How to Create a Mini Ironing Board – A tutorial

Small ironing board

If you followed along with my LAST POST, then you know that I was in the process of creating a mini ironing board for myself.  And then I got myself distracted with exciting chalk paint and decided to paint the legs of the table first.  This is not a necessary step obviously for creating the mini ironing board surface but it does help make it even more custom. So check out that post if you are interested in more customization.

It is actually pretty easy to make a custom ironing board surface.  If you have ever reupholstered something like your dining room chair seat cushions, you have got this in the bag!

The materials:

  • TV Tray Table
  • Assortment of Batting scraps – including a heat resistant batting:sized to fit the top of the table
  • Fabric for Cover  cut at least 2″ larger than the surface of the table top – I used a home dec weight for more durability
  • Staple Gun and Staples

The technique:

Gather your supplies and start with a clean working surface.  I worked from the floor, so be sure that you have that tidy. For my batting, I found that some batting samples I had received over the years worked perfectly for this project! Yay for finally using those pieces!  I used a total modge podge of types as you can tell but was sure to include a heat resistant batting (the slightly metallic looking one in the back of this picture)

Small ironing board

Arrange your layers of batting on your table top.  You don’t need the batting to be wrapped around table.  That just adds bulk, so I trimmed them to the top size.  Some people even recommend slightly grading the pieces as you layer them so that you achieve a gentle transition from one piece to another.  *Shrug*  Whatever works for you.

The final piece of batting that I laid on the pile was the heat resistant batting (found anywhere you find batting) with the metallic side DOWN.  And then the fabric will be centered over the top of the batting pieces.  I did end up using a bit of spray glue to attach the bottom piece of batting to the table because I flipped it all upside down in the next step but that it not entirely necessary.  The rest will naturally grip together.

Small ironing board

Turn your piece upside down.  You can see that my batting and fabric are much larger than I will need in the end, so I took this opportunity to trim away any excess of both.  I needed to keep enough fabric to fold the fabric edge for a finished look, but that doesn’t take too much.  It’s just eyeballing here.  Don’t worry…you can’t mess up!

Small ironing board

I begin to staple the fabric in place.  I always work on opposite sides to keep the tension even.  Start in the middle of one side and staple the fabric in place (Folding the edge under to keep it need and tidy and pretty from the bottom).  Stop your staples from reaching the corners!!  We will deal with those last!

Small ironing board

A closer view of the folded edge that is stapled.  Remember, this table folds up and can be put away for storage…so most likely you WILL see the bottom.  That’s why I want to keep it looking neat and tidy too.

Once you have two opposite sides complete, tackle the remaining two opposite sides in the same fashion…and then we are off to the corners.

Small ironing board

Corners can be tricky for some people, but I think the main thing is to get rid of any excess bulk and fabric.  So trim away any batting in there and cut back the fabric across the top of the corner.  You will be folding this in on itself and the less bulk you have to deal with the better.

I start by bringing the very center of corner fabric in to the board and holding it down. Then I continue by folding one side down (this is very much like wrapping a present!) and stapling it into place.

Small ironing board

Then I fold the other side down and staple it into place.  The only thing that might make this step a bit trickier then normal is that I wanted to keep my nice finished folded edge.  So just keep that in mind and manipulate that fabric however you need to get what you want!

Small ironing board

Then continue and finish all four corners the same way….and….

Small ironing board

You are done!  You now have a custom mini ironing board that is perfect for retreats, sew days, or just having another surface near your machine in your sewing area.

I will keep this top until it needs to be replaced and then most likely I will make an elastic cover to go over it.  But that is a tutorial for another time.  😉  I hope you enjoyed this and go off and make your own!

small ironing board

But seriously.  Aren’t those blue painted legs just the cutest!!?

2 thoughts on “How to Create a Mini Ironing Board – A tutorial”

  1. Thank you for the lesson . I made one last year no painted legs did not even think about that, darn. I covered my tray top with aluminum foil then the heat reflective batting than heavy canvas. I like a firm surface to smash my blocks down flat. I am back and forth on steam and I use a spray bottle so I wanted to be sure I didn't get the wood wet that's why I used the foil. As to the firm surface that canvas shrunk up and it's very tight and firm.
    Now that I know about that extra step of painting the legs …..I'll have to redo my tray when my top surface wears out to get those legs pretty like yours hm and paint the bottom of the tray ?
    No I don't think I'll make another this one was not hard but it's a one and done kind of project

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