I am thinking that most of us have our ‘own’ spaces for sewing, but even when we do we travel with out sewing goodies….often it is sometimes just to the next room.
That wouldn’t be because we have to many sewing items? of course not!
So, without looking further into the reasoning….let’s just assume that we are all wealthy sewers who get to go on a lot of sewing retreats or have our own in our home and we need something that is portable and moveable…..but most importantly Customizable and Usable!!
Plus, we always pick the best irons for quilting and sewing- now it’s time to make the best ironing board that fits just what we need.
Materials needed:
- wood board 1/2 inch – 3/4 inch thick {not to thick or it will be heavy}
- batting
- muslin, duckcloth or canvas
- staple gun or hammer and tacks
Portable Ironing Board Tutorial~
1) Find a piece of scrap wood {i just look into the honeys garage for mine} You might want to hit a lumber store {stinky store, named by the kids} and get yourself one. You definitely want something that is not treated, but it doesn’t have to be perfectly smooth- you will be covering it.
Cut it to the size you would like. Mine is cut 36″ X 36″ I wanted it to fit in the crossbars of my quilting machine. I use it every time i sew. I don’t have space for an ironing board. as you saw earlier in Where Bloggers Create post 🙂
2) Wrap your batting. Taking the measurement of the board cut the same size out of your batting. If you would like you can wrap the sides a bit to help cushion those edges. You need this batting to be just a bit thick, so if it is thin– you might want to double it. If it is wider than your board– no biggie girls, just tuck it under. You will be pulling the fabric tight and this will help flatten it down a bit. If it bothers you– trim it so it wraps the sides, but no the back or other side. You can do a few staples here to keep it all in place if you need.
3) Wrap your fabric. Taking the measurement of the board cut the fabric that you have chose about 4 inches larger than board on 3 sides and double the length size on one side.
- With your batting in place, put the fabric on the board and wrap that long tail around the board to the other side. Take the 3 other sides and fold over. {this is where a buddy crafter is nice to have around}
- Hold these sides down {tuck in the raw edges} and start stapling them into place.
- Staple a few in one side –go to the opposite side and staple a few there, pulling it a bit tight. Then do the other 2 sides the same way.
- Those are the sides that are shorter….the long side you do last. This cover the whole backside and gets stapled at the other end and along the sides. Makes the back all pretty like. See:
4) Now, you can Use it!! I wrapped my first fabric with muslin, but with about 3 years of use— i have an additional ‘new’ piece of duckcloth that is layed on top. Sometimes I iron messy things and it gets on the fabric.
When the girls come over to sew I take this little board on downstairs to the kitchen drainboard. I have never had a problem with any burns, warping or whatever else on them. My mom is using hers in her sewing room on a dresser top —so far so good!
I think my favorite part is the custom-ability of them. Make them the size you really need. They are wider than a typical block and a typical ironing board too– so everything fits when you are ironing it!! I love that.
Here are more ironing helps-
Homemade Spray Starch cheaper than store bought!
Mini Iron Travel Bag Tutorial just in case you travel with your mini!
Make your own portable iron station
Iron or Press? Which one is right for your project?
More Ironing board stations inspiration
Becky Jorgensen is the creative quilter behind Patchwork Posse, the Patchwork Planner and her online quilt group Patchworkers Plus. You can find her patterns in books, magazines, and her quilt membership. Gather your quilting supplies, organize your sewing space, explore the process of disappearing quilt blocks, or finish a free quilt pattern. I'll help you use what you have, finish what you start and make your quilting journey fun!
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oh, my hubby made me one of these… although mine is longer and i take it to my mini-retreat…
i love it when the hubbies make our goods-
oooo mini-retreats. fun.
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This is a really great idea! I'm going to have to make one of these. Thanks for sharing!
you totally should! who doesn't just love custom stuff?
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This is a really great idea! I'm going to have to make one of these. Thanks for sharing!
you totally should! who doesn't just love custom stuff?
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I think its great to design a table for iron in a usual way we can say that design a iron board, size depends on the thing you are going to iron on the board. . .
I want to thank you on two counts. The first is for making me laugh about your 52 Block Pick Up because I am old enough (even with my young name) to remember 52 Card Pick Up and if you don’t know what it is I would tell you. The second thing is for this great tutorial. I have the things upstairs to make this already but have been procrastinating which is so like me.
patti you are the best! I totally know 52 card pick up. that is the kicker there– we are picking up our ufo’s oh yeah! I love it when great minds think alike. 🙂 and you go make yourself something you should have a long time ago! share a photo when you’re done too. I’d love to see.
Great tutorial! I love how you made one side so much longer to cover the back. I would never have thought of that. Mine has a yucky back because all my sides were cut even and I didn’t want to cut another piece of fabric to cover it all up. I just recovered it but next time I will use your trick to make it look neater.
whosies I promise to make this on Wednesday. Can’t tomorrow as younger daughter – do NOT ask how old she is because she ain’t young, is moving and I’m helping. Well sort of helping. I will be there to watch stuff come in. That’s helping isn’t it?
I padded mine with a bath towel (cut to size), and used cotton fabric on the outside.
I made on like this several years ago, only smaller. It works great. I have the same stapler, too. I love that thing!
If you’re also a knitter or crocheter, seems like you could staple some 1-inch block gingham on this and have a twofer–ironing and blocking board.
yes, yes!! I had thought about that. Might have to find one that is a larger check like you mentioned so your eyes don’t go buggy.
I made a portable ironing board, about 18 x 24, I made a “pillowcase” to slip over it. Makes it easy to take off and wash if need be. I have my wool mat on top of that which is on top of my ironing board.
Thank you for the inspiration to make my own ironing board station!
Is it okay to use wool batting under the duck cloth? Will it hold the steam/moisture and possible get moldy?
Thanks again for your knowledge and ideas, very helpful for beginners
it could hold the steam and that doesn’t bode well for wood tables if it’s setting on that.
I haven’t had an issue with mold with mine. I do have a layered system. You could just check on that every once in awhile.