Want Stable Seams? How to Make This Easy DIY Solid Pressing Board

Learn how to create a custom DIY Pressing Board + 2 more bonus travel boards from one sheet of wood!

Why Do I Need a Pressing Board?

As the time old saying goes: “You don’t know what you need until you need it”. I couldn’t figure out why my quilting seams were not even and neat and were slightly warping. So I started asking in quilters groups. It was suggested I use a pressing board rather than an ironing board to press my seams.  Why? A pressing board is much more firm and doesn’t have the springy give that a standard ironing board does. When I realized I needed a Pressing Board for more stable seams, I decided I’d make my own Easy DIY Solid Pressing Board.

[socialpug_tweet tweet=”Pressing board rather than ironing board provides unwarped seams. Create your #DIY Pressing Board”]

Dedicated Sewing Room

Many of you might not know that I also enjoy sewing.  I have sewn handbags with Mama’s Got a New Bag,  Dresses as with The Dress of Stress, my most popular Big Shot Cover in Covers & Candy (candy no longer available 😉 ) and even custom cushions for Glinda in my most popular Cushion Series.  

Previously, I didn’t have much space to set up my sewing, but life changes are happening.  My daughter is getting ready to move out and started packing her room up.  (she has temporarily moved into the guest room).  She is using the walk-in closet in this room as her storage shed for now.  I’m not looking forward to her leaving, but I will admit I have plans for storage in that walk-in! This all provided the perfect opportunity to set up a dedicated sewing room with space for a pressing table.

To make your own custom pressing board, you need to determine how large you want your board/table to be.  I made my first board the size of my cutting table as a way to add much-needed COLOR to my new dedicated sewing room. I decided to make two others as well; one medium sized one that I can move about as needed or take to another room (which matches one section of my cutting table mats) and a small portable one that will again match a smaller cutting mat and will sit between my sewing machine and serger for quick pressing seams. This smallest can also be quickly packed for any classes I might take.

After researching pressing boards, I set to work obtaining supplies and spent a good bit of a day putting it all together.

Obtain Supplies and Gather Tools

Supplies Needed

For this project, you will need the following supplies:

• Board cut to desired size(s) – I used OSB board, but you can also use plywood. (OSB was cheaper)
• 100% cotton batting (thin, not fluffy)
• 100% cotton fabric cut 4-6 inches larger than board size. You can use good muslin or I used printed Cotton Duck Canvas
  • (it is important to note that batting and fabric cover needs to be cotton so they don’t melt)
• Heavy-Duty Staple Gun
• 3/8″ staples for your Heavy-Duty Staple Gun
• Hammer – for hammering in stubborn staples
• Pliers – for pulling out those defiant staples that don’t go in smoothly
• Sanding tools are optional but recommended.

I found my fabric called Pop Circle at Hobby Lobby.  I went by Lowes and asked the helpful assistant to cut my boards to size for me.  This not only saved me some heavy lifting by making the pieces small enough to fit in my SUV. One sheet of OSB gave me all the wood I needed to create my Large Pressing Table, one medium pressing board and one small pressing board with extra wood leftover.  I could make more small boards or find something else to do with these pieces.  Not sure yet.

Prep Boards

I recommend you round your corners by sanding them.  Rounding your corners will help minimize fraying on the corner and, in my case, will minimize bruising when I run into the corners as I am sure to do eventually.  If you are using OSB board, note that it comes with one smooth side and one rough side.  You do not need to sand the rough side as this is the side you will add your batting to.  This roughness actually provides some grip.

Layer Batting and Fabric onto DIY Pressing Board

Layer batting onto the rough side of OSB board.  Make sure to smooth ALL wrinkles out and pull taught.  Leave a small border of batting to wrap edges.  I used very thin 100% cotton batting (Warm & Natural) and I opted to add 2 layers because mine was thin.  You want this firm, so don’t add any more than 2; one is really just fine.

Then add your 100% cotton fabric layer again smoothing the fabric as much as possible removing all wrinkles.  On my smaller boards, I was able to lay fabric down, and then batting and then board, but to be able to handle the really large board by myself, I had to do in reverse so I could make sure to get it even and smooth.   In order to make sure everything stayed in place when flipping the whole sandwich over, I used x-Large binder clips to clip everything in place before flipping.

Staple Edges

After flipping my board, I trimmed any excess fabric.  Start on the short end to stretch the fabric at its length.  I folded my edges under to create a neat seam line and stapled close to the edge of folded fabric.  Start in the center of your edge and staple.  Move over about 1/2 way between center and right end and place another staple, repeat on the left side.  Place staples half way between those you’ve already added and continue to fill in the spaces until you have an even stapled line.   Pull taught and keep even.  You can’t stretch too firm as nothing else is stapled on the other side yet.  Don’t staple too close to your corners and don’t worry about to edges – you will come back to that later.

Move to other short edge and stretch fabric lengthwise pulling as taught as you can folding edges under and staple as instructed above.

Move to long edges and stretch fabric widthwise and repeat the stapling process.

Wrap corners of DIY Pressing Board

I trimmed my corners off at an angle to remove a bit of fabric bulk and folded down corner first and held in place with a staple.  As you fold corner edges over, you may need to trim a little extra bulk out in places. On one side, fold the edge in and wrap tightly and staple.  Follow the procedure for the opposite side of that corner and then repeat for the other three corners.  Use your hammer to make sure all staples are flush and no sharp edges are sticking out.  If you wanted, you could cover the back with felt, but I am leaving it so I can recover over time as needed.

Finished Pressing Table and Pressing Boards

Here is my large DIY Pressing Table for in my sewing room.  The surface is firm enough that I can add my cutting mats (this is a set of three that combine for one large mat) on top and still be able to cut my fabric with no interference.  I can then hang my mats back on the wall when I want to use as a pressing table or I just want it to look pretty.

Above is one medium pressing board that is the dimension of one section of my 3-part cutting mat.  This size for a DIY Pressing Board will be perfect when working on smaller projects or if I need to take my work out into another room.

One smaller DIY pressing board can be used when travelling to classes and is the dimension of the smallest cutting mat I own.  This one also sits on my sewing table for small pressing/cutting needs right between my sewing machines.  I plan to sew a tote bag for these that will also hold cutters and ruler.  I’ll let you know when I have that pattern worked out.

Sewing Room Makeover with DIY Pressing Board

Now, look how nice my room looks overall with my new DIY Pressing Board for Sewing Room and plus my mini travel boards.   The big bonus to me is that I now have color to balance all the dark furniture.  I have a few more things to add and my daughter has more books to pack, but I finally have a separate space for all my sewing supplies and room to create with fabric again.

Have you noticed your seams also tend to warp when pressing? If you make your own DIY Pressing Board, I’d love to see the size you make yours and the fabric you choose.

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