Wool pressing mat. Question
 

Looking to hear what those that have one say ...... but to me, is the wool mat not thick enough to provide enough protection for the wooden TV table? Otherwise, one would think they would provide "user instructions" with the mats, being that many others would be putting the mats on wooden tables.

I use mine on top of the big June Tailor pressing/cutting mat I had on the tv table.

I just have a folded regular old bath towel under mine. you probably don't need anything if you are doing minimal ironing or have enough time between irons to allow things to cool. however, if I have done a lot of chain piecing and subsequently have a lot of ironing to do, I will iron in different corners of the mat (for example, in a clockwise fashion), again, to allow one area to cool a bit. Constant or sustained pressing in one area is what I avoid. is it necessary? I have no idea, but that's what I do.

I use mine on my ironing board so I'm no help. I think if it was me, I'd get something else use it on.

I use an older cutting mat the size of my wool pad under it. Works great..

I used Insul brite, cotton batting, and canvas cotton cover when I converted a wooden tv tray table to a mini portable ironing board. I plan to add a wool pressing mat to mine, (one day when I re-cover mine), and will just put it on top of the batting and underneath the cover. I don't use steam but even if I did, I don't think the steam would reach the wood of the tray through all those layers.
here is a link to how to do this. Also Missouri star did a you tube video on making an ironing board out of a tv tray and she used elastic on the cotton cover instead of stapling.
I love mine and have used it for about 8 or 9 years. Bought the tray table at a thrift store for $5.00. Perfect for retreats and workshops.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHpzQ3_fqxM
https://blog.american-quilting.com/?p=1908

Not what you asked but...
 

I think I bought my wool pressing mat for M'Gennis...

Mine is on a tv tray close to sewing machine. Haven't ruined anything yet.

Mines on a wooden tv tray and it isn't damaged yet. If you are afraid it may damage it, go the GoodWill, Yard sales, etc and find an old used one.

Haha, SuzzyQ...I just took this picture last night. My boys also let me know who owns it!

I have been using mine right on the table beside my sewing machine....no problem at all. As QuiltE stated, the mat should be thick enough AND IT IS. Love it!

I don't think your kitty would cause any overheating of your wool mat. Good size friend you have.

I use a wooden TV tray as well and it gets used heavily when I'm piecing. I've yet to damage the tray and I've got an iron that can bring the heat and steam when I want it. A couple of suggestions, though...

One, tell your friend if she's worried about the wood underneath, she can lift her wool mat at the end of the night and let it dry out completely. That way, the wood isn't subjected to a lot of hot moisture for any longer than it needs and the wool has a chance to air and dry out.

Two, I just recently moved to a mini travel iron because I was having some issues moving things around with my big iron, it still gives steam and still brings the heat, but I've noticed that my mat isn't that heavy at night like it was with my big iron. I also noticed that it doesn't take long for the mat to air out completely. Maybe switch to a mini travel iron if it's possible and save the regular iron for pressing quilt tops and yardage.

When I use steam to apply interfacing to the t-shirts, I need a larger area than my ironing board, so I use my utility folding table. I folded up 2 old bed sheets to at least 3" high, to protect the table. Maybe you could try something like that to protect the tv tray.

I have a silver protector on my tv tray. Like the ones used on ironing boards. It is rectangle. Can't remember where I bought it.

SuzzyQ- one of my kitties does the same thing lol https://cdn.quiltingboard.com/images...es/biggrin.png
Cheshirepat- your guy looks just like my Mookie!!!

I have mine on my cutting board and move it sometimes to my ironing board. I haven't seen any damage on either thing. If she is really worried, use one of the items suggested. These wool mats work great. I wonder why no one thought of them years ago.