I feel so accomplished after building 2 work tables for my creative space over the weekend. Both builds went pretty smoothly with only one hiccup that is entirely my own fault.
Work Tables Working Harder: Sewing Desk
- A slightly lower height than desk height (27″) to make sewing more comfortable.
- A giant surface to work on (30″ x 80″). I plan to use this table for sewing, but also for painting. I used a hollow core door because it’s huge and cheap. It’s also lightweight and fit in my car easily.
- The base was installed at the back of the table to allow my chair to be pushed in all the way.
- This happened on accident, but it perfectly fits my IKEA Helmer drawer unit.
While watching Fixer Upper on Netflix, I saw a dining table that I couldn’t get out of my head. This is a variation of that table. The legs are made of 4 x 4’s with a 2 x 4 support brace.
The table top is attached to the legs with L brackets that I painted over. 
I love how much room I have to make messes, I mean create.
Work Tables Working Harder: Cutting Table
- Since this table is a cutting table, I made it a lot higher. It sits at about 38″ high, which allows me to cut fabric without bending over.
- It sits on casters (which you can’t see because I was trying to photograph around my dog.) This allows me to move the table around easily.
- There’s a shelf on the bottom for fabric storage.
- Hooks are on the sides to hang scissors and other supplies.
The base is made of 2 x 4’s and the shelf and top are made from 3/4″ plywood. This is where I made a mistake. I was trying to shop by myself without any help. Instead of the 3′ x 4′ top that I wanted, I settle for a 2′ x 4′ piece of plywood for the top and I’m really regretting that decision. I think the top will be replaced with a larger piece of wood.
I painted it a happy teal with a white top that provides a great place for photographing stuff. Besides the size snafu, I’m really happy with my new work tables. Sometimes simple builds are just so satisfying.
Emy is a vintage obsessed mama of 2 DIYer who loves sharing affordable solutions for common home problems. You don’t need a giant budget to create a lovely home. Read more…
oooh i love the cutting table! i wish i was more into sewing like i used to be but the hours are limited, right?
Yes they are! I keep finding myself drawn back to sewing more and more though. I don’t know if I’ll ever get back to making clothing, but I can sew a pillow pretty quickly.