Title: I just gave myself a present
Post by: buickjim on January 05, 2008, 07:04:12 PM
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I wasn't sure where this should go. If the moderator wants to put it someplace else, please do.
I'd been frustrated by the small ironing surface my ironing board offered so I made a 24 inch by 6 foot ironing surface out of plywood, batting, foil, broadcloth. I also made a custom cover out of muslin and binding tape for it.
If anyone would like to know how I put it together (so you can put it on your Honey-do list), let me know and I'll add it to the post.
Now it only takes 4 shifts to iron two yards of fabric. :santa_afro: :santa_cheesy: :santa_wink:
--Jim
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Title: Re: I just gave myself a present
Post by: BearFoot on January 05, 2008, 07:11:08 PM
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This sounds like it would be a handy thing to have...wish I had room for it, but my sewing room is full!
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Title: Re: I just gave myself a present
Post by: golo on January 05, 2008, 07:23:39 PM
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Jim, that sounds great... I have always wanted to add on to my ironing board but I don't think I could go 24"... so I did the next best thing... I bought a cordless iron and it sure is handy to take it to the fabric instead of the fabric to the iron..... :santa_afro:
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Title: Re: I just gave myself a present
Post by: quiltermarynel on January 05, 2008, 08:56:55 PM
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My guild's workroom has a playwood, etc. ironing board that is 2'x4'. It is attached to the regular ironing board. We find it a great improvement over a standard board. Someone in the guild made it before I joined in 2000
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Title: Re: I just gave myself a present
Post by: finisher on January 06, 2008, 06:35:40 AM
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I have often thought about making a larger surface that I could put on top of my ironing board. I thought I could lay plywood down..set the ironing board on it (upside down) then mark where to put a couple of boards to frame it. Then I could finish it off with batting and they also sell that shiny ironing board fabric at Joann's. It's just one of those things I haven't gotten around to yet. I'll probably do it once the weather gets warmer so I can do my sawing outside. I need mine removable because I have to iron Dh's white dress shirts that he needs for work. I like that narrow end of the board for the collars.
One thing that I added to my ironing board that I'm very happy with..I traced around a large square ruler I have with a permanent black marker. It's nice to have that on the ironing board to make sure the blocks are square. When I do my final pressing of my blocks I can pin the block in place and give it a shot of steam if it needs a little encouragement to behave. :santa_wink:
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Title: Re: I just gave myself a present
Post by: TxMaryQuilts on January 06, 2008, 06:44:58 AM
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Jim you will enjoy that present. I have never regretted making my "big top". They are great.
The removable ones are easy to make Finisher. That is the kind I have and for the same reason you want it, have to iron clothes
occasionally.
The bigger surface also lets me set my water bottle and starch can where it is handy to use.
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Title: Re: I just gave myself a present
Post by: buickjim on January 07, 2008, 05:07:06 PM
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I discovered that they are relatively easy to make. I covered mine with broadcloth because I use it to pin borders to the center of the quilt and the teflon fabric is too slippery. I also made a cover out of muslin for it so I can take it off and wash that when it get dirty or has too many threads on it.
Here's what I used and about what it cost:
1 plywood board (2' x 6') already cut and sanded, $24 at Home Depot (in the shelving section)
1 2"x2" finish ready, 8' long, $2 at Home Depot, they cut two 3' sections out of this for free
12 wood screws, $2
1 package wide aluminum foil
2 yards Warm & Natural batting off the roll (96" wide), $20
2-1/4 yards broadcloth at Joanns $9
1 roll of duct tape (had on hand)
You'll need a staple gun, drill, screwdriver (to remove errant staples), pencil, serrated knife (to trim foil), scissors (to trim batting and cut duct tape).
I didn't seal the wood because I didn't want the sealer gassing off as it aged and got warm.
Wash and dry the batting and broadcloth.
Lay two layers of aluminum foil over the board, shiny side up. I used a tiny bit of 505 to hold it in place. Wrap excess foil to the back of the board. I constructed mine right on top my current ironing board.
Lay a layer of batting over the foil. Wrap excess to the back of the board and secure with a staple gun. I did this shooting the staples up so I didn't have to turn the board over.
Repeat with the second layer of batting.
Turn the board over and trim the batting and foil to within 2 inches of the edge. Add additional staples as necessary.
Measure your ironing board (without cover). Subtract this measurement from the width of the board. Divide the remaining value into two. Draw a line on the underside of the board this measurement from the edge. Drill holes every 6 to 8 inches and use screws to secure one of the 2x2s placing the inside edge on the line. My ironing board is 15" (24" - 15" = 9", / 2" = 4-1/2").
Turn over and put on top of your ironing board (with cover). Pull the board snug against your ironing board. Draw another line indicating where the edge of the ironing board meets the board. Drill holes every 6 to 8 inches and use screws to secure the other 2x2 with the inside edge on this line.
My ironing board measures 15". I made sure that the distance between the 2x2's was 15-1/8". It fit perfectly.
Use the duct tape to cover the raw edges of batting to finish.
I also made a cover for it with 2-1/4 yards of muslin and two packages of bias tape plus some nylon cording.
It took about 4 hours to put it all together once I had all the materials.
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Title: Re: I just gave myself a present
Post by: finisher on January 08, 2008, 06:31:02 AM
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Sounds like a good design and similar to what I plan on doing. The last time I used the staple gun to upholster a chair I had it upside down and was holding the fabric tight with one hand..and stapled with the other. The kick back of the gun broke my finger on the underneath hand. I've got to remember to be more careful! DOH! I didn't remember that Home depot would cut wood for free. That will help a lot in the construction. I need to draw up a design and have it in hand when I go shopping for the wood. I have my own sabre saw..but it's easier to have them do the cutting. ;)
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