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-   -   Height of your cutting table? (https://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1/height-your-cutting-table-t58720.html)

CountryStitching 08-12-2010 06:02 AM

Mine is 38", so I don't have to bend over to cut. A friend built the table for me and I use it for everything.

Melinda in Tulsa 08-12-2010 06:23 AM

I use an old folding metal table that my mom used as a cutting table. It is way too short, so I put metal coffee cans under the legs, a piece of MDF on top to make it larger. It now measures 40 x 70 and is 36" tall, with a 35 x 70 cutting mat. Just perfect for me at 5'5". We have to be creative! I originally set this up when I made clothes to cut patterns out with. Thank goodness it is large enough to cut on and also have a stack of junk on it too!

LoisN 08-12-2010 06:30 AM

We just had a physical therapist talk to our quilt guild about quilting injuries. His rule of thumb was that cutting tables need to be 4" below your bent elbow. The ironing board needs to be 6" below your bent elbow. Who knew?

litacats 08-12-2010 06:54 AM

I have a huge office desk with a motor that raises it or lowers it to what ever height I want I have a bad back and neck shoulders so it is great as I can sew on it and cut at whatever height I feel most comfortable, YAY to the neighbours that gave it to me

zz-pd 08-12-2010 07:55 AM

I have a cutting table, don't know how high it is, but with my back injury, it is very painful for me to cut fabric. God bless.

Pati- in Phx 08-12-2010 11:58 AM

In general work surfaces should be about elbow high, whether you use them sitting or standing. <G>
So if you stand in front of a cutting table with your arms bent at the elbow to a right angle (about) your hands should just about rest on the table.
Same with sitting at the machine, the bed of the machine should be about level with your hands when you sit with arms bent at 90 degrees.

There are some variations and such, but this is the general norm.

Have fun,
Pati, in Phx

starlight 08-12-2010 02:06 PM

I did have one that was 32" but could only cut for short periods of time. Now that I have one that is 36" I don't have the back pain and can cut for longer periods of time.

Merrilin 08-12-2010 02:15 PM

I took and old soild table that was my sewing table and had DH take and put 4x4's12 inches long, under the legs. He took and cut a hole in the center and placed my legs of the table right into the holes and wala instant cutting table. no more bending over. And it is great for laying out the quilt and measuring the batting for it. It is about 38". I'm 5' 8" tall.

Aully 08-12-2010 02:19 PM

My table is currently to short, I am going to have my boyfriend raise it with wheels so that it is waist height.

GailG 08-12-2010 04:27 PM


Originally Posted by kathy
if they don't want to use bed risers they could use 2X4s or even concrete blocks, they just don't want to get along nicely :cry:

And they probably don't want to admit their mistake. My cutting table is my kitchen breakfast bar (Here in our "neck of the woods" we call it the snackbar. :o) ). Since I'm 5ft. 2in., I find it a little high, but the kitchen table is too low.


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