Sunday, November 24, 2013

Portable Ironing Table

My back has been feeling better lately, and part of it is because I've been doing my sewing while sitting, and refraining from standing. Since ironing is something I've always done standing up, I began to wonder if I could figure out a way to do it sitting as well.  Many years ago I read about a quilter who had converted a wooden tv tray table into a portable ironing table.


I thought it sounded like a good idea, so I started looking for a wooden tv tray table. It was easy to buy a set of four, but I couldn't find a single one by itself.


Yesterday I found one at one of the big box stores. It was really small, only 14-1/2" x 19", so my dad screwed a larger piece of plywood to the top. This added two inches all the way around.

I covered the table with a piece of cotton batting, then added a second layer.


Next I covered the table with Insul-brite, stapling it over to the underside of the table. I have an electric stapler which made this process easier.



Lastly I covered the table with fabric.





It folds out of the way when not needed.  Woo hoo!

9 comments:

Quiltdivajulie said...

Outstanding!!! Super idea!

Pat said...

Nice solution! I sit whenever possible. It keeps my back from screaming bloody murder.

Camp Stanhope Happenings said...

That's what I use, too. I have an old ironing pad/cover on mine and can set it up only when I'm actually sewing. (would like to sew more, but sometimes 'life' gets in the way!)

Anonymous said...

Brilliant!!!

Kathleen C said...

Thanks for the good directions. Over the years, I've sat while at the ironing board due to hurting feet and then leg problems. Years ago I learned to applique so I could do lots of sit-down sewing. Now I have a balance between hand sewing and machine sewing/cutting fabric. We all find our own solution so we can continue what we love to do.

Alice Turcotte said...

Wonderful idea.

Terri said...

Thanks for the idea. Love the fabric you chose.
Hugs

IHaveANotion ~ Kelly Jackson said...

I have two that I use, one upstairs and one down....they are wonderful.

I picked up my tray tables at a garage sale for five bucks so keep your eyes out and others can have one too :)

Kelly

Megan said...

I've always ironed sitting down. My husband said he'd never seen it done that way before and can't bring himself to do it. LOL

Fabulous solution to meet your needs.

Megan
Sydney, Australia