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Originally Posted by Marysewfun
(Post 6103564)
Dina - I have tried the cutting mat on the ironing board - problem I ran into was inevitably when I got it set up, I found I wanted to iron a strip or something - - - or worse (don't do this) - - absent mindedly picked up the iron and ironed something while it was on the cutting mat. But you're right, it is a very viable solution. :-)Marysewfun
Yeah, well I do end up moving my cutting board off the ironing board way often! But it is okay. If it really bothered me, I would just take my larger mat to the island in my kitchen and cut there. I have room, as it is, to leave my iron on side of the ironing board, and it isn't too much trouble to move the smaller mat off and on. :) Din |
Originally Posted by Marysewfun
(Post 6103567)
Another possible solution - if you have a second ironing board (and the room) is anchor your cutting mat to the second board with a "C" clamp and use in the center of the room or wherever - then when you are done, it is easy to put it all away.
Marysewfun Dina |
The best thing I did in my small room was take off one of the closet doors. It let me put up shelves, and see everything. I can also keep a central work table now that I do not need room for the door to swing open.
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Originally Posted by Dina
(Post 6101965)
Yes, I use the ironing board to cut fabric on top of. I actually put one mat on top of another, to sort of give me a firmer base. If I need more room than that, I go to the island in my kitchen, but then I have to "not leave it there." Here in my sewing room, I can leave it out and come back to it later.
In fact, you don't have to try to picture it. I will take a picture. I have been working on a string quilt...my first, and I am starting to think it is more work than I want to do...and I just trimmed one of the sections. You can see my basket of scraps, my two mats...tan one on top of blue...and that is the way it looks. :) Dina |
Originally Posted by petthefabric
(Post 6100551)
Over the years I've learned that even though DH really intends to make me ....... he gets distracted. I'm tired of being frustrated and feeling I have no control. So if it's been a while since he said he'd make something, I'll regain some control, and open the topic again, "I'm wanting to get this ........ situation completed by DATE. Will you be able to complete it by then?" If the date comes and he hasn't got it done, I go buy me one, "I can see this isn't working for you or me, so I bought one."
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Originally Posted by petthefabric
(Post 6100551)
Over the years I've learned that even though DH really intends to make me ....... he gets distracted. I'm tired of being frustrated and feeling I have no control. So if it's been a while since he said he'd make something, I'll regain some control, and open the topic again, "I'm wanting to get this ........ situation completed by DATE. Will you be able to complete it by then?" If the date comes and he hasn't got it done, I go buy me one, "I can see this isn't working for you or me, so I bought one."
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My sewing room is also tiny - 8 ft x 10 ft. I have an L-shaped sewing table in one corner. Have my cutting mat on one side of the L, and my sewing machine on the other. I have no room for a full size (let alone a big board) ironing board, so I use a counter top board on a TV table set at 90 degrees to my machine. (Think of a "U" shape - I sit and sew with my mat on my left, machine in front of me, and ironing board on my right). No room to store fabric as there are 4 floor to ceiling book cases filled with my DH's vinyl record collection. I also share the room with my DH's guitars (6), music stand and stool. I did take over the shallow closet in the room and store my 200+ quilt books on the shelves. Fabric is stored in plastic totes in my garage. Not an ideal place for fabric, but it's the only place I have.
Someday, maybe I'll have a larger sewing space, but right now this is working. If I need more room, I use my dining room table to sew on and set up my full size ironing board in the dining room as well. When I REALLY need space, I go to a friend's quilting studio which is huge. Anita |
I made 2 of my own big boards EASY PROJECT. I bought a precut 24 x 48 inch piece of lumber at the local home store. If they dont have the right size at your store, they will cut a piece of plywood to whatever size you want. I used 1/2 inch thick. Brought it home, stapled batting and a cover on my first one. For the 2nd I got a bit smarter and made the top with an elastic casing. That way I can slip it off to wash it occasionally. I find the weight of the wood/fabric makes it stay just fine without any additional boards. I have been using these for over 10 yrs without any mishaps.
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I don't have a big board, but what I do have an old dining room table that I made a big ironing surface out of. I covered the table first with heavy duty aluminum wrap; then put 2 layers of batting and stapled that down on the table; then I bought heavy duck fabric and stapled that down over the batting. Love it, also when the top cover became dirty due to grandkids! I just put another layer of duck fabric over that. Also, put flower pots under each leg to raise it up so my back doesn't get so tired. Sometimes on a smaller project it's so handy to be able to iron and cut on the table at the same time. My cat really likes it too!
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Originally Posted by SusanSusan33
(Post 6103876)
Thank you sooo much, Dina! What a great idea! I was trying to figure out why you needed a larger ironing space!! I thought it was just an extension of the ironing surface! Now I'm embarrased to admit that...
Dina |
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