Cutting table (extra large) with lots of practical storage

I’m really excited to share with you my new sewing room cutting table.

Before we bought a house, I always did my sewing at the kitchen table. We didn’t have a formal dining area. So, this multi-purpose room (for sewing, breakfast/lunch/dinner, homework, crafting) got a little crowded at times.

When we first moved in, my husband was kind enough to offer me his office table which is 180 x 60 cm. This is really a great table and matches another smaller table of 120 x 60 cm (both from IKEA) which I wanted to use for my sewing.

Of course, it is great to have such a LARGE table for basting and laying out patterns, and I was really thankful that my husband offered it to me.

BUT …

I thought it took up too much space in my room to serve just one purpose of a table. I wanted storage room under the table. Do you know what I am talking about?

I read blogs and looked for solutions and found that other sewers also had the same “beef”. I needed a cutting table that was simple, easy, practical and multi-purpose.

And tadah!

This is the cutting table I ended up with. Isn’t it gorgeous?

Cutting table with storage for customized sewing room

Materials:
  • 3 (2 x 2) EXPEDIT Shelves (replace with KALLAX shelving unit)
  • 7 CAPITA Legs
  • Wood Screws
  • Pressed Board 79 x 118 cm
  • Butcher Block 100 x 140 cm
  • Sand Paper
  • 10 L-Brackets
  • Wood Stain or Wax
  • Good Strong Partner Willing to Help

Sewing room cutting table – how to

This table measures roughly 100 x 140 cm.

Let’s Get Started:

We started by putting the shelves together per IKEA instructions. (My husband has become THE IKEA furniture builder the last couple of months.)

After I sanded the edges of the pressed board, we then set it on top and screwed them in place.

There will be a one centimeter gap between the shelves that butt up back to back. That is one reason why we need the additional board.

Then, attach the legs.

We were very calculated when lining up and measuring the distance of the legs. I am a quilter and have all of the necessary tools. 😉

Cutting table with storage for customized sewing room

(We first attached only six legs and found that it needed more stability in the middle. Seven legs give a good design and added stability.) Here is a good stopping point.

Placing the cutting table top

After that, we got the butcher block from the home improvement store. We had to order and wait on the wood. My husband put a wax/ stain on the counter.

I didn’t want a dark stain and I like the the natural look. But I KNOW I will have a cup of coffee on the top and with it a stain!

A clear lack coat would not work for me, because I didn’t want the red beech wood to show through. So, we needed a water-resistant coating.

We choose a birch coating just to knock off the look of redness of the beech wood. One coating is enough. Let it dry for a couple of days. Sand with fine sand paper.

Cutting table with storage for customized sewing room

Oh, my hubby only stained the top and sides per my request. If your counter top is not super flat, you will want to stain the side that is bowed up like a boat. When you screw the board down to the base, it will level out better.

Fastening the cutting table top to the base

Then we put the counter top on the floor right side down and the base on top. We centered the base, pre-drilled holes for the wood screws. Then, screwed the L-Brackets to three adjacent sides of the counter top.

We flipped the base back over and slid the counter top over one end. Then the counter top was screwed to the last side and then to the base.

We carefully flipped the table back over one last time and voilà!

Cutting table with storage for customized sewing room

See the full tutorial of the sewing room cutting table on my blog.

~ Karen Ackva, Günzburg, Germany