If you’re a quilter, you’re going to need a good quilting ironing board. And no, that skinny, wobbly board you’ve had for twenty years won’t do the trick.
You’ll need something that works for a large swath of fabric and a heavy finished quilt — something that doesn’t tip over or cause you to trip over yards of material as you’re trying to iron.
Fortunately, there are ironing boards made just for your quilting projects, so don’t skimp on this important piece of equipment.
If you want a quality, beautiful finished product (and we know you do), invest in an ironing board that makes the job easier and safer.
Why do you need a quilting iron and ironing board for your quilting projects? Because you’ll need to:
- Press seam allowances to get the most from your blocks of fabric.
- Press quilt blocks so they fit together exactly as they should when you assemble the quilt.
- Press all of the assembled blocks before you add batting and complete the quilt (for a smooth finished product).
- Press a completed quilt after washing or extended use.
You might wonder what makes for a quality quilting ironing board. Here’s what you need to look for:
You Need A Reliable And Sturdy Ironing Board For Quilting
Most quilters ironing boards touch you at hip level is the most comfortable to use when you are piecing and constructing your latest quilting project.
Being comfortable while ironing is a key element in quilting since you’ll be doing plenty of it.
Before you purchase an ironing board for your quilting adventures, check out these different features you’ll want to consider. Figure out what is important to you and your needs.
- Adjustable Height: Most ironing boards are adjustable. If you are taller or shorter than average, you may need to find one that adjusts to a comfortable height.
- Length and Width: Arguably, the most important feature is how large the ironing surface is. You want to find something that will fit your workspace and your needs.
- Breathability and Ventilation: If you plan on using a lot of steam and/or starch spray, pick an ironing board with a breathable cover and mesh top. You don’t want to use steam on a wood-top ironing board. The moisture will warp the wood, and you could create a mold issue.
- Sturdy Legs: When you want to press a whole quilt top, it’s crucial to have a sturdy ironing board. It can be annoying and potentially dangerous if your ironing board is wobbling while you move the fabric. Hot iron + wobbly ironing board= disaster.
- Washable Cover: When quilting, you may use different glues, dyes, starch sprays, or other things that may stain or cause a smell on your ironing board cover. It’s a plus if the board’s cover is removable and machine washable.
There are three types of quilting ironing boards available.
Since you’re ironing a quilt, you’ll probably want a heavier-frame model, which will give you the stability you need to complete the task without a lot of unnecessary movement.
You also want a wide ironing board for quilting, so you have enough room to focus on different areas of the quilt without a lot of frustrating quilt maneuvering.
Ironing board gurus say the width is more important than length, but you need both for most quilting projects.
- You Need A Reliable And Sturdy Ironing Board For Quilting
- There are three types of quilting ironing boards available.
- Here Are The Best Ironing Boards For Quilting Ironing
- Reliable 300LB Longboard 2-in-1 Home Ironing Table With Extension
- Bartnelli 51×19-Inch Multi-layered T-Leg Extra Wide Ironing Board
- Parker Extra-Wide Ironing Pro Board with Shoulder Wings
- Leifheit AirBoard XL Deluxe Lightweight Thermo-Reflect Ironing Board, X-Large
- Mabel Home Extra-Wide Ironing Pro Board
- OakRidge Deluxe Ironing Board
- Brabantia Steam Rest Ironing Board
Here Are The Best Ironing Boards For Quilting Ironing
Choose from these 9 quilting ironing boards:
1. Reliable 320LB Home Ironing Board
If you are someone who irons and presses a lot throughout the week and needs a heavy-duty ironing board, the Reliable 320LB Home Ironing Board might be a perfect choice.
This ironing board is a quilter’s dream. Here are some features that make it great for quilters:
- 2-in-1 Feature- You can easily switch the table from a standard ironing board to a fabulous 19”x55” ironing surface for larger pieces like a quilt top.
- Conex Safe Zone- The board has an area on one end where you can safely place your hot iron without worrying about burning the ironing board pad. The “safe zone” fabric is fire retardant and can withstand temperatures up to 400°F.
- Double Wishbone Legs- This ironing board’s sturdy base and legs are ideal for anyone pressing large items. The ironing board won’t wiggle and fall over when trying to move your quilt on it.
- Quality Iron Top- The mesh iron top is rust-resistant, meaning you can use steam and water to your heart’s content and not worry about potentially damaging the metal table top.
