I made me 2 ironing pads. I used cotton batting for the extra ironing cushion. With a piece of material on top, I can remove anytime. The 1st size, is 15" x 15". My sewing area, width is only 22" wide. A L shape area. Works fine for me. The other 1, I made is only 9" x 13. Works fine also. When my dog's are up in my sewing area, and I need to iron, I can grab the smaller 1.

I have a tv tray that I am needing to make into a pressing table. For most things, it should be large enough. When I do need a larger pressing area, I either use my ironing board, set up in another room, or a big board set on top of a table. It probably is a good idea to get up and stretch every once in a while rather than just sitting and moving from the ironing board to the pressing table without leaving the room.

Get a wooden folding TV tray (Walmart has them) and cover it with batting, piece of muslin, and the silver colored fabric (can't remember what it is called). Staple all of these layers to the bottom of the tray. Fold it up when not in use, take it on your quilting retreats!! Handy, and inexpensive.

I have one made with a tray table from WalMart also. I love it, its just the right size and its right next to me so no getting up and down. I used the batting that you use for potholders and two layers of fabric.

You could use the bins for fabric, of course or UFOs

I have a small "antique" child's ironing board that I can place beside me by the machine. Folds up like a big board when not in use. Makes it more fun!

OK- my comment got posted in the wrong place in this thread. It is early yet.................

I have a combination iron and cutting mat that folds in half.
It comes in handy as I can keep it next to my sewing machine.
Its about 12 x 18 in when closed.

I use a large floor tile and covered it with batting and fabric learned that from Jenny on MSQC

I have one mounted on the wall (though not this kind)
It's convenient because the board can swivel to where it's best. My husband made a 'big board' that fits over it for quilting
It can swivel up for storage, though it never is
http://www.amazon.com/Hafele-America.../dp/B001DSY7YI

The one I have came from Lowe's (or Home Depot?) and costs $79.

I would use it for scraps of different sizes!

Interesting! I will check it out; I love Jenny! She's my go-to gal!

Thanks everyone for all your responses. What a great bunch we have here!

I bought a small table top ironing board located in dorm supplies at JoAnn's a couple of years ago. Fits nicely on top my table. I have recovered it a couple of times and added more padding. It's made to hang on the back of a dorm door and has a dry erase board on the back.

What a bunch of great replys! and pictures.
Empty bins? Not a problem for a quilter, they will soon be filled and you will want More empty bins, LOL.

My hubby made me a 'big board' as requested one year for Christmas, Love it, however wood will warp when it has lots of steam applied........ask me how I know:thumbup:.......so since we've turned it around and put limited amounts of aluminum foil directly on the wood, covered by 1 thickness of insulbrite and removable ironing board fabric that I put elastic on, I've had good success.

Oh BTW: I have also marked the edge of my big board cover with magic marker to measure 1/4, 1/2 and 3/4 yard increments so if I need to do a quick check to see how big that scrap is I can do so without hunting down my measuring tape [that should tell you how often my measuring items go missing. :rolleyes:

Years ago, I had only a very small breakfast nook in our townhouse to sew in. I got a wooden ironing board that fastened on the wall and dropped down. I was excellent because it could be moved up and out of the way when not in use.

I also have used one of the fold up ones that hangs over the door. Takes up almost no space when folded up and is big enough for use when folded down.

I was just looking through the April/May 2013 Thread magazine and on page 13 they have a cute pressing board. I was thinking you could take something like this and attached it to a TV tray to keep by your side. I t would be like Sak's but you wouldn't have to make. I am thinking of making myself Sak's kind. Very handy then won't have to take the big ironing board out. Does anyone use one of the small irons (I think it is a seaming iron). If so, how does it work for you.

I was at the thrift store today and bought a wooden TV dinner tray that folds away. I'm turning it into a mini ironing board for the living room with cotton batting and a cover. I can make the cover easily enough, I'll put it next to my Singer 201 in the living room.

What a great idea!! Especially for limited space!

Yes, I have one that could be your's twin. I used one layer of teflon fabric, shiny side up, a layer of insulbright, and a layer of 100% cotton batting. I covered all that with a two layers of plain muslin and used the staple gun to secure all the layers. Then I got some pillow ticking and made a removable / washable cover for it. I used grommets and cotton laundry cording, which is also replaceable. One of my friends made her top with elastic, but I felt like it didn't keep the top as taut as I wanted mine to be. And I usually lay a piece of plain muslin on top of the ticking if I am starching a lot of pieces to keep as much spray starch off of it as I can.

This is what I have too. It is a great space saver, but I can still use it for pressing or ironing larger items without having to stop and shift everything.