I guess it's possible to wear out the padding on an ironing board. . . didn't really expect this to happen, but I need to replace it. I can actually see the pattern of the metal through the cover.

Rather than buying a new one, I was thinking I'd make my own with some fabric I love. I'm not sure what to use for padding. I typically only use low loft cotton or wool battings. Would they work? Or, what about a towel as the padding? Before I started sewing and needed an ironing board, I'd just iron my clothing on a towel on the table. Thoughts?

I used cotton batting for a portable ironing surface and it has done very well.

yes, I have found lots of links to make for ironing board covers, will post later on this evening for you

Thanks Crafty Bear. I did a search to see what had been posted so far, but everything seemed to be focused on the cover and not the padding itself.

I saw an adorable tutorial on a blog where a lady had taken a wooden TV tray table she found on clearance. Cut several pieces of batting the size of the top and stacked them. She cut a rectangle of her choice of cover fabric 4 inches larger than the table top all the way around. She laid the cover fabric on a work surface right side down, centered the stack of batting pieces on top of that and then put the tv table upside down on top of that, folded the fabric tightly around to the bottom side of table and secured with a staple gun. Due to the wood's hardness, staples didn't go all the way in, but she finished driving them in with a small hammer. She said it made a perfect foldable ironing table to sit by her sewing machine and use while piecing quilt tops. You couldn't use this to iron your clothes of course, but I thought it sounded perfect for pressing seams as you piece.

I use batting also, theres a cute tute on modabakeshop.com

I used a towel double folded and then a piece of cotton fabric on top. I like it as it far more washable than the store bought covers.

I have used old towels,and blankets

I bought my fav ironing board cover in Melbourne Australia at a market. It has Aussi animals and birds and bright colors. My friends thought I was nuts -- On a backpacking holiday and I buy an ironing board cover?? !!! LOL

I wouldn't trade it for the world. I remember that holiday every time I press seams -- the only time I iron

Make the cover with a fabric you love. Look into heat resistant material for the first "batting" and then something soft. The first one will protect the soft one.

it deends on how much loft or padding you want. I used two layers of warm and natural and then the cover.

I used 2 layers of warm and natural and a layer of the padding that is heat resistant (can't remember the name). The kind you use in pot holders. Works great. I made myself an extra large ironing board cover to fit over my regular ironing board. I don't have a staple gun, so I used small nails.
Sue

I used 2 layers of warm and natural and a layer of the padding that is heat resistant (can't remember the name). The kind you use in pot holders. Works great. I made myself an extra large ironing board cover to fit over my regular ironing board. I don't have a staple gun, so I used small nails.
Sue

Here's one: http://www.purlbee.com/ironing-board-recovery-project/

ironing on towl. reminds me of college days.. :0)

With my ironing board, I had the 90 inch cotton batting---since it was already doubled, I just cut out 2 pieces so I had 4 thickness of the batting. Then I put my pretty fabric on top. Been using it for over a year, works pretty good.

Sibyl

An old mattress pad makes a good ironing board cover. Then cover with fabric to your liking. Can find them at the resale shops.

I use a towel folded over on my cutting table as an ironing surface. That said, for years my mother (not a quilter but a staunch ironer) would buy new covers and add them to the existing pad/cover on her ironing board. That ironing board now has a very cushy surface.

Don't know why you couldn't. I've done the same thing. Also, If you happen to have a flannel sheet, fold it as often as needed and use that. I've done that and it worked fine.

Forgot. You could also put a layer or 2 of heavy aluminum foil over whatever you decide on and then your cover.

this is what i did with mine. i also took off the old one and used it as a pattern.

on my small board, i just used the 2 layers of W&N and some cute 30's fabric.

Connecting threads has a pattern kit, looks cute.

I Googled 'ironing board covers' and browsed through until I found a tut I liked.
I was able to reuse my old batting (100% cotton of course) and added some bright and pretty fabric my DH chose. I added binding in a contrasting color sewing elastic into it.

Basically I laid the ironing board upside down on my cutting tableon on top of the fabric and cut out leaving about four inches all around. I hemmed, added the binding/elastic, and sewed together.

I chose not to piece my top as I did not want the seam lines to come through onto my ironed pieces.

I used cotton batting for mind. Like it even better than the store bought ones.

