Sunday Stash #108 – Take It Back
Mr. Ikea Stenstorpp, we need to talk. I really liked you, and thought we had something wonderful together. Apparently, not. You went and got all bent out of shape, and it felt like you were using me, more than I was using you! I even tried to trade you in for your twin brother. He showed up with a soft screw, and no matter how much I twisted it, there was no getting it up. So consider this relationship with both of you over, red rover. Now I need to find me a real work station, one that will satisfy my needs!
Glitterati, if you’ve got any sturdy tips, or out of the box thinkings, please share them in the comments! I’m thinking I’ll have to check out the hardware store to get a real man work station! You’ll also notice in the photo, that bad boy in the corner that’s becoming a little less camera shy. Someday he’ll dust himself off and come out of his box.
I saw a cool idea the other day and they had used MDF with the vinyl floating floor ( fake timer strips ) over the top and a timber edge , maybe I saw it on pinterest ? Best of both wolds a bit of give for working on but the strength and toughness of flooring ?
Just a quick question are you still taking blocks for the Martin Place quilts…. I am on holidays now and have a bit of extra time
Hey Deeau! You're a no-reply blogger, so I hope you see this! I am accepting blocks up until January 19th and then sewing machines are down! (Well, the top assembly part anyway!) Also, thanks for the suggestions about the work station!
http://www.bunnings.com.au/interbuild-2200-x-600mm-26mm-acacia-hardwood-project-panel_p8330032 – might be worth a look. I've walked past a couple of times and am considering for my laundry – but surely hardwood wouldn't warp?!> Could be worth considering if the shape can work for your space. Cheers, Skye
Your hash tag blocks and top look amazing. I see the number of blocks has risen. What are you going to do with the other blocks. You have enough for double the quilts
I bought this http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/00240241/ it's fixed on to the top of a double kitchen unit and one single in which live my scrap boxes, wips, printer and other stuff. Because it's on a kitchen cupboard it's a great height for cutting (I do hours of that for my shop) and I have a 22" x 36" cutting mat, in theory there is a space for my pressing mat too but all too often that space is full of stuff! I've had this work top for 18mths and have no complaints.
Nothing worse than a broken work bench …
Bugger! I have a dining table top on Ikea adjustable legs, but mine is a white covered particle job top rather than wood I'm afraid.
I have a 1960's metal desk (big and HEAVY) that I use for sewing. It was in my home office for years, but recently I realized that my Juki wouldn't be able to shake that desk when sewing 1200 stitches a minute (and it doesn't). The last couple of months have been so SMOOTH. Check out used Desk/Office supply shops, those big, old wooden (teacher) desks are usually pretty sturdy, too.
I use that same IKEA Stenstorpp and I love it. In fact I have two – one for the kitchen. I would fix the wonky screw or order again, it is actually a fantastic cutting surface and the right height.
What did you expect – I mean really – afte all the Quilts matter post you can't really complain about IKEA … a quilt with cheap materials will be cheap, but it will probably loose colours (and shape) soon … and what else is IKEA then a cheap version of anything a carpenter made … this one is really a sort of a "split personality post" (just saying) …
So stand true – and simply build the thing from good quality materials (or get Mr. Sparkles to do it) – start with the table top, make it aged hardwood, go get it locally (wherever one buys wood in Australia …) so it's used to the kind of temps etc, that you get … wood is a ntaure product and works in its environment (humidtiy + temp… )
But anyway for the easy fix – just use a bigger screw (I mean assorted screws from 3 to 6 mm are sort of a houshold basic), alternatively drill a hole and use a wood dowel with a dot of wood glue … or put the thing in a few centimetres to the side or use a simple angle joint or … or … or … there are lots of ways to fix IKEA …
Depending on how handy Mr. sparkles is, this seems to be a pretty popular option. My husband made me one! http://ana-white.com/2010/09/modern-craft-table
I am sad that you had trouble with the Ikea butcher block. I have some in my mudroom as countertops and I love it. It seems so sturdy, I don't understand how it warped. Personally I sew and cut on an Ikea dining room table that's very sturdy. I saw someone top some Ikea Expedit units (which are now called Kallax) with a solid, un-bored door from Home Depot as a table topper, but I don't know if that is more or less likely to warp than something intended as countertop material… Good luck and I hope you get it sorted out! 🙂
I have a second hand oak table that I got for a steal from a local lady after she posted it on Gumtree – upcycling at it's best! If you can, look around for second hand tables – I recommend it! Older furniture tends to be better made at a fraction of what you'd pay for a good new one now.
Buckled under the weight of awesomeness and creative thoughts. I'd go a decent 2nd hand dining room table, change the legs to something more your height or block the exisitng legs and then 'cubby' the underneath with cubes that fit your boxes…
I bought a fabo rectory style table off Gumtree, it's not weighty enough for cutting but for the sewing I have managed it is perfect and I LOVE not banging my legs on the table legs when I have to get up to press, or even swing around to press…
My husband made a drafting table years ago with a commercial grade solid smooth door. It has remained true. It's not pretty but it is functional and fits the manly requirement. You may be able to attach one to the Ikea frame for a bit more style. His was a cast-off and has been modified for hinges and a door knob. Maybe you could find one that has not been touched but has a flaw that you could put on the underside.
Hi Molli. I previously used this Ikea bench and the Ikea Varde bench for my "production room" but I have found the best range ever – the Kinchrome tool chests from Bunnings (do you have Bunnings in Sydney? it's a long time since I've lived there). The one I have is on my Instagram (beautifulhandmade). Its the 5 drawer trolley and the drawers are perfect depth for fabric. The top is great to cut on – not as wide as the Ikea bench but still works and the storage underneath is the best! Danielle
May the universe bless you infinitely for your hashtag quilt project! I just installed a cutting table made with a Linmon table top and Gerton legs from Ikea. The table top is a bit cheap – they definitely have better ones, but the legs are amazing. They are chrome, sturdy, and their height can be adjusted – although at $35 CAD they are a little pricey. I have a lot of fabric folded and stored in the Raskog cart which rolls nicely under the table with plenty of room for other stuff.
I recently purchased the same Ikea unit and absolutely LOVE it. Try to resolve any issues cause it is a great piece for storage and perfect (height and size) for cutting. Persevere, you wont be sorry.
I'm about to move and my dear boyfriend is giving me one of the bedrooms as a sewing room so I'm on the lookout for some larger table areas for sewing and crafting. I've heard such mized reviews of the Ikea desks so I don't know if I'll be trying the Ikea route or mounting laminated wood from the hardware store ontop of book cases as I've seen done. Your post makes me think about the second option more.
I am sending you a link to a post about mine – it's been two years and I still absolutely LOVE it!
https://irenegrimes.wordpress.com/2015/01/11/the-cutting-table-a-k-a-work-table-a-k-a-craft-table/
Take a look at the Custom DIY Sewing/Cutting Table on http://www.noodle-head.com. My husband and I built this table in just a few hours. If you already have on hand a table base that you would like to use, you can make only the table top. This table was both inexpensive and easy to build. Additionally, it is highly functional and looks great. All the best!
Whatever you do, do not get a plastic, adjustable table from your big box store!! They sag in the middle over time. And as you know, that just won't do! XX!
You need one like mine:
http://justjulielou.blogspot.co.nz/2014/08/weekending-sewing-room-edition.html
Hope you get one soon.
There's a hilarious Ikea song on iTunes you might enjoy!