How to Build a Cheap Sewing and Quilting Table #2

[modjrisawesome]

someone has 10 cats

[CallMeNancy2]

Very thrifty and creative videos you have. Do you accommodate for Bernina's knee lifter--if so, how do you do it? I wonder, if I can find a grid vinyl like you have there on top.

[CrazyShortcutQuilts]

@CallMeNancy2 Hi Nancy, unfortunately I had to give up using my knee lift, but my comfort level and the ease of quilting more than made up for it ;) A grid pattern on the vinyl would be nice! I know that some companies now make a "raincoat" material that might be slick enough, and it's *pretty*! Thanks so much for watching.

[silviav760]

A pesar de mi escaso inglés, pude realizar algo parecido en mi máquina de coser, gracias por compartir esta idea, desde Buenos Aires Argentina

[CrazyShortcutQuilts]

@silviav760 Hola, Silvia, Quilter sí muchos en la Argentina han hecho esto! Gracias por su atención :) Marguerita

[LadyTburd]

Where can I find the foam sheets like you have? The reason I ask, my husband and I were only able to find the following 2 sizes, 1/2" x 4' x 8' Extruded Polystyrene Insulated Sheathing, STYROFOAM 3/4" x 4' x 8' R4 Insulated Sheathing. With these being so thin, what else can we use to lay the styrofoam up to make it flush with the arm of my sewing machine? Any suggestions will greatly be appreciated. TY

[CrazyShortcutQuilts]

@LadyTburd Hi, Try local concrete builders - ask if they know where to buy the insulation - or you can cut and layer the 1/2" until it works for you. I find that it is harder to find the insulation in the warmer states - but hope you'll keep trying the big home improvement stores, or asking professionals who work with concrete because they use the foam around foundations when building. I live in Alaska so the choices here are plentiful :) Marguerita

[Imbz48]

What kind of sewing machine do you have??

[CrazyShortcutQuilts]

@Imbz48 Hi, the sewing machine that you see in this video is a Bernina 180. It is over 10 years old. I also use an old Kenmore (1970's) and an even older mechanical Bernina Record 720. All of my machines are second hand, usually bought on craigslist. Each machine has its own set of foam and vinyl :)

[Hikebikegarden]

Hi, I am not sure how I found your site but I am glad I did! I went and got the table at Sam's Club. I use it for my studies as well as for sewing. I need to get the foam still. Thanks again for posting the videos of how to create this great sewing table!

[CrazyShortcutQuilts]

@Hikebikegarden I am glad you found it too and I sure hope it helps you with your sewing and quilting ~ Marguerita :)

[bluemoon1063]

This is a great idea! I"m so glad I found this video. Sewing tables with a quilting extension are so expensive, even the small portable ones.This is also good for very small sewing rooms like mine.

[CrazyShortcutQuilts]

@bluemoon1063 I am still happy with mine, 5 years after I made it! I hope it helps you as much as it has helped me :)

[franck61700]

Bonjour, merci de partager votre idée !!! Super.

Salutations, Franck.

[coloradomom43]

Have one question what exactly is the measurements of surface of table top.

Thanks for sharing your great ideas

[CrazyShortcutQuilts]

@coloradomom43 The table that I use measures 2' by 4' and when I am quilting a large quilt, I put two tables together, giving me 4 square feet. Thank you for watching! I hope you'll check out my other videos and become a subscriber ;)

[kelly1968]

Hi thanks for a great idea! Do you ever have issues with the foam shifting on the table? If so, how do you work with it? Thanks again! Kelly

[CrazyShortcutQuilts]

@kelly1968 Hi Kelly, No it doesn't move unless I bump into it, but if you wanted, you could put a layer of gripper mat under the foam. Thank you so much for watching and subscribing! ~Marguerita :)

[CrazyShortcutQuilts]

@kelly1968 Hi Kelly, No it doesn't move unless I bump into it, but if you wanted, you could put a layer of gripper mat under the foam. Thank you so much for watching and subscribing! ~Marguerita :)

[kifjaye39]

This is an awesome video! Thank you so much for posting this, it is almost unbelievable how much this has helped me on my journey of learning machine quilting. I am a long time hand quilter, and have thought about learning machine quilting, but it was just awkward. This table has made a huge difference! And, what a bargain, too! Gives me more money for more fabric...lol...Thanks again!

