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-   -   Making Your Own Ironing Board--Did you use canvas or silver ironing fabric? (https://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1/making-your-own-ironing-board-did-you-use-canvas-silver-ironing-fabric-t225863.html)

fangman 07-17-2013 06:35 AM

I made mine with plywood, then silver lining, a layer of warm and natural, and on top a heavier cotton. It works great. My thinking was the silver lining would keep the moisture from damaging the plywood.

PigglyWiggly 07-17-2013 07:51 AM


Originally Posted by AngelinaMaria (Post 6178560)
I am getting ready to make my own custom ironing board that will fit on my kitchen island (3 feet by 4 feet). I purchased a few yards of silver ironing board fabric from Joann's but have seen on a number of blogs and "how to" videos that most people are using canvas.

Is there a reason to use one or the other? I thought the silver fabric stays cooler so you don't burn your hands as much when picking up the pressed blocks, etc.? The silver fabric I got is pretty thin though so I'm not sure if I should look for a higher quality one somewhere else. I'm thinking I'll make a small iron pad first to see how it works.

If you made your own iron board/pad, did you use one, two or more thicknesses of batting? Sharon Shamber used only one thin layer of batting for hers--she says it is best to have a hard surface. However, I saw lots of other blogs/video use 3 to even 5 layers of batting.

If I decide to use canvas, is there a particular kind I should search for (or quality type)?? Thanks.

I have made many ironing boards. My family owned a drapery manf. company and we had 4x10 tables!! Since then I have one that is 2x4 3/4" plywood with pipe fittings on the bottom so I can put galvanized pipe into and have a separate board. I originally used the horsehair padding that an upholsterer uses, then a layer of thick batting, then canvas. I have made one for my travel trailer that is 15" x 3' x 3/4", it is padded with a thick layer of cotton batting scraps and whatever batting fit, then covered it with canvas and stretched and stapled all on the back. I used the small one when I am sewing blocks and need an ironing board next to me. It works great to iron a white shirt on in a fifth-wheel too!

peppermint31 07-17-2013 09:15 AM

plywood ,thin layer cotton batting and canvas. I love mine!

mckwilter 07-17-2013 09:15 AM

I have a wooden TV table (the kind that usually come in a set of 4) that I purchased at WalMart. I put a layer of Insulbright, a single layer of cotton batting, the Teflon material, then a muslin cover. I stapled each layer on separately. Now, the muslin is brown and fraying from using starch when I press, so I will probably cut it off and make myself a couple covers with elastic so that I can take them off and wash them. I keep it set up next to my machine and it is great to take to retreats and workshops.

IBQLTN 07-17-2013 09:44 AM

I bought a portable ironing "pad" from Nancy's Notions years ago that is silver on one side and foam on the other. I wasn't really quilting back then and found out very 'quickly' (when I was too lazy to set up ironing board) that a 'burst of steam' from my iron burned my fingers! Can you say hot! The silver reflects the heat back ... but it also reflects the steam back!

MargeD 07-17-2013 11:06 AM

Not sure if this will be helpful or not, but I made a small ironing board to use next to my sewing machine so I wouldn't have to drag out my full size ironing board. I used a layer of Warm and Natural over a piece of very thick card board from a box that came with something my DH purchased. I then used a layer of the silver thermal fabric over that, which seems to be working well, as the silver thermal fabric I've used to make pot holders. If you're worried about stains, you could just add a piece of muslin over the top, tape or tack it down and when it gets dirty, take it off and wash it. Hope this is helpful.

Rosyhf 07-17-2013 11:19 AM

I just redid my ironing board. Three layers of batting and the cover is the silver and that's what I had before. I usually put long sheet of backing paper from the pelon iron on interfacing on before I spray starch. I also use the ironing sheets.

maryfrang 07-17-2013 01:55 PM

I have a big board that fits over my ironing board that has pillow tick on it. I just love it and the lines helps keeping my strips and blocks stright.

danece 07-17-2013 06:28 PM

Mine has a layer of warm and natural, then a layer of the silver ironing fabric and then a layer of heavy cotton fabric, I mitered the corners (since my board folds) to make it much easier to make the cover tight when laying flat

slicksister 07-17-2013 09:17 PM

Well let me tell you I made an emergency one. I had the opportunity to go to a quilt retreat but I only had 2 hours notice. I asked my husband for a piece of plywood about 18x18. I took and old towel, doubled it and duck taped it to the back of the board. Then I took an old pillowcase and shoved the towel covered board into the pillowcase and folded the excess around the back and taped that down with duck tape too. Well, that thing is AWESOME!! Not fancy but it works like a charm and I use it all the time now.


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