Tuesday, May 16, 2017

Ironing Boards - Is Vintage Better than New?

So many things don't seem to be manufactured quite as nicely today as in the past, ironing boards included.

My old vintage ironing board finally met it's end.  The metal cracked, and the whole board needed to be replaced.

I ran out and bought a shiny new board with a modern blue chevron striped cover.  It was pretty.  It was also pretty flimsy!  Every little bump sent it wobbling dangerously.  I was sure someone or something would get burned.

The modern board was then replaced with a vintage ironing board from the local thrift shop.

Price:  $1.00.
Look:  Not so pretty.
Quality:  Excellent.

Not only is the vintage board sturdier, it sits at a better height for me and is a few inches longer than the sleek new modern version.  I know this because I tried to stretch the cover from the modern board onto the vintage board ~ surprise! ~ it didn't fit.  I clamped it onto the edges with some binder clips, and planned on making a new cover...someday...when I wasn't swamped with children's needs, house cleaning, and work.  (When does that happen?)

Last weekend I was out at a yard sale and found  this vintage pink ironing board cover still inside it's dusty unopened package for 25 cents.  It fits perfectly!  It came with a nice thick pad!  Bonus:  It's pink!  The sewing goddesses have smiled down on me, and all is well in my studio.  Creation can go on ~ Yes!

I'm sure there are some wonderful new ironing boards out there somewhere, just not in my town!  What is your ironing setup like?  Do you keep it set up all the time, or only when you are sewing?  Leave a comment below.

Be creative ~ sew something today!

Jennifer Thomas






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2 comments:

  1. My mom has been trying to get a new ironing board that will allow her to sit and iron, but each new board is too flimsy. She is afraid it will fall over. Her old board doesn't adjust for sitting, but is so much sturdier. Vintage is better.

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  2. I use a little table top ironing board in my sewing room. It sits on my cutting table and is fine for pressing blocks. When I'm stitching and pressing rows of blocks I set up my main ironing board along the hall (the board is over 30 years old and good and sturdy!).

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