How to Build A Cheap Sewing & Quilting Table #1

[DixieGirl9876]

love the video! Been looking for a solution for that a long time! you can also use ironing boards set up on either sides of you table to hold the quilt.they adjust to the height of your table.you can get them cheap at yard sales etc..

[CrazyShortcutQuilts]

@DixieGirl9876 You are right and that's how I started out - with cheap thrift shop ironing boards, but they were too wobbly for me when quilting a large quilt. Then I tried a card table, but it warped under the weight of the sewing machine, then I found these tables and five years later I still love them! Thank you so much for watching and for commenting! Marguerita :)

[pdengler1]

I set mine up this past weekend. Thanks! Can't believe how much easier it is!

[CrazyShortcutQuilts]

@pdengler1 Hurray!!!!! It's amazing, isn't it? Such an easy fix solves so many issues :)

[swissflentie]

Love the video on ergonomics, but i have a question...how do you get to your bobbin area to change bobbins with the sewing table you have constructed? Do you have to move the foam board every time?

[CrazyShortcutQuilts]

@swissflentie Thank you! Yes, I do move the top foam, but only a portion of it. I cut the "arm" part of the top foam so that it's just a small piece to lift and move each time I want to change bobbins .... the bottom foam has an area cut out of it that's big enough for me to easily reach in and change the bobbin. I have a downloadable PDF book with lots of photos, or a 1 hour long video that explains everything in much more detail, if you want to see more. Thanks so much for watching!

[LottieSue]

Unfortunately, the banner announcing your new book covers the area you are demonstrating - bummer. Perhaps you can consider moving the banner to the very bottom?

[CrazyShortcutQuilts]

@LottieSue Hi Lottie Sue - Thank you so much for telling me! I edited this so many times and I still missed that! You're wonderful to bring it to my attention and I am going to go fix it now! I hope you like the ideas and tips and that they help you with your quilting ~~Marguerita :)

[qupia]

OMG this is so cool! I just got into sewing and I was looking at tables at fabric stores and they're really spendy, I came across this video, awesome! I actually am using one of those tables from sam's club right now for a pc desk and I'm going to go pick up another :) thank you for that genius idea!

[CrazyShortcutQuilts]

@qupia Guess what - I use the table as my computer desk too!! :) I am so glad to help and I hope you love your new sewing table.

[MsKathy07]

Wow, that is so clever! Ikea also sells table tops and legs a la carte. In the legs section, there are two different models of legs that are adjustable. I bought a set so I could have a cutting table that is the perfect height for me. Thank you so much for this great idea!

[CrazyShortcutQuilts]

@MsKathy07 I didn't know about Ikea - thank you for sharing that!! I hope you like your new sewing table :)

[Mtateyama]

Loved it!!

[quilterstitch]

I love this video & your clever frugal ways! Thanks for this video, I plan to use this to make myself one. I had another idea for cover material: those flexible plastic cutting mats are cheap, but don't know an example of a larger piece. My dining room table came with folding pads that have some type of non-sticky vinyl & they can be folded & moved. Just an idea for those that might try this with some they have. Love the coffee cup thread holder as well. Keep the great ideas coming!

[CrazyShortcutQuilts]

@quilterstitch - Excellent idea on the dining room table pads - I am going to go find some and see how sturdy they are - THANK YOU!

[Pluckje]

oh this is brilliant, thank you so much !!

[CrazyShortcutQuilts]

@Pluckje Thank you! I've been using it for 4 years now and I still just love, love, love it! ~~Marguerita :)

[endo2des]

Quick note, I was looking for finishing techniques for a "memory quilt" I am making for my daughter's wedding in 3 weeks. Not an experienced quilter, but many years of sewing, I thought I could manage this project. 32 friends and family were asked to make a 10 inch prepared. With my husband's help last night, the quilting table was made. Today my life is free from worry as the quilt sailed through the machine. My daughter will be happy that this project came to fruition. Thank you so much!!

[CrazyShortcutQuilts]

@endo2des YAY!! It's this kind of note that keeps me going! I am so glad that your sewing and quilting is easier now and really happy that you will be able to finish your daughter's quilt on time! Thank you so much for your note, Marguerita :)

[gwan1ma]

You're a genius. I just started trying to free motion quilt and after buying the right foot, I realized that my little machine didn't allow me to move the fabric around and I was so disappointed until I saw your video. I had some styrofoam in my craftroom and used it to make my table and I've been going for it ever since. The only thing I've been having problems with is that the material sometimes still sticks to my vinyl. I'm not sure why. Anyway, thanks so much!

