Hi Everyone,

I'm struggling to come up with the right size sewing table (on the cheap) and/or configuration for two smaller tables - in a smallish sewing room that's about 10 x 11. I have two sewing tables in here now, one is only 19.5" wide, the other 29.5" wide. I've tried using these tables each on a wall and butted up to each other so as to enlarge my table surface.

I would like to be able to have at least two sewing machines set up at all times for several reasons. I also have a 2 x 4' cutting table set up as well as my computer desk and 4 bookcases in this room, so space is somewhat limited. I use an over the door ironing board to save space.

Do you find that you can comfortably sew/quilt on the narrower width tables okay, or should I stick to leaving the tables butted together which leaves me much less room to walk around? It looks/feels cluttered this way, but gives me the larger space to spread out should I need to. Do I really need that space? I hear of folks putting out large quilts on teeny tiny sewing tables if need be - is it really that simple? Often, more table space just translates into more clutter space. Please help! I'd love to know what works for all of you out there. Thanks so much!

Happy quilting,

Your room is HUGE compared to mine 8x9' my sewing table is 20x48" I find it works for most things I do. Sometimes I get frustrated but for the most part it works, We do what we have to so I say whatever works for you. And yes table space is clutter space, at least for me. Everything ends up in my little space so I always am clearing off!!LOL

I have a seweasy table. It wasn't cheap, but I really like it. It travels well and folds up for easy storage. They're $250, but I sold a quilt and used some of the profits to purchase it. I'm so glad I did, its perfect for retreats or just to use in my sewing room. I love it.

My first table was an old oak dining room table which I loved, but it fell apart. Then I went to two of those 4' white folding tables, which worked pretty good! Then I seen a 'craft table' on freecycle, which we ran up and got. It turned out to be half a pingpong table! lol!! I love the space, although I only actually sit at one end, but have my little tv on the kittycorner from me, and can have my material spread out. Stuff does accumulate, and it takes up almost half my room!

Sometimes I think about going back to my two 4' tables, just because the room was much more calming to be in, and I had more room to walk around. But the kitties always loved being on it too, which cut down on my space.

My dream table is a big old rectangular dining table!! And I keep looking on Craig's List, freecycle, etc for one. I think my room might be 12x12?

Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts with me. :) I agree, we work with what we have, so I'm planning on making what I have work - some way!

Hi Rachael,

Do you use this table at home to make your quilts on, or is it just for taking to classes, etc.?

Wow, you really hit the nail on the head! You said the "room was much more calming to be in.." That's IT, that's probably my biggest problem here. It so amazes me just how we ARE affected by our surroundings, by clutter, by things not being ergonomically friendly, too. By now, my DH and a few friends probably think I'm nuts because I keep moving these little tables around trying to achieve some "balance" - some calm, something that'll work for me. Gosh, is that so much to ask for? LOL

Hmm, well, I'll continue to weigh in all the responses and see if I can put together a "feel good" sewing room. :) Thanks so much!

I don't use it all the time at home, but I have used it when I want to sew in front of the tv (I don't have a tv in my sewing room yet). I do take it to retreats every time. I have never tried to quilt on it, I think there would be a lot of drag, but its excellent to piece on. I expecially like it when I'm chain piecing because gravity pulls the chain over the edge instead of piling up behind my pressure foot. You can also get a separate insert (I think they're $40) to make it a light table instead of holding your sewing machine.

My DB and I are kicking around an idea for a drop leaf table...
Half will be a regular table with an almost equally sized half that drops down out of the way when I don't need it. I want my sewing room more open until I am ready to need the additional sewing surface. I am thinking about putting countertopping on it, the surface would be nice and slick for moving a quilt around on.

[quote=MollieSue]
But the kitties always loved being on it too, which cut down on my space.quote]
My table is about 36x60 which allows me to use ready made mats. However as Mollie Sue said, kitties do cut down on the size. My cats, Reggie (17 1/2lbs) and Emmy (14lbs) get on it at the same time and try to lay in the center when I'm trying to cut. They do not like it when I make them move to the off side tables. The are so good at anchoring down my fabric!

Sorry I'm still trying how to do the quote thingy.

