Pressing mat

I made my mini one out of two layers of cotton batting and two of printed curtain fabric! Works perfectly well as it is, but if you are a bit wary, pop the layer of Insul-Bright in the middle.

I have a much bigger bought one with a removeable cover,but I won't bother to buy another: the Insul-Bright and batting will do fine, and I can make a much nicer cover for it! :)

Sharon Schamber has instructions for making a pressing board in her piece by piece book. (Binding is ok in this book, btw) She says it is important to have a hard and flat surface. Different than the direction you are going but you might want to think about that. HEr is a 22x22 piece of chipboard. She sprays adhesive and layer a

100% cott> I want to make a pressing mat (ironing blanket) to take to classes and

I bought a cutting board at Big Lots. It has a handle on one end that I was actually going to see if DH could cut off. Glad he couldn't because it is perfect for carrying to class/workshops, etc.

I wanted a really hard surface so first I used plain cheap flannel. Then I found that silvery ironing board cover material.

I 505'd the two together and cut to fit the board. I used my staple gun to fasten it to the back of the board.

I use that board every day.

I want something that I can roll up and pack easily, but I want it thick enough so that the heat of the iron (and maybe steam) doesn't damage the surface beneath. I don't want something with a hard back that can't be folded.

Julia > Sharon Schamber has instructions for making a pressing board in her

I've been thinking about making one too, but haven't yet. I am thinking perhaps try using a layer of the insulbright and back it with some of that waterproof felty stuff like the mattress pads for kids. You can get it at JoAnns. It is a bit expensive, but you wouldn't need much. Then you would have something that should be water and heat resistant for the underneath surface I would think. I wouldn't use too many layers as you would have a harder time getting a good crisp press.

I know you said you wanted one to roll up, but I have also seen a pattern that uses the cardboard bolt thingy. You can cut it shorter if you want then I think they layered it with a layer of batting (they may have used 2 I don't know) and then their cover. Don't know how well it would work, but it would be lighter than one with a board.

HTH.

I think the chip board you can get now isn't like the old stuff. It probably will do ok but unless you did it small or folded in the center it might not travel well. From the Schamber instructions though it seems you might be able to use fusibles for at least the cotton layers. I would probably do a W&W layer on top and bottom of the insul brite. Do you have any scraps you can test with? Have you seen this:

is a nice set.

HTH, Taria

Julia > I want something that I can roll up and pack easily, but I want it thick

I'd put two layers for W&W, the insul-brite, and two more layers of the W&W. An iron that pushes the steam really needs that much padding if it is to be used on a non-ironing surface.