I have 3 wire basket holders (17" wide, 22" deep and 7 runners high which is about 30", I think). This makes a nice size desk surface on which I've put The Big Board ironing board. It's meant to be put on a regular ironing board but I found that a tad unstable and awkward for my left handedness. Not to mention I had to have a separate bit of floor space for it. I had a flash of brilliance and realized it fit perfectly on top of the wire basket ensemble so I moved it there. Then I noticed that my big cutting board could go on top of the wire baskets too, if I didn't mind a bit of overhang at the back. Since I rarely cut the full width of fabric, I generally don't need the full cutting surface so that worked too. So my cutting board can slide under the Big Board and I pull it out when it's needed. Then I realized I was just one step away from having a giant flippable board with a cutting surface on one side, and an ironing surface on the other. I've always liked the smaller version of that and used it when taking classes so I've asked my son James to cut some plywood for me and we'll be fixing that up after we finish our sailing class this next week. I have this setup at right angles to my sewing table so I just pivot and depending on what I'm doing I can iron, cut, fuse or try various layouts, all on the same work surface. So far, it's also had the excellent side benefit of forcing me to keep the surface cleared off so I can get other work done. Since I have a problem with not putting things away when I'm in a creative flow, this has been a benefit.
4 comments:
Where did you get your wire baskets set-up? I'm currently using a hobby craft table that is more wobbly than I'd like...I'm living with it for now but the first chance I can afford I'm planning on making a change. Thanks.
I mostly bought them through The Container Store during their annual Elfa sale (in January, I think). There are other brands but we've always found them to be extremely durable.
Hi, Liz....your set-up looks like a great solution for cutting/pressing....I have a whole bank of white wire basket shelves all along the entire length of my little craft room----I found them all, one at a time, at thrift stores---they aren't all Elfa but they still work and I paid between $7 and $20 for each one. My biggest challenge is to keep "stuff" off them so I can use the work space. Ideally, a cutting board would work best if I could walk completely around it, but I'd have to take out my favorite armchair/guest chair/inspiration station. I keep a large glass "table-top"(taken off the front of an old Stereo/Turntable stand)handy so I can put it across my sewing machine Koala table when I want to push the sewing machine down out of sight and have a big surface to do card-making and scrapping on. MollyK.
I have the Elfa system also. I love it! I store all my fat quarters in the bins. I'm currently organizing my quilt studio and folding my fabric and shelving them neatly. This job is taking the majority of my summer (during my spare time). I also will be using the top as an ironing/cutting station!!! I have pics on my blog too. Great minds think alike!
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