DIY Sewing Room Cutting Table IKEA Hack

Since my last few sewing room organization posts, I've received a lot of email questions about my cutting table.  So today I thought I'd walk you through the details!

Here's the basics:  The table measures 31" wide, 63" long, and 34" tall and is made from 2 Kallax shelf units from IKEA, with a desk top surface (also from IKEA) attached to the top.  There are also locking wheels underneath to allow me to move the cutting table if I need to.  

**This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) when purchases are made through links found in this post.

The wheels also help to add a little height to the table which makes it a great height for cutting.  This table is 34" tall, but if you're tall and need a taller table, you could use legs instead of wheels.  IKEA sells legs of various sizes (such as these and these.)


For the table top, you'll need a piece of wood that is at least 31" x 58".  We found a desk top at IKEA that had the right measurements but you could also grab something from Home Depot or Lowe's.  

edited to add: IKEA has changed the sizes of the desk tops they offer and I believe this size is no longer available. That may change again in the future however. 

IKEA sells different inserts to use inside of the cubbies of the Kallax shelf systems.  In this photo below you can see that I've added drawers, and one door for some different storage options.  

On the opposite side of the table, I use the shelves for books and magazines, and have added some fabric boxes (they come in other colors too - like navy, gray, and black) to store yardage for quilt backs, works in progress, and orphan blocks.  They basically work like nice, deep drawers.  Other insert options would be these baskets, or these hanging wire baskets.

The large cutting mat on the table is from Quilters Rule and measures 32" x 60" (total size) with grid lines for 28" x 56".  The mat was slightly wider than the table so I had my handy brother in law trim about a half an inch off for me with his table saw.  I wanted the cutting surface to cover the entire table top, but another option would be to have a cutting surface on half, and an ironing station on the other half of the table!  Wouldn't that be handy?

This Olfa 24" x 36" mat would work as well, and it would leave a bit of open counter top on one end that would be great for storing rulers or bins/baskets for WIPs! They offer it in blue as well. 

edited to add (Sept 2024): I currently use a Creative Grids 28" x 58" cutting mat and it fits great!

 

I sure love my table!  I love how much storage it gives me and how versatile the storage is.  I love that I can move it if I need to, and I have needed to move it more than I expected I would.  The table a great size for my room - it did feel imposing at first and does take up quite a bit of space, but because of how much storage it gives me I don't know what I'd do without it! If you're limited on space you could make a similar unit using two of these smaller Kallax shelf units.  

Now for the details:  Want to make your own?  Here's what you'll need- 

2 Kallax shelf units (IKEA)
1 wood surface /  table top (IKEA or Home Depot)
1 sheet of plywood 27" x 54" (Home Depot)
4 swivel locking casters (Home Depot)
2 corner brackets (similar to this one)
2 straight brackets (similar to this one)
screws, bolts and other fasteners

Any inserts you'll need for the Kallax shelf unit (drawers, doors, baskets, etc)


Build the two shelf units.  Next, use the 2 straight brackets to bolt the shelf units together.  We put the brackets on the inside of the shelves (on the top so it wouldn't get in the way of anything) - one on each end.  

You'll build the rest of the table upside down!  Place table top, right side down onto the floor.  Then place the two joined shelf units upside down onto the table top.  Secure in place using the two corner brackets, one on each end.  

Next, set the plywood on top of the shelf units (which is actually the bottom) and decide where you'd like the casters.  You'll first drill pilot holes for the bolts, and those pilot holes will go through both the plywood and the shelf units.  (Our bolts were too long, but I don't mind - I just work around them.  You could use bolts that are a shorter length so they don't stick up into the shelf as much.)

Those bolts are what connects the shelf units to the plywood base and helps to stabilize and strengthen the entire unit.  


Once the casters are secured, flip the entire shelf unit over and you're ready to start filling it!  You can add any Kallax inserts now, or use the cutting table for awhile before deciding just how you want to maximize the storage, and figuring out what works best for you.  

Leave any questions in the comments below and I'll do my best to answer them!  We did make this cutting table several years ago so we're working from memory on some of these things.  


You can read more about how I use the storage in my cutting table in my Sew Organized blog posts:
Sew Organized Part 1:  Tips for Storing Quilting Tools and Rulers
Sew Organized Part 2: Tips for Storing Patterns, Magazines, and Books
Sew Organized Part 3: Storing and Organizing Fabric and Scraps
Sew Organized Part 4: Quilting Projects

Sew Organized Part 4: Quilting Projects

This is our last week of the Sew Organized series, and for this final installment I'm sharing ideas for organizing and storing projects -  all of those UFOs and WIPs (Unfinished Objects and Works In Progress).  The hope is that if we can keep them organized, then we'll be more likely to finish them, right?  

