In the early 1980’s I was approached by local sewing machine retailer about building a good quality sewing cabinet. At the time none were available in Canada. When the first cabinets were in development, great care was taken to find the best possible hardware for managing the changing of machine positions. Through research and conversations with people in the sewing industry, various European devices were brought to our attention. After examining the different choices, we determined that the German-built Rudersburg lift was the best of all the products available - and still available.

We’ve always kept in close contact with the factory in Germany and the lift has undergone many improvements over the years to keep up to changes in sewers needs.  However, it is still a family-run factory in Rudersburg, Germany with the same quality-conscious principles as Sylvia Design.  They continue to build their lifts using German precision and quality materials.  It’s an ingenious labor saver and an easy lift to use.  Its smooth movement makes for a gentle lift for even the most expensive sewing machine.  It allows you to go from stored-away to ready-to-use in seconds.  No need to be strong to press the platform to unlatch the lock.   The lift is designed to use the weight of the machine to assist even the most “strength-challenged” person!

Since 1984, Sylvia Design has been putting the Rudersburg lift in sewing cabinets and we continue to do so today.

If you own a serger, and purchase our 620 (opens to the right) or the 620L (opens to the left) cabinet, you benefit too.  We use the Rudersburg lift in all of our cabinets and the serger cabinet is no exception.  Our only cabinet not equipped with the lift is the 100W – School Desk.  This cabinet is a back-to-basics style that is perfect for the budget-minded.

The lift itself has 3 positions: The upper position for free-arm sewing, the middle position for flatbed-sewing, and the lower position for stowing the machine inside the cabinet. The lift’s middle position can be adjusted to accommodate the varying heights of different machine.  Once the height is determined for the machine in the cabinet and the lift stop adjusted, it is suggested that an insert be used to fill in the space around the machine to make the entire surface flush and usable.

Inserts for the machine can be purchased in either clear, maple, or white.  The maple color matches the maple wood-tone of the interior of the cabinet.  If you have purchased a 1600 or white cabinet, order a white insert.  We even offer blanks.  When the machine is lowered, the blank is used to cover the hole.  This now gives you more surface area on your Sylvia cabinet.  When purchasing a cabinet, please make sure you know the make and model of your sewing machine so the insert fits your machine perfectly.  There are no inserts for the serger cabinet 620.

Until next time!

Horst