Homemade ironing board

I know some of you have made your own ironing board using batting and maybe a thick cotton, or that silver fabric that would normally cover an ironing board. I had an idea, and in my head it's amazing, but that doesn't necessarily mean it will turn out that way. I am in need of more storage space in my sewing room. I was thinking of buying an old dresser off craigslist (maybe 5' long, 18"-22" wide, and about 33" tall) and turning the top of it into an ironing surface, the same as you would make an ironing board. I'm not too concerned with it looking amazing, more looking for it to be functional. Is there anything about this that strikes you as a bad idea? Once I get a plan in my head I have a hard time finding the flaws in it, even thought hey may be obvious to someone else. Thanks.

Sounds like a plan to me.

I have plans to do the exact same thing as soon as I find one on craigslist! I want to use a dresser because I want the extra storage room the drawers will give me. I've been looking on Craigslist for the past 2 months but haven't found one cheap enough yet!

I think it's a sound idea. I think you should make your pressing surface removable so you can recover it when it gets soiled or scorched. Just buy a piece of plywood (I used birch) and have it cut to the size of your dresser top (more or less) and pad it with 3 layers of cotton batting and then cover it with heavy canvas using a staple gun. Mine has held up really well and I have recovered it twice so far. It has enough weight that it doesn't slide around and I love it.

Auctions always have dressers cheap. I've been looking for one that has a wide enough top on it to put my cutting mat. Someone posted a while back about using a ping pong table for a cutting table, I kicked myself really hard because I passed on one at the auction the week before that I could have gotten for $25.

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Originally Posted by Leah53

Auctions always have dressers cheap. I've been looking for one that has a wide enough top on it to put my cutting mat. Someone posted a while back about using a ping pong table for a cutting table, I kicked myself really hard because I passed on one at the auction the week before that I could have gotten for $25.

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Do you go to a physical auction? Or is it something you do online?

I'm so glad you all don't think my idea is crazy! Sometimes I come up with something and it sounds absolutely perfect in my head but then I tell someone about it and the look on the face clearly indicates they think I'm losing my mind! I like the idea about making the top removable.

Sounds like a great idea to me, AND additional storage if it's a dresser! I'd still make/fit something to the top of the dresser, so it can be changed if needed. Otherwise, you go girl!:icon_tup:

Attachment 87958

this is my ironing station. it is a smaller dresser, and I made a 48"x24" ironing surface for it. Just plywood with a layer of insulbrite, a layer of warm and natural, and covered with the silver ironing board stuff. I like mine a little lower as I just swivel my chair when I am sewing to the ironing board.

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Originally Posted by Littlelisa

Do you go to a physical auction? Or is it something you do online?

I'm so glad you all don't think my idea is crazy! Sometimes I come up with something and it sounds absolutely perfect in my head but then I tell someone about it and the look on the face clearly indicates they think I'm losing my mind! I like the idea about making the top removable.

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thrift stores and garage sales are great places to pick up things like this too

Wow -- great minds!!! I too have been thinking of purchasing an old dresser or, even better, shopping tree lawns on trash day. I've revived old furniture with a chalk paint and wax finish, and I love the look. I would do the same for the dresser. Perhaps readers can help with ideas for the ironing surface. I wanted to wait until I purchased/snuck off with the dresser so that I would know the exact size of the surface. I plan to purchase a piece of MDF at Home Depot. They will cut it for you, a must for me. Then pad the MDF as others have described and cover with a nice print fabric surface. I plan to put a piece of the heavy duty type velcro strips on the 4 corners of the padded MDF and attach the corresponding 4 pieces to the top of the dresser. For stability, and because my cat likes to jump up everywhere. I'm afraid he would send my ironing surface flying accidentally and my iron with it.

What do you think? Would this work to have velcro attaching pieces? Or would it rock or be annoying somehow? Not sure.

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Do you go to a physical auction? Or is it something you do online?

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We have a local auction every weekend.

Doloris, love your ironing station, I don't know why it never occurred to me to just put a larger top on an existing dresser. DUH on me!!

I have an old drafting board on top of my low chest of drawers for ironing. It has worked well. You may want to put a board on top for a wider/bigger surface and so as not to damage the surface of the chest of drawers.

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Originally Posted by Lightwriter

I have an old drafting board on top of my low chest of drawers for ironing. It has worked well. You may want to put a board on top for a wider/bigger surface and so as not to damage the surface of the chest of drawers.

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I just used an old bath towel between the dresser and the ironing top. has never moved unless I want it to.

I like this thread. Another option to keep it from slipping is that grippy shelf liner stuff, not as permanent as velcro, and won't damage the dresser top. Also, you could do the top cover (the part you want to be replaceable) as a pillow case style, or make it a couple inches bigger than your surface, and add a heavy duty drawstring so it can be cinched down tight and tied on the underside. . . just like a traditional ironing board cover. Lots of great options here.

