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From: ArizonaStitcher
Date: 09-16-2005, 08:16 PM (1 of 12)
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we are going to be moving sometime next spring and I get an entire room just for my sewing / quilting / embroidery. I have a plan to put in a long countertop to place my machines and serger on, but I am looking around for what kind of cutting table I want. Some of them are way too pricey to justify their use. What does everyone use? I actually googled kitchen islands (they are the right height) and found some that I could use. But I'd love to find a source for a cutting table that's affordable. I have seen one that looks like it has stacking drawers all on one side, but can't find it now. Let me know some ideas, please! (and we're going to get a dog too) -- we'll be in the Dallas area. Happy Stitchin' from sunny Arizona
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User: ArizonaStitcher
Member since: 12-21-2004 Total posts: 20 
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From: Chrysantha
Date: 09-16-2005, 10:35 PM (2 of 12)
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I went to the office supply store and bought a 5 ft long table with fold away legs, for about $36. (Office Depot) It's like the tables you see at flea markets, in schools. Cheap, sturdy, long and you can put it under a bed to store it..
Chrys
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User: Chrysantha
Member since: 09-06-2002 Total posts: 2414 
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From: SandyGirl
Date: 09-17-2005, 07:07 AM (3 of 12)
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They have a folding one at the right height for around $99.00 Other sources: Koala Roberts Sewing furniture Horn Sewing Furniture They all have websites............. |
User: SandyGirl
Member since: 09-16-2005 Total posts: 97 |
From: June Harlow
Date: 09-17-2005, 07:38 AM (4 of 12)
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My DH built me a cutting table using a pre-made kitchen countertop that you can buy at Home Depot™. It's built on a wood support and it sits about 30" high and is about 5' wide x 24" deep. It works well for cutting out most pattern parts, however, in the final analysis, it's not quite deep enough for large skirts, and other items requiring a big, large piece. I end up having to cut part, then carefully slide everything onto the table for the second cut. He's suggested making a flip-up arm for when I work on the large pieces. Based on my experiences, if the cutting table is against a wall, as mine is, you won't be able to reach anything if you make it deeper than 30" . Ideally, if space is not an issue, I'd opt for a 48" wide x 6' long walkaround table. June ~
"If only I could find that missing pattern piece!" June sews on a Pfaff 1209 and a Babylock 5180 serger |
User: June Harlow
Member since: 05-30-2005 Total posts: 100 
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From: beachgirl
Date: 09-17-2005, 10:41 AM (5 of 12)
| Years ago my DH made me a real nice cutting table. A friend of mine was throwing away her small microwave cart & I took it. He used that as the base as it had good storage in it. He made a large top for it & then on each side fold down extentions. He put locking wheels on the cart. I used it for years but when we redid the sewing room I bought a nice cutting table that flods down smaller so it wouldn't take up as much room when not being used. He is still useing the one he made in his work shop. There are so many places that sell real nice cutting tables & all sorts of ways to make your own. Just be sure you have one large enough to cut anything. You can fold them down to save space when not being used. |
User: beachgirl
Member since: 08-31-2004 Total posts: 615 
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From: Hogmami
Date: 09-17-2005, 10:57 AM (6 of 12)
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My husband made me a cuttting table from a door. It hooks to the wall with hinges so it can fold down. He also put folding legs from Home Depot on it. It works great for me and Is painted a bright yellow. He than put a light over the table so it has good lighting.
Carolyn
Michigan |
User: Hogmami
Member since: 09-30-2004 Total posts: 800 
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From: SummersEchos
Date: 09-17-2005, 11:04 AM (7 of 12)
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I agree with the cutting table having access on all 4 sides. I also think what you are basically going to use it for, needs to be addressed. What do you sew? How much room do you need to lay out you projects? If you search the web for sewing rooms yo will see some wonderful ideas, from the smallest rooms to huge rooms. One more thing I would do is after I have moved into my new sewing room, I would work in it for a while before I made any hard fast decisions about what I need. What may look good on paper, may not work well for you when sewing.
