If you lay out and cut your fabric on the kitchen table, or worse yet, the floor, you know how tedious a chore this sewing step can be. That’s why a well-designed cutting surface is an essential part of any sewer’s work space. Not only will a good cutting table spare your back, but it can also make your sewing space neater and more efficient. Better still, you’ll find that it will increase the accuracy of your cutting, and, in turn, accurately cut fabric pieces result in a superior garment.

Several ready-made tables are available to home sewers, some including features such as folding leaves and casters. These folding tables can be ideal for many sewing spaces, since they are quick to set up or fold down, and take up little space when collapsed. However, it’s also easy and economical to construct a table of your own that will suit all your sewing needs and space requirements.

Evaluate your sewing space

In this article, I will show you how to design a cutting table using materials that are readily available in building-supply and home-improvement stores. You may even have items loitering at home that can be recycled to create a perfect cutting surface.
Before you begin imagining the table of your dreams, you’ll need to evaluate the space available in your sewing area. Do you have room for a permanent cutting surface, or will you have to take the table down when not in use? Could this cutting space double for another purpose? Do you want to make an area for storage under the cutting surface?

Ideal table placement

You’ll also want to decide on the final placement of the table in your workroom. The orientation of the cutting table may maximize the space in…