I also have a tiny sewing room(9x15) but I still have room for a small office desk. Of course, not all of my stash is in this room.LOL

Hmm, your idea is intriguing. Thanks for replying. I too, would like the option of having more room as needed, but pretty much want two machines set up at one time. Would your counter top be large enough to cover the whole table when it's opened up? Or, just how do you plan to do this? Will you be sinking your sewing machine into the table? Do take height into consideration; be careful not to end up with something too tall for you - unless you want to use a stool. I'm halfway thinking about using counter top as a table, that's one reason I'm asking folks about their experiences with narrower tables. I suppose we might find a wider chunk of it, tho. We'd get it at a resale place if we use any at all.

What size sewing table are you using?

Guess I'll fess up now; some of my stash is out in the attached garage - in my sewing room "annex". I keep my batting out there, too.

Oh WOW, you definitely have some competition for your sewing space, don't you? :lol: I don't have that concern, but find many other inanimate objects vying for my space. Funny how that is, huh? :roll:

My desk is 30" x 60" (2.5 ft x 5 ft.), my cutting table is 5 ft. x 7.5 ft.

Nice size for sewing and cutting! Thanks for sharing. :)

We are tossing around the idea of making the table out of pressed board, and applying the counter top to it ourselves. That way we can make it the size I want...as soon as I figure out what that is :roll: :lol: I want atleast one sewing machine sunk down at the table's level and DB said that he can make two or more inserts to go around my machines so that I can put any of them into the inset. He and I will make the tables to "my" height specifications, too. I thought about salvedged cupboard bases, but I would have to set them up off of the floor, so that my feet could get underneath them and I could stand right up/leaning onto the counter...that leaning over kills my back.

I'll be interested to hear/see what you come up with. Sounds like you've got a good start on your ideas. Have you seen any pictures of what you're thinking of doing? I belong to the Yahoo Group "Your Sewing Room" and in their Pictures area there are some pretty interesting albums where folks have used countertop for their sewing tables, usually a long stretch of one on one or more walls. I'm even seeing the height come down considerably as some struggle with the height of regular sewing tables that do not adjust.

Thanks so much for sharing your ideas with me. Good luck to you, hope you will keep us posted. :)

My sewing studio is about 20x20, but none of my stash is housed in there. It's in my smallest bedroom, which used to be my sewing room. That room is 11x12 and it is full to the brim. I keep garment fabric in the closet and the quilting fabric in clear plastic tubs stack up three to four high. I am very organized and can pretty much tell by looking what is in each tub. Oh and I also like to work with recycled wool so it's lined up against the outside wall. There are 7 tubs of wool.

I use a counter bar top with bookcases to hold it up. The bookcases do double duty as they are great for fabric & notion storage. A lot of time your local building supply store will have the bar or countertops in their bargain barn and can be purchsed reasonable if you're not picky on colors. I fin they work better than a dropleaf tabe which tends to be shaky. Good luck in your search for the perfect sewing table.

I used to use a cubicle work station (corner and one long side) that was fabulous for tight spaces because I could set my sewing machine at the angle and then I had a ton of space behind the machine for the quilt. My hubby mounted it to the wall, so it didnt' move at all, was great till I wanted to move my sewing room to another area of the house and the table wouldn't fit... This will give you considerably more depth than a standard counter top. Hope this helps.

I had been placing my machine on an older desk, open where I sat and three drawers to the left. I found as I needed to cut, I was alawys banging my knee on the drawer section. I had a 5 ft. x 2 table in the garage, brought that down and put the older desk on the other side of it. To my left, I have a 4 x 3 ft glass table top on a metal frame that I use as my 'cutting' table. To my right, I have a small table which holds my threads, accessories and such, plus has a 18 x 18 padded space for quick pressing. Since I have a swivel chair on wheels, I can turn around and press as the ironing board - put to chair height, is behind me. This whole area is probably not more than 8 x 12.

Quiltgranny, I really like having calm, balanced rooms too. I can't sew unless the distractions items are put away and just my sewing items are in front of me.
I try to keep the room balanced but also have it convenient for my needs.