I would make it at least 24 inches deep. A layer of insulbright, a layer of warm 'n' natural, and a layer of silver ironing board fabric, each stapled to the back. Then put duct tape over the area of the staples. Sounds like the Velcro might be just what you need. It's worth a try. Let us know about the results.

Here is a picture of my ironing surface. My husband cut a laminate board the same size as the dresser top. I covered it with batting and $1.00 per yard fabric. It works great!

Attachment 87985

Edited to say "Karen can you turn the picture?"

Yes, Robin, that's the way I envisioned making my homemade ironing board. It looks great, even though it is currently upside down!

I used the layer of insulbrite and the silver ironing fabric because my first top warped. I only had the W&N and fabric on it, and I think all the steam warped the plywood. This time I used 3/4" plywood and a layer of insulbrite, W&N, and silver stuff. Seems to be working better. Make sure you do not use too thin of a piece of wood to begin with.

It will help to avoid warping to put a layer of tin foil under the batting layer. Overlap the foil if it is not wide enough for your board. It also tends to reflect the heat/steam back up to your fabric that is being ironed.

Ok, another little thought, I seem to remember from a tutorial on the fat quarter shop, that you don't want to use the silver fabric when you iron appliques, because it makes it too hot for the fusible fabrics. So, if you do much of that, you might want to have a small section without silver, for that purpose. The whole top can be covered with pretty fabric, over the top of the silver and lets say, muslin. So you have continuity on the top surface, but options below the covering which are not visible.

I'm planning to do similar. My neighbor had a moving sale and I purchased his "workbench" that he had in his garage. It was really just a nice wooden cabinet with two doors and two drawers, topped with formica countertop. The countertop is a mess and splattered with paint and such. I'm going to cover it with batting, the heat resistant silvery stuff and then a pretty material. I figured the material could be changed whenever necessary. If you use a wooden top of some sort, it is easy to just staple the batting and fabric under the ledge. I'm thrilled. I picked mine up for only $10! If you decide on a dresser, make sure it is deep enough for your pressing needs. That is why I liked the kitchen cabinet because of its depth.

Wow... sounds like a great idea to me! I am not sure right off how to make the board on top...but think about it and I bet it will come to you. If nothing else...get a piece of thin board/plywood...and have it cut 1 inch bigger then the dresser top so it over hangs enough so the fabric turned under to the bottom of the board also over hangs and the board will lay flat on the dresser top.

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Originally Posted by Littlelisa

I know some of you have made your own ironing board using batting and maybe a thick cotton, or that silver fabric that would normally cover an ironing board. I had an idea, and in my head it's amazing, but that doesn't necessarily mean it will turn out that way. I am in need of more storage space in my sewing room. I was thinking of buying an old dresser off craigslist (maybe 5' long, 18"-22" wide, and about 33" tall) and turning the top of it into an ironing surface, the same as you would make an ironing board. I'm not too concerned with it looking amazing, more looking for it to be functional. Is there anything about this that strikes you as a bad idea? Once I get a plan in my head I have a hard time finding the flaws in it, even thought hey may be obvious to someone else. Thanks.

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Honestly...if I had the space for something like this...I would do the same thing.

Hi I am just in the process of re-covering my Big Board (which was home made),.
I also placed the board on a dresser,.
After some research I found the following:
Super Board is covered with: 100% cotton cover & 1/8" thick; needle punch polyester pad......
Big Board is covered with: cotton twill & polyester fleece pad........
I also found a new pattern: called-Quilter's Ironing Board Top & Cover; at wwwPleasantValleyCreations.com: Pattern # is 412:
they recommend, using a cotton batting or Pellon Thermolan Plus, which is 100% Polyester, with 1/2" plywood & cotton twill,.
I've read in a few places: quilter's magazines and online,. not to use,. the reflective,. gray, teflon fabric,.
I don't remember why,. some thing to do with reflective properties,. when pressing quilt blocks,.

I like it , that would work really well in the space I have

Midge, I'd stay clear of MDF, go with a 1/2 or 3/4 plywood. MDF has an issue with moisture. You'll be disappointed with it eventually falling apart. Mine is made from nautical plywood , made specifically for "wet" usage. No buckling, warping, and no disintegration. You might pay a tad more for it, but you won't regret it! And Home Depot, Lowes will cut to your specs.

This is a great thread, and prompted a "to be continued....." junk hunt tomorrow. Found some likely prospects, but the hunt will continue. Then decision time for the junk redo for the sewing room!

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Originally Posted by Carrie J

Midge, I'd stay clear of MDF, go with a 1/2 or 3/4 plywood. MDF has an issue with moisture. You'll be disappointed with it eventually falling apart. Mine is made from nautical plywood , made specifically for "wet" usage. No buckling, warping, and no disintegration. You might pay a tad more for it, but you won't regret it! And Home Depot, Lowes will cut to your specs.

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Thanks so much for the MDF advice. I didn't realize it would fall apart with the steam. Nautical plywood it is! I'm glad I posted the ideas I had percolating. I was hoping to get this kind of feedback. And I will definitely as Home Depot to cut it for me.

