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I reversed my regular ironing board. I use the wide end for the front. The wide end gives me a bigger square surface to press large pieces of fabrics. I bought one of the extras wide ironing boards on sale a decade ago, the top is very small thick gridded mesh so one layer of cotton batting with a muslin is all I use as a cover.
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When hubby and I got a larger tv we took the top half of the old entertainment center apart and used one of the book shelves as my ironing board. It's roughly 35"x19". I usually drap a thin towel over it and place it on an end table next to my sewing area. :wink:
I can snap a few pictures if you would like to see. |
Originally Posted by Bottle Blonde
This is what I was thinking about doing - what do you think and do you use a pressing area other than your ironing board? I thought to buy an 8 foot hollow core door (you can get them without the doorknob hole drilled out) put it across supports...maybe even 2 kitchen cabinets (with drawers) cover it with batting and canvas? or muslin? maybe there is a heat resistant paint I could use? I am worried about the wood warping from the heat of the iron. I could cut the door down if it was too big - I have a huge sewing room so the size isn't too important. I would love to be able to walk around and press from both sides. I think I can get a door for under $50, cabinets could be pricey...may need to go with 2x4 supports.
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I took a piece of plywood and put over it a piece of batting, some fusible interfacing and some artist's canvas. I keep it on a sturdy folding table and it works like a charm.
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Emmy is my QCE, she weighs 12 lbs.Her favorite thing is to be on my lap. Her brother Reggie guards the quilts. He weighs 17 lbs. They are 4 1/2. Reggie is our foot warmer at night.
This is the ironing surface [ATTACH=CONFIG]247[/ATTACH] This is my cutting area [ATTACH=CONFIG]57025[/ATTACH] |
Wood will will handle the amount of heat in pressing just fine. Heat is not a problem, unless you plan to leave your iron face laying on it! :D
I have a fairly large "multipurpose" table for which serves as a large pressing board. I made the pressing top out of an inexpensive, 1/4" melamine sheet (board). I covered it with one layer of Cotton batting (Warm & White) and Cotton canvas. I did NOT wash the canvas first. I pulled it tight as possible, stapled to the back with hubby's staple gun, and then misted it well with water bottle. As it dried, it shrunk slightly making a very tight, very hard press board. This is the same method that Sharon Schamber suggests for press boards except that I like the melamine-coated material for this purpose, it is hard and the melamine doesn't soak up any excess water. The silver material is not necessary and too much batting makes it easy to distort blocks when pressing. Cotton canvas and a Hard Surface is the way best to go IMO. Pictures of my press board top: http://www.flickr.com/photos/athomesewing/3969491448/ |
Completely awesome pressing board, 'athomesewing'!
What did you finish the edges with? If you pulled black canvas around to the back, stapled etc ... and how did you get the nice frame around the whole thing? Thanks! |
Hi Linda,
My table actually has two tops, the other one is a cutting board. We made it so that that one could store underneath the other one. When I want to press large items, the press board is up. Most of the time the cutting mat is on top. The trim is made out of natural birch 1x2s to match the birch cabinet. Trim boards were attached at just the right height so that they are flush at the top when both pieces are there, doesn't matter which is on top. The pressing board has a very small 45° angle cut out of one corner (finger size) so that I can pull up on it to move it. The trim board ends were cut at a 45° angle to eliminate sharp corners. Cutting Mat Top: http://www.flickr.com/photos/athomesewing/3972406256/ |
Genius! That is very clever. Just looked at the other photos you have there, wow - a dream studio! The drawer fronts are fabulous. Must be an inspiring place to create ... and looks like you had tons of fun putting it together.
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Thanks Linda! Yes, it was totally fun putting it together, I love being in there, it is my happy place!
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