When I had to get a new cover, I made one of of cute sewing theme fabric, used batting underneath, but left the old cover and pad on the board and just put the new stuff on top. Gives me extra padding and works just fine.

I just did this very same thing with one of my TV tables. I covered it with 3 layers of warm and natural batting then I took a rectangle of fabric measuring 4 inches longer that the table on all sides, rounded off the corners slightly, put a small hem in all seams, leaving a small opening to put a strong string through and put a string through the hem, pulled the string really tightly, with help, tied it in a knot and Voila!.....a small ironing surface to keep by my work area. I just started an applique class, my first ever, real quilting project and I don't have a sewing room or area yet. I made a little sewing area near my favorite chair where I do all of my applique and when I need to make new pieces to applique to my background fabric, I don't have to keep running to the basement where my washroom and ironing board is in order to press my applique seems. When I'm finished, I fold it up and place it back onto the rack with the other tables, out of the way. It's a great little 'quilters helper'..

I use towel with flannel on top!!

My Grandmothers, my mother, my MIL and I all padded ironing boards with whatever worn cotton goods we had at hand. Of course our ironing boards were/are really boards and so we could tack on padding: bed spreads, flannel, drapes, mattress pad sides, etc and topped with an old percale sheet, worn to silky smoothness.

I recently had to strip all the layers from GMIL's board (Dpuppy peed on it). I was able to wash/bleach and re-use 80% of the old padding which was at least 60 years old.

As long as you avoid synthetics/vinyl/rubber use what you have.

I use a double thickness of old towels, works a treat for me!!

This is a Great Idea......Will try!!!!!!!

Leave it to quilters to find treasurer's that most others cannot see. When my grandmother passed away several years ago we had weeks and weeks of cleaning out, garage sales, hauling to the dump, even stuff that had to be taken to the metal recycle shop, not to mention how much stuff my dad and the four of us grandkids took to our homes. At that time I made a pack with myself to not keep/store things that I did not have a use for. Thru the years some of the dishes I took have gotten broken, etc. because they were used daily or at holidays, but I had the pure joy of handling and using things that had such a wonderful memory. How very very neat that you found an ironing board cover that will remind you so very often of your trip.

A dear friend made my big board with a slab of plywood, a couple of furring stips on the bottom cut to the width and back end of ironing board. I bought some of the batting made to insulate clothing and cotton duck then stapled those to the board. Voila - a big board that cost me about $25 as opposed to the near $100 for the ones advertized in the quilt catalogues.

I use two layers of batting and muslin to cover them.

I covered a piece of plywood, then secured it to a rolling cart so I can iron at my sewing machine and I can move it in to hold up the quilt while I am FMQ. I covered it in batting , then used the batting for hot mitts that has the silver reflective material in it and positioned it so the reflective material was facing up. Covered the whole thng with home dec fabric from Walmart. The reflective batting helps you to "iron" from both sides. I wanted something to make it easy to iron my yardage before I cut, since I prewash anything that is going to be used on a bed and will be washed.

I use Warm and Natural all the time. usually I will sew scraps together to cover the board, then cover with muslin or a beautiful fabric. upolstery fabric is good for this because it is thicker and will last longer.

I remember when I was small my mother's ironing board had a flannel sheet folded a few times and then pinned together underneath. I have a wooden square top I made to fit over my ironing board and I just used batting a couple layers and then cotton for the top and stapled it. I like my ironing board square I don't iron shirts so no need for the point. But I have a small travel on that has the point on it in case I need to iron one....

I found an old TV tray and bought the stuff to do the same thing. It seemed like an economical and easy way to get a small ironing board for quilting!

What a great idea. Thanks, I can't wait to try it out. The size is perfect for piecing

Maybe an old blanket. Something with some thickness to it. My mom used an old blanket and then a sheet for the cover. Her ironing board was not regular size as her grandfather had made it for her.

:thumbup: Cotton, less expensive than wool and won't melt like poly.

I am 74 yo so was raised during war years. My mother always saved worn wool blankets to make her ironing board padding especially from the edges where the fabric was still thicker. She found other uses for the thinner inner parts...like padding for hot pads. I would do it still if I had any old WOOL blankets. Check the thrift stores for some.

Use cotton batting (mine took two layers, of NOT low loft) If you use any other, you may have shrinkage or melting problems.