Big Board Tutorial
Wow! I never would have thought that a post on my version of a big board would generate so many questions and comments. So, to answer some of your emails I've created a bit of a tutorial.
One thing I was asked was what I used for legs. I removed the 'big board' from the ironing board so you could see the underside of it. The legs are the ironing board legs.
But let me tell you how to make one. OK?
- Start with a long piece of paper. If you don't have paper long enough then you can tape some sheets of newspaper together.
- Once you have your paper, lay it on the floor.
- Turn your ironing board upside down onto the paper.
- Trace around your ironing board using a pencil. This is your template.
- Straighten up your lines and then cut out your template on the drawn line.
- My plywood measures 19" x 58". I centered my template onto one side of the plywood and using masking tape, I taped it down. I used plywood because it can take water and steam and not buckle or warp like multi-density fiberboard or is as rough as particle board.
- Next CarGuy cut 1x2 wood into the lengths needed to outline the template.
- He drilled pilot holes into the wood and then secured the 1x2 wood to the plywood using short nails making sure that the nails did not go all the way through the plywood.
- The inside edge of 1x2 wood is right on the edge of the paper template. He did not remove the template so I can still see all my numbers and measurements. *g*
- Now you need to make a cover for your board. Lay your silver fabric (you can purchase it from here or here) face down on the floor.
- Next lay your double thickness of wool blanket on top of the fabric. I like a hard surface for pressing my blocks and tops so I don't use anything besides the blanket and the fabric.
- Lay your board flat side down on top of the blanket layers. It's almost like sandwiching a quilt!
- Now wrap the blanket and silver fabric around to the back and staple. Don't be shy about using a lot of staples. After all, nobody is going to see the bottom unless you take a picture for your blog! *G*
And here is another one of my infamous incredibly blurry fotos. Sorry. I was shooting before coffee this morning. But this kinda gives you an idea of the underside.
I have never recovered this and it is about 5 years old. I suppose the wool blanket is now felted *g*.
8 have commented,:
I have a Big Board too. My DH made it using 3/4" plywood. I used the batting that is made for these plywood ironing boards (found it at a quilt shop, they used it to make hot pads too) absorbs the heart, whatever...laid that on the plywood, cut a double layer of 100% cotton Warm and Natural batting and layered that on top of the first heat resistant layer. Then I covered that with a natural colored Cotton Twill (cause I don't like the silver stuff. The twill is stronger and will stand up to the tugging while it is stapled to the back. Fold batting around the edge a couple of inches, but extend the twill further so you don't have so much to staple through. Fold edges neatly, staple, tightening around the edges as you would when upholstering a bench seat cover. Then comes the easy part. My DH used washers and screws to attach an ironing board (minus it's covering of course) directly onto the the back of the plywood top. Worked like a charm. I use this board all of the time. It is very stable. It is important to use a good quality frame and position it properly so it won't tip or wobble while you are ironing. I also have a small board that sits on my sewing table. I use that to press open seams as I am sewing. Made that board the same way...it even has little legs on it. :O)
Fantastic! I'm definitely tucking this little tutorial away for future reference.
Paula, you ROCK! I told my husband I wanted one of these, and he said find him some plans. I told him we don't need no stinkin' plans, I know just what to do.
Well, he really reacts better to something in the way of a plan, not just me telling him how to do it. Thank you, thank you.
You're a goddess (and CarGuy ain't too bad either)!
This is great, I have a much smaller version of this for taking to retreats or classes. Thanks for sharing.
That's very nifty. Thanks for the tutorial.
This is great thanks!!
Vicki
Those guys do come in handy sometimes.
This is a piece of genius. Thanks for the tutorial.
Thank you for this tutorial, my DH found a scrap piece of plywood and made this board for me. The only expenditures were the 1 by 2's and some warm and natural batting and table cloth from the dollar store for the cover.
We sprayed some adhesive to put some aluminum foil underneath the batting.
Works like a charm, thank you so much.
GGJ Spring, TX
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