I just Googled MDF & I think you-all should read the safety paragraph!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medium-density_fibreboard

I question it's usage for horizontal ironing vs Vertical for which it's used normally without sealing the MDF. Nancygail

When I made my pressing board I covered it with the silver material that is used on ironing boards. I didn't like it. It was great if you got fusible adhesive on it but the fabric slid on it when I was trying to press it. Oh, and it also got very hot so your fabric had a tendency to get shiny. So, I change the top to canvas and love it. It grips the fabric and I get great crisp seams and less shiny fabric.

tigsowner wrote: I do most of my pressing on a folded blanket, when I left my cutting mat underneath the blanket , I got a warped cutting mat (fortunately only in one corner so it isn't a complete write off). My experience shows that you need a layer of wood between the cuting mat and pressing pad - as per the ones you can buy - but there is nothing to say that you cannot make your own combination.

A tv dinner folding table would make a great portable table....sure I've seen that idea somewhere!

If you make just a pad, then you can hotglue a cutting mat to the other size so it can do double-duty. Those are very handy for taking to class as well as at home.

Need a pressing surface you can stow away when not in use? Try using a "TV tray" made of wood...covering as previously described.
They are not very expensive and available at Walmart type stores. Mine come from second-hand store! Take it traveling to classes and
retreats, too.

I made my pressing surface out of an old cupboard door. The only difference from Lorchen's version is, that my cotton sheet is just a bit bigger than the board and only laid on it, so it's easy to change. I have a few and wash them when they get too dirty. And then it's placed on the original ironing board. Easy to remove if you need to use that.

Also, I've been looking at all your quilt galleries and you ladies are talented! Great quilts.

Ha, Lorchen, if you only knew. Part of the reason I got into quiltmaking is that I love building things (and what is quilt construction if not building something? You're just doing it with fabric!), but don't have room for a woodworking shop. I've been coveting a particular cordless drill for years. My boyfriend, on the other hand... well, if you gave him a hammer he might well ask you what it's for. Your MDF pressing surface idea is great! I might even make a dedicated pressing table...

And thank you, everyone, for all your very useful responses!

Make your own 'pressing surface'. That way you get it exactly the size that's ideal for you, especially if workspace is limited. Get a piece of MDF, stretch a layer of wadding over it (secure at the back with a stable gun). Do the same with a layer of cotton fabric. Turn over and cover the back with a piece of felt or fleece (glue that down), so your mat does not slip around too much and the staples are all covered. If you use that mat a lot, you'll just have to occasionally put on a new cover, but it's cheap. If you don't feel like making it yourself, get any man you can lay your hands on to do it for you. A lot of guys love to help out a little, helpless lady!

For me, the best online store is the one with the best price! Before I buy anything, I google the product and find the least expensive way to go. On occasion, I find a new store this way, which is always a good thing. It's cool to find an online store that's having a special on what you're seeking! Holiday time is great for finding a sale. One thing I NEVER do is shop at JoAnns, or Connecting Threads. I find the quality of goods at these places consistently inferior. And those coupons? Anything I'd look to buy, like an iron, is always excluded. I despise coupon games! :shock: :shock: :shock: Equilter is always a great place, and of course, Superior threads are, well, superior!

For an ironing pad, I use half of an old wool blanket folded in quarters, it works pretty well, but I have to admit that the table underneath is not terribly impressed with the steam, but since this was aquired as scrap from the MoD , I'm not too bothered.
Another alternative for storing threads is to go to the diy store and have a look at the storage drawers for screws & nails etc, and if you just happen to have a reel of thread in you pocket you can check out which ones it fits in the best

I have a Cut n Press from June Taylor and had the same problem as Rita until the cutting mat just came unglued to the pressing surface. I through it away. The cutting Matt was way too warped to do any good at all. Somewhere on this forum I read a recommendation for Sew Easy pressing mats. I ordered the large one about a year ago and positively love it. I plan to order the smaller version to keep next to my sewing machine. Here is a link: http://www.guardian-tablepad.com/sewez.html. I prefer the Olfa frosted rulers that Margo mentioned, too. I think sampled all the brands of rulers and Olfa frosted definitely won. I like Art Bin's Super Satchels for most storage. I pick them up at Hancock Fabrics when I have a 50% off coupon. My favorite marking tools are the mechanical pencils with ceramic leads from Sewline. I get them at my LQS. Welcome to the quilting club! Have fun!

I do support my LQS (they kind of laugh when I come in), but I get a lot of my rulers, cutting mats and storage containers from http://www.joann.com. They often have quilting supplies on sale at 50% off. I get extra bobbins for my machine from http://www.nancysnotions.com. I get books from http://www.connectingthreads.com, looking for the 40% off sale they frequently have. I get replacement rotary blades and boxes of batting from http://www.hancocks-paducah.com. I agree that you have to watch out for shipping costs and take that into consideration when shopping around.

Nancy

I have the June Taylor 'Quilter's Cut n Press 1' and it is a great little ironing surface but I have found that the cutting mat side is not such good quality and has slightly buckled because of pressing on the other side with a hot steam iron. If you get one, use a dry iron and a spritzer which might stop the buckling. It is a very handy size for using at your sewing table or right beside it.

The key thing that I have noticed with online shopping is to try and get the shipping as cheaply as possible. Hancocks of Paducah have free shipping at the moment (a Christmas promotion) which is a big bonus for me in Ireland. There is also Quilt In A Day which have special offers on all the time. The Missouri Star Quilt Company also has an online store and lots of tutorials on youtube.

I love my 'Creative Grids' 6 1/2 X 24 1/2" ruler and my 'Sew Easy' 6 1/2" square ruler because they have very clear markings on them that are not so big like those Omnigrid ones that are all yellow and so thick that you can't see the fabric underneath! I also love Eleanor Burns 'Flying Geese Rulers' and have them in two sizes. Her method for making flying geese is the best I have seen. And I also have her 'Triangle in a Square' ruler. Both of these rulers are great for doing stars and other traditional blocks.

The only ruler I don't have that I would like is a 6 X 12" ruler which would be handy but as I have the bigger one I don't feel that I can justify €19 to buy one. Happy hunting. Rita.