MadQuilter

Well, DH went to town and trimmed a piece of 1/4" Plywood to 18x12. Then he glued the non-warped piece of my warped mat and routered the whole thing. Smoothed the edges - not a splinter in sight. I have not decided yet if I will actually make a pillow bottom for it or simply lay it on a pillow. (Tried that yesterday and it worked like a charm.)

The reason I may not add the pillow bottom is: It is soooo much easier to store as a board.

MaryStoaks

I use a lap desk too, got them at Staples. They are handy for eating in the livingroom too. :thumbup:

inletjerry

One of the first notions I bought years ago was the June Taylor rotary cutting board and on the flip side there is a pressing station. Has measurements on both sides, a handle for carrying and is perfict to place on your lap for all kinds of projects. Good investment.

lorli

I love my June Taylor lap board! We had to get one for the applique class I'm taking and I was too lazy to try to make one. They are expensive but well worth it. I bought a large one, later on bought a smaller square one to take places in my sewing bag.

They are great. I like to sew in bed before I go to sleep and it's ideal. The applique background can be pinned to it so it stays flat without crimping. You can use the rotary cutting surface as a hard surface for tracing. You can stick your needle into the padded surface if you want to take a break. Best of all, you can clip a small ott-lite or LED clip on craft light to the edge.

One of the best notions I ever bought!

BettyGee

I have a lap board, the kind with the bean bag bottom and plastic top. Love it for any kind of craft I'm working on and it stays put. Have a lap frame for working on small quilt projects and a lap frame for my cross stitch projects. Egads, I could live in my chair with a lap board for everything. Love that your husbands are interested enough to make things, mine protests when I take up a new project but he is always there with support and ideas to make it easier. Love that man!

leaha

when I want to work on my lap, either doing hand stitching or on my mini puter, what I use is the lift out tray from a silverwear box, then top it off with a fabric covered and batt piece of masonite. the box/tray holds every thing I need, real handy, the flannel top (like a lid) holds my pieces in place. and my work surface is at a perfect hieght.

Daisydoodle

Try looking up a June Tailor,Quilters Cut and Press II. Overall 20 x 13, one side a lined cutting mat the other a padded / lined pressing pad. one end has a cut out handle for carrying. I watched, waited and stalked sales and finally got one with a 50% off coupon before our Jo Anns went out of business. LOVE it, works great for your lap, classes and small projects. I have tried the lap desks and wasn't enough room other than you can keep your project in the desk portion for safe keeping.

Pattigail

My husband made one for me when I was taking a applique class. It is a 12" x 18" piece of finished plywood. I took a pillow and put it on the bottom side and took a piece of fabric large enough to staple to all sides of the plywood. It worked wonderful for me. I would not cover the plywood though, defeats the purpose.

wichypoo

I've seen them mostly kids items, but makes me think I would have to have a lap for it. hmmmmmmm just saying.lol

mar32428

I have one I made. It's 12" x 16". I used several layers of batting and then a top layer of Warm and Natural. The final layer was a top grade of muslin. I pulled the muslin very tight over the batting and stapled it to a 1/4" piece of plywood. Then I glued a piece of cutting mat to the back. I use it for making battenburg lace and can stick pins into the batting.

Also have a bed breakfast tray that just fits over my lap and between the arms of my recliner. It has legs, a formica surface and a half inch lip to keep things from falling off. Great for beading. Can also use them with my electric wheelchair.