5 Best Quilting Ironing Boards For 2018
No one knows for sure who invented the ironing board, but the 9th-century Vikings get some of the credit.
Viking ironing boards were whalebone, not wood, and a glass smoother did the trick when their clothing needed a little extra help.
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In Europe’s early years, kitchen tables or flat boards sitting on two chairs were the ironing boards of choice. And it didn’t take long for North American settlers to do the same thing when their clothing needed care.
By the early 1800's, different ironing board designs popped up, yet no one received credit for inventing the first free-standing gadget which held clothes and made ironing easier.
In 1861, Ronnie Bord of Georgetown, Delaware, was able to get a patent on an adjustable, horizontal, flat surface to press undergarments and bed linens.
But the modern day, curve-shaped, narrow ironing boards first hit the American market when Sarah Boone received a patent on her design in 1892.
Ironing board companies made a few adjustments to the Boone board over the years.
In 1898 legs appeared so that the board could stand up anywhere. And by the 1940's, ironing board companies were producing collapsable metal ironing boards with tubular metal legs.
Fortunately for quilters, there are now boards designed just for the purpose of ironing your larger-than-normal projects.
You Need A Reliable And Sturdy Ironing Board For Your Quilting Projects
Most quilters know an ironing board that touches 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.
There are three types of ironing boards available.
- The full-size ironing boards range in size from 15 x 54 inches to 19 x 63 inches.
- Then there are larger professional ironing boards, as well.
- But the basic, lightweight, portable models are the most popular.
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 width is more important than length, but you need both for most quilting projects.
Here Are Our Top Quilting Ironing Board Picks
Reliable 300LB Longboard 2-in-1 Home Ironing Table With Extension
If you need an ironing board that has a heavy duty frame — one that is wide and long enough to handle large projects — this might be the one for you. Plus, it’s the world’s first and only 2-in-1 home ironing board.
It’s popular with quilters who know what reliable quilting ironing boards can do for the finished product. Here are its features:
- The Reliable Ironing Table, with its heavy-duty, tube-frame construction, unique 2-in-1 design, and double wishbone leg design eliminates wobbliness.
- The large 18.9 x 47.25-inch pressing surface becomes a 55-inch surface for quilts with the extension piece, and the height adjusts from 30 to 38 inches.
- The iron tray is an ironing station, and the convenient laundry rack also serves as a catch tray.
- The cotton/polyester cover gives you a smooth ironing surface; a standard and a longboard cover come with the board.
- The magnetic locking system and easy-fold design make storing this ironing board easy.
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:
- This ironing board has a steam iron rest and convenient hanging rail as well as safety locks that prevent an accidental collapse.
- Bartnelli’s handy transport lock keeps the table folded when you move or store it.
- The multi-layered, 100 percent cotton board cover is extra thick, thanks to foam and felt layers.
- The sturdy construction keeps the board from wobbling: its ability to adjust to four different heights is also a big plus, and the protective feet prevent floor scratches.
- This European-made ironing board is 51 x 19 inches and comes with a three-year guarantee.
Parker Extra-Wide Ironing Pro Board with Shoulder Wings
If you need an ironing board that can handle big quilting projects, then the Parker Extra-Wide is for you. The cold, steel mesh ironing surface and the thick board cover, as well as the garment hanging feature, make the Parker one of the quilting ironing boards to own. Here are its features:
- The broad ironing surface with its heat resistant tray (which holds an iron/steamer) is great for extra wide quilts.
- The unique retractable shoulder wings make this ironing board a quilter's dream.
- The powder-coated metal construction gives it extra stability for large quilts.
- The multi-layered ironing board cover is a standard feature.
- The child lock system is a great safety feature, and the cord holder gives it the mobility factor some quilters need.
You might also like: 6 Of The Best Quilting Irons for 2018
Leifheit AirBoard XL Deluxe Lightweight Thermo-Reflect Ironing Board, X-Large
This exceptionally lightweight ironing board is significantly lighter than the steel top and standard plastic boards. Here are its features:
- This 11-pound ironing board has a unique, ultra-lightweight, thermo-reflect surface that reflects steam and heat–that means it's suitable for all steam irons, and ironing is faster.
- The board's height adjusts from 29.5″ to 38.6″ so you can iron comfortably–even while sitting, thanks to the ergonomic frame curves.
- The Leifheit’s 100 percent cotton cover and the 100 percent polyurethane pad make this German import one of the best quilting ironing boards on the market.
- At only 11 pounds, this large-sized ironing board is significantly lighter than steel and standard plastic top ironing boards.
- The movable iron rest lets you set your iron where you want.
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:
- The retractable wings give you the extra wide area you need to iron large quilts.
- The large heat-resistant iron tray and safe transport locks make this ironing board a quilting favorite.
- The heavy-duty padded board cover is 100 percent cotton, as is the extra cover.
- The wider ironing surface, with the heat-resistant outboard support tray, gives you enough room to keep the iron from dropping.
- The outboard tray has a handy cord holder, and the safety locking system makes it easy to set-up and take-down the board.
- The sturdy powder-coated metal frame offers the stability you need when you have a large quilt to iron.
Tips For Extending The Life Of Your Ironing Board
- Check the label on your ironing board. If the cover is washable, wash it regularly.
- Remove the cover and wipe down the board and the frame with a damp cloth on a regular basis.
- Spot clean a cover that is not washable.
- Make sure the cover and the ironing board are dry before you store them.
Choosing The Best Quilting Board For Your Needs
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?
