I know a lot of you have large ironing boards that you have made. My ? is if you use a piece of wood and cotton batting and canvas for the top..does'nt the sream from the ironsoak through to the wood? I want to make one that I can put on top of two ironing boards

I don't think the steam will affect the wood because you would have batting, a first covering (possibly muslin) and then your top covering (possibly ironing board cloth that has an aluminum finish or a heavy, close woven cotton like duck cloth). Your iron would have to be a heavy duty steamer to go through all of that.

You can buy ironing boards that have a fan mechanism in the board that will pull the steam through into the fabric of what you are ironing and then into the board. We used one in our costume department and it was terrific to 'set' seams , pleats and other required forms. They are really expensive but I would love to have one for my own personal use - they are great to use and very useful!

I have a craft table that Michael's sells. It has an electrical outlet on it. I place a double layer of insul-brite on it, then cover with folded fabric. This is my ironing table. When I need to cut, I take the fabric off and put the cutting mats on. :D

I had my dh cut a piece of pegboard to place over the craft inserts (think holes to put cups in for paints) and I place my iron on that, with a silicon base for when the iron is hot.

Very convenient and good surface size.

I covered mine with aluminum foil to help reflect the heat back up and the steam can't touch the wood.

Ditto on the foil covering over the wood! :-)

Hey that is a good idea! Now if I can get Hubby to cut the piece of wood for me. I will just have to keep bugging him this weekend LOL

your table sounds cool, can you take a picture of it, I will search and see if the website carries them, it would be great for workshops, retreats, etc.

I suggest the Wmt portable table instead for workshops. I have one of those, too. :D

the table is 5 ft long, but folds in half. Bring a power strip and you have the same thing with more surface and more portability.

What I don't like about the craft table is that it's extremely heavy! I wouldn't move it around much.

The table from Wmt is in the camping section, just $35. Buy the power strip in the light bulb section, cheaper there than the electronics dept! This table would work great, it is 28 inches deep, and 5 ft long. a 24 x 36 cutting mat on one end, the covered batting for the ironing... also, all my dh did was cut a piece of pegboard 12 inches wide and three feet deep for the iron. Don't even need that with the silicon base.

If it were me, I would use insulbrite under the batting also. It would also help to protect the wood. However, I am sure you could make one.

Good luck with the hubby. I just go to Home Depot and get the hunks there to cut it for me. LOL That way I get it without complaints!

Besides, then you can watch them work. ;)

You girls are somethin' else!

I made a top from concrete board like you use on concrete for wood floors. cover this with batting then, the moisture will not bother it.

Great idea, but we have a piece of MDF in the garage. We had to replace a small section of one of the bathrooms sub floor, so I figure I could use that.

Yes, steam does go through. So, if I were to redo mine I would drill a few
holes.

I would agree with EasyPeezy about the holes. Although since it is wood I am thinking I can add them later. I pick my iron up a tad off the surface periodically so the steam doesn't build up under the iron.

Another great idea! I will do that.

I don't think MDF will stand up very well. It will asorb the steam and possibly weaken and I don't think it is strong enough to begin with for ironing.

I was told to use an old wool blanket as wool does not rot as easily as cotton when damp. I found one at a thrift store for $4.00 and cut it to fit then covered that with the reflective ironing fabric.

The company that made the Big Board only included one layer of a poly-type craft type batting (maybe 1/8 to 3/16 inch thick) and a skimpy cotton canvas/twill covering that I had to purchase in addition to the board. The board is made of high-grade plywood.

I've had it for about 6 years and I don't see any damage. I usually use steam when I press.

I agree with costumegirl. We used some OSB and it's holding well.
Looks like this.

I have a big board and I it's MDF. I've had it for at least 5 years now. It just has a layer of batting type stuff and the canvas cover. Steam doesn't do anything to it. Even my super steam iron doesn't affect it at all.

A national quilt teacher said not to use that silver stuff. It is too slippery and can let your blocks get distorted more. Harriet Hargrave also says not to use that silver stuff in her books.

I have one of these tables and I love it - use it for all sorts of things in my sewing room - mand it can be raised to cutting height too!

Mine is made with birch wood, it does not warp easily, then is covered with insulbrite and then fabric. It sits on regular ironing board, has strips of wood aroung bottom edge to keep from sliding off board. It has been just wonderful. :P

If you do applique and once in a while "miss" with the fusible webbing...the silver stuff that doesn't attach to the webbing is a real blessing. I speak from experience. LOL

But if I cover the mdf with foil would that be okay? This is Half inch thick so I think it would be strong enpogh, I was just worringing about the moisture.

My ironing surface is MDF with just a layer of cotton batting and a cotton canvas cover. I've been using it for over 5 years. It's strong enough and has held up to tons of steam. It's not warped or damaged in any way.

Brilliant idea! Is it hard to put screws in it so I can get it to stay on my ironing board with blocks?

Guess since you have experience with the MDF it is good to know that it could possibly be used!! :)

If you are worried, just drill a few holes in the wood so that it will air out.

GREAT IDEA! gonna do this one! :-)

I have a lab table on wheels that is just the right height and no need to worry about heat problems. Covered for the second time with an ironing surface that is peel and stick. If you ever find one at a used office center grab it, it is well worth looking for!

I do know that using a solid board top will warp eventually from the steam. Using a pine board the sap that is in it will eventually bubble out of the wood. Best thing to do is make a frame and ad braces underneath out of oak or any good hard wood and use peg board for the top as it lets the steam thru. You may have to in time change the peg board but it is cheap.

Check with your local newspaper. We used to be able to buy old printing plates (aluminum sheets) for almost nothing. Tack them down to the wood.

I have a small iron board, right next to my machine. I made it from a TV table. Covered first with aluminum foil then batting and muslin.
It is soooo handy sitting by my machine. Easy to take to a class and nice because it does not take up my sewing space.

You ladies are so full of good ideas.
I purchased my 5 ft. folding table at an office supply store. It has a handle at one end (when folded) and wheels at one end, you can pull it along behind you, much easier than carrying it. The cost was 10.00 more than purplemem's but worth it to me.

I used regular pine plywood and covered it first with a contractors garbage bag (heavyduty garbage bag). Then covered it with batting and then canvas. I made a covering like a pillow case so that I could easily replace or wash it if it got too full of starch or scorch it. It has not warped and is in perfect shape. I have used it about 2-3 years. I also made a smaller one to take to class.

Home Depot had some plywood already precut to size 24 x 48. To have them cut it I would have to buy a whole piece of plywood

Ironing boards used to be wooden. I have two that are very old, but sturdier than the aluminum ones. One is in the sewing room and the other in the laundry room. The ironing platform made for the one in the sewing room is made of wood also and not protected by foil, insulate or anything. I use it lots, and have not had problems.

Just want to say using the those printing plates may not be such a good idea. They are treated with etching chemicals and heating them may cause a reaction were it puts wholes in the bating.