Ideas Needed for 48" x 96" Work Table
02-04-2021, 05:21 AM
#11
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Carroll, Iowa
Posts: 3,415
I made my cutting table using 2 bookcases and 5/8" plywood. Don't go for the 1/2" as it will be too weak if and when you lean on it. I found that out the hard way. I also added "L" brackets to keep the plywood from moving on me too. Then added another sheet of plywood about halfway down for another shelf to hold all my scrap and fat qts containers on 1 side and stablizers on the other side. I went for a larger cutting mat that fit the table and believe me it's heavy enough it won't slide on you.
I hung my batting on a shower rod at one end of the table so I can pull it out onto the table and cut the a mount I needed. This has worked great for me plus gets my batting off the floor.
As for rulers, I went to Harbor Freight and picked up some metal rulers and some clamps so when I go to cut the batting I can lay the ruler across and clamp it on both sides.
My table is large enough that I place a smaller sewing machine at one end to stitch my binding onto the finished quilt so I don't have to fight the weight of the quilt as I sew, the quilt can lay on the table as I move along it.
I also hang some of my larger rulers on the ends so they're close to where I'll use them.
I hung my batting on a shower rod at one end of the table so I can pull it out onto the table and cut the a mount I needed. This has worked great for me plus gets my batting off the floor.
As for rulers, I went to Harbor Freight and picked up some metal rulers and some clamps so when I go to cut the batting I can lay the ruler across and clamp it on both sides.
My table is large enough that I place a smaller sewing machine at one end to stitch my binding onto the finished quilt so I don't have to fight the weight of the quilt as I sew, the quilt can lay on the table as I move along it.
I also hang some of my larger rulers on the ends so they're close to where I'll use them.
02-04-2021, 05:22 AM
#12
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 100
MKC,
Thanks for sending me the link! I have always sewed my own curtains, and I admit that seeing well made curtains still makes my heart race! (English period movies are great to watch!)
If you have the canvas grid yourself, could you please tell me how you keep it from stretching as you get the shipping wrinkles out and attach it to the padded work table?
Thanks again!
Thanks for sending me the link! I have always sewed my own curtains, and I admit that seeing well made curtains still makes my heart race! (English period movies are great to watch!)
If you have the canvas grid yourself, could you please tell me how you keep it from stretching as you get the shipping wrinkles out and attach it to the padded work table?
Thanks again!
Last edited by LadyAg; 02-04-2021 at 05:26 AM.
02-04-2021, 05:33 AM
#13
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 100
Great idea to great a really big workspace. It makes it so much easier to square up and trim when you have a surface that will hold the quilt.
The way I understand it is .... that you are wanting a grid but without cutting mats, in order to square up your quilts.
However, to me, if you are squaring up quilts you will find it easier to not be limited to having to move your mats around to cut.
For squaring up, here's what I do .... quilting rulers/squares are my biggest asset. Line things up and then cut as I want and in whatever angle I want, not necessarily square with the table.
Therefore, to get a large grid for measuring, you might be best to choose an oversize cutting mat(s). My cutting/work table is 48"x72" (two tables butted together), and is fully covered with four mats. When they need replacing, I will look into the really large ones, and ideally that will be what I will get.
The way I understand it is .... that you are wanting a grid but without cutting mats, in order to square up your quilts.
However, to me, if you are squaring up quilts you will find it easier to not be limited to having to move your mats around to cut.
For squaring up, here's what I do .... quilting rulers/squares are my biggest asset. Line things up and then cut as I want and in whatever angle I want, not necessarily square with the table.
Therefore, to get a large grid for measuring, you might be best to choose an oversize cutting mat(s). My cutting/work table is 48"x72" (two tables butted together), and is fully covered with four mats. When they need replacing, I will look into the really large ones, and ideally that will be what I will get.
02-04-2021, 05:39 AM
#14
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 100
You might consider gridded contact paper, or even gridded wallpaper. They do come in several sizes:
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=gridded+c...ref=nb_sb_noss
https://www.wallsticker.com.my/wallpaper-sticker-607
https://www.ebay.com/itm/White-Square-Peel-and-Stick-Wallpaper-Self-Adhesive-Film-Contact-Paper-Grid-Home/124014948233
https://wallpapersafari.com/white-grid-wallpaper/
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=gridded+c...ref=nb_sb_noss
https://www.wallsticker.com.my/wallpaper-sticker-607
https://www.ebay.com/itm/White-Square-Peel-and-Stick-Wallpaper-Self-Adhesive-Film-Contact-Paper-Grid-Home/124014948233
https://wallpapersafari.com/white-grid-wallpaper/
Wow! I had no idea that even existed! Thank you so much for a wonderful idea!
02-04-2021, 05:45 AM
#15
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 100
This is my fallback plan. I have two of these metal rulers, but taping them to the garage floor has not been "wiggle" proof and has resulted in different measurements every time. I think I could screw or glue them to a work table, though.
02-04-2021, 05:49 AM
#16
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 100
I made my cutting table using 2 bookcases and 5/8" plywood. Don't go for the 1/2" as it will be too weak if and when you lean on it. I found that out the hard way. I also added "L" brackets to keep the plywood from moving on me too. Then added another sheet of plywood about halfway down for another shelf to hold all my scrap and fat qts containers on 1 side and stablizers on the other side. I went for a larger cutting mat that fit the table and believe me it's heavy enough it won't slide on you.
I hung my batting on a shower rod at one end of the table so I can pull it out onto the table and cut the a mount I needed. This has worked great for me plus gets my batting off the floor.
As for rulers, I went to Harbor Freight and picked up some metal rulers and some clamps so when I go to cut the batting I can lay the ruler across and clamp it on both sides.
My table is large enough that I place a smaller sewing machine at one end to stitch my binding onto the finished quilt so I don't have to fight the weight of the quilt as I sew, the quilt can lay on the table as I move along it.
I also hang some of my larger rulers on the ends so they're close to where I'll use them.
I hung my batting on a shower rod at one end of the table so I can pull it out onto the table and cut the a mount I needed. This has worked great for me plus gets my batting off the floor.
As for rulers, I went to Harbor Freight and picked up some metal rulers and some clamps so when I go to cut the batting I can lay the ruler across and clamp it on both sides.
My table is large enough that I place a smaller sewing machine at one end to stitch my binding onto the finished quilt so I don't have to fight the weight of the quilt as I sew, the quilt can lay on the table as I move along it.
I also hang some of my larger rulers on the ends so they're close to where I'll use them.
Thank you so much for all the information! I had not even thought of using the work table for the batting or tool storage. I am so glad for all the kind responses!
02-04-2021, 02:45 PM
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 943
MKC,
Thanks for sending me the link! I have always sewed my own curtains, and I admit that seeing well made curtains still makes my heart race! (English period movies are great to watch!)
If you have the canvas grid yourself, could you please tell me how you keep it from stretching as you get the shipping wrinkles out and attach it to the padded work table?
Thanks for sending me the link! I have always sewed my own curtains, and I admit that seeing well made curtains still makes my heart race! (English period movies are great to watch!)
If you have the canvas grid yourself, could you please tell me how you keep it from stretching as you get the shipping wrinkles out and attach it to the padded work table?
