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Best Ironing Board for Quilting

Ironing boards or pressing stations are essential tools when quilting and sewing. No one likes working with wrinkled fabric as it is more difficult to handle and can allow for more mistakes in measuring and matching seams.

Making sure that you have the right ironing board makes all the difference when it comes to enjoying your craft, just as having the right iron. Quilters spend a fair amount of time at their ironing board pressing seams and making sure quilt tops and backs are as smooth as possible for basting and quilting.

When it comes to choosing the best ironing boards for quilters, we did not only feature some of our tried and true favorites, but we’ve also taken the time to evaluate customer reviews.

What to Consider when Purchasing a Quilting Ironing Board:

Workspace Size

Depending on what size projects you typically work on, you will want to make sure that your workspace is large enough. Too small of workspaces can end up creating more wrinkles, a step backward and a waste of time.

Of course, you also need to consider the size of your sewing space, too. If you’re sharing a space, a full-size ironing board might not fit or end up making your space too cramped. It can certainly be a balancing act, making sure to get the right size ironing board. But there are options for any project type and studio size, even shared spaces.

Height

If you’re standing at an ironing board for a good amount of time, you want to ensure that the height you’re working at is comfortable. Not everyone is the same height, so it stands to reason that not every ironing board will be the right height for everyone. And working at the wrong height can cause back and leg pain, especially if done over and over again.

You’ll want to make sure that your ironing board is sitting at the right height that is comfortable for you. Adjustable ironing boards are some of the best boards for anyone who suffers from chronic pain so that you can adjust depending on what it is you need that particular day.

Stability

Perhaps one of the most important of safety features on an ironing board is stability. A rickety ironing board is a fire or burn hazard waiting to happen, as you have a hot tool setting on the ironing board. You also want it to be able to hold up any large project, such as a king-sized quilt, that you work on, as well as any iron and other tools that you need by your side.

Safety Features

Other than stability, knowing that your ironing board is a safe workspace is important. Other safety features to consider are an iron rest and child locks.

An iron rest provides you with a space to set your hot iron without worrying about scorching any fabric or possibly starting a fire.

Child locks allow your iron to stay stable without the threat of it collapsing at the touch of a button. Child locks aren’t meant just for kids, but also for pets and any accidental touches of the locking mechanism. It will save anyone working at the ironing board from injuries, especially burns.

Wool vs Cotton

The type of cover your ironing board will make a great difference in your pressing experience.

The popular choice for ironing board cover is cotton That’s what you find on most ironing boards that come with their own cover, and it’s easy to find cotton covers to replace the one that comes with the ironing board. It’s versatile and doesn’t burn too easily.

Another great option is a wool cover, or just a wool pressing mat. Wool holds onto moisture, which when heat is introduced creates a steam effect, even if minutely. You don’t need to use water to steam as much this way. It doesn’t substitute for starch, though.

Types of Ironing Boards

As you consider what ironing board to purchase, you’ll want to know what kind of ironing boards are out there. It is critical to understand the difference between many kinds of ironing boards before purchasing one. They are Full Size, Tabletop, Wall-mounted, and even Portable and Specialized. Each different type of board has different advantages and disadvantages.

Best Ironing Boards for Quilting

Best Full-Size Ironing Boards

Full-sized ironing boards are the most iconic boards in the market They offer the most amount of workspace and the best angles for pressing anything from garments to quilt pieces. They take up the most space, too, but usually fold flat for easy storage.

1. Mabel Home Adjustable Height Deluxe Ironing Board

Mabel Home Adjustable Height Deluxe Ironing Board

This ironing board is of a traditional shape and size. It’s a great option for any quilter that needs to use their crafting ironing board for their everyday laundry. We love that this large ironing board for quilting is very easily adjustable by height so that you can make sure you’re working at a level that’s comfortable for you. It also has an iron rack to help you avoid any scorching and fire hazards. And the rack is built to hold more than just irons, but also steamers!

Adjustable height- no more stooping over a too-short ironing board or having to reach to be able to use it.
4 legs make it sturdy
Easy to set up and fold down
It’s large, so if you’re working in a smaller space, it might take up too much space to be comfortable in your sewing room.

2. Reliable 320LB Home Ironing Board

Reliable 320LB Home Ironing Board 2-in-1

If you’re looking for a top-of-the-line ironing board, this is going to be the one you’ll want to take a closer look at. Why? Because this ironing board offers a 2-in-1 workspace! You’ll be able to convert this iron from a traditional pointed shape to a large rectangular workspace that is perfect for quilters and other crafters.

Wide usable workspace
Ability to convert into a larger workspace
Has extra storage racks for hot irons
Expensive

Best Tabletop Ironing Boards

When you’re in a pinch for space but you want the same shape and feel of a full-sized ironing board, you might consider a tabletop ironing board. These ironing boards come in a smaller size than a full-sized board because they have to be able to set on a flat, stable surface, but they still offer a decent size of workspace for piecing.

1. Storage Maniac Tabletop Ironing Board

Storage Maniac Tabletop Ironing Board

Small and sturdy, this tabletop ironing board is wonderful for small sewing rooms. The legs fold in individually, giving it a slimmer profile that its full-sized relatives. It sits perfectly atop any flat, sturdy surface for all your crafting needs!

