Work room tables

[Jules]

I have a table, made from MDF, which I use to work on. On reading through books, some authors suggest covering with bump and lining. Would this making pinning difficult? Would the pins just get stuck in the covering?

What do others think/use?

Advice please!

Jules

[Schuhby]

My table is padded and I wouldn't change it.. I iron on it, pin swags to it and it makes stretching pencil pleat tape over the curtains much easier. Some prefer a non padded table.. It's a matter of choice.

Philip

[Guest]

My bench is covered in a layer of 410 grm bump, a layer of 280 grm domett and a layer of good quality lining fabric. Subsequent layers of lining fabric are constantly being added as they get a bit dirty and soon it will be up to the ceiling but seriously. I am constantly pinning down things and stabbing everything with pins to hold them in place. Cover it and cover it thickly you will never regret it .

[Tam]

Just make sure you staple the covering TIGHTLY, or the air will turn a lovely shade of blue when you realise you have pinned all your lovely work to the lining :P

[jane]

My work table is also padded - I used heatproof table protector, covered it in remnants of interlining stitched together and then covered it with blackout lining as it's tougher than ordinary lining. When it gets grubby I add another layer. Great for pinning stuff onto to hold it in place & I can iron on it without damaging my table. It works very well. What I really need is a longer table but I don't have room! Hope that helps. Jane

[dee]

i have recently covered mine with the bonded interlining/lining, its fab (done and dusted with a few staples)

[Jules]

Thanks for all the replies re: padding my work table. I suppose that if I didn't like it I could always take it off.



Jules

[Karen C]

Mines padded too, and I add layers as they get dirty - I really wouldn't want a table that I couldn't pin things to!

Moving on from this, what size are your tables, am about to move into my new workroom and am thinking I could do with a longer table?

[jane]

My worktable is 1.5m long by 1m wide. Most of the time that's fine (I've become quite good at folding) but if I had the room in my workroom, I'd have a table 2.5m x 1.5m. Hope that helps.

[Tam]

My table is 3m l x 1.8m wide with shelves under that hold all my linings interlinings and fabric sample books.

I was thinking of adding side leaf to it on hinges, a bit like a drop leaf table , for those huge bookings!

[Jules]

Mines made in old money. 8ft by 6ft 6in. I wish it was bigger but I struggle with low oak beams that you can bang your head on. Maybe I too could have drop down leaves to make it wider. I think I'll take a look in B&Q for more MDF and piano hinges. A couple of pairs of legs should then hold the flaps up when I need the extra space.

At the mo, if I need a bit more length temporarily, I use two big clips to add a piece of MDF to the end.

[Penny]

I am lucky enough to have a workroom in a farm building that has room for one of each. Personnaly I prefer the uncovered table as you can move fabric around on it easily. I have two pressing mats made from wool underlay covered in metalised fabric that I use if needed.This one is 3.70mts long by 1.6mts wide.
The padded table has layers of interlining and lining that is great for pressing and pinning when needed. This one is 3.30mts by 1.60mts wide.
But I generally find that I still need more table space because they are both always full of bits of fabric and pieces of paper that i haven't put away.
They are both at the same height and for really big jobs i can put them together.
I wouldn't be without either.

[suel]

I have a 4' X 8' MDF worktable on trestles that can be taken apart when I'm not busy Ha Ha and the spare room can then be used as a spare room. It is covered with Aratex (which was spare at the time) and covered with subsequent layers of lining when it get torn or grubby.

Sometimes things do get pinned into it, but it is better than the fabric slipping about - nice for pressing things too. Like a monster ironing board.

You can mark useful lines on it for hems as a guide so you don't have to measure, and 45 degree angles for cutting on the cross etc.etc.

Sue.