SSF Post # 19 : Amy's Cutting Table

Today's guest is Amy who is also one of my Flickr friends! She has a wonderful blog too... Have a peep at her cutting table...


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Hello! I am Amy from http://alliekatmom.blogspot.com/ and today I am sharing with you my cutting table. 

Since I like spending so much money on fabric and other quilting supplies, I needed a cheap and efficient cutting table. If anyone is in the same boat as I was, this is a great way to make a cheap cutting area that works just as nice as the ones you spend hundreds of dollars on. 

This is how my cutting table is set up. 

I first started with a table. You can use any table you have, I happened to have an old folding card table that I previously used for my sewing machine. I found some risers for my table at a local craft store (I bought mine at Jo Anns). These were around $10 and lifts the table a good 4 inches. Now my table is at a good level when cutting, which causes less strain on my back and shoulders when cutting for long periods. 

I then decided I wanted a more finished look so I covered the table with a skirt. I just sewed different pieces of fabric together and attached it to the side of the table, also leaving extra storage underneath. I use the area under my table to store some items that I don't use on a regular basis. Its nice and out of the way, but still easy to get to. Another option would be to use some kind of drawer unit under the table for more storage.

Finally, I decided that I wanted to get most of the items off the top of my cutting table so I have more room to cut large pieces of fabric without having to move things out of the way each time I cut something. So the wall over my cutting table are my three must haves:

1. A dry erase board. I can take notes while working on a project, shopping lists, or reminders to myself. I also like the fact that it is magnetic and I can have a place for coupons, or even hang my cutting instructions up. I love how when cutting all you have to do is look up and the next step is right in front of you, no more shifting patterns or fabric to find out where you last put your instructions. 

2. Rulers. Every quilter has rulers, and I have many. I wanted them off the top of my table, but still easy to get to. So I bought hooks (bought mine at Walmart) that I can screw into the wall and hang my rulers on. This is so convenient as you don't have to search through your rulers to find which one you want next, or again move the fabric all around because you misplaced it under one of the many yards you are trying to cut. 

3. "Catch-Alls" (sold at Ikea). I hold my pens and markers in one, small rulers scissors and rotary cutter in the second, selvages and scraps that are big enough to keep but not big enough to go back in the stash in another,  and fabric or small throw away items in the last.  This system works very nice for me and keeps me organized.

Hope this helped anyone who is just getting into quilting and needs some affordable ways to get organized. The fancy furniture can get expensive. Feel free to stop by and leave me some feedback on my blog. 

Amy aka Alliekatmom