I have a new ironing station! I shamelessly copied an Instagram photo Thelma (Cupcakes 'n' Daisies) shared last week. I dragged my husband to Lowes and we easily found what we needed to create this ironing board and storage shelf. The entire project took less than a couple of hours to complete, believe it or not.
We got a four tier chrome shelving unit. They come five tiered, but due to my space constraints, I wanted the 14" shelf depth rather than the deeper shelves offered in the five tiered unit. The cost for the shelving unit was about $50. The unit is 37.5" wide, 14" deep and 53" tall when assembled.
Obviously you do not want to iron on a surface that is 53" high, unless you are a giant, so some customization of the legs has to be made to make the unit shorter. My husband used a hacksaw to saw the metal legs down to a height of 37". He said it was easy, and I took his word for it.
For the top, we needed a board. We could have used particle board, thick plywood etc, but we found an already cut hardwood board at Lowes. The one we chose cost around $15. There were various sizes to choose from and we selected one that measured 16" x 48". It was 3/4" thick, which is important. You don't want a flimsy board. The fact that this board was the right size and already cut was a big plus.
While my husband assembled and customized the shelving unit, I covered the board with two layers of quilt batting and a length of fabric. We used a heavy duty staple gun to turn the edges under and staple the batting and fabric all around the underside of the board.
The finished height of the ironing station is 38" once the board is resting on the top. We did not secure the board to the shelving unit, as it seems to stay perfectly in place. I think the two inches of batting and fabric on each underside keeps it from moving. The board does not slide around, it sits nice and flat and is a wonderfully firm surface for pressing.
To celebrate that, I picked up my new annual iron! The T-Fal I got last year worked great for its year of service, so I replaced it with another one (slightly different model) at Walmart.
I am super excited with this new ironing station, and kept going upstairs to look at it all evening. I am thrilled not just with the improved ironing surface, but those three shelves are fabulous for storage.
Looks great, need to try and find a spot for one in my sewing spot.
Posted by: Helen | February 12, 2018 at 04:32 AM
A win-win!! Congratulations on your new ironing surface/storage area. And new iron! What a weekend! (Only a quilter or sewing could understand, I guess). I hope you have many fun hours in your quilting studio this week!
Posted by: Margaret | February 12, 2018 at 04:34 AM
* sewist not sewing
Posted by: Margaret | February 12, 2018 at 04:35 AM
Looks good!
Posted by: Donna | February 12, 2018 at 04:42 AM
So...liking this project and might copy your idea...or Thelma's. Now, off to Lowes later for the board and shelving ;)) Like your ironing space!
Posted by: gailss1 | February 12, 2018 at 05:18 AM
THat looks great. Very good use of space too!
Mary
Posted by: Mary Kastner | February 12, 2018 at 05:28 AM
It looks great and I love the idea! Perhaps I would make a second cover for the station which can be replaced since you nailed the one you have now in place.
Posted by: Hildy | February 12, 2018 at 06:22 AM
My thanks to you and Thelma for a brilliant idea. I was a little sad when I saw how tall the shelving ended up, but cutting it down is something I could work with. Wishing you much happy pressing!
Posted by: Robby H. | February 12, 2018 at 06:35 AM
great job. Glad your husband helped, mine did not. I also have used these for years. I have a Big Board on top of three shelves with casters. Love it. Need to recover it since I do a lot of Pressing..........you will love this.........looks great and storage, what else? Keep up the good work......gloria g. Wellborn, FL
Posted by: gloria g. Walls | February 12, 2018 at 07:12 AM
I have that same shelving unit! Must ponder if I have the floor space to try this. I know I don't, but maybe I could rearrange things?
Posted by: Chrisknits | February 12, 2018 at 07:33 AM
Great collaboration with the hubs! Mine would do the same were I lucky enough to have space to put such a station! I recognize that cover fabric, an older April Cornell print I used as a backing for a favorite quilt.
Posted by: Annie O | February 12, 2018 at 07:35 AM
I ❤️ your ironing station!! What a great idea...no matter whose it was! I may shamelessly copy you & add one to my sewing room! And, Walmart irons are very free-ing of any guilt when buying a new one! I don't care what brand as long as they meet my criteria of super hot & super steamy!
Posted by: Jan | February 12, 2018 at 07:39 AM
Stellar!! I have one that SH made for me several years ago and I love it. If you don't mind bending over, the floor space under your ironing station is handy for flatter storage!
Hugs!
Posted by: Barbara Anne | February 12, 2018 at 08:19 AM
Awesome!
Posted by: ina | February 12, 2018 at 11:21 AM
Looks great ! Enjoy !
Posted by: Sue Babich | February 12, 2018 at 11:34 AM
So jelly! I need to go make one now too, just have to figure out the hacksaw 😂
Posted by: Anita | February 13, 2018 at 12:14 AM
What a great pressing station! I'm currently using the top of an old sewing cabinet with a 10 x 14 pressing surface. I would love to have that much room to work.
Posted by: Karen | February 13, 2018 at 07:10 AM