What would be the ideal size of ironing board you would make and size of cutting table also.

Hi Brenda,

I would do a search for ironing boards and cutting tables to see all the past posting threads and their complete discussions.

It is a truly personal choice, depending on your heighth and the amount of room you have to work.

Many have either purchased or made what is called the "Big Board, ironing board". It fits over your existing ironing board. I have seen one of the Big Boards that folded in half and had a handle to carry for class use. Other have made their own big and small to fit their situations.

With regards to the cutting table, much the same. Many end of having their cutting table that is too low. Try cutting at your kitchen counter and see how your back and body feel after cutting. It does help to have a smaller cutting mat used on top of a larger mat. You can turn the smaller mat to make cutting easier. Cutting is easier with sharp not dull blades.

Many sewing rooms show that people are using the folding plastic tables. They can be raised very easily to your liking.
I have seen ironing boards make to fit the top of the folding table. If you make sure to add the small wood blocks on the bottom the board remains secure without slipping around.
There are several threads and tutorials for guidance.

Pam M

DH just made me a rectangle board to fit on top of my ironing board-it measures 24" 48"-great for ironing lengths of fabric. Cutting table should be as big as your room will allow!! I find a sheet of plywood is great if you can fit it in-mine fits on top of my long tressel table that folds up. You don't want it so wide you can't reach to the center, and if possible, be able to walk around it on all sides when basting. I taped up the edges all around my plywood to protect the fabric. I store it on end against the wall behind the table when not in use here, but in my sewing room in Vanuatu I kept it up all the time-it made a GREAT work table!!

I bought bed risers at Bed Bath and Beyond to raise the table to the proper hight so I wasn't bending over. They work on my kitchen table too when I'm basting a smaller quilt.

My house was made in the late 30s or early 40s, and has an ironing board built into the wall in the service porch with washer and dryer. Drops down when needed and lifts to hide it and the iron, except that now apparently irons are larger and won't fit any more. It also has a smaller drop down board for sleeves. As for cutting, I use those fold up tables from Costco, they last forever and can be stuck into closets. At least I'm told some people actually do clean them off and put them in closets.
These fold up tables come in several sizes and shapes, latest is a large circle.

Those are the tables (2) I have in my sewing area here, in an "L" shape. They are great tables, and my bed risers work great on them. I pull out one and put the plywood sheet and the risers on it so I can walk around it when I have a large quilt to baste.

My kitchen island is the perfect height for cutting and ironing. At the old house I used the bed risers under big old heavy fold up table and loved them.

I made myself a board that is 24" x 60" and just put it out and lay it across my work table. I use it alot when I'm ironing long strips of sashing or even yardage.

I made mine with scraps found in the garage: piece of bathroom paneling and duct tape - and then I gathered up some warm & natural batting and the thermal/silver piece of fabric.

Works like a charm and it was quick and easy to make.