Rodney

I like this idea. If your ironing surface is attached to the table it's less things to carry.
Rodney

ntransue

This is from Joann Fabrics and they sell it by the yard. A girlfriend of mind cover a wooden TV table with insul brite and the silver stuff and put it at the end of her sewing table. This way she can move it around and it doesn't take up much room. Woven of 100%-cotton with a unique aluminized coating, this quality material gives your ironing board a smooth, resilient surface. Also recommended for pot holders and oven mitts.

yadroc

I made an ironing pad from fabric and Insu-Bright batting. I finished off the edges (so at this point it is just like your ironing pad). I then sewed straps to one side and d rings to the other side. Pass the straps under the table and through the d rings to secure it. This can be taken anywhere and used on any size surface. You could also use Velcro to fasten it but that would limit the size of the table that it would fit on.

athomenow

After reading all these ideas I see that my ironing pad made with a piece of heavy cardboard and then covered with batting and fabric probably isn't the best but it works for now. Necessity is the mother of invention I guess.

mpspeedy2

I made myself an ironing/cutting surface out of a roll around unfinished kitchen island. I covered a half sheet of plywood with the silver stuff and stapled it to the underside of the plywood. Laid on the island it makes the top bigger and is removable if I want it to be. The advantage of the island is that it is on wheels, has a drawer built in and a shelf about a foot off the floor at the bottom. In the room where I actually sew I have an old dresser that used to have legs. I cut off the legs and use the surface for a cutting and in a pinch ironing area. The three large draws and two small are very handy for sewing related stuff. I hung on each end a wire rack that holds rolls of stabilizer, freezer paper and even my small iron. If I need to press or cut something I have only a few steps to that surface. I tend to spend hours sewing so having to get up and take a few steps occasionally is a good thing. My sewing machine and two embroidery machines are on the brown laminated tables I purchased at Staples or the other office store. I did have my machinist husband cut down the legs on the table for the sewing machine to make it just the right height for my back. One advantage of the tables is that there is plenty of room under them to stow plastic drawer units full of sewing and embroidery supplies etc.

Misty's Mom

My ironing table is one of those white plastic tables covered with the ironing board stuff then a cotton cover. The two covers are made like fitted sheets and come off to be washed. I've had this setup for over 2 years and have no problems whatsoever

RipStitcher

Great idea! I wonder how many pounds I'd lose if I put my ironing board upstairs? lol I'd spend more time stair-climbing than sewing. lol j/k

citruscountyquilter

I have my ironing surface away from my machine so it does force me to get up and move. It helps save my back from sitting too long in one place. I have one of the folding tables described set at the highest setting so I can stand to use it. One half of the table has a self healing mat on it which I use to cut fabric and the other half has the ironing surface. I used a heavy duck drop cloth that I got at Harbor Freight (but they are available most anywhere that sells paint) to cover a lite weight board. Look at the home improvement center for MDF board or particle board which is lite weight. I did use a couple of layers of warm and natural under the drop cloth to give it some padding. If you're concerned about the heat going through then use insulbright instead of warm and natural. My ironing board currently is padded with old blankets covered in cotton duck. I didn't do that. It was like that when I bought it at the thrift store. I don't see why you need special fabric to make one.

mckwilter

What is the name of that silver ironing board fabric so I can find a source for it online? I've always just called it Teflon fabric, and I buy it at my local JoAnn's. I use it for potholders, but I love it for pressing because it reflects the heat back, so you are almost pressing both sides of the fabric at the same time.

About securing it down... IMHO, I wouldn't have it attached to the table. It will be easier to move if it is a separate piece, otherwise the table will be heavy. And it will be easier to replace the cover if it isn't attached to the table.

If I have my son just use a piece of plywood, for instance, what batting can I use under the silver stuff so that the screw heads won't make bumps on the ironing surface? (that would drive me batty!) If you do decide to have it fastened to the table, 1/4" plywood would work, and have him countersink the screws so the heads don't make that bump.

Is there a lighter material - other than plywood - that maybe some of you have used to make an ironing surface? If I remember correctly, Jenny Doan (Missouri Star Quilt Company) has a tutorial on making a pressing board.

I think this would be really cool for taking to retreats, etc.. because the ironing surface would just be attached. I bought a wooden tea tray at WalMart and covered it -- 1 layer of Insulbright, 2 layers of W&N 100% cotton batting, and the Teflon fabric. Then I made a removable cover from pillow ticking that I can take off and wash. I put grommets around it with a cotton clothesline drawstring (the kind of cord you use to make fabric bowls).