I have an idea for you that may appeal to the engineer. I used to make custom draperies, and my workroom had a table made from homosote (an insulation type board). It is lightweight and no plys to separate and available at a lumber center in 2x4 or 4x8 sheets. A bonus is that you can stick pins into it to hold fabrics in place. The homosote was then covered with an old blanket covered by a piece of strong cloth, like duck and stapled to the board on the bottom. It worked beautifully for pressing large items, cutting, you name it. I sure miss that table now that I am confined to a bedroom and an ironing board.
Dee