Replies

1. 
   DeeOh | Aug 24, 2007 09:24pm | #1

   Hi DonnaKaye, I have never used nor seen a pants board. Can you give me some idea of when and how you use it? Why is it superior to just ironing on a regular board? Always willing to learn if anybody has the patience to teach.

1. 
   DONNAKAYE | Aug 24, 2007 09:41pm | #2

   I'm attaching a drawing of one.  It's about 36" long, wide at one end, narrow at the other.  I put mine up onto my cutting/work table, where I can press open the long pants leg seams.  As I'm sure you have already experienced, you're not usually able to get the pants leg onto a regular size ironing board.  I also use it for multiple other tasks, such as for taping the waistband; fusing strips of fabric together; hand-stitching or fusing trims to small areas, etc., because it is padded and can be pinned on.  I also don't have to lean way over to do all those tasks, since it sits about 7 or 8 inches up from the table.  I also use the narrow end whenever I have to press just a seamline (very delicately), such as sleeve caps and the like, forming the sleeve cap around the narrow end.  I also use it to press open my skirts, sleeve seams (to a point), lay out buttonhole placements on shirts and blouses (I can lay the front closure of the blouse on the board, with the "leg" of the board inside the body of the garment.  In short, I don't know what I'd do without it.  I've never NOT sewn with one.

   I am sure this is a very short list of what I use the board for, but the main thing I like about it is that it saves room, it's not real heavy, so I can lift it up onto my cutting table with no problem, and then stand it up out of the way when I don't need it.  Plus my pants legs fit over it.  They are cushioned with multiple layers (up to 8 layers) of 100% wool and muslin, so setting creases and steaming seams goes much quicker due to all the wool content.  The unit is very stable and stays put.  When I'm done with it, I just prop it up next to my table and it's ready to go for whenever I need it. 

   Hope the diagram helps.  If you need some more ideas, I'll have my husband photo me using it in some various ways in the sewing room!

   
1. 
   moira | Aug 24, 2007 09:51pm | #3

   I used to have a sleeve board which sounds similar to your pants board, but it got lost in a house move I think. I've been using an empty cardboard tube that held fabric and it does quite a good job for seams on anything narrow and enclosed, though your device sounds as though it would have a very broad range of uses. Photos would be good - though as I'm in the UK I'd maybe have to get my hubby to build me one. And of course, I'd call it a trouser board!

2. 
   DeeOh | Aug 25, 2007 03:40am | #4

   Sounds good!! I would imagine the freight on this item (if you made them to sell) would be horrendous. Maybe you can sell plans for making it. Just a thought. Keep me in mind when you come up with a price. Thanks DeeOh

1. 
   DONNAKAYE | Aug 25, 2007 03:30pm | #5

   Well, we're working diligently to get this all figured out at a reasonable cost.  Surprisingly (or maybe not so surprisingly), it's the wools used in the padding that cost, not the wood!