I am trying to set up my sewing room, currently my sewing machine sits on top of one of those 6 foot long plastic tables you get from Sam's Club.

Does it really make a difference to have the machine sit down in a cabinet for quilting? I do not have an extension table for my machine.

What type of table do you use?

It doesn't have to be in a fancy cabinet, but it makes a HUGE, (well at least to me) difference that the machine bed is level with the surrounding table/surface. It might seem a little different at first, but you soon adjust, and realise how much easier it is to sew on the same level as what is surrounding your machine. If you can't afford a cabinet, then a sewezi table is a reasonable price, or just buy the plastic insert available from the cabinet manufacturers or the sewezi people, that fits around your machine, and get a handyman to cut a hole in a cheap table and fix a shelf below it at the right height for your machine.

Another thing about having it in a cabinet is the height of the machine. If I use my machine on top of a regular 30" high table, then my shoulders have to raise in order to guide fabric into the machine. After a while, my shoulders and back ache from it. Sitting on a pillow helps. Like Lesley said, it is much easier to have the surface of your sewing machine bed be the same as the table/tabletop.

You will probably find that 6' plastic table "bowing" after using it for awhile. Having a table surface that is level with your machine makes a HUGE difference in not only your sewing but also your shoulder/back/neck pain. Cabinets take up a lot of space but they're worth it. There's also custom made (to fit your machine) acrylic "tables" that level the sewing area and they're portable. They come in several different outer sizes.

I agree that having the surface even with your machine is a great help.

My mine sits on a dining room table. I have enough table to be able to stretch out the quilt as I go instead of it hanging down and having to wrestle it under the presser foot.

The picture shows 2 machines, one now resides in the closet. I haven't figured out if I want to sell it or hang on to it.

Check out this Youtube video on how to make an inexpensive surface for a sewing/quilting table.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g14govA4pIM

That is exactly what I use. It's just the right height for me.

Chasing Hawk,

I love your picture!

I love your idea with the easel and bulletin board for your design board. I need to find my easel and I will put some flannel on it to have the fabric blocks to stick to it.

Karen "Craftybear"

That is SOOOO COOL!!! I'm going to get some of the foam and do that. I'm going to do the cone thing too.