How about this for a Wool Pressing Pad?
 

These are 100% wool pads made for going under a saddle. They are flat when you get them and this one is 30x30 inches for $23.54 US plus shipping.

Under "Reviews" there are quite a few from quilters saying they love it!

I guess I'm not the only horseperson/quilter.

Watson

https://www.statelinetack.com/item/m...ner/SLT901243/

I never even thought about using a saddle pad. I had some of the felt ones back in the day when I was an equestrian. And I order from StateLine Tack on occasion. Good idea!

Dang, I used to have one but I'm pretty sure I sold it or gave it away.

My husband gave me some wool pants he bought for hunting years ago. They got too small for him. I cut and sewed them up for pressing mats

Just don't buy a used one....:D:D

I think Old All Wool Army Blankets could be used also.

This is what I did. My DH picked one up at Salvation army for a couple of dollars. I cut a piece of the blanket to fit my ironing board and use it as the only pad under the cover. Works well! I think I may have doubled it but I can't recall for sure.

I didn’t even know about them used for horses. I will check out State Line Tack (thanks Cash’s mom for the place to look) and thank you Watson. This city girl would never have figured that one out!

we've got a barn full of "riding lawn mowers" and never even thought of that!! Thanks!

I had to laugh when you said "They got to small for him." How kind!! I always thought I got too big for something!

I got one of the (expensive) quilting pads for Christmas, but I like the larger size, will have to keep this bookmarked for a future purchase! Thanks Watson!

I have been reading many articles on these mats and plan on covering my board with a wool blanket that has been washed many times since I had it on my be when I lived at home (50+)years ago. I am wondering if I could cover it with a pretty piece of fabric which would help keep it cleaner.

I ordered some wool for pressing for Southerland wool , I think. MIne is about 1/2 to 3/4" thick. I took it to a sew in today everyone loved it.

Wow- it is amazing what us quilters can figure out to use for different uses. Thank you for the ideas.

There is a Tack Shop close by so I will look at the saddle pads. I don't need another wool mat but I want to check it out. My wool pressing mat will not fold or bend but will roll up. I read that is how you know the correct felt thickness best for pressing.

So my question - Is the 1/2inch thick enough? I guess if others use an old army blanket it should be. I have an army (but was US Air Force as my dad was a fighter pilot in WWII and helped to liberate France) blanket (his) that I washed for pressing but I just hate to cut it up as it is in good condition and knowing that it was his. Of course, if I do cut it up to use I would think of him every time. He pasted away last year at the age of 100 just two months shy of his 101st. It's not like a I need a reminder. I think of him all the time anyway. (Probably too much info in this post sometimes It just helps to rattle on)

Ditto here :). Just ordered one.

For Canadian readers....After reading this, some quilt friends and I ordered a couple from Pleasant Ridge Saddlery. One of the quilters has picked them up and later in the month I'll get them from her and cut them for us to share..

https://www.pleasantridge.ca/index.php/pad-liner.html

They seem to be the same product, but theirs are tan in colour. I'm not sure what shipping would be, we were able to pick them up as they're close by.

I bought one of the ready made ones when it was on sale for half price. I've not gotten the response that the videos show. I don't think the iron heats up hot enough. I have a compromised source of electricity and must unplug the beast all the time. Marcia

So excited, mine has shipped and should arrive in a few days. Looking forward to giving this a try.

Oh my that sounds dangerous.

I would love to hear feedback after you get your wool mats. I am very interested in any odor that may come off of them when ironing.

I haven't yet received the mats as I haven't been up to my friend's house to get them - that happens on Saturday, so Sunday I should have an update for everyone.
I will say, that each 30 x 30 inch mat will be cut into 4 - 15 x 15 size ones and with taxes in, it will be less than $10 (Canadian!) for each of us. No shipping of course certainly helps with the affordability!
Here's hoping they look as good in real life.....if not, I can return them but I'd really rather have them be suitable!

Any update?

I didn't notice any odour when they were just sitting on the cutting table, or when I ironed on them dry. With steam there was a slight odour, certainly not something unpleasant, but I do have to qualify that to say that I'm not overly sensitive to odours.

Dingle - the mats were easy to cut using a paring knife. Then I used craft scissors to round the three corners that weren't rounded by manufacturer. I also vacuumed them before I cut them as the friend who picked them up for me thought they shed. I didn't find that but maybe that's because I vacuumed them as soon as I took them out of the bag.
I think they will work fine. They do hold the heat when pressing and make a nice press.

Thanks so much! By the way, I have enjoyed your signature "A husband is the perfect confidant to tell your secrets to - he can't reveal them to anyone else because he wasn't really listening when you told him!" for a long time. :D

Truer words were never spoke! Except when I want to tell him something I don't really want him to hear or remember....

BTW, to those of you still following this thread, I had a very interesting conversation today with a quilter who is fairly new to our guild...
She said she and a friend bought a length of 100% wool carpet underlay pad for about $20 (US) with free shipping - they cut it in half and had more than enough to drape over the ironing board. She said it's a bit thinner than the "quilting" mats but comparable to the saddle liner pad I had with me. It measures 1/2".
I'm guessing it was a 6 foot width maybe?
Anyway - it's worth investigating if anyone is interested...and if you do, please update the thread on your findings.