Answering A Question...

 When I wrote my recent tutorial on how to make your own portable

pressing table (here), I mentioned that I used the same heat-reflective

fabric on my applique' boards. I received a question about it that

 I'll answer here, in case anyone else would like the same information.

"Threadlady said...

Great post on making a pressing board. Can you tell me what you 

mean by "applique board". I have never heard of this. Thanks for 

all your posts. I enjoy reading your blog every day."

Thanks for asking! Here's your reply.

I think the "applique' board" is my own invention, so I'm

not too surprised that you haven't heard of it before now. 

This is the base for my applique' boards. I purchased mine at the "J"

store (Jo-ann Fabrics). It has a fabric covering with grids and circles

on it to help square up quilting, knitting and needlework projects.

 Even though it says "Quilter's" on it, I have used them for square blocking other

projects. If you're looking for one for yourself in the store, this is what it's called.

 It's made by June Tailor  - and the best part is that the base (under the

fabric and padding) easily accepts pins for creating applique' pieces using

the freezer paper/starch method. I decided that these boards would work 

great if I used the heat-reflective fabric to cover them to protect the board.

 Another benefit is that this fabric can be wiped clean after each use to

remove any excess starch, and even if it scorches, I can easily and cheaply

 change it out anytime (it gets too hideous-looking) with a new piece of fabric.

 Just as I did with the pressing table, I stretched the silvery fabric over

the board and turned it over so the back side was up. I didn't add any 

extra batting or Insul-Brite for this project. I just used the board as is.

I didn't need to use my heavy duty, construction-grade staple gun here. 

An office stapler holds the fabric just fine and the staples hold securely 

until you want to pull them to switch out a worn piece of fabric for a

shiny, new replacement. I just use a standard staple puller to remove them.

 I didn't really show you how I folded over the fabric on the pressing

table. This might help you envision that a bit better, but if you have

any questions, please feel free to ask. I'm happy to help any way I can.

You can see from my first image, it's easy to assemble all my applique'

supplies on or around my board when I'm ready to make pieces. I take a

shape with the freezer paper on the back side, pin it wrong-side-up to

 the board to secure it and then form it using starch, my stiletto and an iron.

I've tried other work surfaces, but I've found that I often get my stiletto

tangled up in the fabric used on those boards. This little invention of mine

is my favorite. If you are doing applique' and don't have a go-to board yet,

I hope you'll give mine a try. If you do try it, let me know what you think!

I hope this helps, "Threadlady" and others. Thanks again for asking!

Pressing Table Tutorial...

 After Handsome and I did a little Sunday DIY in the Flying Cloud, I was inspired

to do one more small project before putting up my feet for the rest of the day.

I have been wanting to make a small, portable pressing table for a while.

Many of you have probably seen one of these projects before in Blogland,

but just. in. case. you've missed it, I'm going to share the process with you.

Supplies include:

• one folding tv table

• Insul-Bright batting

• cotton or wool batting

• reflective ironing board fabric

• permanent spray adhesive

• staple gun and staples

• scissors 

 • Oh, and one Corgi supervisor (or breed of your choice)

 Insul-Bright is a special batting used in potholders or wherever you want

to have a protective layer between your surface (skin or otherwise) and heat.

There's a reflective, metallic material that has been "needled" with batting

 on both sides. You still need to add more batting to each side if you're

 creating potholders, but this is what really keeps the heat away from your hands.

Cut a piece of Insul-Bright large enough to overlap the top of the

table on all sides by about 2 inches. After cutting, set it aside.

 I purchased my tv table at Wal-mart for $8.97, plus state sales tax.

The finish on the top is really crappy, so I never would have bought it to

use for its intended purpose, but it's going to work great for this. I know

 it looks dusty, but this really is the finish they expect you to live with!

Start by standing upwind and spray the permanent adhesive all over 

the top of the table. ("Upwind" means that any breeze is behind you so

that the adhesive doesn't blow back all over your clothing - or your dog.)

 Before the adhesive dries, place the Insul-Bright on top and smooth

onto the table. You have a little leeway to lift it up if you do it right

away. If you're not confident placing it on the first try, cut a larger 

piece of batting so that you can trim it to the right size after gluing.

 Trim all around and cut an angle at the corner, still leaving enough to

fold completely to the back side of the table top. On to the next step...

 Cut a piece of regular cotton (or wool) batting and place a single

layer over the top of the Insul-Bright layer. No adhesive is needed.

The batting will stay in place on its own without the spray adhesive.

Then cut a piece of the heat-reflective ironing board fabric the same

size and smooth on top of the other layers. I have mine on the bolt

so it doesn't wrinkle, and I use it to also cover my applique' boards.

 Hold onto the whole padding assembly and flip the table over onto

a flat surface for the next step. You need to staple everthing in place.

 Staple across one side and then spin it around to pull the opposite side

 taught and staple that down, too. Then staple the "end", pulling slightly,

 finishing up on the final side. Remember to give the fabric just a little

 tug to make sure there are no wrinkles on the top. I do my corners last.

 Stop for a little break to admire the handsome Corgi supervisor.

Then, turn the angled corner over the edge and fold each side as

you would a miter. I staple at each step so it's nice, tight and flat.

Repeat this process on all four corners. It's really that simple.

 Flip your table over and admire your handywork.

 It took less than an hour to finish this pressing table project and

it's going to come in so handy in the studio. Especially when I'm

working on my Farmer's Wife or Pineapple Blocks as they require

pressing after nearly every seam. Now, all I'll need to do is swivel

my chair a bit, rather than stretching to the ironing board. Lazy me!