Folds up small for easy storage
Sturdy legs that won’t collapse
Does not have an iron rest.
Does not have a hook to hang up either in a closet or on the door

2. Household Essentials Small Steel Table Top Ironing Board

Household Essentials 131210 Small Steel Table Top Ironing Board with Iron Rest

A great option for a tabletop ironing board is the Household Essentials Small Steele Board. Since it’s made of steel, it’s very stable, and it comes with a built-in iron rack to hold your hot irons and avoid any fabric scorching and fire risks. This particular ironing board also folds in on itself when you’re ready to put it away and offers hooks that fit perfectly over most doors. That means you’ll have no problem finding a place for it when you’re not using it.

Has an iron rest so that you don’t scorch the fabric or the cover.
Stable legs made of steel
Collapses and has over-the-door hooks for easy storage
Could be too small to press fully pieced quilt tops and backings

Best Wall or Door-Mounted Ironing Boards

Another great way to save space is to purchase a wall-mounted ironing board, or even one that hooks over your door to save on floor space. Wall-mounted boards come in different sizes, from tabletop boards to a full size. These ironing boards never touch the floor, so you’re saving on floor space. They’re also very easy to clean up and put away!

1. Ivation Wall-Mounted Ironing Board

Ivation Wall-Mounted Ironing Board

This ironing board is a great option if you’re looking for a wall-mounted option. It has a sturdy wall mount that can hold up to 25lbs. The board itself folds up, making it’s stored profiled as slim as possible.

Extra slim storage
It’s not portable at all, as it’s literally attached to the wall

Best Portable and Specialized Ironing Boards

Portable and specialized ironing boards or pressing stations are great for the quilter on the go. When you’re attending retreats or classes, sometimes you want to be able to use your own tools instead of what’s offered to be shared among your classmates, or you just have material preferences. These mats pair well with a mini iron for maximum ability to travel light!

1. Omnigrid Fold-Away Cutting & Pressing Station

Omnigrid Fold-Away Cutting & Pressing Station 2103 - 12 x 18

A great combination of cutting mat and pressing station, this Omnigrid product is perfect for the quilter on the go! It folds up and features comfortable handles for you to carry the mat with ease from place to place.

Portable!
Combines both a cutting mat and a pressing station in one!
The cutting mat is not detachable, so you’re stuck with it if you want to use it for pressing.

2. Mart Cobra Wool Pressing Mat

Mart Cobra Wool Pressing Mat

No, this isn’t a yoga mat. It’s a large wool pressing mat that rolls up for easy transport and storage! Normally you wouldn’t be able to take such a large pressing mat with you anywhere you want, but with this wool pressing mat, you can take it anywhere! And the wool it’s made from is high quality, too.

Easy to carry
Wool mats are preferred by many quilters
Too large for shared classroom or retreat space
Wool might irritate some skin

3. BNYD Portable Ironing Mat Blanket

BNYD Portable Ironing Mat Blanket

If you don’t like the idea of wool, or perhaps you have sensitivities to the fiber, you might want to consider this quilted ironing blanket. This silver mat folds up small so that it will fit in any travel case.

A great alternative to a wool pressing mat.
Very easy to transport and store
It’s quilted, so it doesn’t lay perfectly flat and may not get you perfectly pressed results.

Best Space-Saving Accessories for Ironing Boards

There may be a time when you want to have a full-sized ironing board but just don’t have the space to leave it setting out all of the time. That’s where some space-saving accessories come in handy! From over-the-door hangers to wall mounts that support your full-sized ironing boards when you’re not using them.

1. Sunbeam Over the Door Ironing Board Holder

Sunbeam Over the Door Ironing Board Holder

If you want to be able to store your ironing board when you’re no longer using it, you may consider an over-the-door storage option. Since most full-sized ironing boards fold to an almost flat state, which means they won’t hinder a door’s function to open wide for anyone to walk through. And this particular door hook system is easy to install, just hooking it right over the door itself! It’s also not a permanent fixture, so you can move it easily if you decide you want to hang your board on a different door.

2. Oranlife Wall Mounted Ironing Board Rack

Oranlife Wall Mounted Ironing Board Rack

If you’re looking for a more permanent storage solution, the Oranlife Wall Mounted Rack is a great option! It screws into the wall to hold your ironing board of any size. It also has a designated spot for your iron so that you can keep all of your tools in one convenient place!

Our Choices for Best Ironing Boards for Quilting

If you’re looking for the best possible ironing board for your sewing room, we recommend the Reliable 320LB Home Ironing Board. It has the largest amount of workspace and offers sturdy iron racks for your hot tools.

Our runner-up choice is the Household Essentials Small Steel Table Top Ironing Board. This ironing board is perfect for anyone who is short on space in their sewing room and want a sturdy ironing board to work with. It’s easy to store when not in use, too!

Finally, our third favorite ironing board for quilting is the Mabel Home Adjustable Height Deluxe Ironing Board because of its ability to adjust to a comfortable height and it has an iron rack that also can hold a steamer.