Blocking

[cheesiesmom]

I know how to block, but my question is where or on what do you block? I received an ironing board a century ago as a wedding shower gift, but the local historical society begged me for it to place in the museum collection. Since I gave up serious ironing about 1980 I had no trouble parting with it.

Now I need a place to block stuff, i.e., an open work lace scarf/shawl. I suppose I could lay it out on the counter or the top of my washer with towels, but it seems that it wouldn't be thick enough to pin into.

I thought about covering a sheet of styrofoam or foamboard with towels for a more pin-able surface, but if I use an iron (kept that) the foam might melt.

Should I just break down and buy a new ironing board? I know that there are real items sold for blocking, but I really don't want to "buy" a lot of stuff. We're suppose to be downsizing.