Fmq sewing table help?
 

I have been watching a craftsy class on FMQ, and she has a huge Koala sewing table that extends beyond the back of the usual sewing cabinet. She recommends a large surface to support the quilt and prevent "drag or pull" from the weight of the quilt. Do all you FMQ'ers have a large surface for FMQ? I don't have enough room right now, what do you all use for a sewing surface if you are space limited. Thanks.

My dh made me a flat surface surround for my machine out of styrofoam. Here is a link to the Youtube videos that show how to do this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g14govA4pIM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAS25v3ZTk0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0lk7UBQgZY

I do my machine quilting on my kitchen table. I made a table extension for my machine -- just do a google search on "Youtube How to build a cheap sewing and quilting table" for information on how to do so. I think that you have as big a surface as you can, but mine isn't that big, and I like that I can push the table to the wall, so things don't fall off the table. I would say that the thing I've made extends about 2 1/2 feet to the left of the needle and 1 1/2 feet behind. The wall would probably be another foot beyond that. Yes, it would be nice to have a larger space, but that's all I really need.

How big is your sewing surface. I'm picturing a little closet with your sewing machine in it. If you sew on a table, don't forget you can put your ironing board beside or behind, for added surface, or another table or desk beside the table you sew on. If you are working at quilts all day every day, you need more than I do where I enjoy it as a hobby, and don't need to have everything perfect.

I'm fortunate to have a dedicated space for my sewing - my cabinet has the extended back which is up all the time. Underneath it are boxes of projects and drawers of fabric. On the top back edge I have different projects ready to go. When I quilt those get moved.

I copied a setup from someone else here - I have a pair of tables (cheap, from Ikea) in an "L" shape, and then my sewing machine sits on a smaller adjustable-height folding table in the crook of the "L", adjusted so that the extension table from my machine is as close to level with the 2 tables as possible. So I have space behind and to the left for quilts to rest. It's great, I FMQ'd a king-size quilt recently and it worked out really well. My only gripe is that the little table that my machine sits directly on has a little bit of a bounce to it, and the legs are in a cross shape so they're kind of in my way. Eventually I want to get a better little table but it's hard to find something in exactly the right height.

For a more temporary solution, I've seen/heard of people using their ironing board behind their machine to support the weight; and/or butting their machine up to their bed for lots of support space.

I got a couple of tables at Costco, put one behind my sewing table, and one to the left of both tables, making a big, flat area for the quilt to lay on.

I have some Lifetime tables that are adjustable. One I bought at an office supply store on sale. The others I got from a wholesale warehouse store.

When I have a project that will hang over my sewing cabinet I turn my cabinet and put a table or so at the back of my cabinet. I also will put a small adjustable table to my left to help hold the weight of the project.

When not needed the table are folded up and easily stored.

my machine is on a folding table. my hubby connected it to a piece of wood behind it that is connected to the wall. works well enough. I would like more room behind my machine but have been able to work with what I have. I just fluff the quilt back there every once in awhile. but I could use more support to the left of my table for sure.

You can put your ironing board or chairs or whatever you have space for you just want to keep the quilt from pulling down

I checked this utube video, great idea. I will get dh to put one together for me. It will work for the next few months. Right now, I sew in the guest room, in a corner. I will be moving the queen bed to the small bedroom, and the full bed into a nook in another room. That is a project for my dd and myself when she has time. (DH hates to move furniture). I have to clear out the nook (book, quilting storage overflow, a mess) I will begin that one day this summer. All great ideas.

I have a Koala cabinet which gives me excellent space behind the machine. I just need more space on the left. My table has an area on the left for my serger. That space, plus a wooden TV tray stand beside it, gives me adequate space on the left. If I had a larger sewing room, I'd want more space on the left. Since I no longer quilt king size quilts, the space I have works.

I bought two small tables at Target for $35 each. One goes behind my vanity I sew on and one goes to the left. They are at the exact height of my vanity. It works very well!

To increase the sewing surface, I place another cabinet behind the one I am sewing on, plus a TV tray at my left side. I managed to quilt a queen size using this setup.

Well, love all the suggestions about getting the necessary space for fmq. I am so very lucky, I went on craigslist to see what I could find, and there it was!!! A huge Koala quilting cabinet, enormous, everthing I could ever want. And I bought it!!! Another quilter got a newer model, will meet me halfway as it is a couple of hours away. Quilters are the nicest people!!! Here are the pics!!! Now I have to move beds and furniture - but I have a reason to do it now!!

I am very fortunate to have a koala sewing table but for years I would fmq with my sewing machine on a plastic folding table with an ironing board behind and a folding table on the side. It worked although there was vibration and occasional drag issues.