Child-Size Ironing Board Tutorial

Here's my first tutorial for a larger woodworking project. The ironing board folds flat for storage and is a sweet addition to any toy kitchen. It's really pretty simple to build, the trickiest thing was cutting the legs at exactly the same angle and length. I am not accomplished at working with wood and I managed to figure this all out, I bet you can too. 

First, here's a pdf materials list and cutting plan. So, go ahead and download that. Then, follow along below for the steps to construct the ironing board and iron.

Please note, some of the photos vary slightly from my written instructions or measurements, that's because I was winging it and designing as I went along. I streamlined the process for you.

Tools:

Jigsaw

Orbital Sander with 80 grit, 150 grit paper. You could sand by hand if you prefer.

Hand Saw

Hammer

Drill with 1/2" spade bit

Square

Flaxseed oil or beeswax polish

Cut out wood pieces:

Cut the legs to length. Using your square, mark and cut the angles on the legs-

Then check to confirm they are the same angle and same length. Mine were a bit off and I had to add a shim later. I used recycled lumber and didn't have anymore 1x2's, hence the crack. 

Drill holes on legs, I clamped mine together and drilled through all four at once. 

If you would like painted legs, now is the time to paint them. Hopefully you have a helper who can paint for you.

We used interior latex, and I wanted a translucent look, so I wiped the paint with a rag immediately after he was done painting. Also paint the dowel.

Sand the edges of the ironing board top to round them. I also sanded the top and bottom with 80 grit then 150 grit sandpaper for a super-smooth finish.

Assemble legs. Look at photo for how legs should be laid out. See how the angles are different for each "set" of legs? Start with the center dowel, then glue the dowels at the bottom of the legs. You can glue the dowel for the narrower legs, but just dry fit the dowel for the wider set of legs, you'll glue that later. The wider legs will be about 6" wide from outside edge to outside edge, and the inner legs will be about 4 1/4."

Using a high-quality wood glue, glue the hinge and stop block into place.The legs measure about 18" wide when the table is assembled, so I had a helper hold the legs at that width, then marked on the bottom of the ironing board top where the hinge and stop block should go. I centered the legs under the top. Use plenty of glue and allow to dry overnight. 

Now, slide the dowel from the wide pair of legs through the hinge. 

Prop the other top dowel behind the stop block. Sand the dowel ends and touch up the paint. 

Oil the ironing board with flaxseed oil or finish with polish. Done! 

Now for the iron, it's very simple. 

Cut out shapes- 

I used poplar for the base and cherry for the handle, but you can use the left over piece from cutting out your ironing board. Sand the top, bottom and sides. Round the edges of all the pieces, just like you did with the ironing board. Then stand the iron up and place the handle into position- I like the handle to rest on the table when the iron is vertical. Mark with a pencil.

Glue the handle in place, allow to dry overnight.

Finish with oil or polish. Your iron is done.

Please let me know if you have any questions about this tutorial, I hope it was helpful! I'd love to see photos of your ironing boards, leave a link in the comments if you make one. 

Edited to add: There are just a couple more days of voting for the Country Living Blue Ribbon Blogger awards. We would so appreciate your vote! Please go here and vote for us. Thank you! 

Comments

[KrokodiLina]

This is wonderfull! Thank you for sharing this tutorial!

[Nicola]

Thank you! Wonderful and yours is beautiful!

[Katie]

Thanks you two! I hope you find it useful.

[Natalie]

How cute, thanks for that.
x

[Kristi]

Thank you for posting this!! I've had a wooden ironing board & iron on my blog's to-do list forever, but just never seem to get around to doing it! I have posted on my blog about your design and linked to it. Thank you again for your efforts....I can't wait to make this for my daughter! :)
Kristi
http://piecesforreese.blogspot.com/2011/09/pretend-play-wooden-ironing-board-iron.html

[dionne]

Thanks for the great tutorial! I was looking for one for quite a while and then found a board one day at a garage sale for $3! Had I not though, I would certainly be using your handy instructions to make one of my own...so satisfying to have things in one's home made by one's own hands. Great job!

[richard @ all dad, all day]

Your tutorials and projects are inspiring and so well executed. Always an inspiration!

[Katie]

Thanks Richard! I'm enjoying putting together the wood toy designs and it's fun to share the tutorials. Glad you like them!

[Rachel]

That's BEAUTIFUL! Thanks so much for sharing such a lovely project, I'll be linking.

[Heather - Dollarstorecrafts]

This is fabulous! I linked up today at Dollar Store mom: http://wp.me/p1sq38-K7

[Katie]

Thanks so much Heather! Glad you liked it.

[Josette]

charmante visite de ton blog!!!
et très attirée aussi par cette petite table à repasser
très beau travail
amitiés
Fraise chinoise

[Katie]

Thank you Josette!

[Michele]

This is awesome!! I love it - thanks for the fantastic tutorial too!

[KiwiEllie (Rav)]

I love it. So beautiful and thank you for making this available for us. I'm not that handy - and will be asking my DH to make this for our little 3yr old grand-daughter Zoe.