I use the ironing board to press and starch large pieces of fabric before I cut it. I don't use my ironing board to press quilt blocks. I use a very hard cotton covered piece of wood for blocks and quilt pieces. A soft ironing surface will distort small pieces of fabric. I didn't believe that at first, I was like yeah yeah yeah. I now use the hard surface and a tailor's press. (another thing I rolled my eyes at....)