If you would like to be able to lay a ½ yard of fabric out and iron it all at one time without having to move the fabric; you are going to LOVE THIS TUTORIAL! I ran across an ironing board similar to this and thought “WOW that would be awesome to have...I bet I can make one of those.” It is one of my favorite tool/items in my sewing room. You can make one of these too, and you'll be surprised how easy it all comes together. Easy peasy! *wink*
(Yes, that's a 15 inch ruler laying on that ironing board with room
all around it)
First, before we get started... I want to give Madame Samm a Big THANK YOU, for having me on Sew We Quilt. I have learned so much from all the instructors on her blog. We are so lucky to have this site, and all need to give Madame Samm a Big SHOUT OUT, WHOOp WHOOp!!!!
A quick little bit about me...My name is Christine, I am married to my best friend. My husband and I are proud parents to three furry children
(2 cats and a boxer puppy - they all make cameo apperances in my quilt pictures). When you don't find me at my sewing machine or computer, you will find me flower gardening in my yard or camping somewhere in the wonderful Pacific Northwest.
(2 cats and a boxer puppy - they all make cameo apperances in my quilt pictures). When you don't find me at my sewing machine or computer, you will find me flower gardening in my yard or camping somewhere in the wonderful Pacific Northwest.
Please visit anytime...I’d love to have you stop by, share ideas, or just say Hi! I am excited to be here at Sew We Quilt and share this tutorial, it is my first time
guest blogging. :)
guest blogging. :)
If any questions come up… Please let me know. I'll answer them ASAP.
Enjoy.
Here is a list of supplies you need:
*
Your existing Ironing board
Your existing Ironing board
(with old cover removed)
*Tape Measure, pencil, saw, drill with smaller than wood screw drill bit, staple gun w/staples and a screw driver, hammer and/or brad nail gun.
*
A piece of ¾ inch plywood cut 20 inches wide and 6 inches beyond the length of your ironing board CLOSED.
(my example is for a standard ironing board and it’s cut 63 inches x 20inches)
A piece of ¾ inch plywood cut 20 inches wide and 6 inches beyond the length of your ironing board CLOSED. (my example is for a standard ironing board and it’s cut 63 inches x 20inches)
*7 fender washers & 7 wood screws
*2 (10 ft) sticks of
¾ by ¾ inch wood (for finishing)
*100% Cotton Batting (I used scraps I already had)
*2 yards of fabric (You can choose whatever color you want…Dress it up or dress it down)
*Finishing Nails 1 ½ long amount varies. (fyi..I used a brad nailer instead)
Okay Let’s begin assembly. First mark the top of your board and lay it face down.
Lay ironing board face down on top of the plywood.
Center ironing board on plywood and mark where you will be
mounting the wood screws to the ironing board.
(I marked 7 total- one at the tip…and 3 along each side of ironing board)
 |
| (Mark the ironing board also,... a lot easier to realign later.) |
Now remove ironing board and pre-drill your holes…
this step makes securing it easier to at the end.
this step makes securing it easier to at the end.
 |
| (if you drill all the way thru..no worries, you will be covering it up with fabric) |
Next … Take your ¾ x ¾ inch sticks of wood, measure and cut the lengths to match the plywood length. From the left over cuts, measure and cut for the short lengths to fit in between the long sides… IMPORTANT >> DO NOT ATTACH YET! Put aside for finishing!
(Sorry I forgot to take a picture of this step.)
Next…Cut 4 layers of batting an inch or so larger than the
size of your plywood.
The extra will wrap over the sides and give a cushion along
the edge of your ironing board.
size of your plywood.
The extra will wrap over the sides and give a cushion along
the edge of your ironing board.
 |
| (I notched the corners of two layers so that I wouldn’t have super bulky corners. I hope you can see that in the picture… it was a sunny day) |
Now…Clear off your table and lay your fabric so that the
Right Side is facing DOWN.
Right Side is facing DOWN.
