How to Make a Cutting Table

A good cutting table can improve your sewing experience. Having adequate space to lay out patterns, cut tracings and patterns and cut your final garment will speed up your sewing. You will also find that it is physically less tiring to sew when you have a cutting table at the right height for your needs. With basic carpentry skills and materials available at your local home improvement center, you can build your own cutting table to make the most of your sewing room.

Instructions

1

Decide how large you want your table to be, and whether you will use it just as a cutting table or as a sewing table as well. Keep in mind that larger cutting tables will be more versatile and useful. You may also be limited by the size of plywood available at your local home center. The final size of your table will determine the quantities and length of lumber required. Keep in mind that you will want to cut the support boards, including the 2-by-4 inch boards and 2-by-8 inch boards a few inches shorter than the tabletop size. Sketch out your cutting table plans.

2

Use 2-by-4 inch lumber to create a sturdy base for your tabletop. Glue 2-by-4 inch lumber, cut to the appropriate length, together to create a substrate. Clamp and allow to dry for at least 24 hours. Sand or plane the substrate perfectly flat.

3

Frame the 2-by-4 inch substrate with the 2-by-8 inch lumber. Secure the corners with 3-inch wood screws. Create legs by screwing two 2-by-4 inch boards together at a 90-degree angle, or use pre-manufactured table legs if they are long enough. Use bolts, washers and nuts to secure the legs into the 2-by-8 inch tabletop frame.

4

Use 2-by-4 inch boards to add bottom rails secured with 3-inch wood screws approximately 12 inches from the bottom of the legs. Attach the longer rails first, then the shorter ones. You can also add an additional plywood shelf at this level if you would like for storage.

5

Upright the table construction with care. Attach the plywood cutting table top with 1-inch flathead screws. Stain and finish your cutting table to match your sewing room. If desired, you can upholster the table top with foam board, fabric and a staple gun. This allows for ease of pinning, but depending on your care, can wear quickly.