How to Make Your Ironing Board Bigger
I need a bigger ironing board, how about you? Let me show you how to make your ironing board bigger!
I tend to use my ironing board for a storage surface when I’m not pressing something so naturally a bigger one would be ideal! I say that jokingly but it will end up still mostly more flat surface to put things on! That’s ok because when I do use it for ironing my quilt projects, it will be worth moving all my other projects off of it. Never enough room!
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Supply list
1/2” (15/32 in the store) plywood
Staple gun and staples
3 bolts
Have Lowe’s Cut Your Board
Lowe’s offer cutting services so I had them cut my 4 x 8’ plywood into a 2’ x 5’ piece and my husband gets the scraps. Load that up and bring it home!
So if you’re lucky enough to have a handy husband or can do it yourself, round the corners just a little to eliminate that sharp point. Now let’s get started!
Remove Cover and Fasten New Ironing Board
Remove all covering from the ironing board. Once the plywood board is ready, fasten it to the naked ironing board. Harry counter sunk the bolts so they were level with the board and won’t cause any humps when the cover is on it. Three bolts will hold the top securely in place.
Cut the Batting
Now to begin on the cover. To do this, cut your batting 30” x 66”. That give you plenty to pull around and fasten on the bottom of the board. These layers do t have to be exact. I rolled my batting out and roughly cut the length while it was still folded. I draped the batting over the top and guessed 3” and cut. Repeat 3 more times matching one side and cutting the length.
You will need 4 layers stacked evenly. Place each layer and smooth until all 4 layers are on the board. Pull the batting and staple in a few places on each side just enough to keep it in place because you are going to stand it up on it’s end to finish the stapling.
Staple all the way around about half an inch or so from the edge. I did half then flipped the board and finished it. Trim close to the staples.
Bigger Ironing Board
For the cover, choose a nice 100% heavy cotton. Cut it the same 30” x 66”. I staples the ends first pulling the fabric tight. Turn it up on end and staple maybe a fourth of the way on one side then go to the other side and pull tight, staple the other side. Alternate once again then flip the board and finish. Trim any excess and flip it upright.
So now I’m ready to take on new challenges and projects! I can’t wait to get started! Honestly, it already has a few things piled on it, but when I need to iron a quilt top or bigger sewing project it is going to be fantastic! Do you have a bigger ironing board like this? Would love to see your or hear any comments you might have down below. Happy crafting!
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I use a steam station iron which emits so much steam that I sometimes feel as though I’m working in a Chinese laundry.
I’d love to make a board like yours but I worry that with a solid wooden base and all that cotton batting, the moisture would build up with no escape and could become mouldy.
Any suggestions that might alleviate that problem would be handy.
I live in a mediterranean climate and I love my iron.
Hi Marie, you need to drill 1/4” holes in the wood, so the steam can escape.
I just picked up materials to make one. As a quilter I have three ironing boards and when machine quilting I line them up on the right to hold weight of quilt while I quilt. So remaking a larger one will be a life saver for me. Thanks for sharing
My husband made a similar one for me but did not attach it to the existing ironing board. He just screwed several chunks of wood to the underside of the board to keep it in place Two across the flat end, two down the length, and another two following the angle of the other end. This allows me to take it off if I need to use the actual ironing board. It doesn’t move around. On top of the batting I used regular quilting cotton. When it gets scorched I simply add another layer. I think it has 5 layers of cotton fabric on it now! My cutting mat fits exactly so I use it for cutting as well as pressing my projects.
That sounds fantastic! A good husband is such a blessing!