Summer
FREE FALLIN |
User: SummersEchos
Member since: 09-29-2004 Total posts: 884 |
From: patti2
Date: 09-17-2005, 11:46 AM (8 of 12)
| I use an old computer desk that was replaced in another room. It has lots of storage underneath due to shelves, it is wide and long, and I use it for everything from cutting, piecing, and just thinking. I mounted a garage pegboard set above it and have all my mats, templates, rotary cutters... right where I need them. |
User: patti2
Member since: 05-28-2005 Total posts: 78 |
From: ArizonaStitcher
Date: 09-17-2005, 01:28 PM (9 of 12)
more info ... I guess I did not make my needs clear ... I put this in the quilt section as that's my main use. I need to cut quilt fabric, using rotary cutter, so table needs to be 36" high. I have looked at Horn, Koala, etc., but they are way more money than I want to spend. That's why I looked at kitchen islands and probably will go that route. They are the right height, many are on wheels and I'd have access on all four sides. I can scoot it up to the wall when not needed. I also plan to make some more clothes (when my body is the size I want it to be  so I can use the table to cut out garment fabric.My room is about 12 x 12 with a window centered on one wall (wall #1) , with closet and door on the opposite (wall #3). I am going to put a formica countertop on the window wall, all 12' of it, so that will give me plenty of room to set up machines and also a large work surface when I do the actual quilting. On the wall perpendicular to window wall (wall #2), I am buying a nifty wall system from Crate & Barrel which will allow me to put my storage bins, baskets, and stacks of stuff neatly in that. The wall opposite that (wall #4) I will have as my design wall and also where I can scoot the cutting table when not needed.  Thanks for the replies. I can do this room as described for under $1000 and have tons of work space, storage space, and it might stay neat and clean  If anyone has other ideas or sources, I want to hear them! Happy Stitchin' from sunny Arizona
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User: ArizonaStitcher
Member since: 12-21-2004 Total posts: 20
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From: beachgirl
Date: 09-17-2005, 03:41 PM (10 of 12)
| You will love the counter top. My DH put one in for me under one large window ( north side ) so sun doesn't beat in on all the machines. I have my TV on one end & 2 sergers, my 10000 machine,surge/battery backup, ott light, & room fo cutting smaller stuff or pressing. He built me drawers underneath on one end have the knee holes under the machines & then I used my horn thread cabinet that rolls under neath plus another cabinet that has a drawer & doors & open space for the vcr. Shelves that wrap around 2 walls above the sewing machine & under that white pegboard for sewing needs. I found some neat silverware containers that also hook on the pegboard that holds my marking pens & other small stuff. Have my 9000 machine in the Horn cabinet close to the others, a 12 drawer long chest for lots of material, He made me a beautiful computer desk with large shelves above that . Above my cutting table when not in use are white pegboard that holds all my embroidery hoops for one machine plus rulers & etc. Have 3 nice chairs in here plus the one for the computer & the Horn sewing chair. Loads of other shelves also. The room isn't crowded & so effecient to work in. Heres a tip for those that might want this. I bought one of those lazy susan type things that hold a 13" tv so you can turn it. I put a 11x11 cutting mat & other side you can iron on. It's great for cutting quilt pieces on with the rotary cutter. you turn the board without moving your fabric or cutting from the wrong side & maybe cut yourself. If you need a larger one they'd be simple to make. Just the size board you want & can buy the lazy susan part at Home Depot or Lowes. This one works fine for me. You'll love you sewing room for sure. I did use my room for awhile until I knew just what I needed & where it should be for me. |
User: beachgirl
Member since: 08-31-2004 Total posts: 615
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From: ArizonaStitcher
Date: 09-17-2005, 04:31 PM (11 of 12)
Beachgirl, your room sounds awesome and oh so functional. Beyond anything, I need function. I am currently sewing in our guest room with a built-in desk and some drawers and DH made me a murphy table that hinges and drops down and actually cantilevers over the bed by 2 feet or so. And then I stack all kinds of stuff on it and when we need the bed, I have to completely clean up the room. Really wreaks havoc with progress when I have to do that (although clean up is a good thing  )I have many months til the house is done and we move, so I will continue to steal ideas from everyone I can. We'll be putting in a TV too, but this time it'll be a bar tv -- ha ha -- one that is mounted on a stand high on the wall. Don't want to give up one inch of counterspace! I'm sure looking forward to this and I know my sewing will be neater, cleaner, more precise, and go much faster . Right ....
Happy Stitchin' from sunny Arizona
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User: ArizonaStitcher
Member since: 12-21-2004 Total posts: 20
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From: beachgirl
Date: 09-17-2005, 10:44 PM (12 of 12)
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Thanks for the compliment. You wouldn't believe how much paper I wasted drawing this room out before I knew what would work for me. I even rearranged the room every now & then to see if something else worked better. I made sizes of all the furniture to fit the room size on graph paper also. I'd look in furniture stores, goodwill or just anyplace to see what I might be able to use or make into something else. Please don't worry about stealing any of my ideas. I would take that as a compliment. If I can be of any help at all, just ask. I love designing.Good luck & know you can hardly wait to get the room together. I'm sure others will give you some great ideas also. We have a very creative bunch here.
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User: beachgirl
Member since: 08-31-2004 Total posts: 615
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