In this post you learn how to make your own ironing board.
Do you love sewing and quilting but hate ironing? Do you find your regular ironing board too bulky, too wobbly, or too boring? Do you wish you could have a custom-made ironing board that suits your needs and style? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then this tutorial is for you!
In this post, I will show you how to make your own ironing board with things you probably already have at home. You will need a board, some wadding, some thick fabric (jeans are awesome for this), and some nails or a stapler. Optionally, you can also paint your fabric in a different color to make it more fun and personal.
Can you make your own ironing board?
A portable ironing board is an easy DIY project
Making your own ironing board is not only easy and cheap, but also very useful and rewarding. You can make it any size and shape you want, and you can adjust the thickness and softness of the padding. You can also decorate it with your favorite fabric or paint, and make it match your sewing room or your mood.
But why do you need an ironing board at all?
Isn’t ironing just a boring and tedious chore? Well, not if you are a sewist! Ironing is actually very important for sewing and quilting, as it can make a huge difference in the quality and appearance of your projects. Here are some reasons why ironing is essential for sewing and quilting:
- Ironing helps to remove wrinkles and creases from your fabric before cutting and sewing. This ensures that you get accurate cuts and measurements, and that your fabric lays flat and smooth.
- Ironing helps to fuse the thread with the fabric when sewing seams and hems. This makes them stronger, neater, and more professional-looking.
- Ironing helps to manipulate the fabric into the desired shape and form. For example, ironing can help to create pleats, darts, curves, or ease.
- Ironing helps to enhance the texture and drape of the fabric. For example, ironing can help to soften or stiffen the fabric, or to create a shiny or matte finish.
- Ironing helps to fix mistakes and imperfections. For example, ironing can help to shrink or stretch the fabric, or to smooth out puckers or bubbles.
As you can see, ironing is a vital skill for any sewist, and having a good ironing board can make it easier and more enjoyable. So let’s get started on making our own ironing board!
Step by step on how to make homemade ironing board
Step 1: Gather Your Materials
The first step is to gather your materials. You will need:
- A board: This can be any flat and sturdy board that is big enough for your ironing needs. You can use a piece of plywood, a wooden plank, a shelf, or even an old table top. You can also cut it to any shape you want, such as rectangular, square, or round.
- Wadding: This is the padding that goes under the fabric cover of your ironing board. You can use any soft and fluffy material that can withstand heat, such as cotton batting, polyester batting, wool batting, or old towels. You will need enough wadding to cover your board with several layers.
- Thick fabric: This is the fabric that goes over the wadding and forms the surface of your ironing board. You can use any thick and durable fabric that can withstand heat and friction, such as denim, canvas, twill, or corduroy. You will need enough fabric to cover your board with some extra allowance for wrapping around the edges.
- Nails or a stapler: These are the tools that you will use to attach the fabric to the board. You can use either nails or a stapler, depending on what you have available and what you prefer. You will need enough nails or staples to secure the fabric all around the board.
- Optional: Paint: This is an optional material that you can use to paint your fabric in a different color if you want. You can use any paint that is suitable for fabric, such as acrylic paint, spray paint, or fabric paint. You will need enough paint to cover your fabric evenly.
Step 2: Prepare Your Board
The second step is to prepare your board. If your board is already cut to the size and shape you want, you can skip this step. Otherwise, you will need to measure and mark your board according to your desired dimensions and cut it out using a saw or a knife. You will also need to sand the edges of your board to make them smooth and prevent splinters.
Step 3: Prepare Your Wadding
The third step is to prepare your wadding. You will need to cut out several pieces of wadding that are slightly larger than your board. The number of pieces depends on how thick you want your padding to be. I recommend using at least four layers of wadding for a good balance of softness and firmness. You can use more or less layers depending on your preference.
Step 4: Glue Your Wadding to Your Board
The fourth step is to glue your wadding to your board. You will need to spray some glue on one side of your board and place one piece of wadding on top of it, smoothing it out and making sure there are no wrinkles or gaps. Then, you will need to spray some more glue on top of the first piece of wadding and place another piece of wadding on top of it, smoothing it out again. Repeat this process until you have used all your pieces of wadding, creating a thick and even layer of padding on your board.
