I decided to get creative, and make my own extension table. I wasn't ready to pay over $100 just for one that was only going to extend the space a little bit.

So, this is my new extension table that I made, all by myself.

This is when its up against the machine. I will add more photos after I publish the first time.

You know the old saying, "measure twice, cut once." Well, I measured the machine and that part is all well and good. But, I forgot to measure the table! So the table my machine used to be on, was too narrow (front to back) to put my new extension table on. LOL :P Luckily I had another table to use, and its perfect as far as width.

WOW ... AWESOME ... I need to do something similar ... but still awaiting inspiration to hit :)

What an excellent job :!:

Wow, I barely got this up and you guys responded already! Thanks! :-) I had the lady at Lowes cut one piece to get the piece in front. Then just used the leftover piece, and one other whole piece to put the rest together. It's portable, sturdy, and it really works! LOL. The legs are just pvc that is pre-cut - my machine is about 3" high, and these legs were just short of that, but with the height of the plexi on top, its almost level - not that far off that it makes a difference.

And, its portable so I can take it anywhere with me (a little bulky but not that heavy).

And it didn't cost that much.

This is great!!!!!!!!! I will be looking into getting something like this set up. You are right the "bought" ones are way too small. Also great way to make a light box!!!!!!! Could use some of those LED lights thats that are battery operated!!!!!!!!

Good job!

Can you round the corners so the quilt doesn't get hung up? You look like a can do person to me ;-) Very clever.

I was wondering about the corners too - are they smoothed out or sharp? Great job! Are you going to take orders?

great idea- I have a question - how stable is it when manipulating a quilt over it. Looks like the supports would shift around. Do you have rubber on the bottom and top of the pvc pipe to keep it steady?

Good for you -- if it works. I bought a large one and only used it once, quilt kept getting hung up on it, took a smaller one to Goodwill.

YOU GO GIRL!

great job

What an awesome idea... I just showed it to hubby.. Ya know hint hint lol

Thanks for that idea! Never thought to glue pvc to my plexi glass to make legs! Now I can have a great big light box!

Good idea, what kind of glue did you use?

Where there's a will, there's a way! Brilliant!

Gal

What a great table. You have inspired me. I'm going to try to make one soon.

Very creative.

Very creative and ingenious.

Oh, that's fabulous. Nothing like improvising! Great job!! :thumbup: :thumbup:

Clever girl! This will undoubtedly make your sewing go much more smoothly. And it didn't cost you an arm and a leg! Well done! :thumbup:

wow, I have been thinking about buying one, but yes, the price of them keeps stopping me.

ooooh I want one too! I agree the $$ and the size of the smaller ones had kept me from buying one.
Awesome job making your own.

Can you tell me what and how thick the material you bought at Lowe's

What a clever idea. I have one of the purchased ones but my husband kindly replaced the plexglass when I broke it at one of my retreats. He is a machinist. Another wonderful advantage of the clear top is that I store my scissors, extra bobbins, my accessory case etc. etc. underneath of it. They are out of the way and I can see them at a glance just by lifting the fabric off of the surface. That doubles the use of your table surface. My husband also cut the legs off of my sewing table so that with the slide on plexglass surface the machine is just the right height to be easiest on my back and neck.

I'm impressed.

I am in awe that you made your own. Nice job and fearless!

I was checking around yesterday at U Tube and they have the video on how to cut and glue acrlyic. It was interesting and seemed pretty simple. From what I read over there you can buy the leveling legs at the hardware. I guess I whimped out, cause I ordered one from a gal a state away from me. Very reasonable .... shop.aquiltedkitchen.com She has been making them for some time and knows what she is doing. Well that's my story and I am sticking to it! But, I kind of wished I had seen your post before I shelled out the money ... LOL!

What thickness of plexiglass did you use. That is great idea. My husband made me a quilt frame out of pvc pipe and round wood dowels for a railing once. Still have it.

Good job! Doesn't it feel good that you made it all by yourself! Pat yourself on the back-girlfriend!

Ok, to answer the questions you asked:

The glue I got a small tube at Target - I'll have to go find it and tell you the name, but it is just a tube of cement type glue. It went on white but dried clear.

The legs do not adjust - I couldn't find legs that did adjust.

The corners - I haven't actually made a large quilt on it yet - so I can't address that. I imagine the corners could be sanded down.

It doesn't shift - but again, I haven't done a large quilt on it. I did however, use heavy duty velcro. I put a piece on one edge, a separate piece on the second edge. Once that was stuck on, I cut one large piece that attaches, and connects the 2 separate pieces, so it doesn't shift.

I think I answered all the questions. I will go look at the glue and get back to you. I've been MIA the last few days and this is the first chance I had to check in! :-)

Thanks for all the comments.

O - one more thing you asked - the plexi is the only one Lowes carries that isn't flimsy. It's about a quarter inch thick I think. I will measure the one piece that is not cut and tell you the size. Give me a couple of hours.

Thanks again! (yes, I AM proud of myself for making it)

Martha in VA

Ok, the plexi is 18" x 24" - This is the size it comes in, in Lowes. The person in the glass cutting dept cut 5" off the length of one piece for me. So the cut piece is in front and the rest of the cut piece is in back of the machine (see picture).

The glue is Loctite Stik'nSeal, No Mess, in a green and blue (and red) package. It is non-toxic, safe for use around children and pets. Since I have 2 dogs and a cat that hang out up there in the sewing room with me, I didn't want to use anything not safe.

I hope that answered most of the questions.

Thanks again for looking.

Martha in VA

Thanks

Thank you

Thank you

Thank you

Sorry, my stupid computer locked up.

I thought you were just really thankful :lol:

Yes, you could be right there

Wow!! Very Impressive!! I too have been trying to figure out a way to make one and have a few ideas, but this is by far the very best one. I love that it is lightweight and portable, important criteria for me too. I'd be interested in knowing the total cost. It looks like the pvc pipe is fittings, correct? At Ikea a couple weeks ago, I found a 1" thick plank of table top wood in the discount room for 9.99. I just had to get it. It was 24 x 70 and hubby cut it down to 60", then today I bought foldup banquet table legs at Harbor Freight for 17.99. All I need now is the extension for the machine so I have level surface for quilting.

:-D :-D :-D ;) So cool,cuz!!!

judee