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Cutting ironing table The big board
smelrh Beginner FL USA Member since 9/15/10 Posts: 25	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 11/14/12 7:33 PM Hello all I have a few questions and hoping some of you guys can help. I have a cheap ironing board right now and I have been looking into a new one but I found the Big Boards and think I'd rather invest into one of those . So I was hoping to find out what you guys think about The Big Boards. Also does anyone know anything about the Fold Away Big Board? I am thinking that IF I get either of these I could not only use it as an ironing board but also a cutting table. Would this be doable? Is the Folding Away Big Board sturdy enough to use as a cutting table too? Does anyone know how tall it is?? Also whats the difference in the Big Board Ironing board and the Cutting matt? And does the matt just fit over the Big Board ironing board or is it another board totally? Also I saw the Iron EZ Super Big Board Ironing Board Expander too and was wondering how it compares to the Big Board. Just looking for any info , help and suggestions on these so that I can figure out exactly which way to go with this. Also I wanted to ask about the metal iron rest that are on the end of some ironing boards . Can you buy these and add them to an ironing board that doesn't have one? Would I be able to add one with the Big Board? Oh and one last thing. Do the iron cord holders really work? Are they worth it? Would you be able to add one of these with the Big Board? Appreciate any and everything you all can share with me that might be helpful on any or all of these. Sorry for all the questions but I was hoping some of you guys can give me a better idea on these things and help me understand them better so I can figure what will actually be helpful and what won't. I am going to be making ALOT of curtains soon which means LOTS of yardage ( some 60 wide) being ironed at a time and I was hoping the Big Board and the other items might make it a lot easier to manage. Thanks Look forward to your replies. smelrh
joann   Intermediate IL USA Member since 7/15/03 Posts: 33	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 11/15/12 1:29 PM Sorry I don't know anything about the Big Board, but I do have an ironing board I got from Target that came with a metal iron rest on the end. I don't find it sturdy enough to use it for my iron. It has rubber looking bumps on it so the iron won't slip, but the iron gets unbalanced and tippy on it, not only because of the bumps but the weight of the iron makes it slant down a little. I do use it for the iron occasionally but I'm very careful to make sure it isn't going to tip over. The other problem is that if you want to fold the board up to store that iron rest is what it stands on - not great. As far as the cord minder I have had 2 different kinds. The first one was a combination cord minder and an extension cord. That worked quite well until the cord minder loop broke. So I took that part off and still use it for the extension cord and plug my iron into it. This is necessary as there is no outlet right where I iron. The second one I bought - it has no name on it - is a very heavy white metal with a hook shape at the top which holds what looks like a giant thread spool. The cord goes over the spool and down to the floor. I found it is ok but it needs to be weighted somewhere near the floor or when you pull out the cord to reach the end of the ironing board you have to actually push it back down yourself. (I use a very heavy metal clip which is small enough to come up and over the spool.) The other day I needed my whole ironing board for curtains so I used the iron rest (very carefully) and took off the cord minder. What I discovered was that running the cord off the board in the middle between the prongs that keep the iron rest attached to the board worked like a charm. I have the weight on the cord and I never have to push it back down myself anymore. Hence, the cord minder is in the cabinet! So now I'm glad I have the iron rest. This is a very long answer, but hopefully it is helpful.
PetitePear Advanced Beginner Member since 6/10/10 Posts: 217	Login to reply to this post In reply to smelrh << Like this post Date: 11/15/12 3:22 PM I have never heard of Big Boards so I just looked it up so I can't give you information there. But I've heard of people making their own ironing board by covering up pllywood with batting and fabric then just put it on a sturdy table to use. You can get much bigger ones that way -- and probably much cheaper.
SewPaula   Advanced Beginner MO USA Member since 2/18/04 Posts: 339	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 11/15/12 7:23 PM I have a Big Board and while I love it and use it, there are some things to consider if you want to buy one. First, if you are DIY'er, it would be relatively easy and cheaper to make one. It is a simple board, about 4' by 18" wide with three smaller pieces on the underside to keep it from sliding off the ironing board. You would then just top with your choice of covers (mine is a cotton duck) and a batting of some kind. I bought mine because I am not a DIY'er and didn't want to have to make it and sand it down. It is big which is great for pressing lengths of fabric, but hard to get at smaller areas such as shoulders and shirt fronts and almost impossible to iron "in the round". You will want a sleeve board, seam roll and pressing ham if you don't already have them. I have the cutting mat for mine and find that I don't use it much as it is not wide enough for cutting plus sized garments and I have a larger, permanent cutting table also set up. However, it is great for cutting smaller items such as children's patterns and quilt blocks. It is really nice that I can fold it all up and put it away when I need the space in my basement sewing/computer/family room. It is also very portable and when I need to travel to sew else where (like my mom's), it provides extra sewing space as well by setting the board down to a height comfortable when sitting. I find the board well worth the money I spent. When not in use as an ironing board, it doubles as a laundry table. -- Edited on 11/15/12 7:26 PM -- ------ Paula sewpaula.blogspot.com If I were a sewing machine, all I would have to do is lift up my foot and all my tension would be gone.
SandiMacD   Intermediate FL USA Member since 2/8/09 Posts: 1049	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 11/16/12 6:58 AM Now I know why Gram ironed in the basement. Her iron cord went to an outlet in a light socket in the ceiling. Our MT basement had outlets at shoulder level. Now in FL and outlets are all near floor- not good for ironing. Perhaps that will be the next wireless invention? As for surfaces- I left Grams wooden board in MT. Did bring our butcher block kitchen island. Makes a perfect size surface for cutting and ironing. If I need even more to catch fabric I just set up a foldaway table along one side. I've known others to buy unfinished doors from DIY stores and put it across 2 night stands or saw horses. Too much weight to move around at my age now. Much easier to put iron cover on my kitchen island when I need it. ------ re-living my youth through sewing...
Learn To Sew   Intermediate WA USA Member since 4/12/05 Posts: 7992	Login to reply to this post In reply to smelrh << Like this post Date: 11/16/12 10:41 AM this? Do you mean one of these? Looks like they go over an ironing board to give more pressing room. ------ Quilting is relaxing to me. I love to play with fabrics, patterns and colors. Bernina 630 machine only Pfaff 2036 Babylock Molly Bernina 1200DA serger Unique Sewing Cabinet 450L

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