Back Saving Device...

[Patti P.]

A CUTTING TABLE!! I bit the bullet and finally bought a cutting table. JoAnn's had the table on sale. I think it is one of the best 'tools' I purchased. I have over the years tried to make do with different arrangements for cutting. I decided that as I become more 'mature' my needs change. $60 for the table = non aching back and shoulders....priceless.
My next purchase...new chair for my sewing machine table.

FW

[Sandy F.]

Good for you. I have my table on risers that I purchased at Bed Bath and Beyond to raise a bed higher. Those extra six inches make so much difference is how my back feels. I have purchased a chair but it is still in the box. I have been hand quilting and haven't needed it yet.

[Sandy F.]

How do you determine the correct height for a cutting table?

[Sandy F.]

I went to a lecture several years ago at the Houston show on ergonomics for quilters. For a cutting table and an ironing board, the height should be 4 inches lower than your elbow when your arm is bent at the elbow. For sewing, your arm should just rest on the sewing surface with the elbow bent (I believe this is also true for our computer keyboards).

Pat in Rockport, TX

[Lorna B.]

How do you determine the correct height for a cutting table?

Sherry,

Off topic, but good to see you on the computer. Lots of thoughts and prayers with you and others on the coast as Ike came through.

Back on topic--I need to take the plunge and buy a good cutting table. Now most of that occurs on the floor or on teh big borad that fits over my ironing board.

Lorna

[Lorna B.]

I've got the cutting table/ironing board height thing solved... they're one & the same... got a big-board for the ironing board, and a cutting mat that's the same time. That way I can raise/lower it depending on if I'm standing or sitting. I have the board perpendicular to my machine table, so if I'm doing something like paper-piecing which requires lots of ironing & cutting along the way, I can have it at sewing-table height, but if I'm doing LOTS of cutting or ironing, I raise it up & go to the other side where i have lots of room to move. Only negiative is sometimes I wish it was wider for cutting, but I've solved that by standing at the end & cutting on the long-way of the board when I'm cutting something particularly long.
Of course none of this is ideal, my sewing table is a card table, but it can all come down when I have to transform back into a guest room, and one of these days i'll get a "real" studio.
Florence

[Hannelore N.]

The Swedish chain store Ikea (also available in some part of the US) has tables with adjustable legs at a very reasonable price. A quilting friend and I bought exactly the same table. I'm just over 5'7 and she is a touch under 5 feet. We were both able to adjust the legs so that the table height is perfect for us.

Lorchen

[Hannelore N.]

Thanks Lorna! We're just fine...We got side effects such as very high tide and lots of wind. The coastal areas east of us had it worse. Thanx so much for thinking of me!
Sherry

[Judy M.]

I bought an adjustable-leg table at Sam's Club for about $40.00. I have two of them--one for my cutting table and one for my sewing machine. These tables are fully portable and fold in the middle with a handle for carrying. Sherry, I'm glad you got through Ike okay. I talked to my sister today--she lives near Houston--and her house is fine, but there are alot of trees down and some damage in her neighborhood. Thankfully, no flooding.

[Judy M.]

So glad to hear everyone is ok. I spoke with my son he lives in Oglesby and is with the National Guard. He was on the road with his unit. He called me back on Sunday morning ...they were in Lufkin? and things weren't to bad from what he had seen ... fallen trees and no power but no flooding. He has been on alert eversince Gustav. He'll get in touch again when they get back home. God be with all in the Houston aread where some areas look to be flooded. Nan