My sweet husband just built me this awesome new cutting table. I have dreamed of a cutting table like this ever since I saw Deb's from A Simple Life Quilts. The base is two Ikea Kallax units. The top is a melamine coated board that measures 4 feet by 6 feet. I found the cutting mat at my LQS and it is 40 inches by 72 inches. I am loving my new cutting table.
I thought I would share a few pictures of the process in case anyone else is interested in how he did it.
First, he put the two Kallax units together following the Ikea instructions. I decided that I wanted them back to back, so he added some metal strips to the bottom to hold them together. We purchased two sets of 200 pound capacity casters. The four corner casters are locking and the four side casters are regular.
Here is the same view after we tipped the unit on its side.
We also added two straps to the inside of the top to hold it together better.
It took four of us to lift the unit onto its wheels without breaking them. Then we added a 3/4 inch thick board coated on both sides with melamine. He purchased the board at Lowe's and it came 4 feet by 8 feet. I had him cut it down to 73 inches long. To protect the melamine as much as possible, he put down painter's tape all the way around where he was going to cut it. (Sorry I didn't take a picture of that.)
We used some of my quilting rulers to center the board over the Kallax units. There is about a nine inch overhang all of the way around.
Then my husband added fourteen screws to attach the board. He pre-drilled the hole for each screw.
Monkey was a great help with the drill.
We purchased some 3/4 inch melamine edging to add to the sides of the table.
It ironed on quite nicely.
I plan on adding some white caulk to clean up the edge a little bit.
Here it is filled and ready for cutting.
I love my new cutting table! All of my fabric and projects fit on one side, but I still have more organizing to do.
What is your dream cutting table?
XX,
Jasmine
P.S. I will be linking up with some of the fun parties on my sidebar. Check them out for more quilty inspiration.
