Cutting table
10-31-2008, 06:51 PM
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: central Wisconsin
Posts: 14
I've been thinking about getting myself a cutting table - one of those that folds up quite small, but then the leaves lift up for a nice sized cutting area. Hancock Fabrics is going to run them on sale starting Nov. 2 for $89. Do you have one and are they worth the money?
10-31-2008, 07:12 PM
#2
Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: East Tennessee
Posts: 88
I have a similar one, mine was made years ago by the Sew Fit company and I love it.. Mine is all wood framing, don't know about the one Hancock's had. I can fold it down to 18 inches and roll it anywhere with ease. I always keep at least one leaf up at all times for cutting with a large Olfa mat taped down toit . and have a large pressing mat by June Tailor that fits on the top, this is with one leaf still down. For me it was well worth my investment.
jacke
jacke
11-01-2008, 04:45 AM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Oh.
Posts: 781
If you have a handy-man around the house, he could build you one.
I "had" one that was made from a sheet of plywood. My hubby built a frame with the legs attached, then put hinges on the leg-to-top section. This can be made counter height, which is much more comfortable for stand-up cutting. The room where I sewed doubled as a gues room, so it was folded against the wall and a sheet covered it nicely.
Now that I have a sewing room, I have one made from a hollow core door. It is usually full of a lot of my "stuff" on the back side near the wall. It is great for doing lots of cutting and also great for trimming quilts. I use it every day.
I cannot tell you the cost comparison, but I do know it was not expensive to make. If you have ever had muscle pain from leaning over the dining room table to do your cutting, you will want to consider a higher table.
My table measures 36" wid (deep) X 80"long X 37 "high. It is one inch higher than the counter in my kitchen, where 36" is standard. I am 5'6" and I never have back pain or stress from doing a lot of cutting.
I hope this information helps you think through what kind of cutting tabel you want, or need. I used the dining room table for years and they are not designed for fabric cutting, unless you are very petite.
June
I "had" one that was made from a sheet of plywood. My hubby built a frame with the legs attached, then put hinges on the leg-to-top section. This can be made counter height, which is much more comfortable for stand-up cutting. The room where I sewed doubled as a gues room, so it was folded against the wall and a sheet covered it nicely.
Now that I have a sewing room, I have one made from a hollow core door. It is usually full of a lot of my "stuff" on the back side near the wall. It is great for doing lots of cutting and also great for trimming quilts. I use it every day.
I cannot tell you the cost comparison, but I do know it was not expensive to make. If you have ever had muscle pain from leaning over the dining room table to do your cutting, you will want to consider a higher table.
My table measures 36" wid (deep) X 80"long X 37 "high. It is one inch higher than the counter in my kitchen, where 36" is standard. I am 5'6" and I never have back pain or stress from doing a lot of cutting.
I hope this information helps you think through what kind of cutting tabel you want, or need. I used the dining room table for years and they are not designed for fabric cutting, unless you are very petite.
June
11-01-2008, 04:52 AM
#5
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Georgia
Posts: 2,524
I have one and love it. I usually just have one side up but when I need the extra room it is sure nice.
I have a separate big ironing board. My husband made me one from a sheet of plywood that we covered with batting and stapled heavy fabric over the top. In hindsight I wish I would have made the cover removable so I could wash it. It has some water spots from the iron that I would like to wash out but it is too much work to pull all those staples on a regular basis. Underneath he put some little stops so it sits right on top of my irnoning board and doesn't slide around but I can take it off to iron clothing (heaven forbid).
I have a separate big ironing board. My husband made me one from a sheet of plywood that we covered with batting and stapled heavy fabric over the top. In hindsight I wish I would have made the cover removable so I could wash it. It has some water spots from the iron that I would like to wash out but it is too much work to pull all those staples on a regular basis. Underneath he put some little stops so it sits right on top of my irnoning board and doesn't slide around but I can take it off to iron clothing (heaven forbid).
11-01-2008, 06:14 AM
#6
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: rural Maryland
Posts: 1,564
Hi,
I have the table you are talking about or one similar that was sold at JoAnns at least 10 or more years ago. My husband gave it to me for Christmas along with the cutting mat that fits it perfectly. In the last year I was able to set up my cutting and ironing area in the room that holds most of my stash in my basement. Alas the cutting table is wide open and buried in piles of fabric as I have been mass producing Linus quilts and gift items.
