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Equiment and supplies

stitcher | Posted in Equipment and Supplies on

I am currently setting up my dream sewing room. I will have three huge closets, and a bay window with a lovely view. But, alas, I have not been able to find a suitable cutting table. I would like it to fold for easy storage against a wall, measure at least 36″ wide and 72″ long and it MUST be 36 inches high so that cutting fabric doesn’t cause such a “pain in the back”.

And here’s the kicker: I’d like to acquire (or build) this table for $500 or less. Wadayathink? Am I dreaming??

Replies

  1. Josefly | | #1

    Check out the Pottery Barn collection called the Bedford Collection. The latest PB catalog I received showed an arrangement of book shelves 36 " tall with a tabletop placed over the top. Their top was only 55 inches long, and the price of the three pieces (2 bookshelf units plus the table top) was more like $1200, but I'll bet you could adapt the idea with similar bookshelves and a longer table top. The photo in the catalog shows it with fabrics and a sewing machine on top.

    Internet address http://www.potterybarn.com/

    1. stitcher | | #2

      Thank you. I went to the Pottery Barn net site and found it. Now the old wheels are turning and I'm thinking of the "Closet Maid' units sold at Lowe's and Home Depot and a flat panel, hollow core door. Wowy! Possibilities

      1. marymary | | #3

        My cutting table is made from Stack A Shelf closet organizers that I have bought at Target, on sale.  I think it is the same company as Closet Maid.  The height of the organizers is is 31.5" and the fiberboard top adds 3/4".  This is a fine height for me.  I have the large white cutting mat on top of the fiberboard.  The edge of the fiberboard is covered with plastic strips so that nothing catches on the roughness.   I recently added a chest of drawers from Ikea that fits under my table because I wanted some deeper drawers than what the closet organizers offer.   It is an inch or so too short to support the top, but there is enough support from the other pieces.  I have used this set-up for over 5 years and have been very pleased with it. 

        1. stitcher | | #4

          Thank you I am beginning to think along the lines you suggest. I'm going shopping this weekend to Lowe's and Home
          Depot

          1. marymary | | #5

            stitcher, if I can help, let me know.  I just recently started redoing my sewing room.  I thought I was going to change my cutting table, but ended up keeping it the way it was, except for the new chest of drawers.   I have done a lot of research on what I thought I wanted and what would work for me.  Just yesterday, my DH installed a couple wall kitchen cabinets for me in my sewing room.  Now, I would like to figure out where I have room for a wall ironing board.

             

        2. solosmocker | | #8

          By fiber board, do you mean sheetrock? I have used scrap plywood covered with an old wool blanket and drill cloth. It worked great. I, too, am planning my sewing room as we have just moved to a new home, have a great space with a window, and will start construction early summer. I am anxious to see any hints on this. I was leaning toward two inexpensive oak sink base cabinets hooked together, put on rollers, and covered with the same plywood setup. I take it the fiberboard never sagged for you? Bunny

          1. marymary | | #9

            Fiberboard is not sheetrock.  It is a composite of small fibers compressed with heat and resin.  The piece used on my table top is 3/4".  It is heavy!  It would sag, except that it is supported on all four corners by the same closet organizers with additional cabinets, of the same height, along the edges to add support.  I do have a few pieces that are not acting as supports, such as a rolling plastic cart and a chest of drawers.  None of the pieces are attached to each other.  The weight of the top helps it stay in place, but if it is bumped, it will move.  I prefer it not to be an attached single unit.  I can change the configuration.

          2. mimi | | #10

            I used a sheet of plywood. At the home store I bought four cast iron pipes and screwed them into railing caps attached to the bottom of the plywood; they have screw on cap ends on the "feet".  It cost about $50 to assemble the whole thing, as the plywood was left over from my daughters loft bed/dorm room.  It isn't mobile or foldable, but it is very sturdy and comfortable to use.  I use it as a cutting table, a craft table, a staging-area-for packing table, a gift wrapping table and a laundry folding table.  It is just the right height to pull up a tall stool if I want to sit and work. 

            Setting up your sewing area is a lot of fun!  Now if only I could keep my husband from infringing on "my space" with his projects!

            mimi

          3. mem | | #11

            Try using a hollow core door . It wont sag.

  2. mem | | #6

    Hello I actually had a pair of height adjustable tressles from IKEA and a hollow core door . This was very good . Later after my son apprpriated that arrangement I got a Horn craft table with cupboard under it.I am in Australia though.

  3. user-90525 | | #7

    Hi stitcher:
    I would share my cutting area that came about purely by accident.
    Leftover 1) We redid the garage and ended up with one of the industrial type adjustable green metal shelving units (they come 2 to a carton and can either sit side by side or on top of one another with fiberboard shelves--Home Depot kind).
    Leftover 2) We redid the laundry room and used some of the white melamine garage type cabinets for bases and had purchased one of the stock formica counter tops to put on top, but because the premade counter top was enough too deep (24") for the cabinets (18"), we couldn't use it in it's intended location, so to get it out of the way, I placed it on top of the shelving unit. THEN I realized that this was a perfect heighth for a cutting space!!!
    I'm now working on getting a clear vertical 'napkin holder style' unit to put my assortment of rulers that will attach to the wall just above the backsplash above the counter top, to keep those handy. so far, it's working out great.
    Hope that helps …

  4. offerocker | | #12

    Greetings, Stitcher!

    If you want a folding table, you can get one at most office supply, or office furniture stores.  I have both hardboard top and a very nice, thick plastic-of sorts top.  Do NOT worry about the height - determine how much higher you want the table top, measure the diameter of the legs, then trott off to local plumbing supply store.  Get appropriate length and INSIDE diameter of the white PVC pipe material.  Have them cut 4 pieces to your desired length, insert the table legs, and save the rest.  CHEAP!!  I might add that the PVC pipe will go from the floor to the 'support' for the leg, so measure that distance.  Good luck! 

    I have my serger on an old 'Army' (?) desk, which has space for typewriter storage.  Of course, this is where I keep the serger when not in use.  Has lots of drawers too, and is very deep - great for draping material.  Check out Salvation Army, the scratch & dent dept of a good office furniture place.



    Edited 1/15/2006 10:16 pm ET by offerocker

  5. offerocker | | #13

    Hi, Me again.

    I just remembered that I called on a company called CLOSETEC to build cabinets (white laminate) for me.  The center, upper portion had glass doors to show off dolls.  Each end was floor-to-top, where I kept my vacuum, ironing board, and tall stuff.  botom center were slide-out shelves (behind doors), where I kept my material and everything else.  You could have one or two made into drawers, but I liked the access of rollout shelves. You can even have the top lighted, if you decide to use it for display.  They will attach it to the wall, so you can really load it up!  Superb craftsmanship and looks smart too.  Easy to keep things neat, but if messy, who's going to know?  Again, good luck and have FUN.  Don't forget good lighting and lots of electrical outlets - and handy phone, ha ha.

    I just remembered that Wal-Mart carries the 6-ft table with a nice heavy plastic top - very reasonable!

     

     



    Edited 1/16/2006 5:32 am ET by offerocker

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