I made myself a small ironing board to go next to my machine. My sewing space is a very small nook in our bedroom, and the full-size ironing board doesn't even fit in the room!

I used a wooden TV tray. I covered it first with the heat-resistant batting you use for potholders, with the heat side facing up. I then covered it with a layer of regular cotton batting and topped it off with muslin, using duct tape to secure all the layers underneath the tv tray.

Not only is it nice to be able to press open seams without moving, but also the heat-resistant batting does an amazing job as a 'miracle' ironing board cover, like the expensive ones I see at quilt shows!

My little tip of the day, for what it's worth!

Mary

Great idea for a small space. I used duct tape on the back of mine too...it's been holding great for the past 5 years.

:)

I did the same thing so I wouldn't have to get up and down to press blocks when piecing. Thant's because I like to sit in the living room when I'm doing this so I can watch/listen to TV while sewing & visit with DH. It works great. Besides, we never use the wooden TV tray anyway. DH uses one in the garage when he is working on small pieces so he doesn't have to stand at his workbench. So we are doing our part to recycle. :D

Yep that's a great idea.

I use an old kitchen cabinet door that's covered correctly as a small ironing board by my machine

I did the same thing last year and I love it. It's so handy. I did the top cover with casing and elastic so that I can take it off and wash it if I need to.

Thumbs up! :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

That's a great idea!!

Thanks for sharing. pab

Love this idea. Thanks so much for sharing.

Great idea! Thank you for sharing it!

Great idea. I need to try that.

I used a tv tray for a while then I made my self a 14
x14 inch board covered with batting and an old ironing board cover to use and besides being very portable it works great!

Great tip :D:D:D

Years ago I was given the omnigrid (I think) folding thing that you can iron on one side and cut on the other. Keep it right by my machine on a table and it's fabulous in that I just swivel around in my chair and am able to press as I go along. Yours is a great idea and very functional. I would have done that had I not been given mine as a gift.

I made one about 3 years ago and couldn't be without it, what I did do was to, using a pair of Oxford style pillowcase, thread elastic thro' the side strips and now I can launder my ironing board covers :thumbup:

I like the idea of a removable cover, so I'll probably do that for mine! Tips all around...

I made a couple of these too, one for me, one for my daughter. I like your idea of fastening it with duct tape. I stapled mine, and when I needed to remove the cover to replace it, it was quite a chore! Next time I'll tape it on like you did!

OK so now my hubby needs to take one of those trays we never use and make me one for each machine. I can take my omnigrids to classes and retreats and keep my tables set up at home. Thanks for sharing. And yes, it was worth a lot. ♥♥

I've thought of doing this... either to a wood tv tray or to the top of a rolling printer cart. I didn't want to staple the materials down though. Duck tape... when it gets really hot... melts and lets off toxic fumes. But I should think that it would be fine (if a bit industrial looking... lol) in this application.

For now I have a press mat and a press board that i use on top of various things. I switch out the flat hard press board and a rotary cutting mat on the one surface, depending on what i'm doing. The ironing board only comes off the wall when I've got serious yardage to iron.

Can you fold up your TV tray/ironing board now?

Another really cool idea. (no pun intended). Thanks!

That's a great idea. =)

Love that idea. Im going down stairs to get one and do the same thing you did. Thanks so much for this really great tip.

smart ladies :)

I made one, too, and LOVE it! I'd suggest covering the top with a cheap muslin and just pin it on so it can be removed for laundry and you don't get an icky top from starching.

Sounds like a wonderful idea and great use of your space. :thumbup:

These are great ideas. This helps me to decide what to do for myself. Thanks ladies!!

I use mine all the time. Especially when I have to iron out small pieces, better than up and down up and down!