Making an Ironing Pad

Two thoughts. One - no matter what you do, don't assume that it will be okay to use it on top of a self-healing cutting mat. The heat will make it ripple, warp and/or pucker. I know. Two - if you are piecing a quilt, you do Not want a soft surface for pressing. It would be better to cover a piece of plywood with batting and top it with something sturdy - I used an ugly floral linen last time and it has held up very well. I read recently where someone had simply pinned a white towel around her board and she was pleased with how nicely it worked. A plus is she can remove it and wash it if the notion strikes. Polly

"tigriss7" I'm wanting to make an ironing mat/pad/blanket, whatever you call it in

I don't like that much batting. I like my ironing surface to be as hard as possible for block pressing. I bought a yard of that shiny gray stuff that you find on real ironing boards and stapled that to a large wooden cutting board. I use it constantly. I have the folding wooden tv tray like you're talking about. I used real heavy cotton muslin with a layer of batting under it. It works ok, I just like the board better. If I wasn't so lazy, I'd rip that muslin off and staple that ironing board stuff to it.

Cindy

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I don't think I'd stipple. You need a smooth surface for ironing. And everywhere you have stitching, the air spaces in batting have been deflated, eliminating the insulating effect.

One of the easiest quick ironing surfaces in a magazine wrapped in the thick towel.

Good luck.

I agree with the others who say to use only one thin layer of batting. A soft pressing surface may work okay for clothes, but for quilt blocks and tops, it's counter-productive, since it makes it impossible to press accurately.

I just made a portable pressing pad, using Sharon Schamber's "Perfect Pessing Board" how-to video on Youtube:

-Irene

I would add a layer of InsulBright between the layers of batting. This will protect the table a bit better. And if you will always use the same side up, one layer of cotton batting on top of the InsulBright works even better.

Also, no need to stipple it. The "holes" made by the needle/thread will be pathways to let heat/steam through the sandwich to the table. You also (usually) want a smooth surface for pressing, not one with stitching over it.

Have fun, Pati, >

Use a couple layers of army blanket type wool (wool melton, wool coating, that sort of thing) instead of cotton. Wool is more resilient than cotton, won't shift around, and is better insulation and will self-extinguish in a fire. If you use steam, it also will grab the steam away from the fabric you're pressing, keeping it from distorting when you pick it up, and giving you nice, sharp creases. Baste around the edges if you like.

Slip it in a "pillowcase" of muslin... then when the muslin gets dirty or ratty, it's easy to replace with a clean one.

Wool padding with a cotton cover has been standard for tailoring for many, many years.

Kay

On Mon, 8 Dec 2008 18:06:10 -0600, Polly Esther wrote (in article ):

I second this. I learned the hard way.

Maureen

If you are using a table with a laminated top, sometimes the heat can de-laminate it. I used a layer of the "silver" ironing board fabric and a thin layer of cotton batting, covered by muslin. It has worked well for several years.

Good grief ... Sharon Schamber's annual membership fee is $165. What does the subscriber get for that royal sum? PAT, who STILL cannot figure out how to turn on the Youtube videos!!!!!

I agree with the previous posters - don't stipple, make it smooth, don't make it too thick. I made one once with the "silver" teflon stuff because I can't find a replacement cover for the tabletop ironing boards. Speaking of which, there used to be a grid-marked cover for that sized board. Does anyone know where I can get one? I can only find the full size ironing board covers now.

Judy from Mass

Not sure exactly how it went together, but I recall seeing some portable ironing surfaces made with the cardboard core from fabric bolts. I think the bolts were cut in half so they were about 22" by about 11" and then covered with the silvery fabric. I don't recall any batting used, unless it was a very thin batting or flannel. I did not make one of these, but I noticed how clever they were. The cores were free from a LQS. Since I prefer a solid surface for pressing, I liked the concept ... and the price! PAT

I don't like the gridded covers because you can so easily distort them when putting them on the board. sigh. However, you can fairly easily mark your own board cover after it is on the board securely. Just use a fine point permanent pen (The Pigma "brush" point is great) to draw your lines with your long ruler. You can make lines to match what you most need in the way of markings.

Pati, > I agree with the previous posters - don't stipple, make it smooth,

Agree 100%. Mark your own. I bought one of the marked June Tailor boards and even it distorted.

Thanks for the posts on gridded covers. I do have a 5 or 6 inch June Taylor square but I never used it! So I probably wouldn't if I made it myself either! Not thinking clearly these days!

Judy from Mass

A friend made one using ceiling tiles- like for a dropped basement ceiling- darn if I know what the proper name could be. The tiles are sold in 2 ft. X

Leslie & The Furbabies in MO.

I have a June Tailor press board - it measures about 18" x 24". Actually, mine's one that's a little different from June, it's one with a grid for blocking smocking but they're pretty much the same thing. Anyhow - mine usually looks like the drip pan from a 1954 Studebaker. Gross. Grungy. This sewing room welcomes a heap of guests during the Christmas season and I just had to do something about that disgusting press board. ! All I had to do was make it a very basic pillow case. I slipped it on and safety pinned the hem to the back so I can remove the cover and wash it or toss it. Gee. Ridiculous how easy that was. Looks nice too. Why was I making such a big deal out of something so very simple? Polly

I just saw a tip on Fons & Porter about making a portable ironing surface. Use a fireproof gypsum ceiling tile instead of plywood or similar solid panel.