[CrazyShortcutQuilts]

@kifjaye39 You are most welcome!  I am so glad it has helped you like it helps me :)

[pigglett90]

Thank you! Now I just need to learn to sandwich my quilts together better

[CrazyShortcutQuilts]

@pigglett90 Let me know if there's a way that I can help you with that...

[quilterstitch]

Just to continue on the table idea. If you didn't mind the top being heavy, solid core doors are always in abundance @ Habitat "re-stores" & other 2nd hand building material locations (for a table top). Hollow-core doors are much lighter in weight, and the most standard size is 30" x 6'-8" (std. door height). Some may not like the door handle hole, but think of how you could use that. Set a cup down in it for tools, scissors, pencils, seam ripper. (Only when sewing, not large quilting).

[quilterstitch]

Hi Marguerita, I wanted to share with your fans my results when searching for an adjustable-leg folding table to use, as you have done. I currently have not located your table (not @ Sam's club or Costco currently, unless perhaps yours locally). But, I have found the legs online, as well as other adjustable table legs, which I have used for my cutting table & a desk we made. Try searching for "folding casino table legs", I found: "Adjustable Black Legs 24-38 inches Height", Per Pair $45.44.

[CrazyShortcutQuilts]

@quilterstitch That is excellent info! Thanks so much for taking the time to share this resource, I am very sure it's going to help a lot of people :) I have been SO lucky in finding that table at Sams in Anchorage and in Bullhead City, AZ, but I am sure it's not in all stores so an alternative is wonderful. Personally, if I'd have found the legs first, I'd probably prefer them because my heavy machines dent the plastic tables after a while. Marguerita

[fantastic297]

@CrazyShortcutQuilts thank you so much for this video....and a few of your other ones....they have been a HUGE help to me...I figured out today from one of your videos why my quilt was bunching when I was quilting it..I completely forgot about the top pressure.....THANKS AGAIN SO MUCH.keep up the good work...so much appreciated......

[fantastic297]

@CrazyShortcutQuilt thank you so much for your tutorials....they have been soooooo very helpful.....keep up the good work...and I will keep on watching....

[CallMeNancy2]

@quilterstitch I lucked out and found two different sewing tables at Goodwill. Don't count them out.

[CallMeNancy2]

@CallMeNancy2 Well, one was a sewing table, the other, a fold up table like this one.

[goldnchocolate]

Awesome videos!!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you....!!!!

[CrazyShortcutQuilts]

@goldnchocolate You are so welcome! 

[sikkepossu]

What is quilting?

[CrazyShortcutQuilts]

@sikkepossu Hi, quilting is layering two fabrics and some batting (also called stuffing or wadding) and sewing the three layers together. It's also sometimes called making a comforter or blanket. In the USA it is a very big past-time or hobby with women, to make very decorative quilts. There are LOTS of videos about making quilts on YouTube :)

[sikkepossu]

@CrazyShortcutQuilts I watched several quilting videos but didn't really get it what was the the difference with sewing. Thank you for the explanation.

[mamaong]

Wow ! Grandma huh ? U look so young ! Thank you for the tips. ;-)

[ScorpioMissBrenda]

awesome idea, thanks

[Sbregher]

This is a fabulous idea! Thank you so much for sharing!

Stephanie

[sandyramon1]

YOU ARE AWESOME! Thank you!

[CrazyShortcutQuilts]

@sandyramon1 - - Thank you!! I hope this helps your quilting and don't be afraid to make any changes that work for you :)

[CraftyMom37]

What a great idea!! Thank you so much for sharing Maguerita!! :D

[crochetboxdotcom]

That is a great idea. Another cheap one is..find an old solid door put a couple of the cheap table legs that home depo has. I put my machine on a small card table or an old folding table then I put it in the shape of an L. The big table will hold a queen. Everyone has nice ideas. Yours are outstanding. Thanks so much for the video.

[CrazyShortcutQuilts]

Hi Crochet, you bring up a very good idea because the foam is not always available (and NOT as cheap as it used to be either!) so it's great to have alternatives. The "L" shape is a dream configuration and I was just quilting a *small* quilt and wishing I had an "L". When I have to quilt my next BIG quilt, I will build myself an 'L'. Thanks so very much for your note - I wish you all the best in quilting! Marguerita :)

[lgpars]

With that large of a span in front of the machine, do you have trouble reaching the machine to hold the material while quilting? My arms are pretty short and I just wondered how much stretching you do to get to the machine.