(WARNING…*Wink*.. there is going to be a bit of fabric waste, I know...I hate waste too, but you’ll want enough fabric to hold onto when pulling and stapling. That way you will get a tight fit across the board..I did trim 15 inches off the length of fabric before doing this. A good size scrap for later. *wink*)
Next lay your batting layers on top of the fabric…
and
lay your plywood so that the side marked TOP is face DOWN.
Next lay your batting layers on top of the fabric…
and
lay your plywood so that the side marked TOP is face DOWN.
Pull the fabric over the plywood just like you are upholstering
a chair and staple.
(Be careful to not shift your batting)
a chair and staple.
(Be careful to not shift your batting)
Staple the fabric about ¾ of an inch from the edge.
Remember you will be covering the staples with
the sticks you cut previously.
Remember you will be covering the staples with
the sticks you cut previously.
When you work into a corner, fold the fabric like you are wrapping a present.
Once you have the fabric securely stapled, trim excess off.
(Be sure to not trim too close to staples)
When all the fabric is trimmed, go thru with a hammer and give each
staple an extra tap to ensure that each staple lays as flat as possible.
staple an extra tap to ensure that each staple lays as flat as possible.
Now you are ready to attach the ¾ inch by ¾ inch pieces.
Lay the sticks on top of the staples.
Be careful not to hit a staple when finishing.
I happen to have a brad nailer and it was quick and simple,
but if you don't...
use finishing nails and tack the sticks’s down with a hammer.
Lay the sticks on top of the staples.
Be careful not to hit a staple when finishing.
I happen to have a brad nailer and it was quick and simple,
but if you don't...
use finishing nails and tack the sticks’s down with a hammer.
Now that the edges are attached...
You are ready for the last step. (Are you excited yet??)
Position the ironing board over the pre drilled
holes that were made earlier.
Secure your new cover to the ironing board with a wood screw
and fender washer in each of the pre-drilled holes.
You are now ready to flip over your ironing board and enjoy
how much bigger it is.
how much bigger it is.
CONGRATULATIONS...
You now have an awesome "Supersized" Ironing Board that
everyone you know - who sews - will be jealous of.
Be careful...you may have to make one of these for a friend, I did.
everyone you know - who sews - will be jealous of.
Be careful...you may have to make one of these for a friend, I did.
I hope you enjoyed my first guest tutorial. In honor of the special occasion, I am having a giveaway over at my Blog... One lucky winner will win a bottle of Mary Ellen's Best Press to start their new ironing adventures.
Check out Quilt Monster in my Closet to see what the
giveaway question is...
Leave a comment here for an extra chance to win :)
Winner will be randomly selected.
Again, Thank you Madame Samm for having me on Sew We Quilt, and I look forward to more sharing and learning with all my new internet friends.
Happy Quilting…and...Happy Ironing ;)
Christine L
102 COMMENT HERE:
Great tutorial! My quilting friend's hubby was kind enough to make me one of these for my ironing board when I started learning to quilt last year and it makes ironing 'everything' so much easier!!! TFS
Oooh very cool, thankyou for sharing!
Oh man, I'd never have thought to do that but its a great idea for my new sewing room in my new house! I'll have to get the Mr. on it!
This is great! Thanks for the tutorial. Something else to add to my "to-do" list :)
Christine, thanks for the tutorial. I've always wanted a larger ironing space. This looks easy enough for me to make so I'm going to give it a try.
That looks great and it appears that the ironing board still folds up for storage. I would probably use some of that heavier cotton duck fabric to cover it with so it would hold up to more pressing. Thanks for the very clear tutorial.
Yeah, Christine! You did a super job for your first time here. I love the larger pressing surface - now to haul that old ironing board out to the shop.
You are right! I would be jealous...I am going to try this..we will see how it turns out! Great idea, Great Tutorial! Thanks!
I love it and have been begging hubby to make me one. Now he can read the tutorial and bless me immensely!
What a great idea....
This is fantastic - I can't wait to make one!
This is such a great idea. I am going to the thrift store tomorrow for a ironing board frame to make one with. I have to iron work clothes every day so I am thinking I should set this up apart from my regular ironing board.
