your sewing desk/cabinet/surface
11-09-2016, 08:35 AM
#51
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Clay Springs AZ
Posts: 3,229
Mine is a Big Bertha cabinet that cost me $550. It is for a large machine. Love it. Even has a fold down on the back side that I cant use because I dont have room for it. But both sides fold up for extra surface. The doors on the front open when in use and they have lots of shelves for storage of small items. It was a bargain and it is great.
11-09-2016, 05:57 PM
#52
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 574
I purchased a large table from Costco and positioned my sewing machine on one of the ends. this way when I sew the weight of the quilt goes on the table. Then I put my ironing board next to the table on the left to carry the weight of the quilt. It works for me while I am quilting a bigger quilt.
11-09-2016, 06:30 PM
#53
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Houston TX
Posts: 783
I have a dedicated cutting/work space. I had a piece of plywood cut to fit my cutting mat. Then i glued nonskid rubber kibd of stuff on it, then laid the cutting mat on top of that. I have 3 computer tables about 2x3 next to each other perpendicular to the wall and the plywood sits on top of them. There is a bottom shelf beneath each one for storage. Works well.
11-09-2016, 08:18 PM
#54
Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 23
Sewing Room
I bought the big Horn table in 1996 and the project table this year. They are expensive but high quality and nice to have one table with the machine recessed. I have the extension on the back of the large table and pull it out if working on a large project.
11-10-2016, 04:27 AM
#55
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Martensdale, Iowa
Posts: 319
Originally Posted by Peckish
I resemble this remark. 
My sewing table is a simple, homemade creation that was given to me by a fellow quilter because she moved and it didn't fit in her new home.
Her husband took a 4'x8' sheet of plywood, built a simple frame of 2x4s attached underneath it, screwed some 4x4 posts in the corners as legs, and attached casters. There's a shelf underneath the table where I store fabric. He installed a light table by cutting a hole in the top and installing a small fluorescent light, and then attaching a piece of plastic on top. The plastic is the same stuff that covers fluorescent fixtures in kitchens and offices. The table is lower than a standard table, which makes the bed and extension table at the perfect height. There are 2 power strips attached so I can plug in my sewing machine, laptop, lights, and iron. This thing is large, moveable, and very, very sturdy. It's very basic, you don't need special skills to build it. If you know someone who can use a hammer and saw, and you're interested, I can post pictures and details.
My sewing table is a simple, homemade creation that was given to me by a fellow quilter because she moved and it didn't fit in her new home.
Her husband took a 4'x8' sheet of plywood, built a simple frame of 2x4s attached underneath it, screwed some 4x4 posts in the corners as legs, and attached casters. There's a shelf underneath the table where I store fabric. He installed a light table by cutting a hole in the top and installing a small fluorescent light, and then attaching a piece of plastic on top. The plastic is the same stuff that covers fluorescent fixtures in kitchens and offices. The table is lower than a standard table, which makes the bed and extension table at the perfect height. There are 2 power strips attached so I can plug in my sewing machine, laptop, lights, and iron. This thing is large, moveable, and very, very sturdy. It's very basic, you don't need special skills to build it. If you know someone who can use a hammer and saw, and you're interested, I can post pictures and details.
11-10-2016, 10:27 PM
#56
Super Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Pacific NW
Posts: 9,396
Okay, here goes.
I decided to leave my mess so you can get an idea of scale. Plus, it would have taken half a day to clear it all off. It's 8 feet wide and 4 feet deep. The top of the table measures 26" from the floor.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]562026[/ATTACH]
The light table measures 10.5" x 20". It's nothing more than fluorescent tubes set under the table. There is a switch under the table, you'll see that later. The plastic cover is recessed slightly, so it sits flush with the table top.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]562027[/ATTACH]
Light on.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]562028[/ATTACH]
I decided to leave my mess so you can get an idea of scale. Plus, it would have taken half a day to clear it all off. It's 8 feet wide and 4 feet deep. The top of the table measures 26" from the floor.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]562026[/ATTACH]
The light table measures 10.5" x 20". It's nothing more than fluorescent tubes set under the table. There is a switch under the table, you'll see that later. The plastic cover is recessed slightly, so it sits flush with the table top.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]562027[/ATTACH]
Light on.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]562028[/ATTACH]
11-10-2016, 10:35 PM
#57
Super Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Pacific NW
Posts: 9,396
What the underside of the table looks like.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]562030[/ATTACH]
The edges of the table overhang the shelf underneath by a foot or so. Plenty of room for knees, and the shelf makes a nice footrest, also.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]562029[/ATTACH]
There's a power strip attached to the right front leg. There's also a hole in the top for cords to drop into (I neglected to get a picture of this). I have my sewing machine, a couple of lamps, and the light box plugged into it.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]562031[/ATTACH]
Here's the second power strip and the switch for the light table. It's located in the center of the table under the top, close to the front edge of the desk.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]562032[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH=CONFIG]562030[/ATTACH]
The edges of the table overhang the shelf underneath by a foot or so. Plenty of room for knees, and the shelf makes a nice footrest, also.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]562029[/ATTACH]
There's a power strip attached to the right front leg. There's also a hole in the top for cords to drop into (I neglected to get a picture of this). I have my sewing machine, a couple of lamps, and the light box plugged into it.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]562031[/ATTACH]
Here's the second power strip and the switch for the light table. It's located in the center of the table under the top, close to the front edge of the desk.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]562032[/ATTACH]
11-10-2016, 10:43 PM
#58
Super Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Pacific NW
Posts: 9,396
Side view. I put 1/2" wood blocks under the casters to lift the table just enough that I could slide more plastic bins underneath. The shelf is centered under the tabletop and is 6 ft wide by 22" deep.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]562033[/ATTACH]
There's also a slide-out shelf, like a bread board. I don't use it very often because of where it's located in relation to the walking areas in the room, but when I'm piecing, it makes a great spot for trimming with a mat and cutter, or sometimes I'll put an ironing surface on it and use my mini iron to press seams.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]562034[/ATTACH]
The table is very strong and sturdy; I've stood on it a few times and I'm not exactly petite. It also comes apart and moves fairly easily, as long as you have 2 awesome strong teenage boys who can help you move the heaviest section, which is the top.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]562033[/ATTACH]
There's also a slide-out shelf, like a bread board. I don't use it very often because of where it's located in relation to the walking areas in the room, but when I'm piecing, it makes a great spot for trimming with a mat and cutter, or sometimes I'll put an ironing surface on it and use my mini iron to press seams.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]562034[/ATTACH]
The table is very strong and sturdy; I've stood on it a few times and I'm not exactly petite. It also comes apart and moves fairly easily, as long as you have 2 awesome strong teenage boys who can help you move the heaviest section, which is the top.
Last edited by Peckish; 11-10-2016 at 10:52 PM.
11-11-2016, 04:29 AM
#60
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Saskatchewan
Posts: 838
This summer I bought an adjustable height desk from Ikea (Bekant model). I absolutely love it! I can raise it up to cut, or lower it to sit and work, or lower it even further and set my sewing machine on it. My shoulders never hurt from sewing any more. I got the electric adjustable version, but there is also a hand-cranked model for under $200 Canadian (so even less in the US). It makes my small sewing space very multi-functional.
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