Ironing Board Site

Ironing Boards For Quilting

Ironing boards are used in quilting for a variety of reasons. Although any ironing board can be used, craft stores do sell materials to make special ironing boards for quilting. A simple ironing board will include a stand, a hard plastic or metal surface, a soft material to protect the hard surface, and finally a piece of fabric covering the entire top ensemble. Some more recent ironing boards are tables, and the batting/fabric ensemble is sold separately so that the ironing board can be adapted to seasons or the user. There are several types of materials that can be used to make up the base of the ironing board. This includes the stand and the base of the ironing surface.

The ironing board I have has plastic stabilizing feet, metal legs, and a flat grill for the bottom of the ironing surface. Some ironing boards are made with all metal, and some bases are made with all plastic, although this is not advised as a hot iron may melt the plastic. Most ironing board bases have a grill structure for a flat, even, ventilated surface. The next layer in the ironing board ensemble is the soft material that protects the base. This material is often batting. Batting is a compressed, breathable cotton fiber material that is soft enough to stab pins into, while also being airy enough to let heat pass through so you don't burn the materials that you are ironing.

Some other materials could be thick teeshirt material, or possibly an acrylic weave. Both of these pass heat fairly well, and are cushioned enough to prick pins into. This second layer is especially important when it comes to heat transfer. Without this second layer of fabric, the iron would react to the ironing board base and most likely burn the fabric being ironed from both sides. The topmost layer of an ironing board is the fabric layer. Most fabric layers are made out of a cotton fabric. Many people building their own boards can find proper fabric at any fabric store. A good fabric will be lightly colored, as to not hold onto heat. Also, many people look for a patterned fabric to match the decor in their home. This topmost fabric protects the batting from the iron, as well as protecting pins and other pointy objects from getting bent by the grill below.

Now that we've gone over the essential anatomy and materials of an ironing board, we can now talk about why ironing boards are so important for quilting projects. Ironing boards for quilting are usually smaller than ironing boards for everyday clothing. This is because ironing boards for quilting are usually used for smaller pieces of fabric, often not measuring more than 6" square. These ironing boards need not be as large, because those working with quilts start small and then grow bigger.

Ironing boards help crafters block cut pieces to make sure that every piece is the correct size. Ironing boards can (and often do) come with a variety of special attachments. Ironing boards for quilting will often have a special fabric that have grid markings on it so that people can measure their fabrics. Some special ironing boards are designed with pin cups on the side, so that a quilter can always have their pins at the ready to stick into scraps so they can be blocked. Others have special cord winders on one side, so that other family members and pets do not trip over ironing board and iron cords. Still others lay lower to the ground so that somebody who needs to sit while crafting can do so without sacrificing their craft. Of course, any crafter can add anything they need to an ironing board with just a few adjustments.

Some popular adjustments include cutting mats-along with a place to put your x-acto knife- spool holders, ruler compartments and a snap-on basket for completed squares. Some ironing boards for quilting even have a special, seperate compartment for fabric pens, sharpies, scissors and other important odds and ends. Ironing boards for quilting are essential to any quilter's project. After a quilt is made, the ironing board is used to block larger squares, and eventually the entire project.

Without ironing boards, projects would be sloppy, ill fitting, and overall unprofessional looking. And no quilter wants somebody thinking that of their quilt. When somebody blocks a quilt, either using a special ironing board for quilting, or a plain ironing board, they shrink stitches, bring fabric closer together, and make the quilt look beautiful and well defined. And quilting doesn't have to just be done with fabric pieces either. Some quilts are made with knitted or crocheted fabrics. These pieces must be blocked before they are stitched together or else the quilt will never be quite as neat as it should be. Quilts made with any fabric can and would benefit greatly from an ironing board, be it a regular one, or a special ironing board for quilting.