Ironing Boards

Ironing Boards

There are several varieties of ironing boards, each adapted to its particular purpose.

They may be either in the form of strong and steady tables, or they may be single boards to be placed upon supports as desired.

The tables are of either hard or soft wood, usually adjustable to three different heights, and folding. The frames may be of steel, which is very strong and prevents wobbling, or of wood.

The regulation board is from 5 to 6 feet long, and 2½ feet wide at its widest end. This may be used for all purposes. Boards also come in small sizes, 3, 3½, 4, or 4½ feet long.

Skirt boards are convenient for pressing skirts. They are from 3 to 6 feet long and from 6 to 18 inches wide.

Sleeve boards are small, narrow boards mounted at one end on a stand, thus allowing the sleeve to be slipped over the board. In using the board the sleeve should be pulled over so that the cuff is at the small end of the board and the seam at the edge. As the sleeve is ironed it is pulled over. These boards are useful in ironing many small garments.

Bosom or shirt boards for ironing men's shirts prevent the interference of the back and the front of the shirt while it is being ironed. They come in two sizes, 12x8, and 18x10 inches. They are of very hard wood so that the surface of the piece being ironed will take a high polish.

All ironing boards must be well padded and covered. The woods from which they are made are cypress, cottonwood, spruce, basswood, and white pine. The frames of ironing tables are of maple.