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Member since 5/21/14
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Posted on: 1/9/16 8:49 AM ET
So....my roof is about to fall in and the beams need to be replaced. This means my sewing room that isn't even set up yet (weeping....I was SO close to having a sewing room for the first time in my life!) will be torn apart as the beams will be replaced from the inside.

I just got replacement windows and tossed all my window treatments, and have boxes of fabric to make all new ones. Suddenly, no sewing room.

I will set up today on my big antique farm table in my dining room but the machine is wobbly on that old table. I know someone here must've dealt with something similar at some point. Without going to a store, what can I use? Well, I could go to an Ace hardware store. We don't have much else nearby. I thought I'd save a lot of frustration by asking here instead of experimenting. Has anyone found the perfect solution? I have miles of linen that I hope to hem this week.
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Little strokes fell great oaks. On the other hand, go big or go home!

Projects completed in 2024: 3 pairs gloves. Four pairs of jeans. Five custom tarps. A dozen linen hankies. A wool wrap for a friend. Four linen bath towels and 24 washcloths. Two bed pillows.
38.5 yards of fabric out.
  
Member since 6/1/09
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Posted on: 1/9/16 9:02 AM ET
In reply to blueviola
You might try one of those decorative type Foam Kitchen rugs… they are a layer of foam with some form of graphic design on the felted top. I had one under my sewing machine for a long time before I got new sewing furniture. It helped.

It not only leveled out the machine, it absorbed the sound and vibration, and I also gave me a place to stick an occasional straight pin.

Now I use the foam rug to stand on while ironing!


-- Edited on 1/9/16 at 9:54 AM --
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Angie Rose
Quilter & Machine Embroiderer
2020 Pfaff Performance Icon & 2015 Brother Dream Machine 2
2017 Pfaff Passport 3.0
2019 Accuquilt GO Big
Brother Scan n Cut DX225
2009 Prodigy 24" long arm
  
Member since 11/5/13
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Posted on: 1/9/16 9:42 AM ET
AngieRose--nice idea. I have only a folded bath towel section (about 1/2 a towel). It has helped a lot for me. If what she needs is to level the machine, I suggest a wood shim from the local hardware/lumber company placed between the folds of the towel to the height necessary to level the machine. Good Luck with the re-model!
  
Member since 5/21/14
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Posted on: 1/9/16 10:01 AM ET
Great idea! I was just thinking this morning as I was milking my goats that the one on the milking stand (so they don't slip on the wood while jumping up on the stand, especially right after giving birth when they are not quite so....athletic....and their boobies are HUGE!) is a bit worn out and I should pick up a new one. It can live on my dining table for a few weeks until the sewing room can be occupied.

Hopefully it won't have a strong smell.

I need it both for leveling and for vibration/movement. The table is well used and the boards aren't exactly level. I must admit, though, that it will probably make the sewing of the long sheers easier in some ways.
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Little strokes fell great oaks. On the other hand, go big or go home!

Projects completed in 2024: 3 pairs gloves. Four pairs of jeans. Five custom tarps. A dozen linen hankies. A wool wrap for a friend. Four linen bath towels and 24 washcloths. Two bed pillows.
38.5 yards of fabric out.
  
Member since 5/14/05
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Posted on: 1/9/16 4:42 PM ET
In reply to blueviola
I use closed cell foam sold by the metre and approx 6mm thick, use a piece large enough to fit under the machine so all machine feet sit on the foam. Under other machines I use non-slip placemats, similar to shelf/drawer liner which is generally sold on a roll. Shelf liner doesn't work as well because it's not thick enough and why I prefer placemats. Sometimes the placemats are sold in camping stores.

Both of these will absorb noise/vibration/etc but will keep your machine level and make sure it doesn't slide around while you are sewing.

;-)

  
Member since 5/21/14
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Posted on: 1/9/16 8:06 PM ET
In reply to NanaAnna
Hmmm, that gets me thinking about what I have around the house....I'm going to go on a hunt tomorrow. I think I have some shelf liner that is on the thick and spongy side, if I still have a piece.

And I found a scrap of rubber roofing material in the garage while organizing a bit this afternoon. Once I get the dining room cleared a bit, I'll set up the machine on that and see what happens. I might be near a TJ Maxx tomorrow or a Marshall's on Monday. Either might have the thick placemats. If my rubber piece doesn't work.

Wait, now that I think about it, I might have a bit of 1/2" foam in my stash, if I can find it in the pile where I crammed a bunch of stuff last week in anticipation of the replacement windows.

-- Edited on 1/9/16 at 8:07 PM --
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Little strokes fell great oaks. On the other hand, go big or go home!

Projects completed in 2024: 3 pairs gloves. Four pairs of jeans. Five custom tarps. A dozen linen hankies. A wool wrap for a friend. Four linen bath towels and 24 washcloths. Two bed pillows.
38.5 yards of fabric out.
  
Member since 5/14/05
Posts: 2095
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Posted on: 1/9/16 8:27 PM ET
In reply to blueviola
I know your frustration as I've been doing a reno on my house and only recently unpacked the sewing room after a few years of everything in storage.

Try whatever you have, a piece of the rubber roofing material would probably work OK....it's just to absorb any vibration and noise and will compress as required under the machine feet.

The 1/2" foam would work too....so I'm sure you'll get something from what you have and make it work.

Good luck......it's hard working under those circumstances and I 'knew' if I unpacked my sewing room earlier, then the reno wouldn't get done.

;-))
  
Member since 6/18/08
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Posted on: 1/10/16 5:25 AM ET
I used a cheap yoga mat I got at Walmart. 2 layers and my machines are so much quieter now. Good luck!
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SewMN
~We only grow old when regrets replace dreams~
  
Member since 6/11/08
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Posted on: 1/10/16 6:52 AM ET
I cut up a yoga matt from the thrift store. It's neon pink, but for fifty cents I'm not complaining. It works perfect for keeping my machine in place.
  
Member since 7/28/04
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Posted on: 1/10/16 11:32 AM ET
A small micro-fiber bath mat that has rubber-type underside....they have similar mats for dish drying....
  
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