I wanted to have a larger ironing surface that I could move around. I used scrap plywood about 3' X 4', some felted wool yardage (sale fabric too heavy for a coat), and a remnant of 100% cotton decorator fabric. It took very little time to staple gun the fabrics on there. I move it to several different surfaces, usually to a 36" high counter next to the kitchen. I like having a larger rectangle to iron rows of blocks and yardage for garment sewing. Before I got a dedicated cutting table, I would flip it over and put my largest Olfa mat on the bare wood. I remember reading that a wool underlayer is recommended for tailoring and fusing interfacing because of the way it holds the steam and then evaporates.