When I was doing my room, I looked at a number of resources for ideal cutting/ironing heights. The actual measurements somewhat depend on how tall/short you but in general kitchen countertops and islands are built for 'cutting/chopping' etc. The average is 36". If you have the option of making adjustments, the rule of thumb is to measure the distance from your elbow to the ground and then have the cutting surface about 6" lower. Mine is 33 tall and works for me as I cut a lot of upholstery fabric or yardage length cuts and it allows me to bend to reach across the length of my cut. I was lucky to find two triple dressers that were the same height as I wanted and have a 4x6 finished plywood top that cover them both. This not only gives me a large cutting surface but a lot of useful storage.
It is recommended that ironing surfaces should be about 3" higher than for cutting and I fortunately found another triple dresser that was 3" taller than the other two so perfect for me.
Again, with the 'big board' on top, it gives me a nice ironing surface and a lot more storage!

I went to a local used furniture store and bought 2 school tables..you know the old brown ones..from an L shape !!

I have a very good table but a little different than what the rest of you have. I have a table which is just a discarded door. My husband put 4 study metal legs on it. THEN____he got a 4x6 piece of masonite board, covered it with jute carpet pad. Over this he stetched canvas from a shop that made sails for sail boats. This is stapled down as tight as he could get it. That gets laid over the door table. I can cut,iron and pin straight into the canvas, to hold things down, if I so desire. I'ver had this for over 20 years and I love it. The greatest thing to have in a sewing room. Everything in one. I would be lost with out it. I can store under neath it also.

My industrial cutting table is 35" high and works for me, I'm about 5'3" tall. These come in sections. I have 3 sections since I have a large room. Sections are 72" long by 48" wide.

Geeez---your island is larger than the entire floor area of my kitchen. Would love for kitchen with an island---or anything with some room in it. But I'm happy with what I have----it's paid for.

Sibyl

I used two small bookcases that were 24" wide and 32" tall as the supports. Then, I added a purchased piece of melamine board that measures 30" x 48". I bought the melamine adhesive stripping to cover the raw edges around the board. This is working very well for me and was only a minimal cost. Gives me storage space below, too.

Great looking table - searched the net and unable to find a US distributor - Lucky UK sewers get it this one.

for the price and the ease of use, i also, love my joanns table. it is the right height and takes up just a little bit of room when the leaves are both down. drawers would be a nice addition that i wish it had.

i also use bed risers under my sewing table when i can't get to my cutting table. (unfortunately i don't have a sewing room, so sometimes it is behind other things).

My DH also made me a table that has two leaves that I can use or put down. the middle part has rollers on so I can move the whole thing up against the wall and it only takes up a very small area of the room. But I most always have one leaf up so I have work space while sewing.

Here is a US distributor: http://www.eddiesquiltingbee.com/furniture/horn.html

He's in Sunnyvale, CA.

I want to Thank everyone for their Great Ideas! I am converting an old laundry room into a sewing room. The room is about 8 foot square so I am trying to make the most of the space.

[quote=caspharm]Here is a US distributor: http://www.eddiesquiltingbee.com/furniture/horn.html

He's in Sunnyvale, CA.


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I just typed a bunch and when I put it up it was all gone. hmm oh well.
Basically. I love everyones ideas and if I ever win the lottery and have a big room I will use the dresser or cabinet idea.
The Horn tables are wonderful but unles I win said lottery they are sooo far out of my budget....
I do need one that folds up so hopefully I can get my brother to help me build one when he gets done with all his projects. If not I will just wait until a good sale and get another one from Joann's

I do the same thing.

I have an adjustable table, don't know where it came from, but I had DH cut me a piece of particle board to go on it. Board is the size the the big ironing cover and pad that I bought at Jo-Ann's. It is about 58 in. by 36 in. It is great because I can use it for ironing fabric or put the cutting mat on it for a cutting table. I can also adjust it to the height of my sewing cabinet to support large quilts while I quilt them. I can lower it and use it as a desk or I can remove the particle board and slide it all against the wall to make room for overnight guests. There is room underneath to stack odds and ends. Not the prettiest thing, but it sure is functional

Love the Hi-Low Table. Where do you get it?

I bought the Galant adjustable height desk/tables from Ikea. You can choose the size of the table top that will fit best for your space. I believe they have 3 different size tops. I have plastic bins stored underneath to maximize the space.
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/S89842465

good luck!

Mine is a 4x8 sheet of 1/2 inch plywood with a sheet of countertop formica glued down then attached with screws to a set of resin saw horses I got at the Goody store all together I spent less than $50 I'm going to have to make a smaller one my new room it isn't as wide as the old place.. I sew at it and my quilt stays on the table saves me a ton of work

My neighbor gave me an antique sideboard that she had and didn't want any more because it needed to be fixed. It's the perfect height, and has a long drawer at the top for my rulers and stuff, more drawers, and a couple of cabinets. It's wide enough for my cutting mat could put another one up there too, have enough extra room. Best of all, it was free!

