lots2do

Hi everyone,
I spent a lot of time yesterday researching how to make my cutting table more stable and even received a nice p.m. from a member this morning regarding this. (Thank you!). I have the folding kind that is sold at Joann's and other places. Now that we will be moving on with this, I am looking more seriously at getting a cover for it so that I can iron on the surface too. I do know that I could make something but frankly I'd rather spend time sewing something more gratifying and fun.
There seem to be two different covers out there that will fit: a Sullivan's silver cover and a white cotton one. The cotton one got one review that said the grid lines are not true once you fit it on but I wouldn't really being using those. One site that was selling the silver one said that you should get a type of cover for your iron so that the grid lines won't blur and come off. Whoa! That doesn't sound good to me.
I will make something if these are not worth the price. The cheapest price I've found is about $39 for the white and $46 on sale for the silver. That does seem like a lot of money.
Now I'm talking myself out of it!
Anyway, if you've used or own either, please let me know what you think.
Thank you,
lots2do

athomenow

I have the silver one with the grid markings but I don't use the markings either. I have the large cutting mat made for that table so I just slip it on when I want to cut or trim and then remove for ironing. I love it for ironing on my batting and starching quilt tops. I happened to find mine at a yard sale and paid $3. Wonderful find.

NJ Quilter

Mine came with the silver cover and a very thin piece of foam padding. I used them as intended and ultimately had issues with pieces of the foam padding getting glued to the table itself. Eventually the corners of the cover started wearing through. I now just use a towel (or two) folded over on the table itself. Works for me.

SuzieQuilts

I have a folding table with a large mat and the ironing cover came with it. I had good intention of using it, but it just seems easier to use the ironing board, so it sits in my closet.

SewSassy

I have only used my cutting table (one from Joanns) for ironing tablecloths. When I do that, I use an old mattress pad cover and then I had purchased yardage also from Joann's to cover the pad and it worked wonderful. I don't know how this would work for long term usage

cheryl222

I made my own cover from the silver pressing fabric from Joanns.

LivelyLady

I covered a 45"x36" piece of plywood with 2 layers of cotton batting and pretty upholstery fabric from JoAnn's stapled to the back. It fit the top of my vintage library table. Works great.

amandasgramma

I had DH cut me a piece of particle board (chip board???) and I covered it with 2 layers of batting (Warm and Natural) and stapled on some fabric.......you could use duct tape to hold it. Make It SIMPLE, ladies!!!! This is the BEST ironing surface I've ever had. It's hard enough to make the seams lie flat, yet soft enough to make it feel like you're not ironing on pavement... I love it!!!! I have it sitting on my cutting table. My cutting table is a sliding closet door....I got at a recycle building supply place. It sits on 2 file cabinets. The other side of the ironing board is my cutting mats..... EASY to use!

cathyvv

I don't have either of the ironing covers you mention, but did make my own ironing station about 6 months ago.

I took 2 nightstands from one of my bedrooms. They're never used and, since I bought them used, there's no stress with regard to keeping them in perfect shape. They stand about 24" apart, so there is room to put a chair between them. (I have to sit when I am ironing as the knees protest when I stand too long.)

I like a flat ironing surface, no ridges, so DH bought me a 16" wide piece of laminated shelving. It's about 5 feet long.

I covered the piece of shelving with a couple of old towels as the 'batting'. I purchased a nice 100% cotton out door canvas-like fabric from the selection at WM, and used that to cover the batting and board. It's in colors that match up with my house and is always available to me in our living room. If it gets scorched or whatever, which is inevitable, it's both easy and cheap to replace. When the cover has to be replaced, I will probably use several layers of batting, at least one of them insulbright, to replace the towels as batting.

I think you could do a similar thing for your table. You would probably want to sew the batting and the top together and then hem at the edges to eliminate problems like bunching and folding and so on. Then I'd put some strips of elastic on the corners (like they used to do on sheets and mattress protectors) to slip over the corners of your cutting table and hold the ironing cover in place.

sandybeach

My cutting/ironing table is a 4x8 piece of plywood that my son put legs on (from Home Depot). I then covered the whole top with a piece of batting (probably Warm and Natural), then a piece of cotton wide back stripped fabric. Stapled batting and cover on the back side. Then I put a 24x36 cutting matt on one end and can use both at the same time, or remove the cutting matt and iron large pieces.