Acrylic Extension does NOT make it easier to FMQ
#21
Look at the Quilt in a Day site. Eleanor Burns has instructions for changing a kitchen table (she calls it a farm table) to a sewing table. Then, you can have your acrylic extension level with the table top. I found a table at a thrift shop and my husband cut a hole for my machine. It makes FMQ much easier!
#24
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Cadillac, MI
Posts: 6,487
One yard of JoAnn's heavier clear vinyl draped over the surface should help. Mine has a hole cut in it for the needle area and I use one piece of tape there. If you're sewing on a table, put the machine and extension to the right so you have as much vinyl covered table as possible to the left to support the quilt. My ironing board sits at an angle to my left to help if the quilt is heavier. Gravity is not your friend when FMQ. A yard of vinyl is 45" wide so it smoothes quite a few edges.
#25
I would love to do the foam board thing, but I am having trouble finding what I want locally. All I can find around here is full 4'x8'sheets. I would need 2 sheets, (1) 2" and (2) 3/4" sheets. It would be about $40 to make - more than I care to spend. Lowe's has 2'x4' sheets online, but those particular items they won't ship to store and will only deliver via truck. I'm sure that would be costly. I've even investigated other types of foam, from upholstery foam to floral foam, but they are all too expensive. The only thing cheaper is regular styrofoam, but I don't want those little bits all over the place. Any other ideas?
http://www.quiltingboard.com/mission...e-t171975.html
There's another post called "Update to my version of the foam quilting table."
I had the same issue with trying to quilt on the acrylic table...kept getting caught on the corners of the table even though they are rounded.
I like the idea of the custom-made plywood extension but I would find that hard to lift out of the way to get to my bobbin or to be able to use the free arm on my machine.
AnitaSt
#26
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Delaware County, SW of Phila.
Posts: 610
You can also purchase a mat that goes over the top of the machine area with a slit for the actual sewing area. It is made of silicone, I think, but whatever it really helps me to glide the fabric around during FMQ. I use mine every time I FMQ and it didn't cost that much. Think it was about 10$. Worth the money. If your LQS does not carrry them, try a quilters site and look under notions. Good luck.
#27
I am always amazed at how resourceful you guys are!!! Deemail - can you post a picture? I have trouble making my own picture in my head. Guess that would make me spatially challenged? But it sounds like a very workable solution. Should get my dh to read descriptions (or even my son). Then I could get them to draw me pictures - because I have trouble seeing it without the visual.
AnitaSt - loved your pictures of your updated table. I had seen the foam board idea on YouTube. I like yours even better as you took care of the loose ends having the potential to cause problems. Also like that you can move it in one piece and not worry about the stacks sliding apart.
Looks like I need to pick one of these nifty ideas, commit - and go find the materials!!
Will also have to check out Eleanor Burn's website for converting a regular table to a sewing table. Was just telling my dh this morning that I would like it if he could put me something together.
AnitaSt - loved your pictures of your updated table. I had seen the foam board idea on YouTube. I like yours even better as you took care of the loose ends having the potential to cause problems. Also like that you can move it in one piece and not worry about the stacks sliding apart.
Looks like I need to pick one of these nifty ideas, commit - and go find the materials!!
Will also have to check out Eleanor Burn's website for converting a regular table to a sewing table. Was just telling my dh this morning that I would like it if he could put me something together.
#28
Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 171
This is what I found on U-tube and set my tables up just like it, it works great! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g14go...feature=relmfu
Last edited by Jerseyrayne; 01-21-2012 at 05:27 PM.
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