The Professional Workroom Table

Oh the joy of a new worktable. The aroma of fresh cut wood and a clean canvas just waiting for that first bolt of fabric.  A new work table can make a workroom pro swoon and the novice green with envy. 


Many a workroom started out on a dining room table, pool table, ping-pong table or the floor (ouch!).  Using a good worktable will make your measurements more accurate and your work more efficient.  If you are working on a make-do table, do yourself a favor (and your back) and invest in the time and materials to create a professional style worktable.  You will be glad you did over and over and over again.


Window treatment construction is hard and messy work.  Scissors, glues, markers, fabric dyes and spills can turn the beautiful canvas into a soiled, sad mess.  Does this look familiar?

The good news is that a solidly constructed worktable will last forever and the canvas can be replaced over and over again.

One of the most common questions we hear is "do you have instructions for building a worktable"?  Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Clause.  We listened.  Not only are we going to provide printable instructions but we will present a live, photo-filled, interactive and fun online seminar complete with a construction list so that you can build a worktable of your very own.

The start of a worktable. Build two frames for the table top and bottom shelf.

The frame is connected with legs.  This is a small sized table at 6' long.  Make the table as long as is possible for your room.  Most workroom use a 10' or 12' finished length which will need legs in the center as well.  The height is customized for the user.  Make it too low and you will have a back ache but make it too high and you will not be able to reach the center.  Choose a height that is near the hip.

Add 3/4" thick plywood for the table top.

A layer of work table under-layment creates a pinnable surface which is then topped with padding and canvas for ironing.

But wait, there's more!  There are time-saving products and tools that will make your work table more efficient like the Printed Worktable Canvas, Worktable Extension Bracket, Table Clamp Fabric Dispenser, Table Top Edging and other ideas that will be shared in the webinar.  A worktable is one of the best investments you will ever make in your workroom business.  Even a hobbyist will enjoy the benefits of a good work surface for home dec projects, quilting or garment sewing.

Join us for Constructing a Professional Workroom Table 
on Thursday, April 14, 2011 starting at 2:00 pm Eastern Standard Time.   
Click here to register.

French Pleated-Grommet Panels

Do you like the look of traditional pleated panels but would like to update the style for a more modern interior?  This drapery style combines both tried-and-true French Pleats with sleek Grommets to create a traditional panel with a contemporary edge.

Here's how:

1. Make a drapery panel with a buckram heading.  Allow for 6 grommets and three 5 to 6 inch pleats for each width.

2. Determine grommet placement, cut holes and set the grommets, leaving space for the pleats to be sewn in-between.

3. Sew in the pleats from the top to the bottom of the buckram and tack to create any pleat style such as French (shown here), Goblet or Euro styles.  Install on decorative hardware just as you would for a flat grommet panel.

This style offers a very small stackback on the window, perfect for situations where there is not much room for traversing draperies.  One width stacks back to approximately 4" and when pulled out on the pole covers approximately 20".  Like with flat grommet panels, a baton should be used if the draperies will be traversed on the pole.  This will make traversing easier and prevent the fabric from being stretched or soiled.

This French Pleated-Grommet Panel features EZ-Set™ Matte Nickel Grommets #GE12/T and 4" Heavy Weight, Iron-On Buckram #BXA44 from Rowley Company.