Does anyone know of a source for the large rectangular ironing boards for quilters? I hate having to use the regular ironing oard for large quilt tops.

I found a place that tells you how to make one, but thought I'd seen them for sale someplace, but can't find them now.

Thanks!

Linda,
Hancocks gets those large Ironing surface that fit the cutting tables that they sale the surface is about 36X72 I believe.
Debbie

Thanks, Debbie. DUH! I HAVE one of those covers for my craft table, but I forgot. The problem is - NOW I need to clear off the table top to use it as an ironing board. That's why I put the cover on the closet shelf. I didn't like having to keep switching the top cover when I wanted to cut out my fabric. Maybe I should get another one of the craft tales - JoAnns has them on sale. LOL!

I've also seen a pattern for an ironing board that is rectangular - just for quilters. it is about 4' x 2'. AND - I just found it again!

Here's the website for the directions on how to make a top to fit an ironing board. It sounds pretty easy to make - even for me.
http://thequilter.blogspot.com/2008/02/big-board-tutorial.html
I've found one other, but it is not fit to your ironing board like this one. I think I will get me some plywood and make one tomorrow. LOL!

Then I just found this link for a rectangular board for sale - http://www.stacksandstacks.com/html/115844_ironing-board-the-long-board.htm - but it's a little expensive.

Linda,
There is one called the "Big Board" and it's pretty expensive too. I made mine. I cut a piece of 1/2 inch plywood so that it's 24 inches by 60 inches. I put it on the floor, laid my ironing board on it and made marks at both ends and along the sides. Then I put on strips of 1" X 1" so I could lay it on top of the ironing board and it wouldn't slide off if I pushed it. On the top side, I used spray adhesive and covered it with aluminum foil so heavy steam wouldn't warp it after long use. Then I put on several layers of cotton batting and covered that with unbleached muslin. I pulled the batting and muslin to the back and stapled it down. I've been using mine for over 10 years now. When I want to iron clothes, I just lift it off and stand it in the corner. I love it.

Barb Mcf

Ok…now you guys have me completely intrigued.

I have a very LARGE ironing board I got from Costco last year. I do love it, but all this talk about a rectangular ironing board sounds very convenient.

Barb..
Do you have any pictures of yours? I did peek at the tutorial. So…my main question is allllll that weight from the plywood addition does not break down the legs of a normal ironing board??

Okay...you don't have to buy the big board. All you need is a piece of plywood the size you want your ironing board to be (with the corners trimmed off to make it not so pointed), one layer of batting to cover and some type of light colored cotton fabric to cover it (dark will bleed unless you wash it first...I used muslin). Mine is 2 1/2' wide and 5' long. It's attached (screwed from underneath) to the top of a workbench that DH never liked. I had it on the ironing board but it wasn't sturdy enough. Sawhorses would work underneath or even an old dresser...then there would be drawer storage for your fusibles,scissors for cutting strings at the ironing board....ect. Oh and you'll need a staple guun to attach everything to the back. Trim away excess fabrics/batting. Then you have a "big board"...custom made to your liking.

Janice

Barb McF -

Your board sounds VERY similar to the directions I found on line - and 24x60 was about what I was going to make. A rectangular board will make it SO much easier to iron large quilt tops and pieces of fabric.

I HAVE the 36x72 craft table, but since I use it for cutting, I don't want to have to clean it off all the ime.

I sold my ironing board at a yard sale. For the sewing room I put a wooden TV table by my sewing/cutting table to form a "L" shape. Covered with a folded flannel sheet. Now sew and just swivel my chair to ironing table. Can also use the table for cutting small stuff. Just put my cutting board on table and do not have to get up. For large stuff I have a small iron board that sits on kitchen table but hardly ever use it. Grandma J

GrandmaJ..

You wouldn't happen to have a photo you could post of that set up? Would enjoy seeing it.

I love home grown ingenuity!!

poof*

I'll try to clear things out so I can take a picture of mine tomorrow. I've been using it for at least 10 years and haven't had any problem with the weight of it on my normal ironing board. Of course, I've had that ironing board for at least 25 years. I did use muslin on mine to cover it. Also, I took my square rulers and used an ultra-fine Sharpie to draw a set of concentric squares on the top ranging from 4 1/2 to 12 1/2 inches. That is a quick way to check the size and squareness of the block when I'm pressing it. I've thought of making the small board from the tv table but having the ironing board across the room makes me have to get up and walk around a little. Otherwise, I might sit in that chair for hours before I moved and then I would be so stiff I couldn't move. Have to fit in some exercise where I can.

Barb Mcf