Pressing Board

Do you use a pressing board?  I love mine!

What's that you ask?  It's a 3/4" or greater board that has been covered with cotton batting and a sturdy cotton fabric, to use for pressing blocks.

I have two, and use them constantly.  But one was looking a bit ugly due to all the starch scorching.  Time for a redo! 

If you would like to make one, just follow my tutorial.

Start with a board at around 20" x 14" x 3/4".  It's a size that is easy to handle, without being too heavy or bulky.  One of my boards is an old cutting board.

Cut two layers of 100% cotton batting the size of the board plus enough to go up the sides but not over to the back.  If it goes over to the back, the board doesn't sit flat.

Use a heavy cotton fabric on the top, either 100% cotton twill, or pillow ticking, like I did.  It has the added benefit of the lines!

Cut the fabric for the back so that there is at least 2" on a side. It's no problem if it's longer, like on my ends.  Using a staple gun, tack down the sides, pulling the fabric taught to the back.  Stop tacking about 4" from the end, as the space is needed for folding.

Fold the end up, parallel to the end edge,

and tuck the fabric under the stapled side, creating a fold on top.

Tack down that fold with one staple.

Do the same with other side of the corner, checking that the two top folds do NOT overlap.  The following picture is what you don't want, otherwise the board doesn't sit flat.

The corner should look like this.

Tack the other fold in place.  Repeat the steps for the adjacent corner.

Tack down all folds and edges, spacing the staples about 1"-1 1/2" apart.

Repeat for the other end, pulling the top fabric taut when folding over and stapling it.

For a clean finish, glue batting scraps to the back.

And there you have it!  An easy to handle, hard pressing surface for all your quilting needs!

Check out the custom tote bag I made for the board, a cutting mat, and ruler all in one.  

Happy Quilting!