cizzors

I'm reading conflicting posts about this. Getting ready to top my large ironing board but some say they just use batting and cotton when others say insulbrite, batting and cotton. My top measures 48" x 24" x 3/4".

I'm wondering if I do need the insulbrite at all. Some say it's inexpensive but at $6.00 a yard here I'm seeing the fabric I could be buying! :lol:

When I replaced my old cover on my standard board, it was just cotton with a very thin piece of foam.

Do I really need the insulbrite?

Covered in Threads

I guess it's preference more than anything.
For myself, I say use insulbrite.
The reason why is because I made a ironing board for classes and workshops. I took an 18" x 24" board covered it with a layer of insulbrite, batting and canvas and in that order. and it's better than any traditional ironing board I've ever worked on especially for items that need a crisp, rigid edge.
As for the Ironing Board I made - The insulbrite and batting were exact in size to the top of the board. And the canvas was 3" more (21" x 27") around all the edges. The corners of the board I sanded, then place the insulbrite, then batting and topped with the canvas. I pulled the canvas as tight as I could and stapled it to the back of the board. Once it was all stapled I took a 18" x 24" piece of felt to cover the staples on the bottom and glued it on, covering all the staples in order to protect the surface you will place the board on. I know it's alot of information but it's a handy tool and others may be interested in making one of their own.

Olivia's Grammy

I use one layer of batting and the silcone fabric for the top layer. I had never heard of usig insulbrite before this thread. I tried muslin for my top layer for a while, but it stains so quickly that I went back to the silcone fabric. I have a big board type ironing suface that DH made for me.

virtualbernie

I made a cover with aluminum foil, a couple of layers of thin batting and muslin. Aluminum foil to reflect the heat back up. Thin batting so your fabric doesn't sink into the layers and cause, as my grandmother use to say, "cat faces".

Rachel

silicone fabric? what are you talking about please??? I also use muslin, then just throw a piece of flannel over the top of it so I can wash it, but I don't know what kind of silicone fabric you're talking about, that sounds like something I might want to try.

AnitaSt

I have a small portable ironing board that needed recovering after my last boo-boos with fusible applique, but that's a different story. I didn't remove the existing padding and fabric, just added a layer of insulbrite and then a cover of drapery lining fabric. I think things press more nicely on it now and sort of dry out from steam or spray starch more quickly.

Olivia's Grammy

It's what ironing board cover are made of. You can buy it by the yard at Joanns. It's with the interfacings/stabilizers.

twinkie

My DH and I make miniature ironing boards (15 1/2" long) for use with the miniature and craft irons. I use 2 layers of thin cotton batting and 1 layer of insulbrite. It works fine and it gives a nice, crisp edge when pressing seams open.

quiltinghere

I'd say - use what you have. I've used HEAVY tin foil as a bottom barrier, a thin 100% cotton batting or a piece of wool blanket and then stiff fabric for a cover piece (like drapery fabric). Works fine for my ironing boardS.

Just don't make the ironing board too fluffy or thick.

ckcowl

at Joannes you can purchase the silver ironing board fabric by the yard or you can get the canvas fabric that has 1" grid lines on it. both work well for covering your ironing board. muslin is pretty thin so i don't know how long that holds up. a broad cloth may be a better weight. i never bothered with insulbright, i covered 2 different ironing boards, one mini one big block; i just used 1 layer of warm& natural and the cover fabric. i ran a casing around the cover and ran a draw string through it so i can take them off anytime and throw them into the wash. my big one has held up well for about 6 years now...the mini is way older. since i applique and use lots of different 'stuff' (like fusable, and starch) i wanted to be able to wash it when ever.