How old is your ironing board?
#31
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: The Finger Lakes of upstate NY
Posts: 3,589
Mine is old, but not that old! Purchased with S&H green stamps 45 years ago. I don't love it, but it works! I do have a Better Board (similar to the Big Board, but folds in half when not in use) that I put on it for ironing yardage or quilts.
#32
Well speaking of husbands making stuff, mine made walls of cubbies and bookcases for all my fabric and other odds and ends in the room. I have thought about it, but there is no wall space. If I didn't have to worry about company I'd have him make another island, but smaller, and use that, but for holidays since my health doesn't really allow me to travel, we do them here, with 10 people, in a 12x12 room with a table that's 42" round and extends to 52" long with the leaf up. Plus all the bookcases that hold books (it's basically a library) there is just no room. We have bookcases on the two walls of the dining room, two of the living room, all in my art room, and 3 of his music room (which also hold records)! haha. Even the kitchen and bedroom have bookcases. And we still run out of room every time he makes new ones! Between those and all the art work on the walls in some spots you can't see the painted walls. I do sometimes cut on the island since nothing is ever really dragging on the floor when I do that. I just wish stuff was made like it used to be that can be passed on from generation to generation. In fact maybe I'll ask my mom if she still has her old board?! Maybe it's in better shape, and she never irons anything, so she'd be more open to trading with me.
#33
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 205
I'm envious of those who are using grandma's boards from 100 years ago!! What treasures you have. I bought my Mary Proctor board at a flea market about 40 years ago and it has served me very well over the years. It did have an extenstion to plug in and hold the cord up and out of the way but that broke some time ago. It's a solid, heavy ironing board that doesn't wobble. Only downside is that it's very hard to find a replacement cover (and very expensive), My other one, which I rarely use, is much newer, wobbly, thin, lightweight and too small.
#34
I have a wooden one that belonged to my ex-daughter-law, one when I got married (61 years) and one I bought about 30 years ago. The newest one is the only one that is breaking down. There is a dip on either side of where the leg supports are. None of them have been closed since we moved 16 years ago. and I don't iron clothing unless I somebody makes me.
#37
Super Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: S.E. Queensland, Australia
Posts: 1,503
I use the same ironing board from mum who was married in 1933 so I don't know if she had it before then or not. Sometimes it's a bit wobbly but wouldn't change it. I also have her sisters metal one but don't really like it much.