Good Morning Christine our first guest of the new year and you certainly PRESSED on the importance of having an oversized board...YOU have a future here, if only it did not cost sew much to ship from your country to me lol. Can you imagine how expensive that would be? Pleased you showed us how to make our own...terrific tool time tool....Ironing is one of those things that is a must for any quilters..we need a board lol....woop woop as you refer good things...oh yes woop woop
Wonderful tutorial. I want one of these for sure. Just have to make room somehow.
Best tut >>EVER<< - many many thanks for taking the time to document it and share it here !
Oh my! How many yards and yards of fabric I've ironed over the years on a regular board when this conversion is so easy! I know what I'll be doing this weekend ;)
thank you for a great tutorial!
Great tutorial! I own one of these boards but it's not attached to my ironing board. I'm thinking I might attach it!!
Brilliant and oh so timely! I'm sure I can coerce someone at a big-box store to cut some ply for me. :)
Thank you for the great tutorial!!!
~Christina in Cleveland
Hi Christine first let me say thank your for this awesome tut....Madame Samm whoot whoot I am with you I have learned so much from her blog and often shout out a whoot whoot....I am really going to give this one a try...I know a lady that had her son make her one and it looks awesome and she loves using it,,,,thanks again
Great tutorial. Thanks for the idea. I think I have a large ironing board in my future.
What a great idea! Hope to make me one.
Love the tutorial. Will do, I have an extra wide ironing board so that would be great.
Don't forget that dryer sheets will take the applique residue off of the bottom of your iron. Just have your iron hot and iron the dryer sheet.
It will take the residue off of the bottom, don't forget to tip your iron and do the sides of your iron too!
This is a perfect project for woodworker hubby, and he just finished a project yesterday so the timing couldn't be better...thank you so much!
I could have used this when ironing my Christmas tablecloth. Love this! Thanks for sharing!
I've seen this done before, and thought what a great idea. Thanks for the tutorial for getting it done.
Awesome tutorial.Love your ironing board.
This is fabulous. I'm going to share this with my husband. I have no skills for this kind of thing but he sure does. I need a new ironing board cover but the idea of having a larger board is great. Thanks so much for sharing.
Clever and it fills such a "pressing" need that we quilters have. (sorry couldn't resist the pun!)
Just awesome. Got to do this. I try to iron on a tiny little table ironing board!! Thanks for the tutorial. Visited your blog and am following you!
Wow, that is quite the iron board, I don't have room for it though. =) Lovely tutorial.
this is a great idea! wonderful for quilt press! thanks
Christine I have a similar ironing board, though not nearly as professional as yours! It's a hollow core door covered with batting and fabric and laid on top of a banquet style table raised up a bit with PVC pipe legs. Yours is gorgeous! I stapled my batting to the wood but I pin my fabric to the batting so that I can remove and wash it since I tend to get glue, spray adhesive, fusible, etc. on it. I use it for everything, as you can tell, and sometimes forget to cover it before working! blessings, marlene
My LQS has ironing boards like these and now that you've so kindly posted this tut, I can get hubby to turn my regular old one into a fantastic new one like this. Thank you sew much.
Hi Christine, Great idea, I made one of these a few years ago, I love it. It makes ironing a pleasure, I added an ironing cord extender, (I think that's what you call it) it raises and holds the cord from getting caught or tangled. Great tutorial, I wouldn't guess this was your first time. Thank you Madame Samm and Christine! ;-> I'm going to your blog now.
Great tutorial! That would be SO handy for ironing quilt tops!
Great tutorial! That would be SO handy for ironing quilt tops!
I know what Geoff will be mkaing for me this spring!
I would find one of these super sized ironing boards a dream!! Thanks for the tute!!
This is awesome and great instructions! thanks!
Thanks for the great tute!!!! Have a great 2012.
Meg
Great idea and instructions - thanks for sharing.
This is genius!! Now I just need a bigger house to put it in ;)
GREAT tutorial! Trying to decide where I would put it down here in Florida! Space is limited! But I NEED it!
