I use a June Tailor Cut 'n Press, either my 12" square or 12" x 18". I know what you mean about the "half a sheet of ply" if your husband goes at it without guidelines. If he makes you one, limit him to no more than 1/2" thick and pad the back of it -- to be gentle on your lap and so you can flip it and press on it with your mini iron. OR, you could put the Cut 'n Press on your Christmas list and give him a coupon to shop with.

My friend and I get together to sew. We are working on applique right now. she has a wooden tray she got at a garage sale. It is a small tray...small enough to put on your lap but big enough for her supplies. It's great!! It has a small ridge around it as trays usually do so it keeps everything on the tray.

She said she would look for one for me. She loves garage sales!!!

I think putting some padding on the bottom would keep it nice and sturdy on your lap.

I have a lap desk it has a pillow on the bottom and hard board top,It came with a pencil holder. I added a pincushion to one corner. :D

I have several of these homemade boards I use mostly for ironing. They are about 18"X24" I use a piece of carpet padding and a piece of duck cloth. They would be really nice to put a cutting mat on the back.

I have several of these homemade boards I use mostly for ironing. They are about 18"X24" I use a piece of carpet padding and a piece of duck cloth. They would be really nice to put a cutting mat on the back.

Having a ridge to keep things from rolling off sounds nice. I took over the couch last night. Good grief - how much crap can one girl hold in her lap? lol apparently not enough!

I received my lap-board in the "70's" by an elderly tailor, I was doing alterations in a dry cleaning plant. I found the lap-board invaluable, it is by the side of my sewing machine and is used constantly. The base is 1/4 inch plywood 16x11,covered with batting and cotton cloth stapled to it. I use it when I applique, quilt,do hand work and repairs. I have my iron next to me as well and press what I can on the lap-board without the need to jump up. I would be lost with out it. Hope this helps. You will love it! :-
Paulette

Okay, I have never heard of this thing called a lap board. What exactly is this thing and what is it used for?

Thank you, Tellabella ...
Am currently hand piecing and hand QAYG and a throw pillow has been right in front of me ... just waiting to be used ...and now it is thanks to you and this discussion thread. :D
Can't believe I didn't think of doing this :hunf:

I picked up a lap "desk" at WM. it is Denim, with the styofoam beads like in a Bean Bag chair. I really do love it, use it when I am turning edges for applique, It was not expensive, and I think you could probably find it online if you google "lap desk" less than $10.00. Then if he still wants to make it, you will have a pic of what you are looking for

I have been using one for years. I couldn't work without it.

It is a small flat board or hard surface, often on a soft cushy pillow that crafters set on their lap and do some hand crafts. (Or children use it in the car to hold travel things/crafts)

I plan to use mine when I do applique on the couch.

Many years ago, I used to do a lot of beading with seed beads, and in desperation, I made one out of scrap wood. I found a piece (9 .5"x 30") that fit across the arms of my favorite chair, then I had pieces cut that were 1 1/2" x 8 inch. I screwed them on the underside just far enough apart to fit between the arms. Then hand sanded the whole thing. I sprayed it with clear paint, and my DD still uses it today! It was christened 'mom's desk". :thumbup:

I have my grandmother's. It look like a roll top desk top. It's made with all these small pieces of wood and there is a half circle cut out for my waist. It rolls up in a circle when I'am done with it.

Thank you quilters, you made my day. I was thinking of trying some of your ideas to make one, but then I remembered that when I bought my lap top computer, I had bought a lap table for it, but never used it. I had put it away and forgot about it until I started reading all your different ideas. My laptop table is perfect it has the bean bag bottom and the top has a 2 inch band, also stuffed with little beads, across the near side to rest your wrists when using the computer, it is just right for when I applique or hand sew.

I just love the fact that we all help one another so much. Thanks a million!

Thanks, I guess I just never thought about using it this way. I usually hold the piece in my hands as I am working on it, plus I am new at needle turn applique.