I had a HUGE kitchen table in mine and all my goodies fit at once. Of course it was a hot mess on there. Moving around the room was a challenge (due to the improper butt-to-walking space ratio lol)

So I scaled down and got an IKEA desk top with tri-pod-like feet. It is really a table that can be angled (29x59) and .....it still holds all my stuff and it is a hot mess. As soon as I had the sewing machine on it, I realized that that table was NEVER going to be tilted. The stand are toe killers because they stick out too far and I had a damp towel on it the other day (can't remember why) and the laminate lifted.

So I am going for plan C - another IKEA desk from the GALANT line with a solid wood top. I think it's 34x63 or thereabouts and it's legs are slightly angled. I'm hoping they won't be toe killers or knee bangers.

Now I just have to find time and space to clean the mess and exchange.

amma - I think your idea of a built-to-fit table is fabulous.

Glad to hear I'm not the only one that has had to try multiple "solutions" til I find something that finally works for me! :wink: Would you mind showing me a link or pic to this "Plan C" desk? Thanks so much and best of luck to you on this one! Thanks for sharing. :)

Do you possibly have a pic of that set up? We just happen to have some cubicle parts out in our garage! What are the chances of that? :shock: Thanks so much! :)

Sounds like you have a really nice set up, Deb. I sure do understand the knee banging issue as I'm currently experiencing that myself with one of my sewing tables! :cry: :evil: Sewing/quilting should not be so painful :!: Happy sewing! :)

I thought about that, but I'm having a hard time finding bookcases that aren't too tall. How tall are yours? Thanks.

Hi Olivia's Grammy,

Wow, 20 x 20' sewing room. :shock: I've only dreamed of that kind of space. I'm so glad you have that and are enjoying it. Staying well organized is key, no matter what the size of our creative areas. Thanks so much for sharing.

Actually, my cutting table is 6 of the Butterick and McCall pattern cabinets, 3 back to back, then a 2 piece counter top, fits perfectly. The drawers are all full of fabric, each drawer/s has a background color assigned to it. It's perfect for me, since I'm fairly tall. I read somewhere that the best height for a cutting table is no more than 4 inches below your elbow.

Now, that sounds like a nice set up with lots of room, too! I think I've read something similar on the height, too. Ideally, it's even nicer if we can have our forearms supported on the table. That tip came from my Physical Therapist. She said it cuts down on the fatigue and strain, all the way up to our shoulders. Thanks for sharing. :)

Does this mean you have everything neatly organized? Do you keep things out of site, like in bins or other covered containers? Would you mind expanding on what gives you peace of mind so that maybe I can find mine? :) Some family and friends are beginning to think something's wrong with me that I haven't been able to reclaim this peace of mind for such a long time now. I'm guessing part of the problem is too much in the space I have for it. The room feels/looks cluttered and I can't seem to find my sewing sweet spot. Thanks in advance for any advice you might share. :)

I'm in the planning stage of a sewing room in my soon to be new home...as I'm in a down-scaling process. My room is only 9.5x10.5 and I have what I think is a pretty workable plan. My phobia is having my back toward the door into the room and as the room has only one window I want to be able to see my back yard as well as the doorway soooo my sew/press area will be perpendicular to a wall so I can see both. I'm not planning on doing anymore bed-sized quilts so am thinking a small fold-out cutting table from JoAnns' should be okay. With a couple of book cases and an antique sewing rocker in the room I should be good to go - Oops, I mean to sew. After much contemplatig, I'm going with aqua walls. When I have it together I'll be posting a photo or 2 or 3 or..... soooo! :lol:

Welcome to the board dottientx. I think you have a great idea here. I think you will like the idea of having your sewing table perpendicular to your window. Lots of natural light to sew by. Your ideas sound like they are going to make your room quite inviting, and a nice haven, too.

I have finally come to the realization today that I am going to have to scale down my room, too. As much as that pains me, so does all the clutter and lack of room to do things well. Good luck with your new sewing room, and please post your pics when available. I look forward to seeing your new room.

Happy sewing!

