Quilt As You Go, Simply Done

Simply Done

Ergonomics

A New Type of Chair!

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Sewing and Quilting friends, THIS IS THE BEST! Oh, it comes with a long story involving my efforts to make the hubs comfortable, which paid off for me, too.

After only a day in this new chair, he insisted I needed one, too. I balked, happy-ish with my old chair.

It took me WAY TOO LONG to realize I’ve been uncomfortable in my old chair. The mesh seat was too stiff, so I’d added a “purple pad” seat cushion. This year the back was bothering me, which means MY back was bothering me.

The hubs nagged, “Try my chair. You won’t go back!”

After a few weeks I gave in and after one day I wished I’d bought this thing years ago.

We found these at Sam’s Club, because that’s what’s available to us where we are now, but I know Costco has them and when we get home, we’re going to have to check there, also.

Why this works: padding galore; it reclines so well that I read in it at night, with my feet propped up on a small homemade ottoman. I actually think I like this better than our new recliners.

If you know me at all, you know I’m passionate about ergonomics for sewing and quilting. I’ve revised my book: Sew & Quilt in Comfort, which is free across many platforms: Apple Books, Amazon, Google Play, Kobo

Brian’s Pfancy Sewing & Quilting Table

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I have to say, my jaw dropped at Brian’s adaptations to my “cheap (foam) custom table”. Here’s his story and it’s a great read! He’s a sewist, innovator, and great writer!

Check out his storage and be sure to read his story!

Marguerita,

Brian’s Pfancy Pfaff Pfewing Mapfhine Table

I’m not really a quilter, but, when I bought a Pfaff Creative 3.0 and I wanted a better table than the coffee table (which I knew was not a good ergo work table and hated with a passion) that I had been using for my Pfaff 1222, so I Googled and found your table.  I won’t say that I ran with it, I ran, swan, flew and did a triathlon with it.  I liked the table, the idea, the ergo and the materials, but couldn’t stand the idea of all that potential storage space going to waste and needed to adapt for the embroidery mechanism, so here’s my version of your table, to fit a Pfaff Creative 3.0, with storage and adaptable for the embroidery section:

It’s made of half-inch (actually 5/8”) and one inch foam with some 1/4” birch plywood.  I used the vinyl for all lid hinges.  Some of the sections are held on the table by Command Strips that are like Velcro—I can fold the table with some of the sections still on, good for travel.  And before you ask (he said innocently), no, I didn’t intend to have the panther on the lids, I can’t imagine (grins) why you’d ask.  Actually, the panther insisted that as long as he was going to be involved, he wanted to be able to watch and make sure I was doing things correctly.  On most sections, the vinyl can be flipped up and notes & stuff placed under it. 

I was prepared to drill additional holes in the legs for the height adjustment, but didn’t need to—according to what I learned in the aerospace industry, as little as an inch can make a huge difference in ergo comfort

The area to the left of the machine is thread and general storage, with 36 pins to hold spools and bobbins (I found some nice bobbin holders that fit on spools).  It is also shadow-boxed for the things that are not thread.  This section (and the section behind it) slide to the left when using the embroidery mech.  I had to shape the lid of this section to match the curve of the machine.

The area in front of the machine I didn’t do anything with as it will be supporting (occasionally) my arms and will take the brunt of things sliding over the table.  It had to have a portion under the normal machine table excavated for the machine’s storage compartment lid.

The area to the right and in front of the machine has to have access to the feed-dog control knob, so part of it is removeable and under it is a space for two tape measures and thread scissors.  With magnets on the end to hold pins and magnets for a pivot so the lid can be removed.  This section sets the front position of the machine.

To the right of the machine is a block that sets the position of the machine.

The area behind and to the right of the machine is a space where I put the normal machine table when I use the embroidery mechanism.  This also sets the position of the machine.

The area behind where the embroidery mechanism goes was hardest, it must have clearance for the mechanism, which is a different height (and under-side) and width than the regular machine table and have the height & space for the machine table, too.  The two sections have some general storage.

All the sections have vinyl tops which can be lifted to place notes or such and still be protected.

Many re-dos and changes of design, but, of course, I didn’t make any mistakes— I meant to do that!.  I learned that from my cat. ;^)

Thank you for inspiring me.

Brian S

Pure genius! Who doesn’t need more storage?
He created a perfect fit – I LOVE it!
See the tips of the scissors on the right? Check out the next pic…
Easy, safe storage yet right there to use when needed.
He even used my favorite adjustable-height table!
I loved this so much that I made a video about it!

