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When machine quilting, you need a large surface around the sewing machine bed to make the job easier. The bigger the table, the better! So what if the table could be as big as, say, the kitchen table? Or the dining room table! Yeah -- that's the ticket!
But not everyone has a sewing room that can accommodate a table so large. The solution? To convert the kitchen or dining room table into a quilting table - and back again. The trick is to make use of a feature the table likely already has - a removable leaf. By building a new leaf with a cutout for the sewing machine, a large table can be converted into a giant quilting table, ready to tackle king-size quilts with ease.
I've documented the quilting table leaf I built for my mother in law for Christmas. She loves it! If you or someone you know is into machine quilting, then something like this should be at the top of your list of things to make.
But not everyone has a sewing room that can accommodate a table so large. The solution? To convert the kitchen or dining room table into a quilting table - and back again. The trick is to make use of a feature the table likely already has - a removable leaf. By building a new leaf with a cutout for the sewing machine, a large table can be converted into a giant quilting table, ready to tackle king-size quilts with ease.
I've documented the quilting table leaf I built for my mother in law for Christmas. She loves it! If you or someone you know is into machine quilting, then something like this should be at the top of your list of things to make.
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Signing UpStep 1Table Suitability
Not any table will do. The key requirement is that the table has a removable center leaf. When fully opened, the space between the two table halves should be wide enough to not only accommodate the sewing machine, but also the supporting rails and the alignment pins. In general, calculate the needed opening according to this formula:
opening >= machine width + (rail width x 2) + (alignment pin length x 2)
There must also be enough space between the support beams (see the pictures) and table edge. If the rails are close to the edge, then maybe the machine will fit behind the rail, closer to the center of the table.
I mentioned alignment pins before. These pins ensure that the two halves of the table (and the leaf, when installed) line up properly. They will do the same for the quilting table leaf, and support the weight of the machine as well. So, make sure the table you're considering also has these pins.
Finally, make sure that the table surface and edges are smooth. The fabric of the quilt should not catch on anything! The table may need refinishing if it's not up to par.
opening >= machine width + (rail width x 2) + (alignment pin length x 2)
There must also be enough space between the support beams (see the pictures) and table edge. If the rails are close to the edge, then maybe the machine will fit behind the rail, closer to the center of the table.
I mentioned alignment pins before. These pins ensure that the two halves of the table (and the leaf, when installed) line up properly. They will do the same for the quilting table leaf, and support the weight of the machine as well. So, make sure the table you're considering also has these pins.
Finally, make sure that the table surface and edges are smooth. The fabric of the quilt should not catch on anything! The table may need refinishing if it's not up to par.
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I am not real sure that I personally am all that capable, but surely I could maybe find a 'volunteer'
but I could do both, make a leaf, to remove and add more than that leaf to make it big for quilting.
Thanks
That would be nice, however I live in a mobile home in a park. Limited everywhere.
And there is NO UNUSED PLACE, most places have to have too many uses.
But as a female, I do not think there is ever enough storage space of any kind.
And I have been keeping every 'storage expanding' into unusual spaces for years...in the hopes that one day i might live in a 'real' house...that is not to be on my budget.
But, keep up the good work. Today was the first time I had seen this website. And now I have it bookmarked...I am researching solar and wind options now for off-grid living. I am going to the desert, and will need something. And found these web pages invaluable.
That's a great idea - I've was just looking for a creative way to get some good sewing space yesterday, and then I saw this on FB today.
Ryan
http://www.dreambiglivesimple.com
My husband is a carpenter. Maybe, just maybe... :)
Thank you for the great idea.
I am sure that my wife would love one!
I've gone to great lengths to build in sewing machine "ports" on some of my past work tables, and had mixed results. This ideas is really clever, and the end result looks great. I really like it.
(ps I love the fabric, I can't wait to see your quilt.)
Not my quilt, but maybe my mother in law will post pics when it's done! The stuff she does is amazing.