If you missed Sew Organized parts 1-3 you can find them here:

Sew Organized Part 1: Tips for Storing Quilting Tools and Rulers

Sew Organized Part 2:  Tips for Storing Patterns, Magazines and Books

Sew Organized Part 3:  Storing and Organizing Fabric and Scraps

First, I want to talk about ways to just keep track of what projects are currently being worked on.  There are a few great types of planners out there that are built just for quilters and crafters (Quilters Planner and Patchwork Planner to name two.)

But if you're not wanting a full calendar & planner system for your projects there are also several printables available that help you list and track your projects.  

One of my favorites is this Quilting Organizer Pack from Maker Valley

and I also like these Quilt Project Planner free downloads from Hello Melly Designs.

I've been using the Quilting Organizer Pack from Maker Valley and I keep it on a clipboard that hangs on the bar with my rulers.  You can see it on the right in the photo below.  It's handy to grab and so it's more likely that I'll keep it updated and refer to it often.  

It's great because it helps me keep track of what stage each of my WIPs is in.  I can see which projects need sashing or borders - and which ones are waiting for backing to be pieced, or binding added.  And when I finish something, it's SO satisfying to be able to cross off a completed project!

Alright.  Now that we're keeping track of the projects, we need places to store all of them! 

When considering how to store projects, keep a few things in mind.  First of all, if the project will be taking you months to complete, find a more permanent solution for storage.  If you'll be moving the project to go to a retreat, or just from room to room (such as a hand piecing or EPP project) then find a portable storage solution.  

One of my favorite storage tools are these ArtBin Super Satchels.  

They're about 14" x 14" - perfect size for storing 12.5" quilt blocks.  They have sturdy latches that stay closed even when the bin is stuffed full, and there's a handle which is so nice! 

They stack beautifully, but they can also stand on end.  I keep these three on the bottom row of my closet - out of the way, but easy to grab when I need to. 

You can find them here on Amazon.  I've also heard that they're at Walmart but I haven't checked myself to be sure. 

I also love using these stackable wire baskets from the Container Store.  And I do mean love.  Really love.  If I had space, I'd get more of them.

They come in multiple sizes, have handles for carrying, and I can easily see what's inside.  When stacking, the handles flip to the inside so the weight of the next basket rests on the handles and not on the contents of the basket.  

The baskets stack perfectly on these shelves in my cutting table, but in the past I've also just kept a few stacked next to my sewing machine for easy access. 

I mostly use these baskets for projects that will last over a long time - like the Patchwork Quilt Along from last year.  I could keep adding my blocks to the basket each month but not have to handle them much. 

In a taller version of the same baskets I'm keeping all of the fat quarters I need for this english paper pieced project that I've been working on.  I can take the basket with me to the tv and pull from it as I work and watch movies, and then tote it back to my sewing room for storage when I don't need it. 

I also have a few drawers available and I keep projects in there as well.  I try not to though, because --interestingly enough -- the ones that go in the drawers don't get worked on as much!  You know, the whole out of sight out of mind thing.  

Here are some other ideas that I think are pretty clever!

These vinyl project bags designed by Amanda Jean Nyberg (Crazy Mom Quilts) can be made in pretty much any size you'd need!

They have a zipper closure and would keep project supplies and quilt blocks dust free and organized.  A friend of mine made some of these with handles on the top and she hangs them in her closet - freeing up much needed shelf space.  You can find the pattern for these here in Amanda's Craftsy shop.  

edited to add:  The pattern for these vinyl project bags has been removed from Craftsy (now called Bluprint).  The pattern is available for purchase here or wholesale from Checker distributors - ask your local shop to order some!  

I also like this wire drawer storage idea from All People Quilt  -- easy to see what's inside but still keeps everything organized and tidy looking when the drawers are closed.  You can find similar ones here on Amazon.

This idea (also from All People Quilt) is clever:  A baker's rack with each sheet tray being used for a WIP.  You can easily slide out the tray and carry it to wherever you need to work and then return it to the rack for storage.  And there's wheels on the cart too!

And one more....

How about these plastic drawers?  I found these on Pinterest and the photo doesn't connect to a website or blog, but these Sterilite drawer organizers from Amazon look similar and they're wide and deep enough to hold 12.5" quilt blocks!

How to do you track and store your WIPs?  Have any great tips to share?  I'd love to hear them!  

Need even more WIP storage ideas?  Check out my Sewing Room Organization pinterest board and be sure to follow me because I'll keep adding great ideas to the board as I find them!  

And if you missed Sew Organized parts 1-3 you can find them here:
Sew Organized Part 1: Tips for Storing Quilting Tools and Rulers
Sew Organized Part 2:  Tips for Storing Patterns, Magazines and Books
Sew Organized Part 3:  Storing and Organizing Fabric and Scraps


Happy quilting (and organizing) everyone! 
--Andy

**This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) when purchases are made through links found in this post.

Sew Organized Part 3: Fabric and Scraps

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**This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) when purchases are made through links found in this post.


