okay here is a weird question,
I have a Janome that I am loving and am trying to get into quilting, should i get one of those clear plastic quilt table attachments or make my own? I am on the fence about this. what would you do if you were a new quilter?

If you can, make your own. It is on my list of things to do. I bought kit of sorts with my machine, but it is not large enough and not sturdy enough.

Good question ... I bought one for myself. I set it up - and go. But over time (a short time it turns out) I put too much pressure on my shoulders by elevating the table to the machine deck. I needed to sit alittle higher than a normal chair when using one. A TV show I saw had recommended a table sitting practically on your knees for ergonomic benefits. I thought the program was crazy - until my shoulders had issues. Not so crazy.

I use an old cabinet table - cut down to 28" tall - my chair is pumped high and my shoulders are better. Not perfect. If I had only listened to the expert I might be perfect - right now I am just better.

Listen to the ergonomic experts .... save your hands, shoulders etc. Best of luck in your decision!

I purchased an sew ezi table, I love it, but I couldn't make my own and the sew ezi folds and can be taken to my friends house to quilt or easily moved in front of TV, you can see it online, maybe give you an idea for yours even if you make it

I have now have another thing on my long list of "needs" It actually lists that it will be able handle my sewing machine which is rare, since it is not a mainstream brand at all.

I orgered the table that is 24 X 24 so I could use it with the embroidery.
Also will depend on how much you use it.

Making an extension table is on my list of things to do for a couple of machines.

I had a piece of plexiglass cut to size and added legs, I could not quilt without it. The bed on my machine is so tiny it is dificut to even piece on it with out the table.

I bought one and also had trouble as it elevated my arms and made my shoulders hurt. So, I bought a small folding table (at Sam's)that had adjustable legs. When set up it was either too high or too low, so DH drilled an additional set of holes so I could drop the tables about 3 or 4 inches and it was perfect. I used it for about 3 years and this year for Christmas he bought me a real sewing cabinet.

I bought one from Allbrands for my old Pfaff sewing machine. I love it. It's a custom fit, and it fits perfectly. If you sign up for allbrands emails, you will get a $5.00 coupon within a week or two. Free shipping too. It took quite a while to get it, but after researching the plexiglass cutting and bugging my hubby for a year, the 4 week wait was worth it.

http://www.allbrands.com/products/abp03522.html

Your machine should be sitting a lot lower then you think.

And something I learned from someone on TV, (don't remember who) is that you should be centered in front of the needle not the whole machine. It makes a difference.

Try looking at the www.cluttergutter.com site, she is a lady that has been making them for years as a home cottage business and does a great job for tons less that some of the other tables. (about half as much)

Yeah, my body straddles the table leg .... I can sit there for hours and man do you ever notice the difference if I am sitting cockeyed. I think on Simply Quilts the show with Sally Collins who sews slowly in miniature, a doctor came on to explain the ergonomics of quilting. I am going to look it up.

Thank you for posting this... it is not far from DD, I will be checking this out :D:D:D

I've been wanting an extra sewing table for my living room as I spend alot of time at this time of year watching Mets baseball - and figured I could machine piece at the same time. Baseball, as any fan knows, is slow and does not require undivided attention.
I went to sew ezi - too expensive.
I Googled and found one for $124.99 with free shipping and no tax (I live in NH).
The confirmation e-mail had a discount offer for anything purchased in the next 7 days that costs $50 or more. I'll not use it so am happy to pass along, PM if interested.

http://www.sewingtableshop.com

when I took a FMQ workshop at a show last summer, the teacher told me I needed an extension table and it improved my quilting a huge amount. I use it for piecing too, as you get used to having that large work surface

My current sewing table is my mother's old writing desk, and it's probably a bit too high for me, but I manage. If things get bad, I will use a higher chair.

In my quilting room, the Bernina, my everyday workhorse, sits on my Father's old desk. It gives me great pleasure to work at it.