[CrazyShortcutQuilts]

@gwan1ma Thank you! That flat surface makes all the difference with free motion quilting. If the vinyl doesn't work for you, you might try Press-n-Seal wrap and stick it to the styrofoam and see if your fabric glides better on that than the vinyl. Happy quilting, Marguerita :)

[readiva]

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my new quilting table. I spent many months trying to find the just right table. Saw this post decided to try it and couldn't be more pleased. I had trouble with the vinyl sliding but placed a few of those velcro dots in strategic places. No more stress on my shoulders and upper arms. Thanks so much for sharing this wonderful idea.

[CrazyShortcutQuilts]

@readiva I am so happy that it is working for you and that you are now a pain-free quilter! YAY!! You have no idea how happy that makes me! Marguerita :)

[Snowleopardsgaze]

Miss Genius! This appears wonderful. I'd like to try this. However, I am brought to one pressing question...does that vinyl stay put as you work? Can you stipple without a hitch or must something more be done.

Thanks loads!

[CrazyShortcutQuilts]

@Snowleopardsgaze Hi, if you buy the thickest vinyl that you can find, it stays put, especially if you buy enough to have it drape over the edges. The corners of the vinyl sort of form themselves a pocket as they drape over the corners of the foam. I hope that makes sense. My vinyl never moves at all and I've been using this system for about 3 years now :) ~Marguerita

[gwan1ma]

@Snowleopardsgaze something kinda interesting happens when you use vinyl. It sticks to your machine so it hardly moves. Just to make sure though, I tape the edge to both sides of my table to make sure.

[meorchard]

love it!!!! would never have thought of it, but it's all so practical! you're a genius!!!

[CrazyShortcutQuilts]

@meorchard Thank you!

[LastTaboo]

I have seen those tables at Costco and couldn't help but think about putting my machine in one of them. I actually thought about cutting into the table, but your idea keeps it fold-able. The toilet thing invention is excellent. For the same purpose, I run floss through cotter pins nailed into a piece of wood. It allows me to keep multiple colours ready for use.

[CrazyShortcutQuilts]

@LastTaboo Oh good idea! Thanks so much :) Marguerita

[Winsunn307]

This is a great idea. Thanks for posting.

[TheCommonThreadMerc]

The first thing I think of when I see this is static electricity with that nice Bernina. I just finished a construction project with those foam sheets, and there is the usual static with styrofoam. There is also static with vinyl when you are running anything across it. Static and electronic devices do not mix. Been there. Do you use staticguard to control the static?

[CrazyShortcutQuilts]

Hi CommonThreadMerc, good point! I have been using my set up for years and never had a problem . The vinyl and the quilts never get static but it is certainly something to consider if you live in a dry area and I just *love* Static Guard for my office, which has tons of static.

When I first set the whole thing up (on the living room carpet) there was a lot of static, but that's the last time I ever had any. Thanks so much for your comment, Marguerita :)

[sewinghabit]

great idea, you are amazing to think of that .

[CrazyShortcutQuilts]

Thank you! :)

[alice30045]

Boy, I can't tell you how much I appreciated your video. I've used that foam for making covered valance and the same clear plastic from Wally to cover my glass kitchen table. I watched twice and a good thing I did....missed the part where you left an open area for the feed dog and needle (duh). Bet it took you a few sleepless nights thinking the whole proccess out, I know I will. Thanks again for sharing that. Alice in Atlanta Area

[CrazyShortcutQuilts]

Hi Alice, it did take me years to figure it out, after using many, many different tables (even a custom one!). I love my tables and take them with me when I can to classes and demos. I am really glad the info helped you and I thank you very much for your message. Happy quilting, Marguerita

[EGYPTQUILTS]

that was really great. the tips will save, cause sewing tables are for people who dont sew, they just like pretty furniture. who has money for sewing after you buy a $500 table. thank you I have two table push together and they really werent worth the money. But I will take your ideas and see if i can make things better. thanks

[CrazyShortcutQuilts]

Thanks so much for your note! Be sure to check out my video about ergonomics when setting up or changing your tables.

It is really important to have the right height for your table and sewing machine. Many, many women get sore backs, necks and shoulders because their sewing machines are on tables that are too high to be comfortable.

Marguerita

[ndlz1]

Genius! Think about copyrighting? JK! =)

[suejobe99]

what kind of sewing machine do you use

[CrazyShortcutQuilts]

Hi Sue, I use an old Kenmore (30+ years old) and an older model Bernina (about 9 years old).

I have been having some fun lately buying really old machines and cleaning them up - the old mechanical ones are great for learning to sew on. Happy quilting, Marguerita

[lgpars]

One more question: How far back did you sit your machine from the front of the table before you began to trace the outline on the bottom piece of insulation? In other words, what are the measurements in front and behind your machine at the right edge?