Welcome to part 3 of our Sew Organized series.  Today we're talking all about fabric - ideas for storing and organizing yardage, pre-cuts, fat quarters, scraps...all of it.  

First of all I want to just say that there's no one best way to organize your fabric.  We all create differently and we're all inspired by different things.  

If you already have a system in place that works for you, great!  I'd love to hear any tips and ideas you have to share.  

If you don't have a system yet, take a minute to think about how you choose fabrics when starting a quilt.  Do you first reach for a particular designer?  Or do you look for certain colors first?  Or maybe you like to work in specific styles, like Civil War era?

To be honest, I use a combination of all of these!  Here's where I store most of my fabric stash. 

As you can see, I use a combination of shelves and bins to organize and store everything.  

Storing by Color

When I start a project I often begin with colors in mind.  So it's most helpful to me to have my yardage stored by color.  

I try to keep myself limited to one stack of each color but as you can see in the photo below my aqua and green stacks have overflowed and are taking over the purple and brown spots.  Time to thin those out a little!

I also prefer to sort my scraps by color but you could also sort them by size.  My scraps are stored in the bins on the very top shelf and everything is just stuffed in there.  When I need to dig through for a scrap project it's kinda fun to just dump the whole bin out and make a colorful mess.  Clean up is easy because I just stuff everything back in, click on the lid and put it back on the shelf.  

Here's another way to store fabrics by color:

photo from Lori Holt, Bee in My Bonnet

This is a view of Lori Holt's storage - cute baskets with everything sorted by color.  


Storing by Size

There are a few sizes which are handy to keep separate from the others.  Anything about fat quarter size or bigger is folded on the shelf.  Everything else is sorted by size or stuffed into the scrap bins.

Orphan jelly roll strips and leftover binding strips (2.5" wide) get put together in this bin.  This is sure handy if I ever want to make a scrappy binding!  

I corral charm packs in this bin - which makes them easy to find when I'm ready to make a charm pack friendly quilt. In this bin I also have a stack of hand cut low volume charm squares.  The bin keeps them from fraying and I can easily grab a few to add in to projects!  I bought my bin at Walmart, and they no longer stock these.  But here are some similar ones on Amazon.

And 2.5" squares go into this bin.  These are so great for small projects and scrap projects like these!  Sometimes if I don't have an immediate use for a mini charm pack, I'll open it up and put all of the mini charms in here with these squares. 

I don't have a ton of jelly rolls, fat quarter bundles or layer cakes.  A few are kept in the closet, and my favorites are on a shelf and do double duty as cheerful decor!

Since pre-cuts like this are already conveniently bundled up there's not many storage options besides keeping them on a shelf or in a box or bin somewhere...

...or displayed in a lovely cabinet like this one!  I love it with the cake stands on top and the bundles of fabric all arranged inside.

Photo from Jessie Lathroum / Inside the Paper Box

Storing by Designer or Style

If you have a favorite designer it's nice to be able to find everything from that designer without doing a lot of digging through everything else.  I have a friend who loves everything from Fig Tree & Co. and keeps all of her Fig Tree prints together on the shelf.  I have two bins set aside for Bonnie & Camille fabrics. Another friend of mine is a huge fan of Lori Holt and keeps Lori's fabrics separate from the rest of her stash.  

 You could also sort by style - all reproduction prints together, all low volume prints together, all Civil War together, etc.  Most of my stash is very similar, but I do keep my 1920-30s reproduction prints together in one bin - and I've been using them a lot lately and have found it handy to have them all together like this.  

I also keep I-spy fabrics (mostly juvenile prints) in a box together and all Christmas prints together.  When I want to make a Christmas quilt I start in that bin and then add in some basics and blender prints from my stash.  


Need ideas on WHERE to store all of that fabric?  
(click on the photo for more information)

How about in drawers:

Photo from My Fabric Obsession

Stand alone shelves like these from Amazon:

Photo from Tallgrass Prairie Studio

Or in a filing cabinet?

Photo from The Thinking Closet

This hanging storage was meant for shoes - but works great for fabric:

Photo from Bryn Alexandra

Plastic bins like these fit great underneath a bed or under a desk:

Photo from Flamingo Toes

And I love this idea - an over the door shoe organizer that's now used for scrap storage.  The clear pockets make it easy to see just what's in there: 

Photo from Pioneer Valley Girl

And another fun idea for scraps - mason jars in rainbow order!

Photo from Canoe Ridge Creations

There's really so so so much out there for fabric storage and organization ideas and I know I've just scratched the surface!  If you have any tips and ideas you'd like to share, comment below.

Want to see even more ideas?  Check out my Sewing Room Organization pinterest board - and be sure to follow me because I'll keep adding great ideas to the board as I find them!


Next week will be our final week and we'll be talking about organizing projects.

Did you miss part 1 and part 2?  Find them here:
Sew Organized Part 1: Tips for Storing Quilting Tools and Rulers
Sew Organized Part 2:  Tips for Storing Patterns, Magazines and Books