Directly behind my chair at my sewing table is my ironing board so I can pivot in my chair to reach. However, i sometimes get up to press several pcs and put my ruler in my chair. I n order to prevent the same catastrophy you just experienced I intend to sew a back rest pillow for said chair with a pocket system as a counter weight that falls to the back of my chair so I can slip my ruler or rotary cutter there. Now, watch me try to slip my iron there instead!!