How to Build a Sewer's Cutting Table

A sewer's cutting table is essential for avid sewers. It provides a large surface not only for cutting fabric, but also for sketching patterns and pressing material. Cutting tables are typically covered in a throwaway material, like paper or cheap fabric, that can be changed as needed. This goes over a softer layer of material such as rubber or cork, which allows sewers to pin patterns or fabric directly to the table.

Contact cement
Paintbrush
1 sheet 3/4 inch plywood, 4-by-6 feet
1 roll 1/2 inch cork, 4-by-6 feet
4 table legs and accompanying fasteners
Drill/screwdriver
Brown paper roll
Scissors
Masking tape

Instructions

- 1
  Read the instructions on your contact cement bottle carefully and apply it to a 4-by-6-foot sheet of 3/4-inch plywood as directed by the instructions. Let set for the period of time recommended by the manufacturer. Carefully position a 4-by-6-foot sheet of 1/2 inch cork roll over the top of the plywood. Leave to set for the amount of time stipulated by the cement manufacturer.
- 2
  Turn the plywood tabletop over so the cork side is down. Position a table leg 4 to 5 inches in from each corner. Use the accompanying fasteners to secure the legs to the underside of the table with a drill or screwdriver, then turn the table back onto its legs.
- 3
  Roll out a sheet of brown paper over the top of the table. Trim it with scissors so there is around 6 to 7 inches overhang on all sides. Smooth the paper flat on the table with your hand, then fold the sides under the table top and use masking tape to secure it. Use hospital corners to create a nice neat corner on the paper, as you would when tucking in a bed sheet.

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