Julienm1

So I've read and reread your posts, slept on the idea, and of course came up with dif idea this morning! Have a craft table from JoAnn's measuring 35x60 (has 2 drop down leaves). Found silver hear resistant fabric on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Thermal-Resis...7GPZSYVF&psc=1 and https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...HLBRDID3&psc=1 (45 wide). Thought about sewing elastic to run under the table to secure it. What else would I need to protect the table top from warping?

platyhiker

What material are the tables made out of?

For wood, moisture (such as from the steam from your iron) makes it more likely to warp. One way to keep moisture away from wood is to put aluminum foil as the layer closest to the wood.

Most people like some sort of padding on the ironing surface (under the silver fabric). Cotton batting is popular.

Rhonda K

I would at least add another board to the top. I've used 1/4 inch plywood and it warped so now use the 3/8 inch. Good luck!

SallyS

Something to add: A wool blanket folded to the right size, covered with drill cloth or something else suitable. The wool is great for pressing and something I wouldn't leave out. You can usually find old wool blankets at second hand shops priced reasonably. When the top gets dirty on mine, I add another layer of fabric without taking off the old one. You can also cover an area you use a lot with freezer paper and just replace that when it gets dirty.

Onebyone

You need a steam barrier from the wood or it will warp overtime. Heavy duty aluminium foil will work on top of the board before covering if you can't find the silver heat/moisture proof fabric. Insulbrite will work for heat but not for moisture.

Wood Sprite

I was just doing keyword searches on here because I plan to make one soon and was debating using the silver stuff I have or canvas. I found this thread (and many others) that might be helpful to you. (I've decided to use 1/2" board that I already have, 1 layer of Warm & Natural, silver heat-reflective fabric then a removable pre-washed canvas fabric so I can wash it.)

Making Your Own Ironing Board--Did you use canvas or silver ironing fabric?

tbp

I recently made an ironing surface for a similar sized surface. I started with a 4' x 8' piece of 1/2" birch plywood. I had the home improvement store cut 3' off one end for a 3' x 4' piece. Then had them cut 1' off the edge for a 3' x 5' piece. I covered each with two layers of cotton batting and one layer of the silver ironing board fabric. I stapled the batting and fabric to the back. I used an electric staple gun. Now I have a very large surface for the craft table, and a smaller one for when that is more convenient.

charlottequilts

I love this thread because I desperately need to find the heat/moisture barrier. I have plywood with an old piece of plexiglass on top and have to keep stopping to let the plexi flatten back down.

For the very top, I use several layers of thick, white denim - just sitting there loose - from Joann's some years ago. It has a lot of grip when you're pressing, and it doesn't seem to go anywhere.

It's easy to turn one piece over if it gets grungy. Or wash/dry it. But if you have 3 pieces, that's 6 sides.

hugs,
charlotte