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Making an ironing pad appreciate any help!
SouthernStitch   Advanced LA USA Member since 8/24/02 Posts: 8205	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 3/14/12 11:20 AM I'm going to finally make a drawstring pressing top for my Sullivan's cutting table, similar to the lousy expensive one I wasted money on. I've heard wool is the standard for this. I'm fine using muslin on top. I'm finding NO cheap old wool blankets save for a few in strong colors on ebay. But, if that's what I need I will bite the bullet! I want it nice and thick, as there is no ventillation in the table. So would you use an old blanket and layers of cotton quilting batting or what? I don't plan on quilting it - just sewing the layers together on the edges and then running a drawstring in to tighten it. ------ Bernina 730E, 530, and 350PE Singer 221 FW, 403a When life gives you green velvet curtains, make a green velvet dress.
J H Intermediate UNITED KINGDOM Member since 1/5/08 Posts: 49	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 3/14/12 12:23 PM I used old blankets - I think I used six layers - it's so long ago now but it's been (and still is) very useful.
TessKwiltz   Intermediate TX USA Member since 9/21/07 Posts: 1319	Login to reply to this post In reply to SouthernStitch Like this post Date: 3/14/12 12:53 PM For quilting, you don't want it too soft. Don't think this will help you, you're existing table top might not take the heat, but here is a link to making the Sharon Schamber press board ------ Tess On threadpainting flowers: "How many colors are in a flower? ... How many do you have?" - Ellen Anne Eddy
Sewliz   CO USA Member since 6/22/04 Posts: 4115	Login to reply to this post In reply to SouthernStitch Like this post Date: 3/14/12 3:33 PM I suggest leaving the top cotton layer separate so it can be easily removed for washing. My padding is a thrift store wool blanket that had been washed to the point of felting. It's not very spongy, pretty dense and folded in to several layers. I place this on my pressing surface and top it with a cotton layer that has a drawstring. I have two cotton tops so I can change it when it gets less than lovely and needs to go in the wash. ------ Liz thefittinglife.blogspot.com
SouthernStitch   Advanced LA USA Member since 8/24/02 Posts: 8205	Login to reply to this post In reply to Sewliz Like this post Date: 3/14/12 7:24 PM Good idea. No way I'm going to be able to do many layers of this. I can't find any wool blankets here, and they tend towards expensive on ebay and online, to be large enough to cover. So I was wondering about cotton batting. Maybe a layer of a thick blanket and a layer or two of cotton batting. ------ Bernina 730E, 530, and 350PE Singer 221 FW, 403a When life gives you green velvet curtains, make a green velvet dress.
annsew65 Advanced WV USA Member since 4/9/02 Posts: 802	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 3/15/12 2:38 AM You don't really HAVE to have army blankets, but they do a really good job as they are extra thick (and if they are pretty much 100% woo)l. When washed in hot water and put in a dryer they really felt up well which makes them even thicker. I'm in this process right now - I just deconstructed my old pressing surface and took it down to the board. I had used an old camel hair coat that wasn't worth even sending to GW and it was too worn to keep using on the board. I looked online for army blankets and just couldn't find what I wanted. I started looking through my stash and found some really thick wool coating from my DM stash that was really too small to do anything with. It was long enough to work and with the width, I got a double layer of it. Then I found another piece that was the same size - too small to do much of anything else with. I washed/felted the two pieces and ended up with 4 layers of woolen fabric that is going to be wonderful and thick enough to do the job. I'm waiting for DH to hook up the air compressor to use the stapler and get the wool attached. I hadn't thought making two drill covers - that's a fabulous idea - one to wash and one to use! ------ Sewing in Wild, Wonderful West Virginia Sewing Room Pics: http://picasaweb.google.com/annsew65/MySewingRoom#
m/m   Intermediate NJ USA Member since 4/4/05 Posts: 324	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 3/15/12 8:53 AM I used a big scrap of wool quilt batting for padding on my big pressing surface. I covered it with cotton duck or something similar with enough overhang on all sides that I could staple it to the back of the hollow core door (this is rectangular, not ironing board shaped). Over that I just wrap a double layer of muslin that's safety pinned on so that it's easy to remove and wash. You could probably use a layer or two or more of cheap wool yardage that's been washed and dried several times to full it well. Fabric mart often has good sales on wool yardage.
EleanorSews   Advanced MI USA Member since 7/26/07 Posts: 3761 Board Moderator	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 3/15/12 9:18 AM You might also watch for melton or coating wools on sale at this time of year (better yet if you can use a coupon at JoAnns). Sometimes even JoAnns will have a coating wool. Wash it, felt it and use multiple layers. Just another possibility. ------ "We don't see things as they are, we see them as we are." Anais Nin "Attitude is the difference between an adventure and an ordeal." unknown
poorpigling Advanced TX USA Member since 12/28/07 Posts: 10065	Login to reply to this post In reply to SouthernStitch Like this post Date: 3/15/12 9:33 AM Mary.. try your local Uhaul.. or Army surplus for cheap wool blankets.. I am so glad you started this thread.. as well as the other thread on ironing board.. as I have to HAVE to make one myself in order to have the size I need for home dec.. There was mention of a different kind of fabric.. some special stuff that repels heat.. I think the link said you can get it at Joanns.. I was going to make notes on this just this morning.. It was mentioned on the other thread.. I dunno. I vote for either wool .. or a fabric or such made just for heat.. not sure some cotton would hold up.. some battings might melt too.. I plan on using a plywood base so I can stand it up in the closet when I am not using it..
SouthernStitch   Advanced LA USA Member since 8/24/02 Posts: 8205	Login to reply to this post In reply to EleanorSews Like this post Date: 3/15/12 9:34 AM Good ideas! Yes, our brand spanking new Joanns (have not had one here in years) is opening on the 23rd!! I am hoping they are not a craft based store, and have lots of garment fabric! I have gotten a 40% off coupon for anything not on sale. I know I can also get the 50% off coupons when I sign up for the flyers. We have two Hancocks, but I've never seen wool batting there, and never any coating. I'll start looking around for yardage. I did find a couple on ebay that are possibilites too. ------ Bernina 730E, 530, and 350PE Singer 221 FW, 403a When life gives you green velvet curtains, make a green velvet dress.

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