Just starting - advice on our table?

I have one and I got it a JoAnn's when it was 50 % off. If I use it opened all the way out, with the support legs securely in the brackets under the table, and the wheel locks in "lock" position, the table is quite sturdy and doesn't wobble at all. If you try to use it while it's all folded up, it isn't as stable, but locking the wheels does help. I use mine when I pin-baste my quilts for machine quilting and I've even done a few queen and king-sized ones with no problems at all. It's one of the best buys I've made and I use it constantly.

What a great discussion. I enjoyed hearing the details of what / why you use for cutting. Mine is as original as many of you. We have our son's childhood 'train board' on top of our from when we were newlyweds dining table. The train board no longer has locomotives going round and round, and the dining table now wears white PVC socks to get it to a just right height. I didn't see where anyone mentioned where to put it. If you possibly can, place the cutting table so that you can walk all the way around it. It surely is convenient, especially if there are two of you cutting. Very nice thread. Thank you all. Polly

Polly, I do this with my JoAnn's table when I'm basting my quilts;I roll it to the middle of the room. Since it's on wheels, it's real easy to maneuver and I can reach in from all four sides.

-Irene

I have one similar to the one JoAnn's sells, but it must be the older version. I bought it from a lady who was giving up sewing to live/travel in an RV. It is all wood, and has a drawer at one end. It also came with a white cutting mat that covers the entire surface. I still use the self-mending mats on top of it, but if I go off the edge, no damage is done. Most of the time I leave it opened, but it's really nice to be able to fold down both sides and put it against the wall when necessary. I, too, pull it out from the walls when pin basting a quilt. I bought clamps at the hardware store which I use all around it! Works great as the Christmas wrapping station, too!

My charity quilt group bought a banquet type table at Costco that is height adjustable up to counter height. It is very stable and cost about $60. I also have two of the small 18"x24" height adjustable tables that we use for our SMs. All of these tables have injection molded tops and are very stable.

Bonnie, in Midletown, VA