Most of you know that I love to sew. I really love it. For a long time, every time I sewed, I would haul out my gigantic ironing board just to press seams. Uggh! What a lot of work. So, I transitioned to a TV tray. I draped a towel over it and used that for an even longer time. It was much, much better, but such an eyesore next to my sewing machine. I finally decided it was time to fix that, so I upcycled my TV tray into an ironing board! It was pretty easy to do.
Want to see how I did it?
I started by lightly sanding the wood. It didn’t need very much. My TV tray was old and I think it only had a light finish to begin with.
After sanding, I spray painted it black.
You really only have to paint the bottom, but I couldn’t help myself and gave the top a light coat also. Can one every spray paint too much?
Then, I measured the top. Mine was about 14 inches by 18 1/2 inches.
I cut enough batting to cover the top of the TV tray. You can make it as thick as you want. I used about 3 layers, but I think you could go thinner and it would be perfect. The more you use it, the more flat it will get as well.
After the batting was cut, I layered the fabric (right side down) and batting like this:
Then, I placed the TV tray on top.
Next, I folded the fabric in and took my handy dandy staple gun to staple it in place. (Imagine a staple gun placing a staple next to the hand holding the fabric down. It’s hard to hold a camera, the fabric, and the staple gun at the same time!)
I did the outside edges first and saved the corners for last. Here’s how I did the corners:
And that’s it! It’s finished!! And this is what I love. I can pull it out while I’m sewing to press seams.
And when I’m done, it just folds up and stores nicely next to my sewing machine.
Now if only I could keep my sewing area looking this clean and organized all the time. Hehe. ;)
Erin Biggers says
I love this project. It’s so much cuter than any ironing board I’ve ever seen.
Charlotte Rogers says
Love it i saw one heaver than this for 45 dollars.
I can make this for bout 8 dollars.
Jenni says
Very pretty!
Dawn Braun says
oh my goodness, that is the CUTEST ironing board EVER!! Such a great idea and the size is PERFECT! love the fabric too…
BrittanyLane says
You are a genius. I have 8 (yes, EIGHT) of those little tables floating around from when I used to teach art. It’s the perfect size for little sewing projects. Love it!
Christa from Controlling Craziness says
So cute. Love the fabric. What a great idea.
Darby Hawley says
This is wonderful! I’ve got to make one of these! You’re so clever Shatzi!
Emily Dicks says
I love the fabric, your sewing table and this idea is genius!
Jess from Coxs Corner says
Man! I need to make one of these! What a good idea!
Mel@Mellywood's Mansion says
This is a great idea Shatzi, love this!
Marissa Sobaskie says
So smart! Thanks for sharing. :)
Jaime Z says
Good one for sure!
Meghan Santa Barbara says
I really want to make this for my dorm room next year. I found this super cute fabric at JoAnns. But the fabric is a flannel fabric and it says do not iron. I know this is probably self explanatory answer…but should I get a fabric that should not be ironed FOR my IRONING board? Lol.
Gerald says
Wow..you are one creative person. Thats a cute, practical ironing board..
Jennifer says
Made this for my daughters dorm and it turned out great. When I went to get the tray at Walmart they didn’t have any batting so I used 2 fluffy hand towels and I used VT fabric since that is where she’s going to college. Turned out great!
zelinda says
How can you make this if your tv stand isn’t flat.