Not a "u" shape exactly, just something to your immediate left and about 2-3 feet deep from the table edge back. The depth of my two tv trays works ok, but it could stand to be a little deeper still. I think your roll cart could work, but like you said, DO remember to lock those wheels or your quilt could try to escape!! :lol:

Some people just put their ironing board there to their left, and bring it down really low. Whatever works for you. I just think that if my dh DID ever make me a table, I'd have that left-side extension. :)

I just checked, and....YEP...I'm still green! :mrgreen:

Omgosh DJ...that's hysterical. Is there anything you CAN'T do with duct tape? :lol:

I sew at the same "table" I have for cutting, pinning, etc....
we built it from 2x4's and there's a whole shelf underneath for fabrics :mrgreen: and sitting on the floor underneath in bins are things I don't need to get to real often...
the table is 54" wide (double bed size) 85" long and 36" high so I can stand comfortably without having to lean over at all...
I sit on a 'bar' chair for sewing - I put my sewing machine pedal on a little doodad I made to raise it up higher plus it keeps it from wandering...

Make sure it is height adjustable for when you are getting fatigued and make the front edge rounded so that the quilt doesn't get caught on it when you're doing free motion quilting.

Can I say just one word? JEALOUS! LOL!! Sounds fantastic!!

DJ that is HILARIOUS!!!!!! But hey dh got working on the trim!!! wow I am also amazed that there are men out there that don't like duct tape.. I thought ALL men loved that stuff!

All of it is great. I think the table height is soooooo important. What are you comfy with.
Also as I have had a sewing area at my other house, it was L shaped and with an office chair to kind of roll around the area made it great.
behind me on the wall was shelving divided into area.
It really was amazing. However since I wasn't quilting then, I didn't have a drop down which I would have him do now.
Isn't it wonderful to have someone who can build to specs without the cost of hiring?

He told the guys on the ship what I did. They asked WHY he didn't do it and did I have to ask to use the power tools. He said no, that the power tools are mine and HE has to ask to use them and I usually say no and tell him to go fix a submarine somewhere. lol
I'll have to get a picture showing the purple binding.

I'll give hubby the hug from you. He really is a good guy, just not good at fixing "home" things. I don't let him fix the cars either!!! lol

Too funny! Ya know...sometimes we have to do what we have to do.
Navy wifes tools....duct tape and WD-40. If it leaks, tape it, if it squeeks, squirt it!