[CrazyShortcutQuilts]

It is a bit of a stretch for me, but I don't do it often, just to finish up a large quilt :) Instead of flipping yours and using the same opening, you can flip it sideways (kitty corner) and create a *new* opening that is better fitted to you for "big quilt handling" . When you cut the foam out for any opening you can always just shove it back in and put the vinyl over it, so you can really make a cut in every corner and then use whatever one works best! Marguerita :)

[lgpars]

Thanks Marguerita for answering so quickly. I am going to be working on this real soon now to get ready to quilt this huge thing. When you do stipling, do you move the material to get the designs or does the decorative stitch do the work or what? Not sure I can do that yet.

[CrazyShortcutQuilts]

Hi, I move the material when I am stippling, and don't worry about your quilting - just do it :) "Done" is always better than "perfect" in my world!! No no one ever examines the quilting anyway! I have a video of me stippling - it's called Machine Quilting Penny's Quilt. I drop the feed dogs, wear my favorite quilting gloves and just stitch away :) Relax and keep saying "this is going to be finished soon.." and before you know it you are done :)

[educeme]

Wow! Great idea--thanks for sharing it!

[CrazyShortcutQuilts]

Thank you so much! And thank you also for marking it as a favorite on your channel - that means a lot to me :)

Happy sewing and quilting, Marguerita :)

[eastsaintlouis62203]

can you send me the written instructions - I need this info when I go to purchase my styro foam. I didnt quite understand the importance of the hole in the vinyl, please explain. thanks.

[CrazyShortcutQuilts]

Hi, I have more info on my website & a squidoo lens, but can't post it here/YouTube doesn't allow links. Can you email me??  My email is on my website.

The dimensions are all different, based on your own sewing machine - how high your bed is off the table the machine is sitting on.

The hole in the vinyl is for the feed dogs and the needle to go through. You want the vinyl to cover up everything except the feed dogs and where the needle goes through to the bobbin. Plz email me & I will help.

[sewsweet08]

good idea my perspex one got broken. i like this idea.

[CrazyShortcutQuilts]

Thank you! I hope it works out for you as well as it has for me :) ~~Marguerita

[magomatt]

Excellent Idea. so many machines are table top. I learned how to sew with a machine that was in a cabnet and could never get use to the machine being higer then my work surface.

[CrazyShortcutQuilts]

Yes, me too!  I *love* having that flat surface and it is *so* important for your neck, arms and shoulders that the sewing machine be at a reasonable height. Thank you so much for your comment! ~Marguerita

[259172naj]

Thanx for sharing this brilliant idea.

[CrazyShortcutQuilts]

Thank you for your comment! If you know any sewing or quilting people, please pass it on to them :)

[dinkydo53545]

I love this idea,Thanks for coming up with this. Went out and bought the stuff to make this. Hubby made me a small one yrs ago out of 2 pieces of dark plexiglass but its not good for big quilts. How could I adapt this idea if I wanted to tilt my machine with door stops. Any ideas ?

[CrazyShortcutQuilts]

Hmm, that is an interesting question! I think that you would want your foam table to be the same height as the back/rear height of your sewing machine bed once it is on the door stops. Does that make sense? Then, when you put the vinyl on, you can still tape it to the area around your feed dogs and let it slope down to the foam - - so your machine would be slightly higher than the surrounding foam bed table. You could add more bits of foam/cardboard to build up in front of the machine? MM

[TeasaaL]

Thank you for this! I am just learning to quilt and I was wondering about what I'd do. I wonder if I can get my husband to help me make something like this.

P.S. If you have any tips for quilting with a normal home sewing machine, I'd love to see them.

Thank you!

[CrazyShortcutQuilts]

Hi Teasaa,

Yes, I teach machine quilting and one of my goals this year is to upload some videos about machine quilting. Check back on my channel - -I hope to do at least 1 vid a month, maybe even 2!

Best Wishes, Marguerita

[workmomlooking]

That is a wonderful table. Maybe you can glue the foam top and bottom so that when you turn it over it is all one piece and not in separate pieces. That is a great idea.

[CrazyShortcutQuilts]

Hi WorkMom, I did think about gluing the 2 pieces, just never got around to it :) I think it's a good idea though. Thanks for posting it!----------Marguerita

[CrazyShortcutQuilts]

You are welcome! I am really glad you liked it :)

[mjmc]

Excellent !! This is such a great idea--Thanks for sharing !!