I purchased a board that fits on the arms of your recliner and is rounded so you stomach has room. It is about a foot wide. I have a small lamp that when I sit down I put on it and my applique or what ever Iam working on it. If I need to mark my patterns Ihave a 12 x 18 ironing and cutting board I use. For our car I bought a 3" by 14" piece of foam and used a piece of flannel to cover it, so my pieces doesn't slide and can stick pins in as needed.