Until now, I’ve talked about the things we use in our furniture such as the hardware, the sewing machine lift, and even the dowels and glue we use to put it all together.  But that comes after the cabinet comes off the drawing board and proceeds to construction.

Other than things that set us apart from other cabinet makers, it’s our design that sets us apart as well.

We design our cabinets so most sewers and quilters are able to sit in front of the needle.  This is an ergonomic necessity for anyone that sits at a sewing machine for any length of time.

When we designed our quilting cabinets such as the 1520, we made sure that the area behind the machine extends out to support those bulky fabrics or quilts that are being quilted.   This extension can fold down, out of the way if desired.  Some other brands of cabinets are designed so this extension folds on top of the sewing surface when not used.  Not Sylvia.  We designed these cabinets so they are able to be used, or folded away and still used. 

Cabinets fold away to protect the machine.  Lower the machine into the cabinet and close the doors.  The gate leg (on those models that have it) and all leaves and supports fold away neat and tidy.  It really does look like a nice piece of handsome furniture.

As a woodworker, not a sewer or quilter, I depend on customers to offer suggestions as to how to improve our design.  One of those suggestions came from a quilter who noted that while quilting there was much bulk at her left elbow that needed support at the height of the cabinet surface.  We then designed what we now call the #1570 Quilter’s Extension.  This collapsible extension to the 1520, the 810 or the 810Q is sturdy enough to support quilts and keep them out of the lap or off the shoulder of the quilter. 

Most of our furniture is designed to be modular.  Adding other pieces over time is an easy and affordable way to make your furniture “larger”.  By adding the 490 Drawer Stack to the 1600, for example, you add more storage, drawers and surface area.  When you add the 490 to a cabinet like this, you need to also order a Connecting Top.  This secures to the cabinet with cam locks and makes the 490 flush with the top of the cabinet.

Look at the photos of the cabinets.  You see the original 1600, but look at how much stuff can be stored and organized by adding more drawer stacks!  By adding one stack to the left front of the cabinet, you have a “Quilters Extension” of sorts.  Support you need where you need it.  And storage to boot!

As you can see, we try and design specifically for sewers and quilters’ needs and wants.  By doing this, I think it makes Sylvia the best there is.  And don’t you deserve the best?

Until next time,

Horst