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Handy idea that grew out of frustration

Alright, I know that what I have here is available on the internet under the name Big Board. But, being cheap and having the stuff to make it, I thought I would share the idea with you to help you solve the problem of ironing a 40"+wide piece of fabric without having to deal with the pointed end of the normal ironing board not allowing you to iron a large area at one time. Below is a list of what you will need.

  1. A piece of plywood that is at least as long as your ironing board; preferably Cabinet grade 3/4" birch. It is important to use cabinet grade and not "normal" plywood as it has 7 core layers that will keep the board flat and not let it warp. If you use construction grade plywood, don't say I didn't warn you if it warps. It has, at best, 5 cores of wood, and is meant to be nailed down to hold it flat.

  1. Strips of wood about 3/4" thick and 1" wide. These will be used to fasten to the underside of the plywood with screws and glue so that they follow the external profile of the ironing board so that the board when it is used for ironing doesn't slip and slide around on the ironing board.

  2. Screws and glue to attach the above strips of wood to the underside of the plywood.

  1. 2 layers of Cotton batting of your choice to cover the top of the rectangle of the new ironing surface. I used some leftover batting scraps and spray adhesive glued them in place.

  2. Any fabric of heavy cotton that is wide enough to fully wrap around the whole upper surface and allow attachment on the under side of the plywood with staples or tacks. Most of the items that you will need are readily available at Home Depot. I bought the Plywood there, today for and it was cut so that it was almost the correct size. I tried other places, but they only would sell me whole sheets of plywood. Home depot had the smaller pieces available for much less with no left over scraps of any size. After positioning and attaching the strips of wood I cut off the excess so that it was not to unwieldy. This sort of job is well within the abilities of most people with the normal amount of tools around the house. I think you will enjoy the ability to iron a larger area of the fabric after washing it without having to reposition it as often. It goes on and comes off easily, and doesn't affect the ironing board and is storable right along side or behind the ironing board to be ready when you need it. Below are 2 pictures to show you the top and bottom of the board, in place, on the ironing board.

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Good luck, and happy ironing

John

Reply to
John
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Thanks for this idea!

Denny in Fort Wayne

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John wrote:

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Reply to
Kiteflyer

how much did that cost you John? and how much time did it take?

I suspect I'm lucky in that we have a mini chain locally, they have about 8 stores, so they have a bit more in the way of sales than a true LQS, but they have a very similar feel to a LQS. Once a year, they give a 40% off coupon and I used that for a big board, it came in about 45 dollars, full price 69.99.

Anne

Reply to
Anne Rogers

Reply to
Taria

Lets see,: $14.75 for the board. $2.00 or so for the screws and glue. Scrap wood for the underside, but if you needed to buy it about $7-$10 The batting was left over from Quilting. The Denim mat'l came from a bolt I bought a couple of years ago. It was 60" wide and I used about 20" of it. Maybe $6. worth. Staples 10 cents. Spray adhesive, A couple of squirts $1.00, more or less.

At the most it would be $40. If you are willing to discount for the staples, scrap wood, batting, spray adhesive, and any other part of the cost from things you might have as leftovers from other projects, Which I had, probably less than $20. There is the custom nature of making it to fit your particular ironing board. All ironing boards are not exactly the same. What is that worth? There is the satisfaction of having produced something yourself that is made to your exact specifications also that has some intrinsic value. I guess you would need to feel confident in your abilities with tools. Although honestly, this project is not at all difficult. I got home from shopping at 12:30 and was finished at 3:30. An afternoon of work and it is good to go. Or to paraphrase the Mastercard add, "Bragging rights, priceless".

John

Reply to
John

Thanks for this great idea! I can do this!

Happy quilting,

Lenore

Reply to
Lenore L

I have one that was made by a member of my quilt guild chapter. She donated as a door prize at our holiday party in 2006. I didn't put the wood strips on (they were provided along with the glue, etc so you could custom fit it.) I just have it sitting on the ironing board, and can slide it off if I need to use the narrow part of the board. I can also turn it around as needed. (One end always seems to get used and scorched while the other end is still fine. sigh)

A hint: When using fusible web or interfacing, press freezer paper to your board. that way crumbs and excess will go on the paper which you can peel up and throw away without having messed up your big board (or ironing board) cover.

