Patches1900

I did the same as GingerK - have had that Walmart ironing board for many years, maybe 15 or more.

Finding an affordable wide ironing board cover that lasted more than 6 months proved more difficult but then I took a chance with a brand called Brabantia (on line thru Amazon) and ordered the metallized one (without an underlay/pad since I didn't need one). It is great, have had it a year without signs of wear and very little build up of starch plus it actually fit well without wrestling to get it on. Would order again for sure.

Dolphyngyrl

I just made a big board to go on top of my ironing board out of plywood, my hubby just got it out of storage, been there three 4 years since we moved cities and I just fell in love all over again. cheap to make but well worth it and you still have the little one when you need it

quiltingcandy

Mr friend's DH made us the big board for ironing fabric. It is fantastic. I just place it on my ironing board when I need it and it rests in a corner when I don't. Since I still iron shirts on a regular basis I cannot give up the standard style ironing board.

LAQUITA

Ditto.
I made one for myself, and gave it to my Friend. I will make myself another one. With all the right tools & fabric, I had it cut and done on less than an hour.

Kris P

I use the vintage Mary Proctor ironing board that was left at our 1st house when we bought it. It is the most study ironing board I've ever seen. A couple years ago, my new quiliting buddy wanted one, so we looked on eBay, and they were asking around $130 for a decades old ironing board. Wouldn't you know we ran across one that looks brand new at a thrift store this summer ... For $5!. It's in so much better condition than mine is. She got a great deal!

Path50

Thanks for your replies everyone - I am learning so much about ironing boards as I consider my choices!

Onebyone

Read the reviews on Amazon for this board. All the pros and cons are there from people that have this board.

Weezy Rider

I didn't know anyone except companies like Laurastar made them any more. A Pfaff dealer was cleaning out his storage and gave me one.

Yes, I like it. I'd looked at some of the other boards with a tray and I was afraid to even think about putting the Rowenta Steam Generator tank on it. This board held the generator and anything else I could put there. I have used the fan, but only when I have the original cover on the board. I'm trying to figure out if the cover I have now would help or hinder the fan. There is a company that sells very good covers. They are at some shows. I wash the covers and trade them off.

Fastpedal

My husband and I made a large ironing board as DogHouseMom did. I covered the plywood with one layer of batting and then cotton canvas (Hobby Lobby with a coupon). We used 2 x 2 strips of wood to fit it to the ironging board so it can not fall off. However, since then I purchased a dining server with drawers to hold quilting supplies. The ironing board sits on top of the server. I use it just like a regular ironing board.

GingerK

I got ironing board cover fabric--the kind that reflects heat--at Fabricland (in Canada) It was $25 a meter and half that on Members' sale day. It was wide enough so that I really only used about 3/4 of a meter. I laid the original cover on for a template and added a folded strip of broadcloth around the edge as the guide for the gathering string--which I replaced with sturdy elastic. Have been using it for well over a year and it has held up very well.