In a Pinch Pressing Mat
Remember that Spin Class with Amanda Jean of Crazy Mom Quilts that I was going to take? It was rescheduled due to the boatload of snow we had that weekend. It’s coming up soon, and one of the things I need to bring for the class is a small pressing mat. So today, I’ll show you my In a Pinch Pressing Mat that I made.
The Pressing Mat Supplies
- Board or Shelf. I used a shelf from a little cupboard we are no longer using. The shelf measures 10 x 13 inches and is about 3/8″ thick.
- Leftover batting. I layered some old polyester batting (3 layers) with one remnant piece of Hobbs batting. I cut all of the pieces 10 x 13 inches
- Fabric Covering. The fabric is a piece of canvas weight fabric I had on hand.
- Duct Tape. For securing the fabric to the back of the board.
The Process
I cut the fabric 16 x 20 inches so that I had enough overlap to secure it to the board.
Here is a close up so you can see the thickness of the batting.
Starting on one long side, gently pull the fabric over the mat and secure with a piece of duct tape. Then do the same on the other side, pulling the fabric snug.
For the sides, I folded the fabric like I do when wrapping a gift.
Repeat for the other side. Be sure to check the top for any folds or puckers.
At this point, the back could be covered with another piece of fabric to hide the tape, but I’m leaving it as is.
All done and ready to use.
It’s a little puffy, but I think it will work just fine in a pinch!
Phyllis the Binding Baby Makes Her Debut
Since a few of you mentioned in the comments of my last post that you hadn’t seen a Binding Baby, I thought I’d have Phyllis model for you today. (By the way, I’m not an affiliate. I’m just sharing this because I like them.)
Here she is, getting her binding put on.
She slips her binding into the slit, and then she twirls round and round. Okay, she doesn’t really twirl, but I wrap the binding around her. Twirling sounds more fun though, doesn’t it?
When I’m ready to use the binding, Phyllis can sit next to my machine or, if your machine has one, she can sit on the vertical thread holder on your machine. My machine doesn’t have a vertical thread holder, so I just set her up there so you can get the idea.
She’s so much cuter than my old binding baby, a bottle of Synthrapol. Haha!
How about you? Have you made any cool tool in a pinch? Tell me about it!
Have a great weekend, all!
Wendy
19 Comments
Sandra Healy
Loving the binding baby! Thanks for the demonstration.
Lisa
That’s a nice little tutorial for a pressing mat.
My Sewful Retirement
Great idea for the pressing mat — I need one myself! Love the binding baby demonstration — she’s much cuter than what I currently use 🙂
rl2b2017
Hi Wendy,
You did not make that yourself. Well, I can SEE you did since you share all the steps, but it is too darn cute! SO much better than what you can buy in the stores, and the cheap small one we have from Target. Geez, another project I NEED to make. Thanks. (jk) And Phyllis is so darn cute with her pretty new binding dress! She looks quite happy in her new home on your sewing machine. What kind of machine do you have? Those stitches look like my Elna choices! Happy Mother’s Day, dear. ~smile~ Roseanne
cozyquiltslb
Oh! the trusty Duck Tape again….what would we do without it. Great quick idea. Phyllis is cute. How many yards does she hold? Linda
Vicki in MN
You really don’t have a vertical holder on that machine? I love how you think of funny little things to say in your post-her twirling:) I never feel witty. Great idea of a quick mat. I made a portable one on a TV tray, love that for paper piecing or small blocks, then it sits right beside my machine.
Karen
I don’t have a vertical spool holder on my new machine either but I’ve always just tossed my binding on the floor on my right side and place it as I sew. The little thing is cute though! Love your ironing pad – I have made a similar one – they come in handy
smilesfromkate
How clever to make a pressing mat out of bits and pieces. I wouldn’t worry about the top being thick, better thick than too thin and much better than the commercial one I have with a cutting board on the reverse which has warped with time. Did you purchase your binding baby? I certainly haven’t seen one before, it’s lovely, what a great idea.
somethingrosemade14
Love the pressing mat and of course I have the supplies to make one. But you know, I’m going to have to buy pretty duct tape for the back, wink! Phyllis is too cute.
Kathleen McCormick
Great tutorial and love meeting Phyllis. Definitely an upgrade from my toilet roll insert!
Nancy @ Grace and Peace Quilting
Very clever on the pressing board! Hope you have a great class!!! And your binding babe is adorbs!
Louise Hornor
Great little ironing mat! I like that grey and white fabric, very modern 🙂
Gray Barn Designs
What a great way to make an ironing mat! I’ve held off buying one because I’d rather spend my $$ on fabric! Now I can make a really cut one with some of my stash…thank you for sharing this great tip with us. Looks like Phyllis is going to stay busy!
Barbara
Well, that turned out very cute.
Sherry @ PoweredByQuilting
that’s a really cute way to do the pressing mat! I ended up taking the gray utility cloth from joanns and stapling it on to a TV tray directly! nice and hard pressing surface. Also Phyllis is adorable. I love the binding babies!
piecefulwendy
Hey, whatever works, right!? Enjoy Spring Market!
RicefordStreams
How did your pressing mat work at class?
piecefulwendy
It worked pretty well, except that the poly batting made it a bit too poofy. I’d go with cotton batting layers next time.
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