A few years ago, I was getting really tired of ironing quilt tops with my regular ironing board. The kind with the tapered end is really not designed for quilters! I started googling things like “big ironing board” and came across this one, called simply “The Big Board”. I liked the idea of something that just sat on top of my regular ironing board, but am way too cheap frugal to spend $130 or more on an ironing board! It looked simple enough, so I started googling again, hoping someone would have a tutorial on how to DIY it so I wouldn’t have to reinvent the wheel.
I came across this tutorial on Wild Onion Studio, which I loosely followed to make my own. I wanted it a hair larger, so I had Home Depot cut my plywood to 24″ x 60″. I turned my ironing board upside down and traced a bit of the outline to mark where the braces needed to be.
I got my husband to screw in the small wood braces, but forgot to show him the tutorial photo, so the arrangement of them is different, but it still works. It is not quite symmetric, so I labeled one of the braces “pointy end” so I remember!
I covered the plywood about the same as how I covered my portable ironing board. One layer of aluminum foil with the seams taped, then two layers of Warm & Natural batting, then a white, 100% cotton sheet. I used a staple gun to tack the sheet down. I also made a removable cover out of another 100% cotton sheet.
The big board topper has only fallen off my ironing board once (the weight and braces keep it from sliding off), and that is when all three of my kids were chasing each other and crashed into it. To be safe, though, I never store my iron on top of it unless I am actively ironing. If you were more nervous about it falling, you could bolt it on, but that would make it much harder to put away.
Here it is, with a half yard stretched out on it. I don’t know what I did without it!
It is also nice to keep out when I want to lay out several blocks, or assembly-line press a bunch of the same pieces.
Update:
When I got a new cutting table from Ikea, I found that I loved being able to pull the table out from the wall and rest my big ironing board on top of it. I removed the wood braces from underneath the board and store the big board leaning against the wall when I don’t need it to save space. I do all of my ironing when piecing a quilt on my portable ironing board, which tucks under my sewing table. I pull out the big board and the table during quilt top assembly and it stays out through machine binding!
Thanks for the directions on the Big Board! I want my BF to make one for me, also. I, also am too cheap/Frugal to pay the cost and shipping for one to Alaska!
why not make your own? I did, and I’m a female. (gasp!)
Thank you my husband is getting supplies to make mine today ❤❤❤
Thanks for the directions on the Big Board! I want my BF to make one for me, also. I, also am too cheap/Frugal to pay the cost and shipping for one to Alaska!
Very nice. We all can use more organization in our sewing room. Thanks.
Very nice. We all can use more organization in our sewing room. Thanks.
Great Ironing board, but why the tin foil? I would think that the tin foil would hold the moisture from the steam pressing and cause the batting and cover to mold because the materials can not breathe.
Would you please reply, I would like my husband to make me the quilting ironing board, but I am not sure about the tin foil. The regular ironing boards have a metal grid so they can breathe.
Thanks,
Donna
I don’t agree, read:
https://madebyabrunnette.com/2012/06/22/tutorial-ironing-big-board/
Best regards, Meredith
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thank you for sharing
Thank you for sharing!!!
I’ve seen several versions and yours looks easiest, thank you!
I used an old door ironing board and then screwed the door to the top of the door . I like the idea of the foil over the wood or door . I’m recovering mine and will use the foil 2 cotton batting and then put silver heat resist over all THANKS FOR YOUR POST!!!!
THANK YOU. I love it. I am an avid quilter and it drives me nutty to try and iron the top before putting it on the frame to be quilted. I like thinks crisp and flat before quilting. I am heading to the store to buy the plywood I need and am excited about doing this.
I have a small one I made myself. I didn’t know about the foil idea. I used indoor outdoor home deco fabric on the one I have now and made the top removeable for washing. Starch tends to build up after a while.
The tin foil is to protect the wood from the steam moisture. Moisture may swell/warp the board over time.
link to ‘this tutorial’ about bolting the top so iron doesn’t fall, doesn’t take me to what your are describing. can you help please?
Looks like that blog is gone now, so I’ve removed the link!
Thank you for this information. I went to Lowes and they cut my choice of board into 3 pcs. And I bought some small square moulding strip. $26.60 total cost. A much better price for my big board, trim and I can make several sizes to have for taking to retreat. Wahoo! Thanks again.
What about putting a big chunk of wool felt pad on the board ??
Thanks for directions to your big board. I’m also too frugal to pay, over 150.00 for an ironing board. So tired of ironing 3 yards of fabric on a conventional ironing board, not to mention the quilt tops. GREAT IDEA!
Husband making mine soon. You state you use your cutting board table for your ironing station. Do you leave your cutting mat on the table and put your ironing station on top of the mat? If so, does your mat get warped from from starch?