Joyce29

I like the idea of the Steady Betty since I'm one of those that no matter how hard I try to "press" my pieced blocks I somehow manage to stretch them. I have an ironing board that I made that fits the area to the left of my sewing machine so I can press as I sew. It would be nice if I could have a regular ironing surface on one side, then flip it over and use the Steady Betty on the other side. The problem is that it is an odd size. I have wondered if there is some fabric - flannel or felt maybe ? - that I could use that might work in a similar way to Steady Betty. I read on this Board that someone used table pad fabric they got at Hancock's and that is usually plastic on one side and flannel on the other. Have any of you used felt or flannel as an ironing board cover?

BellaBoo

Foam backed vinyl will work great. It has to be the foam to be like the Steady Betty and it use to be sold for outside use at Lowes and Home Depot. I haven't seen it in a long time but I haven't really looked for it. I think any upholster shop would have it.

Joyce29

I would think the foam backing on the vinyl would melt when ironed.

BellaBoo

No it doesn't melt. It stays cool. I've tried it by covering a thin wood board with the foam back vinyl. Foam side out of course. The vinyl was bought years ago so I don't know if the new stuff is the same. I have the large Steady Betty and can't tell the difference. The Steady Betty is foam.

quilter2090

What's a Steady Betty? I've never heard of it.

Joyce29

It is a a foam type surface used for pressing pieced quilt blocks. The surface "grips" the fabric and is supposed to keep it from being stretched out of shape while pressing. Their website is steadybetty.com. They can be purchased at JoAnn's (online only, I think), Walmart, Amazon and places like Keepsake Quilting.