karensue

I gave a chance to move kitchen table into a room for me to use for sewing - embroidery - quilting

it is about 42 inches wide and 5 feet long

first of all do you think I can get a cutting mat larger than my normal size one
I've seen photos of some that come as a roll but would they really lay flat

or would I be better in just getting a smaller table. I like the size of this and it would fit into room but am wondering if I am over doing it

thanks fir any and all opinions and maybe photos of what others have done

karensue

amyjo

Sounds great and if you can get a hole cut in it to drop your machine into, would be even better. then you would have lots of room for piecing, cutting, and quilting. The larger mats usually come flat. I think they are shipped in a flat container. I have two large ones. need to get my big table from other place to put in room when it is built. Have fun.

orangeroom

I currently use a 35 x 60 table as my cutting table in my sewing studio. My 'came as a roll' cutting mat measures 33 x 58 fits on it perfectly! It does lay flat. Just takes a little time to accept the flat vs being rolled up. You will love it if you accept your kitchen table as your cutting table. Nope, you're not over doing it!

HillCountryGal

The only thing I'd add is to use something to raise your table up higher.
Save your back.

The table I use for cutting is an old cafeteria style table (heavy) set up on coffee cans.

DebraK

I find the kitchen table to low for cutting. Gives me a terrible backache. Great for sewing though. I use an old workbench from a laboratory that went out of business, to cut fabric.

BellaBoo

Regular table height is too low for cutting and I"m 5' 2". Your back can't take it, trust me. If you put the table on bed risers it would be much better for cutting. I have a long drop leaf kitchen table in my sewing room. It's a great lay- out table and Elmer's glue basting table. I found the rive foot long cutting mats at Tuesday Mornings for $30. It fits perfectly on the table when both ends are up so I leave the table at full length. And it makes a great gift wrapping station for Christmas time. You can never have enough raised flat surfaces in your sewing room so don't pass up a table.

Murphy1

I use my kitchen counter. I have a long counter with all windows looking out to the backyard. I am tall and the height is perfect. I also use my dining room as my sewing area. Actually my whole house practically is devoted to this passion. Fabric in the pantry, garage and an extra bedroom. Cutting mats stored on top of the fridge. Has this passion taken over, yes, I am afraid sew.

KLO

I did the same as orangeroom. And my mat also flattened out after a bit so no problem. I love having the large area to cut although, just like every other flat place in the house, it does tend to accumulate "stuff". I have to be very strict with myself in order to keep it cleaned off so I can cut on it. As others mentioned, I put the table up on bed risers and it is now a good height for me. I also have two drawers in the table and can store rotary cutters, smaller rulers, etc. in them which makes them very handy. Oh and of course I have plastic cabinets under the table to store patterns or yarn or whatever. Got to use every square inch in the room!!!

bearisgray

I have a "dining room table" in my area that extends to about 96 inches long when both ends are pulled out. My husband made "pedastels" to raise it about five orsix inches. I think it is about 38 x 60 when it is closed.it is not too big at all.

The cutting mat is about 36 x 56 (I think - it is in mn -right now we are elsewhere)

PaperPrincess

I second the comments about the height. I would definitely raise it. More room for under table storage!!!