Bessie

I have two Rowenta irons - one with the auto shut-off which I use basically when I am ironing clothes because I want it on. This feature annoyed me though when I am sewing quilts so I got a Rowenta that does not have the auto shut-off feature so it stays hot all the time.

The smaller iron is a dry iron with no steam feature. I use it mostly when I do embroidery transfers or when I want to fuse a stabilizer to fabric when I am making handbags. I find it works better than the Rowenta irons even if you have the steam feature off. Probably just a personal preference.

bearisgray

Thanks - that makes sense.

Beachbound

My big ironing board top is the best thing I have ever made! Don't put off making one for yourself!!!! It makes ironing the new fabric a piece of cake & gets you a nice large surface to iron those blocks & pieces on as you sew. I made 2 of them from 1 piece of 4x8 wood and now need to buy another ironing board so I can iron the 105' fabric end to end. Doubt that will fit in my sewing room but I can iron in a bigger room for that chore. I made my boards 20" by 5' and the wimpy WalMart ironing board holds it just fine...I was worried about that!

sewcrafty

If you do a search here you'll find that some members have posted instructions on making these. :thumbup:

Crafty1

I bought a cabinet door from a thrift store and covered it with batting, insulbright and fabric. The size is 16 1/2 in. wide by 72 in. long. I plop it onto the ironing board or can put it on the table. I also made a smaller one for ironing smaller pieces.

Melinda in Tulsa

I've been wanting to make one of these to put over my old ironing board. Thank you to the person who gave her 20" x 5' dimensions!

bearisgray

They are SO worth having!

evaruth

I had a large table that did not match any other table in the house and we did not use so I put cotton ironing board padding on it and heavy cotton duck which I stapled down tightly all around the edge. on top I have a cutting mat which can be easily removed if I am using the iron surface. it is 3' X 5'. I absolutely love it. best use of an old table.

quilt addict

I did purchase a Big Board at a quilt show and love it. But I can see that you can easily make one. I also purchased the cutting board that is half the length.

It is great for both ironing and cutting as I can adjust the height of the ironing board. I love everyone's ideas here. I am looking for a cabinet to put in my sewing room that it can sit on and I would have storage underneath.

amma

I still use my standard ironing board, but I have not been making anything larger than lap quilts. When my sewing room gets set up, it will have a big ironing surface of some kind in it :D:D:D