporate a filler plate to bridge the gap between the machine and cabinet.
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On Cabinet Option
The other popular option today is the use of an extension table. Rather than setting your machine inside a custom made sewing table, you simply place your machine on top of an existing table and expand it’s sewing surface with one of these extension tables. They are made in a variety of shapes and sizes. The ability to easily travel is just one of their many advantages.
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Common Vintage Machines:
Most of the commonly found vintage machines will fall into one of these categories.
Flat Bed
This was the first “standard size” flat bed. After years of experimenting with fiddle bases and other size machines Singer settled on this size. Many other brands followed their lead and copied the dimensions to their own lines. This is shared across treadle and electric models.
Dimensions:
- Bed: 14.5″ Width x 7.25″ Depth
- Hinge Distance: 9.75″
Machine Examples:
- Elna
- SU
- TSP
- Necchi
- Nova
- Mira
- Nora
- Pfaff:
- 30
- 130
- 230
- 260
- Singer:
- 15 Class
- 27 Class
- 66 Class
- 101
- 201
- 206
- 306
- 319
Fitment Notes:
Some cabinets feature a helper spring and spacer on the right hand side. This will make lifting and storing the machine easier. This assembly can also be removed in some cases to accommodate Long Flat Bed models. These cabinets can have top or bottom mount hinges. In some cases the top mount hinges do not allow machines to fold away completely. Machines like the Pfaff 130 with the 50010 may not fit cabinets with top mount hinges because they will not fold low enough to close.
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Long Flat Bed
The same as the standard Flat Bed machines with an extra three inches added to the right.
Dimensions:
- Bed: 17.5″ x 7.25″
- Hinge: 9.75″
Machine Examples:
- Necchi:
- SuperNova
- Singer:
- 401
- 404
- 500
- 503
- 600 Class
- 700 Class
Fitment Notes:
Not all Long Flat bed sewing machines are the same height. This means that while a Touch & Sew will bolt into a Singer Cosmopolitan Cabinet, the front opening of the cabinet will not allow the Touch & Sew to fold away. Older machines will generally fit into newer cabinets. All standard Flat Bed models will fit these cabinets, but there will be a gap on the right side. Some cabinets will accommodate the lift assist brackets to fill this extra space, and some machines have available “filler plates” to fill this void.
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3/4 Size Flat Bed
The 3/4 size machines were designed to be a portable option. While cabinets were made, they are limited in design and availability.
Dimensions:
- Bed: 12″ Width x 7.25″ Depth
- Hinge: 9 3/8″
Machine Examples:
- Singer:
- 99 Class
- 128
- 185K
- 192 Spartan
Fitment Notes:
These mighty mini machines share the same front to back dimension as the standard and Long versions of the Flat Bed machines. If you were willing to cut another set of hinges into a cabinet and live with open spaces or create your own filler panel, you could open your selection up to cabinets from those more popular categories.
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Sears Kenmore
Square Flat Bed
Bed: 16 5/8″ x 7″
- Hinge: 10″
Fitment Notes:
Kenmore sourced the machines they rebadged and sold from a variety of places. Because of this, we have seen them in a variety of shapes and sizes. Most of these machines ended up with a base that has sharp 90° corners as opposed to the rounded corners of most brands. This keeps these from crossing fitting with most other brands.
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Free Arm Machines
Fold Away
Free Arm Sewing Machines differ from flatbed machines in that they are designed to have an open arm that a sleeve, pant leg, or the like can fit around.
Many early Free Arm Sewing Machine cabinets were still designed to fold down the same as a flat bed cabinet does. These are easily identified because they have a solid wood (or metal) bottom with holes drilled in corresponding places to the machines they fit. They often require special hardware to facilitate machine mounting, and will require a “filler plate” to bridge the gap between the sewing machine and cabinet.
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Free Arm Machines
Stationary
Some early free arm cabinets are designed for the machine to stay stationary while the cabinet folds away. These are generally very machine specific and will be advertised as such.