How to Make a Quilt Craft Table

A good craft table is essential for making quilts. Not only do you need the space to cut fabric, layout patterns and sew blocks, but also when a quilt top is large, nothing is more invaluable than a large area on which to set it. While there are several expensive, good-quality and inexpensive, low-quality craft tables out there, you can make one of your own for little expense. Take an afternoon with a friend and in just over an hour you can have a finished table ready to use. Set your sewing machine, rotary mat and cutter, or even your portable ironing pad on it, and you are ready to create.

Things You'll Need

• Four 4-by-4-inch boards, 3 feet long
• Four 1-by-6-inch boards, 3 feet long
• Hammer
• Nails
• One piece of plywood, 4-by-6 feet
• Sandpaper
• Cloth vinyl cut to 54 by 78 inches
• Staple gun

Instructions

1. Arrange the 1-by-6-inch boards into a square shape and stand the 4-by-4-inch legs up at each corner.

2. Nail the 1-by-6-inch boards to the legs. Keep the edge of the boards flush with the tops of the legs. Flip the frame over so the table is upright.

3. Set the plywood top over the frame with equal amounts around the frame on each side. Nail into place along the frame with a nail about every 6 inches.

4. Smooth the top with sandpaper as well as you can to remove potential splinters and small wood fragments.

5. Lay out the vinyl, right side up, over the table with 3 inches hanging over on all sides. Wrap around to the underside. Staple into place about every 2 to 3 inches. Wrap the corners carefully to keep wrinkles from extending to the top.

Tips & Warnings

• Choose a neutral color for your vinyl to give a good background for laying out quilt blocks. If, over time, you have made cuts or marks on your table, simply remove the vinyl and replace it with new vinyl.