I think this is a very interesting thread. Love the old mattress pad idea, as well as using jeans. I can't use old towels because I use those for the dogs.
I took a poll in a quilt guild meeting recently and was amazed at how many of us use old, ragged, burned potholders! I encouraged everyone to make new potholders and USE THEM!!! May as well use pretty potholders that have food on them and are a bit scorched!