- Ergonomic Iron Rest- One end of the board has a convenient shelf to hold the iron when you are not using it.
2. Bartnelli 51×19-Inch Multi-layered T-Leg Extra Wide Ironing Board
The Bartnelli is one of those Euro-design ironing boards that make ironing a quilt seem like an effortless task. Here are its features:
3. Sullivans Ironing Board Table Top
As quilters, we are always searching for more storage. How awesome would it be to have an ironing table with extra storage? The Sullivans Ironing Board Table Top fills the order and gives you a large ironing/pressing surface and plenty of storage in the cabinet below.
Here are some other features:
- The table top folds down for easy storage when you don’t need the entire table length.
- You get a colossal ironing search of 22”x59”.
- The ironing cover is removable, and you can use the laminated surface as an extra workstation.
- The cabinet contains two large shelves that you can use to store fabric, notions, and other sewing necessities.
4. June Tailor Quilter’s Cut’n Press
Sometimes, when you need to press blocks, you don’t want to pull out your full-size ironing board. With the June Tailor Quilter’s Cut’n Press, you can quickly press blocks next to your sewing machine without getting up from your seat.
Here are some reasons this small Cut’n Press ironing surface is popular with quilters:
- This small 13” square cutting and pressing mat is perfect for quilters who like to move their workstation around their home or if they like to take their projects on the go.
- One side is a cutting mat where you can cut pieces up to 10” square, and the other is an 11” square pressing surface.
- It has a convenient handle for storage and carrying.
- This is an excellent fit for quilters who do FPP (foundation paper piecing) and need to press every piece after sewing.
5. Mabel Home Extra-Wide Ironing Pro Board
The Mabel has safety locks to prevent accidental collapsing, and it can adjust to six different heights. Here are its features:
6. OakRidge Deluxe Ironing Board
The OakRidge Deluxe Ironing is great for small spaces as it folds out in seconds, doubling as a storage shelf or space for folding t-shirts and sorting socks. Here are its features:
7. Household Essentials 895018 Ironing Board
Here is a great multi-purpose ironing board that isn’t too big or too small. You can use this board for all your ironing and pressing needs, plus it folds up easily for storage. Let’s look at the features that make this board stand apart from the rest:
- Beautiful modern leaf design on the cover.
- Iron rest with a hanger wire for convenience.
- The board measures 18 ½” wide and 51” long.
- It has wide and sturdy feet, so you don’t need to be concerned about tipping over when working with larger projects.
- The front foot has wheels, so you can move the board around easily.
8. Minky Homecare Ergo Plus Prozone
This is a great choice if you need an ironing board on the smaller side. This ironing board has small details that make a huge difference. Here are some details:
- Ergonomic position for the iron rest to help give your arm and wrist a break when you need to place it down and pick it up.
- Convenient clips that hold the iron cord in place so it won’t get tangled.
- Prozone cover that radiates the heat upward back into the fabric. This will help give the fabric a crisp flat press similar to a wool pressing mat.
- The board comes with a five-year warranty which is a huge bonus.
- The ironing surface measures 15”x48”.
9. Ybm Home Deluxe Ironing Board
This ironing board comes with a beautiful floral cover, but it’s not just a pretty ironing board. It has an excellent ironing surface size, adjustable height, and much more. Here are the other features to note:
- The base has sturdy steel legs and a mesh metal top.
- The fabric cover is made from heat-resistant Teflon that is breathable- perfect for steam and pressing blocks.
- The ironing surface is 15”x48” and has only a slight taper at one end of the ironing top.
- You can adjust the height from 29” to 36”.
- Features an iron rest on one of the boards to place the iron on when you aren’t using it.
Tips For Extending The Life Of Your Ironing Board
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Choosing The Best Quilting Ironing Board For Your Needs
Choosing an ironing board can feel like buying new tires for your car — necessary but boring.
But remember, this ironing board is going to serve you for a long time and help you create beautiful, quality quilts that can last for generations.
Take your time, and make your choice based on knowledge and a bit of research. You won’t regret it.
Quilters have a lot of ironing board choices, but not all ironing boards can help you finish a large quilting project. And some ironing boards are expensive.
So when you choose an ironing board, make sure it has all the features you need to do different types of projects.
Wider ironing boards are better for quilters, and boards with adjustable height features are great quilting boards as well.
Which of these ironing boards is your favorite? Do you have another board you would recommend?
