Small Ironing Board for Sewing Room - Need Suggestions, Please
 

I've been looking for a smaller size ironing board for my sewing room. I've been using one of those table top thingies, which I dislike very much. If you had this one, what would you use the three bins for? (The top raises to access the bins, and they are also removable.) Just trying to think this through. I'm also open to any suggestions. I just don't have much floor space available.

http://www.jcpenney.com/dotcom/for-t...31-210071849-2

I use a 2 x 4 plastic table and covered it with ironing padding that you buy, then made a colorful cover for the top. The table raises high enough that I don't have to bend over to use it.

Never seen this type before but it looks like it could be handy. I am sure you would find something to use the bins for but at the moment I don't know what.

You can make yourself one in any size you need. Purchase a 3/4" thick piece of plywood (most home improvement stores will cut the size you need. Paint a layer of sealant on the board (I use Gesso) then cover with a layer of Insul Bright and then a layer of Teflon Ironingboard cover fabric. I stapled the coverings directly to the wood.

Not bad. you could put scraps in that project you are currently working on. Or clothing you're going to use for later projects.

The only time I needed an ironing board next to my machine was for a crazy quilt.

Since I tend to chain piece the ironing can wait and then I get the opportunity to get up an walk around.

If I did want an ironing surface I would make it as above or go to a thrift store and get one of those old wooden folding TV tray tables and the use that surface for the ironing pad.

I have one that hooks to the top of a door and folds down for use. Got it at a garage sale several years ago.

I used a wooden tv tray with a beach towel on top of it and set it right next to me. I fold it up when I'm not using it.

Since you want a small ironing board, the one you are considering should fit your needs well since the space underneath is not being wasted. The large bins can be used to store packages of batting, scraps, fusible/interfacings and similar large items you may have in your sewing room.

I love mine that I made from wooden tv tray from Walmart..around $7. sure is convenient by my machine..used aluminum foil next to wood..then 2 layers of batting and then fabric..made it with elastic around the edge[ATTACH=CONFIG]430773[/ATTACH] so I can slip it off to wash...

Wow Sak658 that is really nice Like how it matches your chair!

You don't need to worry about what you will put in the bins. You are a quilter. Give us storage and we will fill it. :D

I have an old chest of drawers that originally had legs. I cut off the legs and that makes the top 36" high. The top with the addition of a cutting mat makes a great cutting surface. With an ironing mat it doubles as an ironing surface. It also provides me with three full drawers of storage space and two small drawers that hold cutting and marking tools etc. I attached wire mesh racks designed for storing wax paper etc. in a kitchen on the sides. They hold my wonder under etc. along with other stabilizers and there is even room for a small portable iron to hand off of the side. I hung a rack above it meant to hold lids etc. that holds my rulers etc.

I use the tv tray with batting and fabric staple gunned to it... and it is great! I love it because it can just sit beside you, and you can sew and iron as you go. Kathy

I was also thinking that this looks ideal for a small sewing area. I would store bags of batting in the 3 sections below as they have to lay somewhere!

I'm in the process of making my own as well using a similar process to joyce888. :)

I like your idea of using elastic so it is removable. I just got that tray for my Hubby to use for his laptop. Maybe I should have bought one for myself. I have an ironing board cover that I did not like the fit on large board that would make a good cover I think?

I think I would use a wooden covered TV tray.

While the link to Penneys looks interesting, when I need a small ironing board, I use a wood TV tray with a towel folded on top. It's sitting height, and I can put it right next to the sewing machine. When sewing somewhere other than home, I have a small portable ironing pad I can use with a small iron (or larger one if I feel like carrying it).

Thanks to all of you for your wonderful responses/suggestions! I'm still thinking about this, but leaning toward the one in the link I provided since it would provide a little larger surface than the TV tray. I dunno ... I'll think about it tomorrow ... but not much longer. I'm too impetuous to wait long ... when I make a decision, I'm ready to get 'er done!

This is one my DH designed and made for me. I have a wonderful iron to use with it. I don't use it for large projects but for pressing seams open it is great and takes up so little room.
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Here is one with the iron and the protective cover removed
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I bought a cutting board that is 16x20 from the thrift store, It is solid wood and I made a pressing board that I can use near my sewing area.