[CrazyShortcutQuilts]

Hi, I have 8 and a half inches of space between the needle and the edge of the table facing me. I have 17 and a half inches from the needle to the right side edge of the table because I put my table next to a wall and I had to shove the machine to the left a little to feel comfortable. What is most important is for you to position your machine so that **you** are comfortable! Marguerita :)

[lgpars]

Marguerita, can you give me the dimensions on your insulation pieces (length and depth)? Did you just make them the same size as your table? I think I have the same size tables as you do. Thanks and this is a GREAT idea!!

[CrazyShortcutQuilts]

Hi, My tables are 2 feet wide by 4 feet long, and the blue foam insulation (where I live) is sold in sheets that are 2 feet but usually 8 feet long! The thickness varies by one-half inch, starting at one-half inch and going up to 2 inches thick. So on the bottom I used a 2'x8' sheet of 2" thick board and on top I used 2'x8' that was one and a half inches thick. I cut each board to 4' long & that gave me enough to do TWO tables :) I use 2 tables pushed together to quilt large quilts :)  MM

[lgpars]

So when you use two tables do you put the other table behind the first one or do you put it lengthwise? I would think behind it but not sure. Thanks so much for answering so quickly. I can't wait to cut mine out. I have all the stuff now. By the way, Joann's also have the vinyl. I went to Walmart and they were out of all but the thinnest kind. I got the next to the thickest at Joann's for $4.99 a yard.

[CrazyShortcutQuilts]

Hi, When doing a large quilt I put the extra table behind the one I am working on for extra support . Good job on the vinyl - the thick stuff is the best! I buy it by the yard now :) I just bought an old Kenmore secondhand for $25 and I am going to set that up on one of my tables & use it for straight stitching & "old Faithful" for decorative stitching :)

Have lots of fun quilting on your new custom quilting desk!! Please share the idea with your quilting friends, Marguerita :)

[lgpars]

My tables are 2 x 6 so should I fit the whole table with the insulation or just do 4 feet?

[CrazyShortcutQuilts]

Hi, Do you do a lot of huge quilts? A lot of the time I don't use all of the 4 feet, so you might want to just do the 4 feet and use the other 2 feet for a cutting area or pressing area. You must have a nice quilting room to fit a 6 foot table!! Sweet! Marguerita :)

[lgpars]

This is the first quilt I've EVER done and it is 80 x 96 finished size. If I had it to do over, I would have chosen a small one first but my daughter wanted a biggggg one. No, I do not think I'm going to be doing a lot of huge quilts though in answer to your question. Yes, I have a pretty good sized room and I have two of the 6 foot tables, one to cut on and one to sew on. So I'll just do 4' lengths so I can do two tables. My insulation is 4' x 8' so it's huge.

[lgpars]

Hi again Marguerita, I do have the 2 x 4 tables rather than the 2 x 6. I forgot we could not use the 2 x 6 because the legs were not adjustable. I had one more question on making the table. On the top piece of insulation, how did you measure to get the outline of where to cut since it is different than the bottom piece and you cannot sit the machine on top of it and trace to get the cutout? Did you just estimate it or is there some way to get an accurate measurement before you cut it?

[kluedesigns]

I put this together 2 nights ago and within 1 day I went from Free Motion Beginner to Free Motion Advanced.

Thank You so much!!! If possible I would love to mail you a Fat Quarter to show my gratitude.

[CrazyShortcutQuilts]

That is so AWESOME!!! That's exactly why I made the video :) I *so happy* that you are finding your quilting to be easier because of this set-up :)

You would make me happiest by sharing it with your friends so other quilters can learn and try it too!

Thank you for posting! Happy Quilting, Marguerita :)

[SewSusie]

Thank you! I've been racking my brain for years trying to think of a way to do this without cutting into a table, then having to raise it to the right height, THIS IS PREFECT! I'll be saving my money to get the table you use too. I've seen it at walmart too. The vinyl is a great answer to the dragging of the fabric too. I love the video! I understood everything very well, thank you so much for sharing. This has drove me crazy for years! You have no idea how happy you've made me.

[CrazyShortcutQuilts]

Hi Susie, Glad I could help! Let us all know when you have your table set up - - maybe even send me a pic, I will put it on my blog :)

Best Wishes,

Marguerita

[CrazyShortcutQuilts]

Hi Rose - the vinyl was a lucky guess on my part and is it ever sweet - - I won't quilt without it anymore! You are going to *love* it. Glad I could help :)

[whitewaterwoman]

Thank you so much for sharing. I've been wracking my brain trying to think of a way to make the surface of the sewing table my husband built more slick. The vinyl is an inspiration.

Rose K