I came to the conclusion that I need something larger than the surface of my ironing board. It is pretty frustrating to press large pieces of fabric on something intended for clothes. I spend a lot of time folding, unfolding, pinning, arranging and re-arranging ...whine, whine, whine.

This is what I was thinking about doing - what do you think and do you use a pressing area other than your ironing board? I thought to buy an 8 foot hollow core door (you can get them without the doorknob hole drilled out) put it across supports...maybe even 2 kitchen cabinets (with drawers) cover it with batting and canvas? or muslin? maybe there is a heat resistant paint I could use? I am worried about the wood warping from the heat of the iron. I could cut the door down if it was too big - I have a huge sewing room so the size isn't too important. I would love to be able to walk around and press from both sides. I think I can get a door for under $50, cabinets could be pricey...may need to go with 2x4 supports.

Anyway - just throwing this out there - I would love to hear how you have solved this frustrating issue - and please tell me what you think about using the door and cabinet idea.

Do you have a college or university nearby. Many have surplus stores, esp if univer with hospital, I bought a lot of things at the university of Iowa surplus store and I know they had metal desks which would work great. What if you used the insulate batting, the type used in potholders, under the fabric on your board to protect the board. File cabinets work great for supports under the board.

"stored away when not in use'? Love it - mine is always 'in use" ! Could use one larger than the regular clothing ironing board too. In time.

If you are thinking of using a door, you may want to check out the local Habitat for Humanity store. There are lots of doors at my local store.

A friend at work just made a large board to go over her ironing board. I think it cost about $50.00 for lumber and materials on top. I'm still deciding what type of board I want. :D

I made my sewing/cutting tables from two hollow core doors I got from my sister. Made them 'L' shaped, attached with brackets, bought two sets of folding table legs and now I have a huge play area in my average size bedroom with lots of space left.

Don't know why you can't go to HD or Lowes and get one for an ironing board. You can get the silver material (what's it called?) at joanns also.

Good luck!

if you have plenty of room I'd go with a full sheet of 3/4 plywood, by the time you get your padding on there I don't think you could warp it with heat, you'd burn your fabric first. just make sure it's well supported or it will warp on it's own. you can get the cabinet units one at a time as you can afford it to go under. that's what I have in my room for cutting (1/2 sheet) and it's the perfect hight, wish I had one for iorning too

At my LQS they sew ironing board covers. It's wood that goes over the ironing board to make it into a rectangle. It's pretty decently sized.

here's what dh did for me. He bought a sheet of plywood and cut it to about 2ft wide and the length of my ironing board. Then he put it on the ironing board and added little strips of wood on each side to hold it in place. It comes off if you need to iron clothes. I covered it with and old old old blanket I had and a sheet. It works great and I can recover it easily whenever I need.

My DH made the big board for me, we found this webshots site with pictures, might help you out.
http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/...80862212jmSjuv

Don't make your ironing surface too soft or it will distort your blocks . I was told that you should use thin cotton batting and whatever you use for the cover and that it should not give too much when you push on it.