Marguerita’s Sewing Space 2021

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I rearrange my spaces all the time, but in fifteen years I’ve never taken my foam away. I’ve changed a bit, cutting it, moving machines, and adding contact paper instead of heavy vinyl, but the basic blocks are still the same and I still love it so much that I won’t sew without it.

You’ll never see a pretty, staged, photo of my space – this is my reality, where I sew and quilt, mend clothes and play.

I was inspired to post again because I recently received this lovely note from Kevin in Iowa:

I’m a retired guy. Decided to learn to sew, make curtains, place mats, maybe quilting squares someday. Just bought a Brother CS7000X & was looking for an ergonomically correct table setup. Searched online & found your 2008 blog post & YT videos using folding table & beadboard insulation. Brilliant! I was thinking about building a wooden sewing cabinet but your idea is less expensive & more adaptable. Looking forward to visiting your website again as I build my sewing skills.

Hope time has been kind to you & your family & you’re staying healthy during the pandemic. Thanks for working out a clever solution & helping others like me.

Kevin K, Iowa

If you’ve never seen them, here are the videos about how and why I created this “cheap” custom table for sewing and quilting – http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBF5C338341F28BF9&feature=view_all

Edith’s Custom Quilting Table

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Edith sent me a long note and several pics of her table – she’s thrilled! Here’s what she shared:

I wanted to send you a thank you note. Recently I was all ready to buy a very expensive sewing table – it was 30% off, but still more than I wanted to pay!! Like $1600!!! Fortunately for me, they asked me to measure the width of my door before they delivered, and we discovered that it wouldn’t fit. Solution to that problem of lost money LOL.

I was on YouTube looking for videos about how to put together the three layers of my quilt without getting on the floor, and came across your video for making a “cheap” quilting table. Hallelujah. In three days I had bought the insulation and cut it to size, Had put my quilt together (and not on the floor!) and was sewing it on this fabulous set up. $40 for the insulation and I already had the table. Fortunately I have a drop in bobbin on my machine so I didn’t have to cut out the insulation for that. I really needed 3 1/2 inches thickness and I used to pieces of the two inch just because it’s what I had, so I trimmed it down around the free arm and it’s working pretty well.

For the first time I am sewing without a sore back, without sore shoulders, without tired arms! I’ve used several of your videos and saw what you showed about the ergonomics and it’s made a world of difference. Sometimes though I loved sewing and I love the finished products, I don’t love the almost torture to my back. This has solved that!!! Bonus!!

Put me on your list of testimonials! I am very happy I came across your YouTube videos. I will attach pictures. And by the way the quilt is being made for my six-year-old grandson from shirts of his dad, his granddads, and even one of his great grandfathers. It’s not perfect and I really don’t care about that LOL. It’s as good as anything I’ve ever done and I’m enjoying making it!!

You’ve really been a big help! Thank you so much and keep up the good work. I will continue to follow you for ideas!

Edith
Manchaca, Texas

WillieMae’s Quilting Table Story

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My favorite kind of email!

Good morning,

I want to thank you for your video and sharing with us how you made your table. I decided to make me one. I use a Pfaff machine and the machine sits on it’s own platform which sits on the table. After making the extended table it still needed some support, so I used short spool of thread/with or without the thread as legs.

Well, here is my little creation. I didn’t get the kind of foam you got. I did see something I think was like what you have but, it was so big and tall and I’m not 5 feet so it would have been not easy for me to handle, even though they said they would cut it. So what I got was a package of 6 sheets 14 1/2 wide.about 48 long and 3/4 in wide.I cut 3 layers and glued them together. Then I put the plastic on and had to tape some of it down. I’m a little disappointed that the fabric does not slide across the table like I thought it would. However I’m still new at this. All in all I like my table and I’m sure I’ll get better as time goes on.

Thanks, WillieMae

I love that WillieMae adapted what I did to meet her needs, using what was best for her. That’s the whole idea, to open your mind to see materials and resources in a way that solves your problem!

Gina’s New Quilting Table

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I love stories about solving a problem based on my ideas and Gina sent me her wonderful creation and some super pics!

Just thought I’d drop you a line and show you my very recent new sewing room I feel blessed to have. We recently moved from a 1 bedroom condo to a 2 bed room house, this room was formerly a TV room which I confiscated. As you can see I found plenty of things to put in it. The home belonged to my in-laws who recently moved to assisted living. One of the pics shows a Needle Book, from long ago I thought was so appropriate for the room that my mother in law had kept along with the thread box, and a very old toy spinning wheel.

