That's a great idea. I only do smaller things by hand, so it would be perfect for me.

Well, aren't you a smart cookie!! Way to go! I'm on the hunt now, too!

Necessity also breeds genius.

So true--and I learned from all my friends who grew up in the depression---use it up, make it do, or do without!

I used 1x2s (boards)and wrapped them with some old blankets, (or any type of sheeting for padding.) & stiched them in place Used C clamps to hold the 4 boards together. As someone else said you can place the boards on top of straight chairs. You can attach the backing, batting and quilt top w/pins to hold taut while working on quilting. When you need to work in a different area on quilt, do so by rolling one end in. Worked great for many yrs. You could always have 2 sets of boards, one for sm. quilts & another set for larger quilts. ^_^

That is what we use at church to tie quilts-----I made sleeves to pin to.

I did this many years ago. Works for any size quilt, just keep moving it around. Our big old cat, Romeo, thought it was a wonderful cat hammock and was rather miffed when I made him get down so I could quilt!

I had heard of this in the past, but it wasn't described this way. I think this is totally do-able, and I can visualize wrapping the boards with something to pin to.....and c-clamps are not expensive at the hardware store..... this works, too. Good advice to all of us. Thank you.

You are welcome, I am enjoying this quilting board very much, friendly group w/ good ideas! We all need to help one another. As things get tough I hope more of the... AHEM "more mature" quilters will pass on ways that were used earlier in their lives while quilting. Some are very unique and inexpensive. ^_^ :thumbup:

Oklahoma people are smarter. Thanks for the idea, I have just the card table. Violet

Clever idea. Thanks for sharing.

The 1x2 boards are not exactly like they used...I bought mine at an estate sale and know they are old!!! But they are more like 1/2 x 1 3/4 or 2 very hard wood and mine just have a strip of material folded double I suppose about 1 - 1 1/2" and tacked along one of the wide sides on each of the 4 boards. I think it's held in place with carpet tacks. I am going to rewrap them though, I think. My sister has my moms and they are wrapped around the whole board. But I have made measuring marks at 1 inch intervals on mine and also have the center marked. That way when I put the backing and the top on and know the center of each, I'm sure to get it square. And the backing and batting and top are held in place by strong straight pins, not thumb tacks. That's my way, anyway! LOL!

My 90 year old friend had a cloth measuring tape sewn to hers on each side!

A cloth measuring tape is genius!! I am going to do that idea, too. Perfect!! Thank you for the great idea and passing it along.

You are welcome--I had forgotten about it til I saw the post where someone had marked theirs. sometimes the light bulb goes on!

Yes, this is an excellent idea that I had heard before, but had forgotten. Thankyou for passing it on. :thumbup:

Great idea. Thanks

I am sure my cat Penny would love the card table with a quilt on it. She has to check every thing I do. She sits by the machine most times while I sew. but i love her just the same..ha!ha!

We had a cat named Purry Jane who sat on the end of the sewing machine table and occasionally swatted at the needle. She loved sewing and quilting and thought she should lay on every quilt just to break it in and keep it from blowing away! She also loved a quilting frame or a hoop that was big enough for her to lay in when you put it down.

Thank you, you just gave me an idea with your card table.I have a wrought iron table one metre square and it "had" a glass top. Recently, my glass top exploded and I know of several other people that had the same thing happen to theirs on the same day. The table is very sturdy and would be great for quilting. It has 4 straight sides & strong wrought-iron legs. It would be so easy to attach whatever is needed. I might keep mine out in the pagola to work out there and what's even better is "The top cannot get dusty". Whooopppeeeeee.
LOL to everyone. Gleniveve

Another idea for card table frames
 

I did something very much the same, Used card table frame idea. did a square using 1-1 1/2" wood sanded , same size as card table, put on fold-up legs. Then made 2 (L) shaped pieces ,with wood, just slightly larger,than table with (L ) brackets on ends and middle. Straighten the 4 end brackets to about a 120 degree and 2 bolts with wing nuts to hold the 2 (L) sections together, (L)s will clamp over table portion. Works great for both tied quilts and quilted quilts. Not too big and bigger than a hoop. Easy to reposition fabric. fold away to store under bed.

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*** Sounds interesting. Have a bad one on the carport. May try it.
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That is what I made when I first started quilting in the 1970's. So easy to quilt on, so easy to fold up and put away. I used pillow ticking (2 layers) for covering the side bars, and T pins to hold the quilt in place. I don't hand quilt any longer but I always smile when I open the quilt room closet door and there it sits, waiting.