Lay a piece of flannel or other fabric over the varnished surface, cover that with a large piece of aluminum foil or two, then put the mat on that to do the ironing.
Saves the furniture underneath, in case of a too hot iron, or a scorch left by a forgotten set down iron. The aluminum foil works to reflect the heat back up, away from the surface underneath. Works well inside the ironing board covers too. JP

Lay a piece of flannel or other fabric over the varnished surface, cover that with a large piece of aluminum foil or two, then put the mat on that to do the ironing.
Saves the furniture underneath, in case of a too hot iron, or a scorch left by a forgotten set down iron. The aluminum foil works to reflect the heat back up, away from the surface underneath. Works well inside the ironing board covers too. JP

Oops. sorry two copies! It is my stupid fingers going astray again.

I have that mat.... use it on my kitchen table which is wood. The first quilt I made I used it on top of my omni grid (it warped the grid!) Next time I double folded a towel...... worked well, but I like the idea of setting it on a plywood base or attaching it to an old tv tray!! You CAN RUIN the surface below if you do a lot of ironing without "cooling" time in between!!

I have used a wooden fold up TV table, stapled some batting and muslin on it and put elastic in some cotton pillowcases as washable ironing covers, works a treat for me.

Thanks and great idea! :thumbup:

mine is 12 x 18 and it is a June Tailor; I got it at Joanns for 50% off but I think even walmarts have it but I like the 50% off coupons from Joanns and Hancock fabics; but it is a great thing to have

I made a small ironing pad to put on the table next to my sewing machine. Used cardboard covered with tin foil and then 2 layers of batting and then a covering of muslin. Cheap, easy, works fine, very portable. All good things!

I bought mine online at Joanns and used a coupon.

I made my portable iron surface from a Wal-Mart $9.00 TV tray, the silver ironing board fabric, insulbrite, leftover batting pieces and a muslin back. Sewed pieces of elastic to each side and slid it over the tray. I take it to quilt camp, etc.

Jennie at Missouri Star Quilt Company has a super video tutorial on making a portable ironing pad like the one she uses. I just watched it yesterday and intend to make myself one.

Go to http://tutorials.missouriquiltco.com/ and select "See All Tutorials". It's the 2nd from the left, ninth row down.

Or go to YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2uGVYK-VeNs