For the most part....I use an old small ironing board that's for travel. I cover it with warm and natural and muslin. I just made myself an ironing board out of plywood, warm and natural and some cheap cotton. I like it MUCH better. I HATE the ironing board I paid $70.00 for....it's big, clunky and has a funny hump in it that bugs me. As for the fabric -- just use cheap cotton.....that shiny silver stuff isn't worth it.