Mine is made from a formica counter that is 3 ft. wide, 7 ft. long and 3 ft. high. I have 2 cabinets on each end supporting the top. The cabinets have 4 drawers on one end and a drawer and storage below it on other end. Works perfect for me.

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/60105301

I used these adjustable legs from IKEA with a piece of melamine cut at Home Depot.

This shows the leg..I'm using it as an ironing table, but have used it as a cutting table in the past. Wire cubes with plastic totes underneath for storage

Several years ago my daughter bought me a cutting table from Joann's. It's 5ft long and 48"wide when set up. Has drop down sides when not in use. I think she paid about $150.00 for it. Made of pressed wood with a smooth formica like top. Has wheels so it can be used easily and it's about 36" tall. Perfect for cutting, but only can sandwich small items.

Thanks for the info

My kitchen counter IS my cutting table. It's a 3' wide corian counter between the kitchen and dining room, and hubby bought me a nice cutting mat that fits perfectly. I think it is 5' long.

I get exercise running from sewing/office room to kitchen/dining room.

I guess I'm saying, if your kitchen counter seems to be the right height you could create your cutting area to the same height.

My kitchen counter IS my cutting table. It's a 3' wide corian counter between the kitchen and dining room, and hubby bought me a nice cutting mat that fits perfectly. I think it is 5' long.

I get exercise running from sewing/office room to kitchen/dining room.

I guess I'm saying, if your kitchen counter seems to be the right height you could create your cutting area to the same height.

OOPs tried to find a way to delete 2nd post..

As far as using Formica, or kitchen counter material,if the cost of a new piece of coutertop is too high, if you can find a kitchen remodeling outfit, you could probably get some used coutertops for next to nothing. Just a thought...

My avatar shows the kitchen cabinet with twelve drawers that I bought from Ikea. The top is extended toward the back. It's great to be able to move around all sides of the table when cutting. The storage is awesome and, as are most Ikea products, it is very well made. I love it!

Tracey's table makes beautiful cutting tables. Here's their link if you want ideas or to purchase. They are great to work with!

http://www.traceystables.com/

I bought a kitchen counter for $30 at a yard sale. I also bought a wide on the bottom and four drawers on top file cabinent at the same place. works well! One end of the counter sits on the file cabinet and hubby mounted the other end to the wall.

Hi, Nancy -- I was just at Tuesday Morning yesterday and saw an awesome piece that would work terrifically for a cutting table!

It was probably 6 inches higher than the height of a normal table. It was about 24" deep, and had two good sized drawers and two doors into cupboard that had shelves mounted to the doors as well as shelving inside. At the top, there were hinges on each side, and the top opened up with 1x2's to support the top that pulled out from the side of the unit. So the top, about 36" wide, was split in half, and opened out to make the top a full 2 yards wide.

Don 't know if you can picture it, but it was pretty cool. However, it was about $500..... ugh!!!!! But if you have a handy DH maybe he could make it??? Good luck!!

Try a piece of insulation. They are 4 by 8 feet and are about 1/2 inch thick and can be cut to any size. You can decide how big you want it and it will lie across your bookcases. If you think it isn't sturdy enough (sags in the middle) cut three 2 by fours the right length, lay them on the book cases, put the insulation on top and it will be sagproof. Except for the book cases, it is all very lightweight and can be stashed absolutely out of sight in the garage, in a closet or under a bed.

Of course, it will be about 2 inches higher than it is without the additions. froggyintexas

I stand corrected, hubby says we paid $30 total for the counter and the file cabinet.

My sweetheart did the same for me, and I also do what you do-start stacking stuff on my great big table...lol!

LOL, that "stack" is my serger that I need to use someday.

I used a rectangle dining room table and put bed risers underneath it. I love this for my sewing room. I have a super large cutting matt on it and I made an ironing board to place on it also. Plus I still have room to stack stuff.

The table was in the garage and at some point was given to me, so zero cost there. The bed risers were on clearance at Joanns so the whole set up was less than $5.

I've also heard of people adding wooden feet from Home
Depot to a dining table to make it tall enough.

Good luck!

Jackie the one you have used to be at joann. I'm not sure if they still carry it or not. They sold for 99 and would have them on sale for 50 at differnt time.

Oh this sounds awesome! You should post a pic.

I am 5'10" and the JoAnn's table is a couple inches too short. And, boy, do those couple inches make a difference. When I get my sewing room done, I am going to raise up the table a little. the best height for me is about 36". I want to get one of those tables you can get at Costco, Target, etc. with the molded plastic tops and legs that fold up. There is one style that has legs with adjustable heights and goes up to 36". I'm going to use it for a work table so I don't keep cluttering up my cutting table.