aforristall

I want to make a top to go over my desk ( I have a desk that rises up and down. I use it as a cutting table, too.) ,so I can use it as a large ironing surface, but I really don't want it to be heavy. I have some insulation foam board left over from making my design wall and am thinking it might work. My concern is if it would give off toxic fumes if it got too warm or even melt. I would of course cover it with some type of insulation fabric and batting so the iron isn't directly touching the foam board. I think I even have a large 1/2" thick piece of wool felt to put on it as well. The foam board shouldn't damage the top of my desk which is good.
Has anyone made a ironing board like this?

sewingpup

I would try and get more information as to what the foam board is made of. Yep, it could give off toxic fumes with heat. I personally don't think I would try it. but at least see if you can get more information from the manufacturer as to what it is made off. Often foam things are made of chemicals that react with each other creating the foam and will put off toxic fumes when heated.

SHELTIE'SMAMA

Try something small but an oven liner that can

SHELTIE'SMAMA

Hit the wrong key and off she went-- (and it was easy too), Oven liners are good yo 400 to 500 degrees as a base on the foam board should be okay with two layers of insul bright both pointed to whatever is going to be your top layer should get the job done. Hopefully others might have something to add to this to make it even better.

aforristall

I think I wont try the foam board. Just to risky after looking at fire tests on you tube. I think I will just use a 1/2" thick piece of wool to cover the entire table when needed. I got some samples for another project from this company and I think I can get a yard that is 72" wide for about $136.00. My table is 60x30, so I should have some left over for maybe a small pressing mat...LOL
www.sutherlandfelt.com
This is the sample they sent me. I just tested it with my iron and it worked great.
Felt Materials - SAE Pressed Wool Felt - F-7 SAE Wool Felt, Gray - The Felt Company

aforristall

Or this one that is 100% wool and a little cheaper in cost... I might get this one and get it 3/4" think.
Eco-Felt, 1/2" Thick x 60" Wide - The Felt Company

FoggyButFocused

What is the goal for size? The entire tabletop? When you need the tabletop, how do you want to store the ironing board? I think after you answer these questions, it will probably come to light about how heavy it needs to be.

My husband made mine. We took the legs off a 48" Lifetime table. He made the ironing board to fit the legs. It works terrific! It's very heavy, but I rarely take it down.

Hope this helps!

toverly

I have a homemade ironing board that sits on top of a metal rolling medical cart. I love it. It is essentially a rectangle with rounded edges of 1/2" thick particle board (wood chips, not foam) Then there are two layers of cotton batting, ironing board fabric, cotton batting again, then muslin on top. The entire sandwich is folded around to the back and stapled with heavy staples. I have recovered it several times by just adding more fabric to the top. A few years ago, people were making ironing boards out of wooden tv trays. I'm sure the directions are out there somewhere.

sewingpup

Just watched a you-tube where this women used a hallow cored door to make an ironing board....she was fun watching....she said to just use whatever you could find laying around. Used a crib as a base for the board, used PVC piping to make storage containers for her gadgets and stuck that on the sides of the crib, Sad thing, I took off my hollow cored door to my long arm room....had it stored for several years, and then two summers ago, gave it away free at a yard sale. Who knew?

aforristall

I’m not looking for another heavy piece of furniture. I’m trying to multipurpose the desk and like that it raises up when needed. Just something to place over the entire surface of my existing 30x60 desk that I also use as a cutting table. This desk raises up when I need to use it as a cutting table so I’m not all bent over. A great back saver. I think a thick piece of wool will work fine and then I can just roll it up to store when I don’t need it. It would be mostly for ironing finished pieced quilt tops and larger pieces of fabric. I already have a smaller ironing station that I use when piecing a quilt.