I have a Sew Steady acrylic table with feet. I had it made for another machine. My Husband's friend cut the opening bigger to fit around the base of my Juki that didn't have an extension table with it. It sits on my sewing cabinet and works perfect for me. I have a 2'x4' folding table I sit to my left to hold the quilt, while I quilt it.

BTW the acrylic had to be cut with a water jet laser.

My husband and father in law made my table. I love having my machine set in. I wouldn't trade it for the world to be honest with you. It's really awesome! If you or a family member is handy with tools, it's worth a try. I used a table styled desk for my machine and it's sweet - and only ended up costing me like $30 after buying everything. Granted mine is big but you can get a table or desk any size you like. :D

My acrylic table is in the closet. The quilt catches on the edge so not good for free motion quilting. Bought a set in table for my Viking, much better.

YES!!!! you really need a table that your machine sets down in!! the bigger the better!!! It is always good to buy on that is made to fit your machine. However if you have a person who is andy with tools maybe they can cut a hole in a table/desk to make your table.

I have an extension table for my machine, but only use it when I'm sewing away from home. I prefer my machine set into my desk. Once you try have your machine set down into a table, it is much harder to use it on top of a table. Eleanor Burns has a free video on her site for converting a dining table into a quilting table. This is how we did my desk. However, if a desk isn't a possibility, an extension table like you are looking at is a big improvement over just putting your machine on top of a table.

I've only worked on sewing machines in thier cabinets other than a few test pieces on the White I just gave away. How important is the larger flat surface for quilting?
Rodney

Absolutely agree! The bigger the surface the better... and keeping the sewing surface level with the table makes a bigger difference than I realized! My DH gave me a new machine and the table to go with it and it is just wonderful. Another friend's DH is cutting an opening in a old desk she found for her machine. She had to hunt a little bit (garage sales, etc... we were all looking out for her), but it's going to be great!

If I'm understanding the original post, an acrylic extension is being purchased. I have one for my Bernina and one for my Janome Jem. Both make the machine much more user friendly. However, I am very short and find the height of the table holding the machine is almost as important. That few inches above the table height becomes very important for me. Given the choice, I'd have a desk or other surface adapted to recess the machine to table level and to be the proper working height for me. There are tables (portable) for recessing the machine. They also increase the sewing area. Just be sure they are steady enough they don't cause vibration and other difficulties. I've probably spent as much on portable tables as it would have cost to have one custom made.:rolleyes: At least I have lots of extra tables to pile things on. Joyce in DE

Check out old desks-plenty of drawers and the top can be cut out to hold the machine with a shelf to hold it up level. My friend made me one out of a freebe desk and I love it. Kathy O in MT.

I agree - I have had small cabinets and I felt like I was constantly fighting for space for the notions I like having handy. It was also a problem when even piecing bigger quilts cause things were hard to manage.