Pati, > >> how much did that cost you John? and how much time did it take? >>

Reply to
Pati C.

Thanks, John. I'll put it on DH's "Honey Do" list. I think we have everything needed around the house. Debra in VA See my quilts at

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Reply to
Debra

I built an ironing center using two cheap 35.5 in. tall bookshelves and plywood. Here's the photo 'journey'-

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Leslie, Missy & The Furbabies in MO.

Reply to
Leslie & The Furbabies in MO.

PVA, hide glue, or something totally different?

I'm never sure what is best with plywood, don't use it in situations where I have to glue it very often.

New Home Depot story: I rang them up a couple of weeks back to inquire about hanger bolts. I got shuffled through about 6 different departments and after being hung up on while on hold, being told that such a thing is purely mythical, and generally confusing several people who worked there, I got hold of a manager who asked the inevitable question. "What kind of hanger are you installing?" I can only imagine he thought I was putting up pictures. Even after descibing the thing as simply as possible (wood screw on one end, machine threads on the other) he was utterly clueless.

I keep swearing off them. I think it'll stick this time.

NightMist

Reply to
NightMist

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Reply to
Elly

On Jan 18, 3:19=A0am, snipped-for-privacy@gmail.com (NightMist) wrote:

I had sworn off Home Depot when they went to self checkout and laid off all the checkout clerks, and installed those robot voiced checkout kiosks. Then when I wasn't able to find a couple of items I wanted at Lowes, and other places, I found myself going back to Home Depot on those occasions. I still don't think I like the fact that they don't have a real person at checkout and you have to navigate thru the process yourself, but if they have what I want, then I just suck it up and endure the grating voice of the robot woman at the checkout kiosk, and head back to my van with my purchase. Not that Lowes is a paragon of helpfulness, either. I think it is better to go to any of these places in person if you want to find an obscure item, as the phone folks are often not well versed in technical terminology. Of course, in these days of $3.00 per gallon of gas, that can be rather cost prohibitive for a small purchase price item. I had another interesting experience last night. Yesterday I broke one of the screwdriver bits for my Yankee screwdriver. I looked at Lowes and Home depot websites and none was available. I next went to a couple of the specialty woodworking tool sites and at one of them found out the fact that Stanley Tool co. has discontinued the production of the Yankee screw driver tool; a casualty of the Cordless electric screwdriver phenomenon. I finally found a set of replacement screwdriver bits for the Yankee driver, after scrolling thru many pages of websites and ordered a complete set of bits for this much loved tool of mine. I now will be able to continue screwing around in the basement without the use of batteries or cords. It's tough being a Luddite. I use Carpenters yellow glue for almost everything that I don't want to come apart.

John

Reply to
John

Everytime I end up over at Home Depot (last resort) I make sure I let them know the problem that usually ensues is why I am really a Lowe's shopper. We have those new checkouts but usually still a checker or two can be found. There are no more small hardware stores like the one Dave Andserson ran on Main St. in the small town where I grew up. In re-working 2 houses I got to know more than a few folks at the Lowe's here. There are actually a few that are helpful and lots who are darned nice folk. Remember you can get almost anything on Ebay. If your wife is ok with it screwing around in your basement is ok but you better not be cutting up down there in light or recent problems. Taria

John wrote:

Reply to
Taria

What a great idea! (One more thing on my "to do" list!)

Allison

John wrote:

Reply to
allisonh

John, i always wanted one of those, but permanent in a sewing center.

i love Lowe's. Those people are the best. we do have a couple Ace hardwares here and a couple Mom/Pop True Value hardware stores. those have higher prices, but in a pinch are ok.

Not a fan of Home Depot...but my Dad swears by them. Matter of opinion i guess.

well...one more project on the list!!!

amy in CNY

Reply to
amy

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Thank you so much for posting this John. I have been wanting a big board forever but just knew I could make it myself although I really don't know a lot about different woods. I bookmarked your webshots page and hope to get started on this project soon.

Peace,

Marsha in nw, Ohio

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