I have one that is built into the wall but when I created my small sewing room it was a pain to go into the other room to iron. I went to Kmarts and for 20 bought one that hangs over the door and folds up if needed. If I have large pieces of fabric to iron I put towels on my kitchen island and do it there. that bin is nice but my room is soooo small, there would be no place for it.

Missouri Quilt Company has a Video on a portable ironing surface that can be made any size from plywood, batting , and duck cloth for the surface. I have a table top ironing board that I keep on top of a stack of boxes of fabric and also have a TV tray for smaller projects close to the machine.

Something to think about when making your own boards: I went to a workshop years ago with Sharon Schamber. She sold small ironing boards that her husband had made. They were just wood with heavy natural-color canvas or duck cloth stapled to it. They have no padding, and therefore no "give" at all. The reason she leaves out the padding is she believes that too much "give" allows the block to become distorted when pressing. It took me a while to get used to the idea of such a hard ironing board, but now when I used the boards at my LQS which have multiple layers of ironing board covers on them, I can see exactly what she was talking about.

I did this same thing & LOve it! & use it all the time! I actually cut up an ironing board cover & made it fit..stays on all the time , even when folded away.

I have one that my hubby built into the wall. I love it and can close it when not in use.

$85.00 ??? Wow. I found a piece of particle board in the garage, covered it with batting, then a beach towel. Stapled it real good to the backside. Now I have a movable large ironing suface I can put anywhere. Cost? About $ nothing, but my time.

My BIG board and small boards only have one layer of batting and a cover sheet on them...can't go without a tiny bit of something. I've tried other boards with lots of 'cushy give' and didn't like them at all.

Make sure your small board is big enough and sturdy enough to hold your iron without falling over and large enough to press at least a 12 1/2" block.

Nan

This is how I made mine although I did not put the foil under the batting. I probably will wish that I had. Mine matches the curtains in my sewing room.

So true!!!

I made my own with the TV tray and love it. I saw the instructions on this board. It works great and slides into a small space. If I need more room I have a regular ironing board that adjusts to different heights, or I use my island.

Oh, and mine cost $7 - not $85. $7 for the wood tray from Walmart and the rest was left overs.

Slide Out Ironing Board
 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5ZLxfptHRg

Check this tut out. I really like it and plan to make one when I get moved into my sewing room. I have a table much like the one in the video that will work perfectly.

Right now I use a small ironing board that sets on the table, but I find that I have to keep getting up and down to iron, so the suggestions of the tv tables or something like a pull out would work well.

Well I found this changing table on CL and we repainted and made it into an ironing station, plus I have lots of additional storage. Sorry having issues getting the picture to post, will keep trying.

See below for picture : )

If I had room for one like that I would use the bins for batting, pillow forms, scraps, interfacing, projects already in bags, etc.

Going to try just using the attachment ... and see if that works. Behind the door is 3 shelves, and the drawers are nice and large. We only paid about $10.00 for the cabinet and we had the paint. The fabric was left over from the other items I had decorated in my little sewing nook.

I bought a piece of plywood from Lowes (about 2x2), made a cover for it and screwed on feet. Absolutely LOVE it!! I had one of those tabletop ironing boards (in storage now) and hated it!! I put the one I have now on my cutting table to use it and lean it against the table when not using it. I've also put it beside me when I'm sewing a lot of things that need ironing (like half-square triangles) so I don't have to get up every two seconds. PERFECT solution for me!!

I m in line with sak658. I don't have one, but covering a TV tray that way is a great idea. and You can fold it up when you aren't using it

To me that looks more like something you would use in a laundry room, if you have one. Right now I'm using a tabletop ironing board using heavyweight cardboard, then Insul-Brite, a layer of cotton batting, and muslin. I do have some ironing board cover fabric somewhere, so when I make another, larger board, I'd probably use that. If I've pre-washed fabric, I will use my regular ironing board, set it up and watch TV while I iron - goes pretty quickly that way, the small board I use when sewing/quilting, since I don't have room to set up the ironing board.