My IKEA Cutting Table Set-Up

I'm dropping in today for an extra post to share

the latest--and last--addition to my new studio.

It took me a lot of thought and research, and eventually

three trips to IKEA (200 mi away) in KC to get it down

(the third visit was to get what they'd run out of!)

but I now have exactly what I was after.

Or as close as I'm going to get I think!

If you're in the market for a new cutting/workspace for

your sewing studio, perhaps I can save you some time?

My Mission and Research

My former set-up was a little deeper than it needed to be

and being a kitchen table, it had no storage.  My mission

was to find a longer yet less deep surface, and to be able

 to clear supplies off of my space but still have them within

reach--as in storage below.  I was coming up empty

(my first trip to IKEA)

until I realized that the depth of two Kallax cubbies could

provide the surface I was after and give me all kinds of

storage options to make the space work for me.  

The Set-Up

SO, what you're looking at is actually 2 sets of the Kallax

shelf systems, turned on their sides and mounted on

coordinating leg bases and placed together to form

one unit.  On top is the Trotten desktop.  The height

of this work surface is a perfect-for-me 37 inches.

(No need for risers to make it easier on my back.)

I plan to have hubs lightly fasten the two units together

(when the poor guy gets one little free moment!) but

none of it is going anywhere.  The table top will slide

around a bit if I lean into it but I think those little

rubber no-slide/bumper things might do the trick.

I added two drawer sets because I like a clean look,

with items tucked away as much as possible...

and two plain divider sets for those things

that I need out and handy often.

These fit vertically (above) or horizontally (below).

Here I pulled the dividers out slightly so you can

see them but they stay in place very well.

The bins hold current project(s) I'm actively working on.

 

Again, I want to keep my work space clear.

And lastly a mesh storage box that I might regret

because it has already become The Abyss.

(Maybe I should label it as such?!?)

You know, that catch-all for Things That Have No Home Yet?

I have some recent HST trimmings in there and if I can fit

all of them in there, that might their permanent residence.

Maybe I'll actually DO something with them that way!

Letting time play that one out for now.

I hadn't intended on putting bolts in any of the cubbies

but the idea struck me and so it stuck.  These are just my

neutrals and anything that works with my current project.

Oh how I wish I had the space for ALL of my bolts...but then

I wouldn't have space for anything else of course. 

I also picked up an under-the-counter light strip that

has a flip switch on the cord (temporarily on the

floor but I plan mount it inside one of the top cubbies).

It doesn't provide tons of light but it is enough to fill

in back there between my other two.  Plus, the effect

 just looks kinda cool, 'kay?

Are you seeing my new book holder (also IKEA)?  

It's made for tablets but it holds my books so nicely

that it pulls double-duty around here.

(I need instructions very accessible at all times so

I can check...and then double- and triple-check!)

A couple other things to note:

I picked up the bigger Quilter's Select 24x36 mat.

I'm completely sold on their cutting mats and rulers.

Worth. Every. Penny.  I'm a pretty prolific quilter

and my 18x20 has lasted me a very long time...

I'm thinking about 15 years?  It's starting to show a

little wear but I know it has many years left in it.

(Guess that one will now be for out-of-studio projects??)

I also re-covered both of my ironing surfaces.

The black on mostly-white print keeps the area light

but should still hide the heavy use and wear...

for at least a decent amount of time.
(As I said, I'm a prolific quilter!)

Well, I hope sharing my system will help someone out,

even if it just triggers other ideas for you.  I'd love to

hear the IKEA (or other) solutions you've come up with

for your studio if you want to share!

Btw, other than carrying these items up to my room,

I was able to do about 99% of the assembly myself.

(Hubs attached the drawer units to the Kallax.)

I don't particularly like to assemble things that aren't

quilts but I wanted you to know that it wasn't that bad!

Other coordinating IKEA items I have in my studio are my

 sewing desk and Hemnes storage cabinets (large & small).

I hope to do a full studio tour one of these days.  I feel like

after being in here for a good amount of time,  I've made

what I hope are all of the tweaks and changes.

I do like to change things up every now and then but right

now, the business side of all of this is calling screaming (!)

so I want to just enjoy the efficiency and functionality

of what I've got going on.

If there is one piece of advice I can give any new quilters

 out there who are starting to build a sewing studio, it is:

Be patient!  Do not rush out and buy all the things!  

It takes time to develop.  The good news is that you

need to work in your space for this to happen!

So tell 'em your "doing research" and

happy quilting!