My sewing room is also a guest room with a full sized bed. It's 12 x 14, but I do have a closet (fabric stash). I have a nice lighted bookcase that is used for fabric, notions, etc. I used a small 'desk' as my sewing table and I use a card table as my work table. I also have a 2nd card table that I butt up against the other when the project gets big. I store the extra card table under the guest bed. My room feels great- not overwhelming and my cats love to keep me company, so it's comfy feeling. I don't have clutter, but I do have organized bins on my shelving- that cuts down on clutter.
Card tables, or other folding tables are great for when you have a large project. Not every project requires several tables, so you can store them away then. It'll help keep the clutter down, and free up the energy in your room.
Regards,
MaryAnna

[Does this mean you have everything neatly organized?]

laughing...well, as organized as a person can be when they are sewing. I make quite a mess with my rulers, cutting mats, scraps and all when I'm sewing.


After having a dedicated sewing room for a couple of years, I had to give it up to my son when he came back from college, I moved my sewing things back to my dining room.
This is how I've set up the dining room for sewing. I do have an cabinet that I keep my sewing items in (pins, needles, sewing machine attachments, zippers, bias tapes...)
I set up three tables in a "U" design...one in front of me with my sewing machine, one to the right of me and one behind me (for cutting and ironing). I have a plastic, office floor mat under my chair that has rollers. That way, it is very easy for me to turn from one table to the other one without jumping up every few minutes.
I use the table on the right side as a place to put the rulers, pens, cutters and such when I'm not using them. That way they stay out of my sewing and cutting area.

I organize my projects. What I do is put all of the fabric (plus patterns, notes) for my project that I'm working on, in one tub. When I'm working on more than one project that month, each project has it's own tub. That way I don't have two projects inter-mixed.

Since I keep my projects in tubs, it isn't difficult for me to clean things up quickly if need be, but still be able to find everything later on.

Like I said, that is what I've done up until now.

Now, I'm moving most of my things into my daughter's room. (She moved out a few years ago, but I had gotten tired of moving my sewing things from room to room and I really liked the dining room setup.)

I'll keep a bed in there for a guest bed, but I'll be able to use the rest of the room for my sewing. I'll have only two tables instead of three because of the space the bed takes up. I'll use the table in front of me for my sewing table and put a table behind me for my cutting and ironing.

One reason I almost didn't move my sewing things out of the dining room is because my neighbor comes up once a week with her machine and sews with me. Right now, we are working on the Underground Railroad quilt. Even with my moving my sewing things out, we will continue to sew in the dining room because that will give us the most room. My kitchen has a big cooking bar where we can set up the large cutting mats. We set the ironing board up on the other side of the bar.

Thank you for a couple of excellent tips. :) I had not thought of utilizing my card table as needed instead of keeping a larger table in my sewing room. I'm also working on organizing my shelves a bit better. I also use my closet for my stash.

We did remove a 2 x 4' table from my room today that I've been using as a cutting table lately. That has freed up some needed space, and I guess it won't be so difficult to cut out the larger stuff on the dining room table like I used to. I also carried several totes of WIPS out to our garage, my 'annex' in hopes of lessening the overwhelmed feelings I get at all I need to finish. I thought if I had them close by I'd guilt myself into getting them done sooner. All that did was backfire! :cry: Lesson learned.

It'll probably be another day or so before I've got it totally in shape, but progress is a good thing, and I'm starting to feel better as a result. Thanks again. :)

I seem to make quite a mess too, while working on projects - and not always putting things back when I'm done seems to breed more clutter.

I purposely get up to press all the time. If I didn't, I'd be stuck in my chair from pain and stiffness!

I have a friend that comes over once in a while to sew, too. Another reason I was trying to keep two sewing tables in my room. I also like to have two sewing machines set up, too.

I use tubs for various projects too. It is a big help as I do work on a few different projects each month, ie. BOM's.

Thanks so much for all your suggestions and sharing. I'm working on my room today, clearing out many things, even a cutting table, so I'm hopeful that things will be in better shape soon. :)

Happy sewing! :)

I am new to the boards, but have been reading this thread because I am also trying to arrange a new sewing area. I wanted to recommend two books that you may find at your local library. They have been a great help to me, as they help with the thought process, and help figure out the height ratio of tables, ironing boards, etc. for your particular size. One is called "Creating your perfect quilting space" by Lois L. Hallock and the other is Dream sewing spaces by Lynette Raney Black. Hope they may be of inspiration to you also. PJ