I was wondering if it is possible to quilt a lap quilt without having an extension table attatched to your domestic sewing machine. Thank-you every-one for all your help in the past, and hopefully some-one can answer this for me.
Rhona (twixbar)

Sure you can. It is harder on your hands, but possible.

I would think you could. I dont quilt on my reg. sewing machine but really dont see why you couldnt do it.

Sure you can, it is just easier with the extension table. But someone showed how to make one using foam up to the level on your machine, then covering it with a plastic cover so the fabric will slide.

sure you can! You can lower your ironing board to the height of the table your domestic machine is on. :) It helps disperse the weight.

I'd think it would be pretty tough to do a quilt without an extension table, but anything is possible if you are determined enough. Smaller projects should work OK, but I'd think the quilt would tend to get "hung up" and give you trouble. I've done a LOT of FMQ on my domestic machine, and now have it recessed into the sewing table; it's a great setup for quilting!

Wendy

I quilt in my regular Pfaff but I have a cabinet. If I dind't have the extension all around the machine I would quilt small areas at the time.

Anything is possible. It is a matter of how much you want to fight with the quilt. I use an old L shaped computer desk for my sewing machine. The sewing machine sits on top of the desk. I just got done quilting a lap size quilt. I found that putting the ironing board next to the edge of the desk extended it just enough to hold it on the left of the sewing machine. I then found some books to level out the area behind the sewing machine. Was not the best, but it worked. Until I can get a better sewing desk, this is what I have to do. Hope this helps.

IMHO, using the walking foot will make it alot easier if you plan to do straight lines (and don't have the extension table.)

I did straight-line quilting on a baby blanket with no extension on my machine. I just moved the machine as far over to the right of the table I was working on. I just measured the table: 4' x 29 1/2". (I have no dining room, so not even a dining room table.)

Another time, I did straight-line quilting on a quilt 3 1/2' x 6'. I placed the machine on a small table, and put that table next to a bed, so the quilt could sit comfortably on the bed. For now, that's probably the largest I can muster, do to my space issues, but more due to my lack of sewing experience at this time.

I'm interested to see others' comments here. Living in NYC, space can be hard to come by. We have to get very inventive in the use of space.

Thank-you to every-one who answered my post, it has been most helpful, love this Board and all those on it.
Again thank-you.
Rhona (twixbar)

I have quilted a number of quilts without an extension table. I do like to have space around the table my machine sets on. Put on your darning/quilting foot, lower your feed dogs, put on your quilting gloves and put the pedal to the metal!

I have used books, the right height placed around the sewing machine to make the sewing area level with machine.

Remember, we were doing this long before the invention of the extension table. I think it will work fine, especially with a small one.

Of course

Thank-you so much every-one for your advice and help.
Rhona.

Thank-you so much every-one for your advice and help.
Rhona.

You can use anything; a portable table from walmarts or TV trays. Leah Day shows configuring them into an L shape running beside, behind the machine and if you can put it up against the wall so that you won't have to worry about it falling off the table. This may not happen for a smaller lap quilt but it works. If you have a small table or something to help support it that would make it easier but you can do anything you set your mind to.