I helped a neighbor clean out the home of an elderly couple. Among the things we found, was a home made ironing board. It was a table leaf that had been wrapped and wrapped again in lots of newspaper. Then it was covered with several layers of fabric. That thing was solid! and worked on a table top. Even a left over board from construction could be wrapped and used along side a sewing machine. I used it for years, then when I unwrapped it, out of curiosity, the newpaper dates were back to the 30's. That had been in use a long time, as this lady died in the 80's.
Be creative!
June in Cincinnati