I'm short, so it's hard for me to find a cutting table the right height. I also have a small sewing room and everything has to be multifunctionable. I researched and ended up buying a drafting table. It folds down to 6 inches in depth. I can adjust the height and when it is up I can set it along the wall that the baseboard heater is on and not worry about blocking the heat. A 24x36 mat works.

I also can use it in my kitchen when I bake cookies. I will just cover it with an oil cloth.

I am a scant 5 feet tall, and have used my kitchen island for cutting, but find that it is a little tall for me. I end up feeling that my shoulders are pinned up around my ears when I try to hold scissors or use a cutting mat and blade at the correct angle.

Hi Guys and Girls, I was advised years ago that the ideal height for your cutting table is to your waist. If it is at waist height your can stand for hours at the cutting table and you are working with your back straight and your arms bent at the elbow but straight from the elbows onto the table. If you have your shoulders or back bent forward you very soon get back ache and this continues to get worse as you get older.
I have found that mine works really well for me. The guy that told me this was professionally trained in this area of cutting tables etc. and the best height to have all appliances that we all use on a daily basis. Whooo, I just counted up and I have had mine for 52 years. Me-thinks I shouldn't have counted, my age is showing. All the best with your new cutting table.
Lol from Gleniveve

What a wonderful sewing rm you have, would love to see more...what is the brown open cabinet next to your cutting table?
thank-you for sharing you have given me some wonderful ideas.

I went to Ikea and bought 2 of their 4 x 4 storage cube sets (Expedit is the style). I joined them back to back - making the cubes double deep. I made (with a little handyman help) a frame of 4 x 4 lumber, attached rolling casters to it and then attached the frame to the bottom of the cube. This raised the cube to counter height and the right height for cutting without bending over. I permanently attached a large cutting matt - it covered about 1/2 of the surface. The cubes below have a lot of storage space - and deep if you need it. Otherwise you have a normal size depth on 2 sides. Being able to roll it around makes it possible to move it out of the way if you arent using it. The extra storage space is great.

My husband added wood pieces to the legs on my old Army desk to bring it to the ergonomically correct height: about 6" below the elbow. I had the table top laminated at the cabinet shop, and spray painted it black. LOVE IT!

Here's a link to the post about my table. We were remodeling and having some custom built-ins (nothing fancy) made by our carpenter, so I gave him a picture and sketch. Things I like best are that it is on wheels...large casters so it rolls easily...and has a drop leaf on the back. The top is formica with a wooden lip at the edge for a very smooth surface. And, of course, I love the cubbyholes.

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-95249-1.htm

Anita

What a great sewing room! I'm jealous.

This was my solution There is a "salavage" store that had just removed cabinets from a Ramada Inn in our area, so I purchased 2 cabinets . My Husband then screwed them to- gether and made a platform out of 2x4's. Then placed the cabinets on top of that platform. I was very lucky because the top came from a lunch room table. The top had a cracked-end, so he cut that off and just placed it on top of the cabinets. So I have a great cutting and design surface, plus 3 sliding drawers and lots of storage under the drawers. On the ends which weren't finished, we placed peg-board so I could hang my rulers, etc. I believe there is a standard height but I personally like my a little taller than most folks do.
I had been looking for a close-out on display cabinets at Lowes, but these came along for $40.00 vrs $100.00.
Hope all the ideas you get help you out.

Very nice, looks so professional!

I had my cutting table built in -- with permanent storage under it because I have too much stuff (besides fabric - that goes in a double closet with built in shelves.

The best height for me is the same height as my kitchen counter. No bending or stretching that way. Here's a picture of that part of my new room and one of the sewing table I made with an old desk top and two file cabinets. Just got the cabinets painted this week. Last one shows my bookscases with all the reference for sewing and cooking stuff I love.

This used to be one of the bays in my DH's 3 car garage.

I think your sewing room is bigger than my house!

I use an adjustable drafting table.

U can get a nice piece of formica at a Home Depot, Lowes or whatever u have for building supplies, etc. I bought a small piece for $30 and placed it on top of my plastic bins

and the bins hold the weight ok?

Nancy my dream is to have a work area in the middle of my sewing room that has storage shelves all around underneath, no doors. Having adjustable shelving would be nice and/or pullout shelving. Some open area on all 4 sides between the storage so machines could be set up, when my quilt buddies come around. Electrical outlets that hang from the ceiling center of this table. One wall with table wall to wall and open storeage simaliar to the one in the center. And a long arm some where. Keep in mind this is my "dream sewing area. I only have 730 square feet in my whole condo and my son is sleeping in my living room. He was left with school debts to pay off so he'll probably be living with me for another 4 years unless a miracle happens. But we can all dream. It doesn't hurt to dream

Katykwilt - I love your library area. I often wish that I had a comfortable chair to sit and look through books and magazines for that next "have to do" project! Just not enough room.