I have been thinking about making one of these for awhile, will have to decide if I have the extra room to store! Thanks for the tut!!
Now that is an awesome idea! Thanx for sharing it with us!
I know a few quilters with these big boards. This is the first tutorial I've seen. I'm looking forward to what's next.
Thanks for the great tutorial. I wish I had the room for addition to my ironing board.
It would be great to have this! Thanks for the tutorial, which is easy to follow.
this is a great tutorial -- and I've done something similar with vinyl over the wood (and slightly rounded corners) to use in kid's play room for craft table - or tea parties ...
This is a wonderful tutorial. I know that creating a tutorial takes a lot of work - so thank you for taking the time to do it for us. Susan
http://www.starwoodquilter.blogspot.com/2011/09/linoleum-quilt-block.html
Thanks for a great tutorial! I have already printed it for my husband's honey-do list but if he doesn't get around to it this week, I think I can handle it myself! ~Jeanne
This is fabulous Christine! I am definitely going to have a new surface... Might push some of the wood work off on my son though! LOL This tutorial is the answer to a long running prayer of mine. There is just not enough space on a regular board surface. If my cat saw this, she would be thrilled too! ;)
Great tutorial - I've added it to the "Honey Do" list. :)
Great idea!
Great tute. Don't have room for one, but wish I did.
This is so doable, and a great New Year Project! Thanks for the step-by-step!
Oh this is awesome! Thank you. I've been drooling over these larger ironing boards for a couple years now but couldn't afford one yet. Now I can make my own. I think since I need a new ironing board anyway that I'll use the old one to make it into one of these. That way I'll be able to use which ever one I want to use.
Great idea...but I don't have room for one..wonder how to make a portable on? mmm because I think it is great..Thanks Madame Samm for all the hard work you do and all the great ideas!!! Love Love it
Very nice clear tutorial. I've been thinking about how I could do this. How annoying when you try to iron fabric and it drapes all funny over the edge of the ironing board!
great tute! and a good thing i'm a procastinator ... have stashed the stuff to make a 20 x 48 press mat to flop down on my cutting counter; yours is a better idea! will give it a try.
Nice tutorial, gonna check this with my hubby and see what he can do for me!
I love, love this tutorial! This is exactly what I need for my sewing room. Thank you!
Great tutorial and I have already pinned it :) Thank-you for posting it and sharing the steps.
I LOVE IT!
Thanks for sharing, I think I have a project for my hubby. Great tutorial.
This is perfect timing! I was just telling my sweet husband that I wanted something like this. Thanks for sharing!
Wonderful tutorial! Thank you so much! I wonder how many hubbys are headed to the Big Orange Toy Store today for some plywood and supplies! LOL I know I'll be asking mine!
I am wondering about moisture build up? Ironing boards are made as they are so that air can circulate underneath and the moisture can easily dry. Is there ever a problem with moisture in the plywood?
Great tutorial. I wish I had some of her tools, too. Thanks for the tutorial.
great tutorial!
Wonderful tutorial! Thanks for all the effort...I'm sure this won't be your last tutorial :) They are sort of addicting.
Smiles,
Kelly
I love this. I was just trying to figure out where to find a thicker Ironing Board YEAH!!!
What a great idea! And your tute was really clear. Thanks.
This is a great tutorial! Great idea, I'm sure many DH's will be eding this, too!
You did an awesome job and one that my husband can even follow. He gets nervous when I use power tools since I am a tad bit accident prone. I've been wanting one of these boards but wasn't quite sure as to how to DIY. You, my dear, have solved my dilemma and many others I dare choose to guess. Welcome to sew We Quilt, home of THE BEST QUILTY friends in all of Blogland.
Warm New Year's Blessings
Gmama Jane
The Man about the House will just love it when I show him his new year holiday project!!! Thanks for very easy to follow instructions :)
Rock 'em, Sock 'em, sister! Your tutorial is brimming with enthusiasm and know-how! I saw something like this but the wood was not attached, it merely rested on the ironing board top. Yours is so much better!
