I have two different sizes and haven't noticed any 'smells' with either one of them. Go for it. they are great.

Sounds like a great way to recycle, judykay. My mom cut up my brother's old Army blanket after it grew holes and often used a piece for a pressing pad.

I used a pure lambswool sweater and sewed back and front together. I washed it my machine in HOT water and dried it on hot, too. Works great!

If you can fold the wool mat it isn't felted thick enough to be the pressing mat. It will be a good pressing surface but not perform like the 1/2" thick mat. There is a reason for the thick felted mat.

https://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f...e-t285529.html
https://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f...y-t302377.html
https://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f...t-t301194.html
https://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f...h-t301508.html
https://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f...d-t300518.html
https://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f...t-t300020.html

This is the one I got but I got it off Amazon. I'm happy with it. I can't detect a smell from it.https://www.pamdamour.com/product/magic-pressing-mat/

One of the ladies in a class I taught had a wool pad liner which she got from State Line Tack. It cost her $23 and looked just like the one I spent $60 for from the quilt store. It is 100% wool and worked the same as the one I bought. It's original use is for under saddles. (she had not used it on a horse). Why spend more if it is the same. They sell a cheaper one but it is not 100% wool.

I bought a 3/4” thick one that was intended to be a rug pad. I got a size that fits my ironing board. I like it a lot but must keep it covered within an ironing board cover that I made for it, or I start to have an allergic reaction to the raw wool. As long as it’s covered, no problem.

I bought one about 12x18 from Quilt In A Day and love it - haven’t noticed any odor - and my blocks are so flat.

All2Pieces Did you cover the blanket with fabric or use as is.

I bought a 12" x 18" wool mat. I sold it after two months because I loved using it so much that I wanted to have a bigger one to cover my entire big board. It was expensive, but it is one of my favorite quilting tools right up there with my Bernina and Martelli table.

I use steam, don't notice a strong smell, and have the flatest blocks on the planet! When I turn in the block of the month at the local guild, they can pick mine out from among the rest of the blocks because they are so flat.

I never use spray starch near it. I do that on another table covered with a pillowcase. Every time I vacuum, I'll use the vacuum hose to get any stray threads off. Not letting the threads build up makes it look nice all of the time.