Several years ago I purchased an assemble it yourself kitchen island. I made an extra top for it out of a 1/4 sheet of plywood which I covered in batting and stapled a teflon ironing sheet to the top. I then covered that with muslin as I didn't like the smell of the teflon. The good part is that it is kitchen counter height which is much easier on my back and it has booth a drawer for storage and several shelves which were meant to be wine racks. Since my "cutting area" is buried I have been using a smaller cutting matt on top of my ironing station for cutting. It sure beats unloading the other surface. I also resorted just this past week to basting two wallhangings that I am making for Christmas presents on my ironing station. It worked very well for the smaller projects. I usually do my basting on the ping pong table. The height of both stations is essential at my age and with my 40+ years of quilting. My back needs all of the help it can get. While the bigger ironing surface is wonderful for fabric It does temp us to over extend our reach which is ultimately bad for our backs.
For anyone familiar with quilting it is obvious that I am a quilter from the look of my cutting and ironing area. In my sewing room which is on a ground level floor I have another "cutting/ironing" area. I took an old tall boy dresser, cut the legs off and use it's top as a cutting and or ironing surface. Again it is the right height and also offers storage for my massive collection of stabilizers and interfacing, quilting related notions etc. It is also a good place to hide my stash of "quilting chocolate" treats.
I will have to take some pictures of my sewing and cutting rooms and try and post them. As soon as I tidy them up abit.
I have the table you are talking about or one similar that was sold at JoAnns at least 10 or more years ago. My husband gave it to me for Christmas along with the cutting mat that fits it perfectly. In the last year I was able to set up my cutting and ironing area in the room that holds most of my stash in my basement. Alas the cutting table is wide open and buried in piles of fabric as I have been mass producing Linus quilts and gift items.
Several years ago I purchased an assemble it yourself kitchen island. I made an extra top for it out of a 1/4 sheet of plywood which I covered in batting and stapled a teflon ironing sheet to the top. I then covered that with muslin as I didn't like the smell of the teflon. The good part is that it is kitchen counter height which is much easier on my back and it has booth a drawer for storage and several shelves which were meant to be wine racks. Since my "cutting area" is buried I have been using a smaller cutting matt on top of my ironing station for cutting. It sure beats unloading the other surface. I also resorted just this past week to basting two wallhangings that I am making for Christmas presents on my ironing station. It worked very well for the smaller projects. I usually do my basting on the ping pong table. The height of both stations is essential at my age and with my 40+ years of quilting. My back needs all of the help it can get. While the bigger ironing surface is wonderful for fabric It does temp us to over extend our reach which is ultimately bad for our backs.
For anyone familiar with quilting it is obvious that I am a quilter from the look of my cutting and ironing area. In my sewing room which is on a ground level floor I have another "cutting/ironing" area. I took an old tall boy dresser, cut the legs off and use it's top as a cutting and or ironing surface. Again it is the right height and also offers storage for my massive collection of stabilizers and interfacing, quilting related notions etc. It is also a good place to hide my stash of "quilting chocolate" treats.
I will have to take some pictures of my sewing and cutting rooms and try and post them. As soon as I tidy them up abit.
11-01-2008, 06:20 AM
#7
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Southeast, Ohio
Posts: 3,264
I have one from Jo Ann's...love it...my DH built me square cubes....6.... on rollers to put underneath....he lowered mine...I'm 5'1" and need the wheels off the other....but my new table is just my height....that is very important....for your back... Good luck with yours!
11-01-2008, 07:13 AM
#8
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 9,496
I have one that I bought from JoAnn's at least 15 years ago. I have moved several times and even with the loads of fabric that always seem to be on top, it has held up very well. (The cat also likes to nap there.)
And $90 is a good price. Go for it and enjoy!!!
And $90 is a good price. Go for it and enjoy!!!
11-01-2008, 08:16 AM
#9
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Maple Grove, MN (by way of GA, NC, PA, NC, AL!)
Posts: 1,548
i have one and it is awesome. Perfect height for cutting and big enough to do just about anything. Plus, you can purchase the ironing mat that goes on top or a cutting mat that is made to go with it!
11-01-2008, 11:19 AM
#10
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: central Wisconsin
Posts: 14
Thank you for your good advice. My sewing table/cabinet is white and I just might drive to Jo-Anns to check out their cutting table that I saw online for $119. That table is white and has 3 drawers in it - can always use extra storage space. One way or the other, I'm going to purchase a table within this next week. I'll let you know what I decide. Thanks again to all of you that encouraged me.
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