Yesterday Japan was in the midst of a typhoon and so our plans to go out for a drive were thwarted.
"Tetsu, I'd really like a quilting extension table. Can you make me one?"
I had researched this a bit. When I went to the Long Beach Quilt Festival I had considered purchasing one (but I didn't remember my sewing machine's number). Back in Japan I had considered trying to make my own "table" using Styrofoam. I looked at ready made table tops and wondered if they could be jigsaw cut to my sewing machine. Brenda Lou had offered to check into purchasing and shipping for me. But here I have a wonky carpenter (it's the wonky that scares me) right in my own house and surely he would be willing to make something for me if I promised him a good dinner.
Dodging the rain, Tetsu and I went to a home improvement center and spent HOURS considering the possibilities... and all afternoon Tetsu worked on a table for me.
Tetsu doesn't work with much else than a rusty hand saw, a hand screwdriver and my Omnigrid sewing ruler, so he screwed boards together and hand sawed the sewing machine shape to fit in an inset. (And has the blisters to show for his work!)
The table my sewing machine usually sits on is a bit lower than the drawer area next to it, so Tetsu cut different length "legs". The new table now bumps up against my cutting table making a huge extension for behind the quilt.
I'd say that this is one of Tetsu's more successful projects! I'm contemplating putting a plastic sheet over the board area to make for better slippage... but my trial sewing last night proves that that might be unnecessary. The quilt moves around easily! And now I can use the Quilt Halo that I bought at Sharon Schamber's booth too. (It didn't work with my original slanted sewing machine bed.) My sewing machine quilting extension table is just wonderful!!!
No more excuses for lack of quilting control! What should I cook for Tetsu's "good" dinner tonight?
31 comments:
He's a treasure, your husband! I bet he's really proud of your quilts, too. Maybe you could spoil him with some new tools?
Wow. He did a great job!
Wow... that is a great extension table! Congratulations to you DH on such a fantastic job!
That's a fabulous table! Three cheers for Tetsu! :-)
Do you have dryer sheets such as "Bounce" in Japan? Rub one of them on your new extension table and the quilts should slide more easily.
How wonderful. That's just what you need for quilt wrangling. I fear that if Christopher tried to make something like that I'd end up with a pile of sawdust and a tiny extension table!
It looks great! Hope you cooked him a good dinner. I'd just cook some of his favorites. You could do what I do sometimes and cook all his favorites for a few days. lol
Yahoo, for wonky carpenters!!!! Glad you have that wonky carpenter at your house...and what a treasure he designed and built for you....I know you are taking good care of his blisters...in between quilting and cooking a meal for Carpenter-san...hugs, Pat in IN
I don't machine quilt on my sewing machine but I have a table that my machine sits in and whenever i'm somewhere without that level surface I really notice it.
Enjoy your new surface!
Does Tetsu read your blog??? So well done for a WONKY carpenter.the extra size makes it so much easier, here in NZ you can buy extension tables , there is a place in Wellington that makes them to order.But I think maybe not as large as yours. Just cook his favourite,he will be so happy now you have used the table, praised it,and shown how much better and easier the whole quilting process is with "A TABLE"
Cheers from Jean
Wow, congratulations on having such a wonderful husband! :-)
WOW - that is incredible! You'd better make him the best dinner ever, lol. You are so blessed!!!
That's a really nice table!! I'm wondering what you made Tetsu for dinner???
Excellent worker you have there, Tanya! It looks just great and will definitely help your neck and shoulders. I sewed for over 20 years with my sewing machine on top of a desk so I know!
you look content sewing away
on your new table. I have
shelves like you in my sewing room.
I used command hooks along the
top and hung a big sheet of
batting. now I have a design wall
and it hides the mess.
Haven't we all said before that Tetsu is special in his willingness to help even with your quilting problems. So unique. Tell him that.
Ida
I can imagine how much better it is to have the problem solved. My son-in-law is the craftsman in our house but he has been making me a top for our corner table for the last three years. I can't even remember anymore if it was for Christmas or my birthday. I only know it is getting done faster than if my husband were to do it.
The table Tetsu made for you is far better than I could have ordered for you! They are all much, much smaller than yours. What a treasure you have in your husband!
I was thinking the same as BrendaLou - I have a perspex one for my machine but it's not as large as the wonderful construction Tetsu has made for you - what a star man!
That is the best thing ever! I am so happy for you and Tetsu is so creative! Enjoy
So happy for you! It sure looks like it was worth the hours at the home fix-it store. Not many quilters get custom made extension tables. For Tetsu's good dinner how about quilted veggies!
That is just wonderful!!!!! I love it! What a wonderful Tetsu you have! :)))))
Now that you are all set up to make beautiful quilts easily with your new table, when will you open your Etsy store? ;)
Big hugs,
Lois
That's incredible. Love what that wonky carpenter husband can do with a few tools. I enjoy seeing the pic of you quilting away and looking so comfortable.
Wow! Tetsu is so handy with his wonky carpenter skills!
You are one lucky woman, but then again, you deserve such a loving and caring husband.
Oh how wonderful it is to have a table that doesn't try to pull your quilt away from the sewing machine! I'm glad you found a solution - and it is the best one since Tetsu feels like he was helpful, and since it was customized for your machine and table, the best one for you as well.
Congratulations! All quilters should have a handyman in the house. Sadly it is not so...
lots of comments and well deserved too. Congratulations on your new table. Maybe I will have to show this to my own wonky carpenter. I wonder if waxing the table top will help, if you decide you need a bit more slipperiness.
What clever ingenuity! Looks like Tetsu really showed his carpentry skills with the extension table and now deserves a dinner fit for a king! Have fun quilting!
Woohoo Tetsu! Great job!
Good job! I have found it helps the slipperness to use a furniture polich on the surface of whatever table I use, to help it slide. I also mUST remove my cutting mat before quilting, as that also, adds unwanted drag to the process. Have fun!
He is a clever man your Tetsu! You'll have hours and hours of pain-free quilting now!
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