Enough background…lol…anyway, I found the table at Walmart at for about 35.00. It works perfectly and is about 4 inches shorter than I was using previously(the white table behind my chair in the corner). The coffee table in front of the machine I use in so many ways and lifts so I can use it as a cutting table or for ironing quilt backings. I recently created the design/basting wall but haven’t tried it out on a quilt yet. My main reason for it was to keep off the floor on my knees but not sure how well I will do on chair either for larger quilts. Anyway, I hope this finds you well and thank you so much for sharing your time to create these videos, I use my table at the 24″ setting which is perfect and has saved me so much pain in my shoulders and neck the other table was 29″ and is being used for other sewing needs.

It is my little room of happiness, everything melts away when I’m in there, my kitty even sits in my rocker after several scoldings about being on the quilt I’m working on at that time.

I have neck issues and was told by my neurosurgeon that after looking down for years and years doing whatever it is I’ve been doing it has taken a toll on my body. I had wanted to get a table a long time ago but didn’t since I didn’t really have the room to set up anyway, so when we moved I remembered seeing your video previously and finally did it! Anyway thanks again for all your devotion to helping others feel better!! Have a great day!!!

Gina!!

Nouli’s Table in Athens, Greece!

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Quilters, I am always left speechless when I see how far my videos reach. I’ve received questions and comments from quilters in Australia, South America, the Middle East, and now Athens, Greece about my videos. I now have over 2 million views to my videos, and this one video has over 200,000. Unbelievable.

Take a look here at Nouli’s great blog post about building her table. She’s got great photos of the steps she took to create her custom sewing table and then gorgeous pics of her quilt.

For quilters all over the globe, it’s a small, wonderful, helpful world.

If you have never seen it, here’s my video:

Caroline Pope’s Table & Quilt

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Another custom sewing table is created (read more here) and a quilt waiting to be finished. Here’s Caroline’s story:

Hi Marguerita,
I am a new machine quilter, this is my first machine quilt. I ambitiously went ahead and pieced together a full sized quilt, not even thinking about how to manage the quilt on my home machine once I got to the quilting part. Thank goodness for your YouTube videos. I know you made them years ago, but I was so happy to stumble upon them. My husband and I made the table yesterday, and already the smooth surface and extra work space is a dream on my practice squares. I can’t thank you enough for putting up those videos.

Sincerely,
Caroline Pope

Caroline's Custom Sewing Table

Caroline’s Custom Sewing Table

Caroline's First Quilt!

Caroline’s First Quilt!

Anissa’s Custom Quilting Table

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Anissa found my Cheap Custom Sewing Table video on YouTube and watched it for a week before contacting me and asking about making her own. Then she sent me a pic with this note:

Just saying hello again. I wanted to show you my quilting table I made, thanks to you 🙂

I will be quilting my first quilt on it tomorrow. Once again thanks!

Anissa

Anissa-2

Isn’t it gorgeous! I love that new color foam that’s out, by Owens Corning. I’ve seen it in Lowe’s but I haven’t needed any foam so I didn’t buy any, but oh, I love the color. This photo doesn’t do it justice. It’s somewhere in the middle of lavender and dusty rose.

Thank you Anissa!

Nina’s Custom Sewing Table

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Nina sent me her adaptation of my “Cheap Custom Sewing Table” along with this note:

Ninas-Table

I recently saw your fantastic video on making your own sewing table. I was all set to do as you suggest, the sturdy insulation, etc., when I hit upon another idea.

My son had a set of Enclycopedia Brittannica many moons ago and they were just on a shelf collecting dust. I worked out that stacking them in twos was just the right height for my Bernina.

Who knew??!

I then found some old travel books that work perfectly in front of the machine….. very easy to pull out when changing a bobbin.

So I followed the rest of your tutorial and bought clear vinyl, I believe it is 7mm thick, very sturdy, and
I have my sewing table! I am so thrilled with it.

Thank you so much for your tutorial. It is much better figuring out a workable table rather than wishing for a Koala table that is way$$$$ up there.

If you haven’t seen it, I made myself a custom sewing table for about $100. I did this about six years ago, and I even made a series of videos about it. You can watch them by clicking here.

The benefits of having a table like this is the large, flat surface that holds your quilt, yet lets it glide like melted butter. No more struggling as it falls off the edge of your sewing machine bed or small table surface. Every quilter I know who has tried this has raved about it and about how much easier it is to handle their quilt for free motion quilting.

The fun thing is, I take it to quilt shows and it stops people in their tracks:

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