I frequently have businesses reach out to me about sharing or featuring their products on this blog. I'm pretty picky about what I share - I'm wary of overwhelming you all and constantly hawking stuff. But occasionally a new concept or product sounds intriguing enough to give it a try and share it with all of you. Today I've got TWO products that I think fill a real niche and need and I'm excited to share them!
First of all, the folks from the Quiltmate reached out to share their new product - a non-slip, portable ironing pad that can sit on your counter or table.
It folds for easy storage, but then quickly lays flat for a smooth & firm ironing surface. One side is heat-reflective fabric. The backside is made of 100% silicone which protects surfaces from heat and moisture and also keeps the pad from slipping. The product is made to use on any surface!
These portable ironing pads* are perfect for taking to a retreat so that you can set up your own portable ironing surface - and when you're done, flip it over and wrap your hot iron with the heat-reflective side facing out so that you can safely transport you hot iron on the journey home.
I loved the concept - sounded so practical - and was so excited to try it for myself. The folks at Quiltmate sent me a sample of the Medium (25" x 17") and the mini (14" x 10"). I put it right on my table next to my machine. The padding is thick but firm, making it crisp surface for pressing my blocks. The silicone backing is awesome! I loved the way the pad stayed firmly in place - it felt like it was attached to the table.
If you have limited space for setting up or storing an ironing board, I highly recommend the Quiltmate ironing pad! I keep a small pressing table next to my machine, but I'm going to place the Quiltmate on top because I really liked the way the fabric got a crisp press on the heat-reflective surface. (If you've always wanted a pressing table, but haven't wanted to make one, this way you could just use a TV tray table and put the Quiltmate pad right on top without having to do anything else - and still have the flexibility to use the tray for other purposes!)
Quiltmate ironing pads available here* in multiple sizes. You can find all Quiltmate products info here. (While we're on the subject of ironing products, I have an exclusive 20% of all Oliso irons with code Diaryofaquilter20* at checkout, exclusively for my readers.)
Another great product comes from Cottoncuts. I frequently have people who, because of wrist pain or other issues, ask me question about where they can find pre-cut quilts or kits. Let me introduce you to Cotton Cuts and their mystery block of the month quilts!
It's run similarly to a traditional Block of the Month club, with a new portion to assemble arriving in the mail each month. But because it's a mystery quilt, the final design is not revealed until the very end.
The quilt currently under construction is a Puzzle Mystery Quilt designed by Sheila Christensen. It's not made with traditional blocks, but each month the fabric that comes will build pieces of the puzzle.
You can read all about the latest Puzzle Mystery Quilt that starts this month, here. One really cool feature is that there is a wide variety of fabric/color palettes to choose from as well as two different size options.
The coolest part of this Mystery Quilt is the fact that each month all of the pieces come pre-cut and ready to sew! With dog-ears pre-trimmed!! Not only is it a great time-saver, but provides the opportunity to participate in a fun, mystery quilt challenge for someone who doesn't have the time or capacity to cut a new quilt. Plus, no waste!
Here are the pieces I received for the February block. The also came with the instructions for putting these puzzle pieces together.
And here are the puzzle pieces sewn together. It was so nice to have everything pre-cut and ready to go - including no points/dog-ears to trim. I was able to easily sew them together in under an hour.
I'm returning these blocks to Kim so that she can assemble them for a designer raffle quilt to benefit one of their partners, Valley Industries - a provider whose mission is to provide dignified, meaningful employment for adults with developmental disabilities. My husband has two adult brothers with Down Syndrome so I'm feeling an extra special connection to this cause. You can see more of the puzzle pieces made by other designers and learn about how to enter the raffle here.
In addition to a great mystery block of the month program, CottonCuts has a lot of other great causes and products. You can read all about them here.
*Products for review are provided by the maker. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This post also contains affiliate links.
Robby H.
These both look like great products, thanks for telling us about them. And the work with Valley Industries is a great bonus.
Ann Marie Morgan
Thank you for sharing these great products, and I loved your story of your husbands adult brothers with Down syndrome. I too have a special needs daughter and the contribution toward people with developmental disabilities is inspiring. I love you even more!
Kay
I really like the idea of having everything precut, doing the actual cutting is not a part I enjoy. x
Sharon Gibson
Great products. Ironing pads are really useful next to your sewing machine. I make mine using the wadding that oven gloves are made off and use a dinky travel iron. I don't have to get up each time I want a seam pressing. A larger pad on top of cupboard next to my table is useful when I want to press the binding etc. Liking the pre-cut route, no scraps to wonder what to do with. Yeah
Lesley
Thanks for sharing these great products! And I LOVE the idea of a precut mystery quilt!! My biggest obstacle is keeping up with all the cutting to execute the piecing. Great post!
Vicki in MN
Lucky you that gets asked to review products!! The ironing pad sounds awesome:)
redeemedsheep
I added that ironong pad to my wish list! Looks like a great and practical tool to have.
redeemedsheep
They are for sale on Amazon and there is a 15% off coupon. I went ahead and ordered one. Thanks again!!
Diane W
I bought the medium pad and LOVE it! Roll it up and bring it with me when I sew elsewhere. Thats all i use in my sewing room too. Totally love it.
Shirley Clark
Great information! I've considered getting a quilt kit because of the cutting.
https://prayersformymom.blogspot.com/
Becky K
Amy-I tried using the Diary20 code on the Oliso website ordering page and it says it is not a valid code. Any ideas? Thank you!
Amy
*Face palm* It's DIARYOFAQUILTER20
Sorry about that!! Thanks for the heads up! I'll fix the post!
Becky K
Thank you so much!! I am so excited to finally get an Oliso iron! I love your blog and all of your beautiful projects!
Evita Piepho
Hi!!!! I went to the )list site and tried to buy an iron but they said my discount was invalid. I tried several times, same answer. Thought you'd like to know. Thanks anyway. Evita
Amy
Hmm. THanks for the heads up. I originally had the wrong code in listed in the post: The right code is DIARYOFAQUILTER20
Which one did you try? I just tried the updated code and it worked for me.
Christine
Oh, I’m so grabbing myself that ironing pad! So perfect for my guild’s sew days! Thanks for that info!! I also ADORE that you featured cotton cuts here!! I completed my first Mystery Quilt with them last year and am so excited for the 2018 journey!! While I have no issues with cutting, I love a good puzzle and I LOVE companies that give back like they do. 🙂