Is your pad woven in appearance or a solid piece, Margo? I bought a pad several years ago at the Chicago Festival and cannot find another like it. It, too, retains heat and not moisture. It would be great if I've found the source and can order another!

I, foolishly, covered my pressing wood with that silver ironing board fabric and hated it. One of the reasons I hated it was it was too hot. The other is that the fabric wanted to slide around and stretch. So, I took that off and covered it with duck canvas, at least that is what I think it is called. My fabric doesn't move around and I love it. My board sets on top of one of those laundry dividers. I throw my scraps in there, lights, darks and fleece or batting pieces. It is on wheels and can be moved around.

DixieH wrote:
Thanks Dixie, but Charlotte is about 5 hours from me and Atlanta is only 2, but maybe the next time I go to Virginia to visit my brothers I could take that route!

Margo, Charlotte, NC has a new ikea store so it would not be as far as Atlanta.

Thanks Michelle. The construction in the basement was finished the week before Christmas and I'm slowly getting stuff moved back in so it's not fully functional yet! Because the walls are all moved in from the original basement walls, I've lost a lot of floor space and I sort of feel like I'm wearing tight shoes! BTW...It's just vinyl...not tile, but I like the look of it.

Furniture that used to just barely fit in the space doesn't work any more, so I'm having to re-arrange a lot of it.
I may need to make a run to Atlanta to visit your IKEA store! We don't have one up here!

You will LUV the ironing/blocking pad! (Tell Aubrey that Margo told you about the pad!)
Show us pictures when you get it set up. Your new storage unit sounds great!!

Thanks for the great tutorial Margo!

I have spent the last week totally redoing my sewing room. I cleaned out a lot of stuff and rearranged my furniture to make a better set up. I also went to IKEA and bought a side board storage unit to convert into an ironing station! It's solid wood, 47" wide x 16" deep x 35" tall. It has 2 drawers and two shelves so lots of storage under it, which my old ironing board never had. I will be covering it with a removable topper like you built, and will now add the Blocking Board Pad instead of batting.

Margo, are these pics of your new and improved sewing room? I really love that tile floor!

Thanks, Margo--I'm definitely keeping this reference you provided for when I am ready to purchase. Nice working space too! Thanks for the photos

I have made a wonderful ironing surface that I can't imagine doing without! I cut a piece of 3/8" (?) thick plywood 48" x 30" for the base.
I cut a piece of Aubrey's BLOCKING BOARD PAD to fit the board and covered the pad with muslin (calico?) then covered the muslin with a piece of cotton duck (canvas?) The muslin and duck are just pulled taut and stapled to the back of the board. When the cotton duck gets soiled (I use a lot of starch) I just pull the staples out and throw it in the wash.

I made it 48" wide so I can iron a full width of fabric without having to shift it. I made it 30" across so I can easily reach the far side to smooth the fabric for ironing. I just lay the board on top of my regular ironing board and can easily lift it off to move it to another location, or to drop the ironing board to a lower level so I can press while sitting at my sewing machine. All the extra space on my ironing surface has really spoiled me!

I really like the BLOCKING BOARD PAD because I can stab pins straight into it to block fabrics or quilt blocks and the pins hold securely while I steam the project into shape. (This is one of the techniques that will be used in the 2013 BOM "Two Of Us".)

The board and fabrics should be easily available everywhere, but you might want to check with Aubrey at Golden Hands Industries in Atlanta, GA USA (1-800-990-1392) for the BLOCKING BOARD PAD-(product number GHpad4). It is advertised as "Hydrofobic". It retains heat but not moisture. Lots better than using batting for a padding because the batting will retain moisture.

"The 100% nylon needle-punched synthetic monofiliment flannel is made especially for laundry and dry cleaning establishments."

The pad is 3/8" thick and comes 30" x 61" for $29.95 USD. It is easily cut with sturdy scissors and if you get this size you will have extra for hot pads or oven mitts or pot holders if you would like, or you can have Aubrey cut it to size for you.

I have no affiliation with Golden Hands Industries, but I have been using my pad for decades and am absolutely satisfied with the product and the service I get from the company. I've made several of these ironing surfaces for others and they are also thrilled with them.

anne1 wrote: AKA 'muslin' for those not in UK

I make my own with calico fabric, easy peasy.
Anne

try to look inside of your cover, some times there is a little piece of cloth with the name of the vendor.

Check with Aubrey at Golden Hands Industries in Atlanta, GA USA: 1-800-990-1392

I bought my at one of the AQS shows from Golden Hands Industries in Atlanta, Ga. He doesn't have a website but you might be able to call him. He had many, many different sizes. I bought two - one for my wall mount ironing board and one for the floor model.

I have a 12" x 32" ironing board (wall mounted variety) that needs a new cover. I bought it from a vendor at the International Quilt Festival in Rosemont Illinois several years ago. I have ordered replacements on line, but can't seem to find the web site. This vendor sold only irons and covers in many different sizes. Anyone recall this vendor?