A pressing tip

Here's a tip for pressing appliqued blocks: We know that pressing appliqued blocks upside down on a padded/cushioned surface helps prevent the stitching and applique shapes from getting too flattened.

I used to use a bath towel to do this, but a towel is big and bulky and has to be folded to get a good amount of "puff." And let's not forget to mention that the towel has to then go into the laundry (and heaven knows I have enough laundry already!).

I have "re-tasked" an item that makes a great pressing surface: a baby changing table pad (not the kind with elastic on the edges--just a flat tie-on type pad)! It's cotton terry cloth, pre-quilted to have the right amount of puff, and doesn't take up a lot of room in my stash of quilty tools. It rolls up nicely and is stored right along with my paper items, also neatly rolled and stored in mesh veggie bags (see my post here for that tip!).