My cutting table came from JoAnns. (Syracuse, NY) I LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!!! I have it opened all of the way under my window in my sewing room. I have every inch of space underneath FILLED TO CAPACITY!!! There is NO wasted space under my cutting table. You can see the cutting table in my avatar. Good luck with your space.

debra

IKEA had some really neat kitchen islands. You can adjust the height to fit your needs.

Mine is a rolling folding kitchen cart I got on sale at a local grocery store with extras. I love it. I can put it away when I have guests, either by rolling it into my sewing studio or folding it up and putting it in the garage.

Unfortunately, I don't see them anywhere anymore. I've even tried online for some friends. If anyone sees them please PM me.

ali

i HAVE A TABLE TOP THAT I BOUGHT AT A YARD SALE. AM THINKING I WILL BUY OR HAVE HUSBAND MAKE TWO BOOKCASES AND LAY THE TABLE ON TOP OF THE BOOKCASES.

I enjoy reading so when my daughter found out I got a sewing room, she got me two comfy chairs -- so we could both R&R together. Doesn't happen often, she lives in San Diego and we're in MI. I got my sewing room to keep me happy when I retired (Oct.) cuz DH got the basement finished and a pool table. It works and I am loving it.

Sounds like a great arrangement to me, as we have the same arrangement in our house-except Honeys rm is a nascar rm.

In our former home my husband used two adjustable saw horses with a sheet of plywood on top. That way we could experiment with heights until we got the right height for my 5'1". Worked great. Wish I had room for it in this house, but have too many sewing machines set up.

Everybody is so creative! I was lucky enough to buy an art table at a school auction. Paid next to nothing for it. It does need a bit of tlc..It sits too low to be able to cut with as it is so I'm having a platform built for it with some rolling castors. It has 24 drawers for storage. Which is going to be awesome!

I bought a kitchen island from craigslist...I'm 5'6 and it
is a good height for me....then made an ironing board
from a 24x48 piece of OSB board...two layers of cotton
batting and canvas...I can put it on top of the island
and iron large pieces of yardage....works great for me ...
previous I had a cutting table in the center of the floor &
it just took up too much room....island is against a wall
out about 2 inches so have room for material to slide
over end when ironing..

My cutting table is my counter between the dining room and kitchen, it's Corian with bar extension. My cutting mat (3x5) fits on there perfectly.

My extension table is made of foam and vinyl.

I purchased a buffet for storage and use the top for cutting or pressing.

I too used my kitchen island for cutting but was tired of walking from one room to another when trying to make something and having threads everywhere, (the sign of a true quilter right?). I bought a 6' folding table and had my husband cut 4" x 4" posts that we had stored in the garage and drill out the center a few inches to the perfect height for me, (I'm 5' 6"). You can also use PVC pipe but why waste the money when the posts were gathering dust in the garage! When I need the height, I simply lift the end of the table (not heavy at all) and slip the leg in the hole at the top of the post that he drilled out. In a matter of seconds I have a table high enough to save my back from having to lean over. I also use it as my sewing table so simply lift the end and kick the blocks out and back down to sitting height! It does not wobble when I sew or cut. You can use a 6' like I did or an 8' table it works the same. I can put my ironing pad on one end when I am sewing to press seams as I go. It makes the table very flexible and doesn't take up as much space as having to have several different surfaces to use. If you don't have room to leave the table out, mine folds in half and can be stored behind a door or simply against the wall. The table cost me $30 at Lowe's, the blocks were leftovers from a previous project and now I have a multiple work station!

[ATTACH=CONFIG]300828[/ATTACH]I use an antique/vintage dresser I picked up for $5. DH cut a piece of plywood to go over the top for a larger work area. I just added the plywood so I need to finish the edges with some fabric.

I'm totally agree with you man.
This is totally depending on your height...you'r 100% good.

I bought 2 cabinets from Habitat for Humanity, painted them up and put a door on top, It's probably 60' x 36"

I purchased a 6 foot folding table from Staples years ago.. being 5'8 , I placed the legs on bed risers and it works great for me. the height came to 36"- which is the height of kitchen cabinets.

I am attaching a picture of my cutting table. My space is limited, but the base is an old computer metal desk, set up on bed risers to 36" (I am 5'7"). My dh cut a piece of good grade plywood to fit the area 24 x 48, it extends past the desk top. We wanted to make it 30 x 60 but the space didn't allow for it. using plywood as a top to an old desk works well as the top can be made to fit the area and, and for me as the picture shows that I have space to store lots of "stuff" below. Next to it, is a nice comfy chair to use when I need to draw, read, or rest. I have to fight "hazel" the dog to sit there. She thinks it is there for her!! My eave is tiny, and cramped, but I love it, it my first sewing area just for me in 45 years!!! The area is messy, but it is mine!!

I'm pretty fortunate - I was able to get an Ikea kitchen island that I'd been wanting for years. It's sturdy and has storage. I love it. That being said - there are some amazing ideas posted here. It's so much fun to look at these posts and see what everyone can come up with.

I use a Kitchen Cart that is counter top height. It is ideal because it hold a 36" x 24" cutting mat and has drop leaves on either side if I need more space. My room is small and this is ideal.