Wow, thanks guys, now I know what I can use the 3 drawer dresser for. Love the idea, and it's at a perfect height for an ironing broad next to me.

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Originally Posted by Midge

Wow -- great minds!!! I too have been thinking of purchasing an old dresser or, even better, shopping tree lawns on trash day. I've revived old furniture with a chalk paint and wax finish, and I love the look. I would do the same for the dresser. Perhaps readers can help with ideas for the ironing surface. I wanted to wait until I purchased/snuck off with the dresser so that I would know the exact size of the surface. I plan to purchase a piece of MDF at Home Depot. They will cut it for you, a must for me. Then pad the MDF as others have described and cover with a nice print fabric surface. I plan to put a piece of the heavy duty type velcro strips on the 4 corners of the padded MDF and attach the corresponding 4 pieces to the top of the dresser. For stability, and because my cat likes to jump up everywhere. I'm afraid he would send my ironing surface flying accidentally and my iron with it.

What do you think? Would this work to have velcro attaching pieces? Or would it rock or be annoying somehow? Not sure.

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Midge, what do you thing go the chalk paint? Every interested in trying it.

if you are not in a space crunch I might suggest that you make the top board the width of a queen bed quilt so you can press up to a queen quilt without having to scooch it back and forth you can just press the width at one time! love this idea and now to go measure in my sewing area to see if I have space for such a thing!!

My husband made me a Big Board ironing surface, routing the edges so nothing is sharp. It is wonderful. We bought a Kallax bookcase from IKEA (the new version of Expedit), put it on its side and attached the Big Board to the top. To attach it, we bought one package of Command velcro, the kind for attaching a picture to a wall. It's good and sturdy, yet I'll be able to remove it easily someday without harming the bookcase.

Thank you all for your help. Initially I was thinking of buying a long dresser but wasn't sure how it would fit the space I have. So thank you to the lady who posted her photo of a more narrow dresser with a much larger ironing board on top, that's perfect for my space. I will also go to Home Depot or lowes and have them cut a piece of board for me. Where do you buy the silver ironing board surface material? I'm so excited about this now. I just mentioned it to my husband and he gave me the eye roll. My last big idea was having him cut a hole in my craft table and dropping down my sewing machine. Let's just say that little project turned into a 5 day ordeal with 4 trips to Lowe's and more curse words than I could count! I thought it was a solid wood surface, but it wasn't! Oops..
I also planned on painting whatever dresser I find with chalk paint (add it to the long list of things I want to paint with chalk paint!).

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Originally Posted by monklesmom

if you are not in a space crunch I might suggest that you make the top board the width of a queen bed quilt so you can press up to a queen quilt without having to scooch it back and forth you can just press the width at one time! love this idea and now to go measure in my sewing area to see if I have space for such a thing!!

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One very important question... how long are your arms???! Can you really iron that big of a surface, with your arms not in an "extension mode"? I'm in awe... mine are not that talented...

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Originally Posted by Littlelisa

Thank you all for your help. Initially I was thinking of buying a long dresser but wasn't sure how it would fit the space I have. So thank you to the lady who posted her photo of a more narrow dresser with a much larger ironing board on top, that's perfect for my space. I will also go to Home Depot or lowes and have them cut a piece of board for me. Where do you buy the silver ironing board surface material? I'm so excited about this now. I just mentioned it to my husband and he gave me the eye roll. My last big idea was having him cut a hole in my craft table and dropping down my sewing machine. Let's just say that little project turned into a 5 day ordeal with 4 trips to Lowe's and more curse words than I could count! I thought it was a solid wood surface, but it wasn't! Oops..
I also planned on painting whatever dresser I find with chalk paint (add it to the long list of things I want to paint with chalk paint!).

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you can buy the silver ironing board cover stuff at JoAnn's. I think it was 54 or 60 inches wide.

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Originally Posted by TamiLee

One very important question... how long are your arms???! Can you really iron that big of a surface, with your arms not in an "extension mode"? I'm in awe... mine are not that talented...

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I ment scooching fabric!! but I am ambidextrous allowing me to iron with both arms so I can reach rather far!! :)

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Originally Posted by Miss Sheri

I like this thread. Another option to keep it from slipping is that grippy shelf liner stuff, not as permanent as velcro, and won't damage the dresser top. Also, you could do the top cover (the part you want to be replaceable) as a pillow case style, or make it a couple inches bigger than your surface, and add a heavy duty drawstring so it can be cinched down tight and tied on the underside. . . just like a traditional ironing board cover. Lots of great options here.

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That envelope style could then be taken off and 'rolled over' and put back on if the first side became damaged or discolored.

Great idea.

Doloris I love your idea to use a old dresser. I made a similar ironing board top but it sits on top of my ironing board. It is 2 ft by almost 5 feet so that I can move it when not in use. I like the idea of having shelves. I may make another one. Thanks for the idea.
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