Awesome tut and sew easy to understand your instructions. Gotta get hubby on this. I saw a few "gently used" ironing board "frames" at the second hand store. That way, I can keep my old one for the occasional laundry(blouse) that needs it. Off the check out your blog.
I'm in love!!! What a great tutorial. Who woulda thunk it? What a great idea and so easy! I've got to make me one! In everything, give thanks, GrandmaSoucie
Thank you for the great tutorial. I have been wanting a larger ironing surface.
What a great idea!! I know I could use a supersized ironing board for sure. A professional job! You did a great job on your tutorial. Thanks so much for sharing this with us. Now I'm on my way over to your blog for a visit.
Thank you for your giveaway and a chance to win.
usairdoll(at)gmail(dot)com
What a great idea!! I know I could use a supersized ironing board for sure. A professional job! You did a great job on your tutorial. Thanks so much for sharing this with us. Now I'm on my way over to your blog for a visit.
Thank you for your giveaway and a chance to win.
usairdoll(at)gmail(dot)com
Great tutorial! There's never enough board space around here.
Loved this blog about making the large ironing board. I hope my husband will make me one!
Thank you for the great tutorial. I just had my husband come and read it and begged him to make me one!!
*** I just read thru all the wonderful comments you have all posted! I feel so very very loved! THANK YOU for all the wondeful comments! I hope that I can respond to each of them :)
Great tutorial! Every quilter's dream to have an oversized ironing board...or at least this quilter. wink*
Thanks!
Great tutorial, Christine. I'd wanted one for years, and kept leaving little hints for my carpenter husband. Last Christmas, I printed out the instructions and left them around the house in strategic places: bathroom mirror, arm of his favorite couch, inside the fridge... then Yeah! Got it for Christmas last year! Mine is removable, but I couldn't live without it now! I ♥ my big board!
i am making one TODAY!!!
Wonderful tutorial! Thanks so much for sharing!!!
This is great - I think I can do this following your directions. I have wanted a "Big Board" for some time and now it looks like I can make one. Thanks again
hmmm I made myself a "small board" so that I can set it up and keep it up all of the time... thus, my ironing board isn't in the way...(i.e. very crowded sewing room) Good tutorial though.
I use a Rowenta Iron and this one I have had since last Summer. Funny thing, 1 or 2 Rowenta's ago... I actually read the instruction book! Yep, your not to use full tap water or nothing but distilled water in it! So, now I use 1/2 distilled and 1/2 tap water. Makes them last ohhhh so much longer.
Great tute! I would love one of these large boards, but as it is now I'm scooting sideways between my cutting table and sewing machine. So....no room or I would have had one years ago. :( It's a great idea for those who can! I left message on other blog about my iron. I like your blog!
Happy New Year!
Hey Madam Samm! You picked a winner with Christine. Her tutorial is such a great idea. Thanks very much for the chance to win some Best Pressed.
What a great tutorial. I think I can do it.
We use a general purpose Black and Decker steam iron that we've had for more than 5 years.
my husband made me one 55 x 15 as a belated Christmas gift so i could use a iron board cover I got last year at the sewing expo in Puyallup, WA. I just love it for my quilting and starching. Best sewing room addition of the year for me.
The question is what kind of iron & how long have you had it?
I have a Rowenta (6 years), a travel iron Rowenta (5 years), a huge Oreck iron that was a free gift when I bought their Vacuum(I
had it a couple of years)
Thanks for the giveaway!
I have a large portable ironing surface like this, but it's not permanently attached to my ironing board.
If I didn't already have one of these, I'd be making one from your tutorial for sure! (Fact is, I might just alter mine to be screwed onto my ironing board.)
Thanks for sharing your great tutorial!
I am totally making one of these. I am moving some things around in my sewing space and have always wanted and needed a larger space to iron. My goal for the new year is to accomplish some actual FINISHES of lots of tops I have already. That mean s a lot of ironing big tops and even bigger backings before layer to quilt. Bigger board coming up!
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