Create Your Perfect Cutting Table from Pre-made Units
Several Creative Ideas to Help You Get Started!
It’s every quilter’s dream to have a cutting table that’s perfect for their space and sewing needs. Pre-made cutting tables tend to be expensive, flimsy, the wrong size, lacking in storage or otherwise less-than-perfect.
Fortunately, it’s fairly simple to create a custom cutting table that’s just right by combining pre-made storage units. Bookshelves, kitchen cabinets and other storage units can form the base of a solid, multi-functional cutting table. IKEA is a great place to start when looking for units to customize into a cutting table.
When planning your cutting table take into account the following.
- Make sure the finished height will be right for you. Learn more about cutting table heights and get ideas for adjusting heights here.
- Take into account your space and make sure your table will fit comfortably without overwhelming the room.
- Choose storage units for the base that work well with what you want to store.
- Consider locking castors so the table can be easily moved.
- There are a lot of options for table tops including actual table tops, half-inch plywood and doors.
- Consider your budget. While the ideas presented here are relatively inexpensive to complete be sure to add up the cost of all of the components to make sure the finished table will be within budget.
- Look for help, if you need it, from someone who is handy with tools and knowledgeable about working with wood.
The right cutting table is an investment of money and time. If done properly, it will become a cherished piece of equipment you’ll use for many years to come.
Look through the following tutorials and articles for some great ideas to get you started.
We love the cutting table shown above that was created by Andy at A Bright Corner. It’s made from IKEA shelf units and inserts, a tabletop (from IKEA or Lowe’s), a piece of plywood, standard fasteners and locking wheels. It goes together fairly quickly.
This table, from Family Handyman, also starts out with IKEA shelving units and inserts. Plywood fleshes out the rest. We love how there’s room at one end for a tall stool. While it’s unrealistic to think you’ll be comfortable sewing at cutting table height, it’s very handy to have a place to sit while working on other aspects of various projects.
This cutting table, found on IKEA Hackers, was created from IKEA base cabinets. A top was created from MDF, covered with fabric and protected with a large piece of thick glass.
Melissa from Cornbread and Beans choose bookshelves from Target for her cutting table. She configured them based on a table made from cubbies by Georgia Pachez. Learn more about Melissa’s version here.
Finally, if you just simply don’t have room for a cutting table with full storage underneath, consider this idea from Jacquelynne Steves. She chose a gateleg table from IKEA that folds into a compact shape when not in use. Raise one or both sides when you’re ready to work.
It’s only 31 1/2″ tall, however, so you’ll probably want to add castors or otherwise raise the height (you’ll find ideas here). Or go with a taller craft table like this or this.
Great information! About 24 years ago I made my cutting table from popular diy closet inserts. I used four and fitted mine with a combo of wire baskets, drawers, and shelves.