I have a system like Cathy's but with one layer of batting and two layers of cotton similar to linen. When the top layer of cotton looks too bad I put another one on and throw the dirty one in the washing machine. I use steam and have no problems with it. The door came from a cupboard and is painted so the steam can't penetrate the wood. It's just placed on my ironing board.

My ironing board is about 24x60. It is made like some of the others, to fit on top of the ironing board. It has pieces of wood screwed on the bottom to keep it from sliding around. The board is made from an old sliding closet door. It is covered with a foam pad and the shiny silver cover that I bought at a quilt show. I did hear that they were not the best covers to use, but I had already bought it. So far it is working great, and love to be able to iron the whole width of fabric and still have room for the iron at the end of the board. I do not use steam in my iron, but sometimes I do use a spray bottle to mist the fabric. I think the heat will dry the moisture before it hits the board, but if not, I will find another board. The closet door is hollow core, so it is lightweight and easy to more. When we cut it to size, we had to reinforce the edges. Seems very sturdy now.

Debbie, like Margo, I could not be happier with this product. I have loved that it can be washed if needed.

Oops! Thanks Margo, I have edited my post!

Here is the info: Aubrey at Golden Hands Industries in Atlanta, GA USA (1-800-990-1392)
The product is called BLOCKING BOARD PAD

(Michelle, Aubrey is an older gentleman and can be found in a booth at some of the larger quilt shows! He's a real sweetheart!)

I have the Golden Hands blocking board stuff and I LOVE IT! I covered an IKEA sideboard with it, then covered that with a nice home dec cotton.

You can get the blocking board from Mary Jo's Fabrics in Charlotte NC. Look on their website for ironing aids or somesuch labeling. Mine was 60" long and about 3/8" thick... it's a thick matt of fibers that repels moisture and is dense yet you can pin into it. It's not really a 'board' it's more like a thick dense batting or felted batting... but it's not, it's much better for ironing. It doesn't have any lines on it, and it's white. Not all that expensive either, well worth it.

If I can find my info, I will post the model number, etc. If you call Aubrey are Golden Threads in Atlanta he can help you also.

Pam, thanks for finding and reposting the original info.

Aubrey's business caters to laundry and dry cleaning establishments and the pad I use claims: 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.

Wow! So many good tips in this post!

My husband built an ironing board for me just recently, with things we had "on hand".
I wanted to have something that I could move around easily and I could put away - so a top I could remove that wouldn't be too heavy. I had this shelf storage on wheels that I wanted to use for this.


I also wanted a top that would be big enough for the width of the fabric and more. I knew that there could be an area where it could tip or that the top could slide off the shelf. We had a board of "MDF" 3/8 " thick, and 64" X 24" - a real dream compared to my old ironing board (that you can see on the picture). Since this could bend easily, he made a frame around it with wood stud (looking for a better word - a frame made with 1-1/2" x 1" wood). He also put a frame to "surround" the top of the shelf, so the board would not slide.
This is what it looks like underneath:


I put 2 layers of cotton batting, with a layer of that silvery fabric (tefflon?). Can't pin anything though... but now, I can iron more that 12 inches at a time! It's not as nice looking as I wanted it (the top), but it works...
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Andrée

Just clarifying to not "dis" anyone...my Golden Hands product was just fabric, not any thickness to speak of.

what a timely posting, as I'm ready to re-cover my 25" by 30" plywood (3/4") with some new cotton duck. I'm going to put two layers of cotton batting in because I bend a lot of pins when blocking, maybe this will help. I never thought of washing the old cover. :shock:
but it's slightly small & may get smaller. I set this on top of my regular ironing board. I also mark directly on it with a Sharpie when I want to block to a specific size.

I have a larger 3/4" plywood board in another room (38" by 41") with a Golden Hands Industries grid as the top. That was a waste of money. The grid is not accurate enough to be useful because the lines are too thick. This size is also so heavy it's difficult to move around. It may be ok if a helper is around.

You might consider putting some of the grid-like spongy shelf-paper under the board if sliding is an issue. If a majority of the board is on the table, it's not going to tip.

This is my favorite pressing accessory.

I have found the original post by Margo.

I was so impressed that I bought some but haven't made my board up yet.

Report this postReply with quote Re: replacement cover for my ironing board
by Margo » Sat Dec 29, 2012 3:19 pm

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.

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The "special material" isn't insulbrite (although a layer of that might protect the plywood from the steam). It's a 3/8" thick dense material that is mildew, moisture, scorch and high temperature resistant. It feels kind of like a thick felt.

Great ideas and conversation about all this! I was planning to go with 1/2 inch plywood, but I might go for the 3/4 inch, depending on how much it weighs.

I had only read one tutorial somewhere online, and they suggested using four layers of batting. I wonder if that would be enough to absorb the steam and keep the board from warping.

As for the special material, are you talking about that batting that they sometimes sell to make potholders or baked potato sleeves? I would think that might be kind of pricey for such a large piece?

Anyway, I am very excited to get started on my project! Thanks again.

My pad is called the "Pinables Blocking Board or Worktable Pad" by Golden Hands Industries, PO Box 720279, Atlanta GA 30358. No web site on the label.