My DH made me a 24" sq. out of plywood for my ironing board some years ago, which I put a pad on for pressing my applique' blocks and etc. However I had him put two little strips on the lower edge of mine to keep it in place and not slip back and forth. My ironing board is an antique wooden ironing board that my mom purchased from Goolwill about 1940. I am thinking about having him make me a full length, wider top to fit over the top of my board like you now have and would really be nice since mine is really narrow....do think about the "stabilizers" on either side of the bottom of your new top to keep it from shifting. We just set the new top on the board and toook a pencil and marked the bottom of the new top so DH would know exactly where to place the two stabilizer strips. ENJOY and I'll send you my ironing as well...LOL,LOL
Very good idea on the tube underneather as well...I will definately put that to use as well! Thanks for the ideas!