Step 5: Prepare Your Fabric
The fifth step is to prepare your fabric. You will need to cut out a piece of fabric that is large enough to cover your board and the wadding, with some extra allowance for wrapping around the edges. The amount of allowance depends on how thick your padding is, but I suggest leaving at least 10 cm (4 inches) of extra fabric on each side. You can also paint your fabric in a different color if you want, following the instructions on your paint.
Step 6: Attach Your Fabric to Your Board
The sixth step is to attach your fabric to your board. You will need to place your fabric on a flat surface with the wrong side facing up. Then, you will need to place your board on top of the fabric with the wadding side facing down, centering it and making sure there is enough fabric around the edges. Next, you will need to fold one edge of the fabric over the edge of the board and secure it with nails or staples, spacing them about 5 cm (2 inches) apart. Repeat this process for the opposite edge of the fabric and the board, pulling the fabric tight and smoothing out any wrinkles. Then, repeat this process for the remaining two edges of the fabric and the board, folding the corners neatly and tucking them under.
Step 7: Trim the Excess Fabric
The seventh step is to trim the excess fabric. You will need to flip your board over and check if there is any excess fabric hanging from the edges. If there is, you will need to cut it off using scissors or a knife, leaving about 1 cm (0.5 inch) of fabric beyond the nails or staples.
Step 8: Enjoy Your Ironing Board
The eighth and final step is to enjoy your ironing board. You have just made your own ironing board with things you already have at home. Congratulations! You can now use your ironing board for all your sewing projects, or for any other ironing needs. You can also store it easily by leaning it against a wall or under a bed when not in use.
What’s a good size for ironing board diy
There is a beauty of diy projects as you creating a DIY ironing board can customize it to your specific needs. A standard ironing board size is about 54-55 inches long and 13-15 inches wide. However, you can adjust the dimensions based on your preferences, imagine sewing sleeves or other smaller projects, you don’t need big iron board even not medium, and available space.
What can you use instead of an ironing board?
Ironing boards are not the only way to get rid of wrinkles from your clothes. In fact, there are many other options t. Here are some of them:
Ironing mat
- Ironing Mat: This is a thin, flexible, and heat-resistant mat that you can lay on any flat surface, such as a table, a bed, or a floor. It’s easy to use, store, and carry around.
- Mattress: Yes, you read that right. You can use your mattress as an ironing board. Just make sure it’s smooth and covered with a sheet or a blanket or towel. Then, place your clothes on top and iron away.
- Flooring: If you have a hard and flat floor, such as wood or tile, you can use it as an ironing board. Just spread a towel or a cloth over it and iron your clothes on top. Be careful not to iron on vinyl or plastic flooring, as they can melt or scorch.
- Kitchen Table: Another common household item that can double as an ironing board is your kitchen table. I Just cover it with a thick towel or a cloth and you’re good to go.
- Clothes Steamer: If you want to skip the ironing altogether, you can use a clothes steamer instead. A clothes steamer is a device that emits hot steam that relaxes the fibers of your clothes and removes the wrinkles. It’s fast, easy, and safe to use. You don’t even need an ironing surface. You just hang your clothes on a hanger or a rod and steam them vertically.
- Hot Shower: Another way to steam your clothes without an iron is to use your hot shower. Just hang your clothes in the bathroom while you take a hot shower. The steam from the shower will help smooth out the wrinkles in your clothes. Make sure to close the door and windows to trap the steam inside..
- Dryer: If you have a dryer at home, you can use it to freshen up and de-wrinkle your clothes. Just toss your clothes in the dryer with a damp towel or a dryer sheet and run it for 10 to 15 minutes. The heat and moisture will help loosen the wrinkles .
As you can see, there are many alternatives to ironing boards that you can use to make your clothes look neat and crisp while sewing them. You don’t have to spend money on buying or maintaining an ironing board. You don’t have to waste space on storing or setting up an ironing board. You don’t have to dread ironing every time you need to sew something nice.
I hope you found this tutorial helpful and inspiring. Making your own ironing board is a fun and rewarding project that can save you money and space, and also improve your sewing skills and results. If you have any questions or feedback, please leave a comment below.
Happy ironing!
