Look at the Quilt in a Day site. Eleanor Burns has instructions for changing a kitchen table (she calls it a farm table) to a sewing table. Then, you can have your acrylic extension level with the table top. I found a table at a thrift shop and my husband cut a hole for my machine. It makes FMQ much easier!

deemail, what a great idea, I think I'm going to try it.

yep, me too. i had my extension on for quite awhile and loved it.but then my quilts kept getting caught on the corner and drove me nuts enough that I removed it. can't win for losing.

One yard of JoAnn's heavier clear vinyl draped over the surface should help. Mine has a hole cut in it for the needle area and I use one piece of tape there. If you're sewing on a table, put the machine and extension to the right so you have as much vinyl covered table as possible to the left to support the quilt. My ironing board sits at an angle to my left to help if the quilt is heavier. Gravity is not your friend when FMQ. A yard of vinyl is 45" wide so it smoothes quite a few edges.

The foam sheets I used were sold at Lowe's a few years ago as insulation material. They were 2 ft x 4 ft and 1 inch thick. But they are just white styrofoam...when you cut into them you see all the tiny little balls! But once you cover all the raw edges with duct tape and cover the top surface(s) with oilcloth or vinyl, you won't have little bits or little balls to deal with. I posted pictures of mine and how I covered it at this link:
http://www.quiltingboard.com/mission...e-t171975.html

There's another post called "Update to my version of the foam quilting table."

I had the same issue with trying to quilt on the acrylic table...kept getting caught on the corners of the table even though they are rounded.

I like the idea of the custom-made plywood extension but I would find that hard to lift out of the way to get to my bobbin or to be able to use the free arm on my machine.

AnitaSt

You can also purchase a mat that goes over the top of the machine area with a slit for the actual sewing area. It is made of silicone, I think, but whatever it really helps me to glide the fabric around during FMQ. I use mine every time I FMQ and it didn't cost that much. Think it was about 10$. Worth the money. If your LQS does not carrry them, try a quilters site and look under notions. Good luck.

I am always amazed at how resourceful you guys are!!! Deemail - can you post a picture? I have trouble making my own picture in my head. Guess that would make me spatially challenged? But it sounds like a very workable solution. Should get my dh to read descriptions (or even my son). Then I could get them to draw me pictures - because I have trouble seeing it without the visual.

AnitaSt - loved your pictures of your updated table. I had seen the foam board idea on YouTube. I like yours even better as you took care of the loose ends having the potential to cause problems. Also like that you can move it in one piece and not worry about the stacks sliding apart.

Looks like I need to pick one of these nifty ideas, commit - and go find the materials!!

Will also have to check out Eleanor Burn's website for converting a regular table to a sewing table. Was just telling my dh this morning that I would like it if he could put me something together.

This is what I found on U-tube and set my tables up just like it, it works great! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g14go...feature=relmfu

I've had the same experience, which is why I made my "box quilting" table, it's level with the bed of my machine.

Use a sew slip or supreme slider, makes a hell of a difference