Onebyone

I had an old JoAnn pressing/cutting mat. I cut wool to fit the ironing side. Using a tracing wheel I ran it around the edges of the pad and it poked it behind the mat. It's easy to pull off if ever needed a wash. I put one layer of wool on it but would be easy to sew as thick as you wanted and leave a border of one layer to tuck in.

Onebyone

If making your own ironing surface be sure the wood is aged with no moisture in it. Dry heat will warp wood the same as steam.

vflsun

Would wool batting work just the same? Also does it have to be felted to work? I noticed a lot of the ones being sold on the quilting sites say "felted".

FGlinda

So maybe I'm dense but I can't figure out the Ecorug thing. I put in the width and length (18x24)but there's another column with numbers that I don't understand. The numbers range from 0 to 11.5. What are these numbers for. I don't want to make a mistake.

psdumas

Hi FGlinda... Just write them an email, tell them what you want, and they will say what to do. The measurement boxes are really dumb, and don't make sense. I had to get in touch with them to get the order done.

Pat

WMathson

I bought a commercial one and it is wonderful, but I wonder why so pricey? I would caution anyone about using wool clothing, blankets, etc. If they have ever been dry-cleaned you may be exposing yourself to chemicals when you iron. I just ordered a Nature's Cushion rug pad from EcoRugPads.com. $45 for 24" x 60" to fit on my big ironing board seems like a bargain. I may cut it up into smaller pieces to take on teaching trips.

hootnannie

I’ve been wanting one for a while but had a hard time swallowing the cost. I have an old army blanket in the basement but it’s a dark blue or black. Is the dark color a problem?

hootnannie

I have an old army blanket in the basement I could cut up but it’s a dark blue or black. Does the dark color matter?
If I washed and dried it would it leach color when ironing?

Runs with Quilters

I ordered one from EcoRugs a while back and love it. My friend tried to order one and they now have a minimum order of $44.95 because they said they were losing money on shipping small mats. My friend got one from shearstoewe on Etsy. It is 100% wool no synthetics, made in USA. She is very happy with it. 15" x 15" only $35. I use it to press my quilt blocks (don't stretch, no shiny seam lines), embroidery and appliqué. They come out so nice and smooth, even in the small areas. Iron with the right side against the wool. Wish you the best!

CorgiNole

I made my own big board. I stretched/stapled an old wool army blanket to the board. I have a length of a painter's drop cloth clamped on the board next as an ironing board cover. I can take the cloth off and wash as necessary as I use lots of starch. I've been very happy with the board.