wool pressing mat
 

I'm thinking of purchasing a wool pressing mat, but the reviews are mixed when I look at them on Amazon.

Some say they are smelly, others do not.
Some say it traps moisture if they use steam, others do not.

Do you have one? If so, how do you like it and what size is best for you?

I thought it would be helpful to have at a retreat so I'm not up and down to the ironing station all the time (providing I'm allowed to bring an iron, of course)

thanks for the input!
Chris

I have several. They do work great for pressing quilt blocks. It's 100% wool so will have the livestock smell. It's not overpowering. I had one that had lots of brown ironing marks and looked yucky. I let it soak in hot water with mild soap. Rinsed and let air dry. Next time I'll put in washer on delicate and dry in dryer to see how that does.

Steam and heat goes through it so it has to be on a heat proof surface. The only way to know if you like it is to use one. I made the mistake of taking my largest one to retreat. Everyone wanted to use it instead of the other ironing mats. I had to wait to use it. Next time I'll take a smaller one to use next to my machine.

I like mine. I think it's about a 15" square (+or-) Thought that would be a good starting point since most of the blocks I make are 12.5" or less. I didn't notice any smell, but then I don't really use steam, I have spray bottle with water if I need something more. I also put a thin muslin cover on it to keep it cleaner and it's easier to wash the muslin.

Take the reviews with a grain of salt, everyone's opinion of them varies with their life's experiences. I had to chuckle at one person's review, she complained that it smelled like a wet dog - it made me wonder if she was aware that wool is a natural fiber that grows on animals.

Could you check to see if there's a local shop that sells them? Sometimes they'll have one in the classroom. Also check the vendor section at quilt shows, that's another place I see people trying them out.

Do a search on this forum for past threads about wool pressing mats, there are other options and alternatives to purchasing on the internet that have been discussed already. :thumbup:

I bought an ironing mat and loved it so much I invested in a large one that covers my entire ironing surface. I have half of it covered with a piece of cotton so that I can starch without getting it on the wool. I highly recommend if you do invest, don’t get a cheap one. Mine don’t stink or give me any trouble and I suspect it’s because I bought quality mats. You get what you pay for, as they say.

I bought one and must be the only quilter on Earth that isn't impressed. I stopped using it. I ddn't feel like it added anything to my pressing.

I was given a small wool mat from Quilt In a Day and loved it. I have since bought the biggest size one. I think it's well worth the price even if not on sale. My smaller size was getting grungy looking and I washed it in the washer and dried it in the dryer. My big one won't fit so it will be hand washed in the tub. When I first got the gift one I took it to a workshop and when everyone tried it they all bought one. I think QIAD probably ran out of them that weekend. LOL

Mine covers my entire ironing board. Yes, there is a "wet wool" smell when you use steam or water spray--but for those of us at a certain age that smell brings back winter--and damp sweaters and snow pants! Mine came with a spray bottle and a recipe for an odor blocker using water and baking soda and a lavendar or other essential oil. But the smell doesn't bother me.

Thanks for the input ladies.

I had to laugh at the livestock, damp sweaters, and wet dog. I remember ALL of those smells. Fondly actually, so the smell won't be an issue.

I think I'm going to give it a try!

I am contemplating using a old (50+ years) wool blanket and make my own. Has anyone done this or have any thoughts . The blanket has been washed many times if it makes any difference.

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.

I have the 12 X 18 and love it. It fits on a small table near my machine and have never really noticed a strong smell that would stop me from using it. None really. I did read quite a few reviews and the one I thought may be right on was don't buy a cheap one. Not sure if there are any but I got mine from Quilt in a Day when they were on sale. Flat blocks for sure.

Those of you that bought your pad from ecorugpads.com
how are they working out? Has anyone bought 3 of the 1/4" pads to put on top of each other to get the full height of 3/4". I have some felting needles and thought I could felt them together.

I got one that covers my entire ironing surface through mass drop. Love it. Half of it is covered so I can starch and half is directly wool. I get amazingly flat blocks when I use the clapper on the directly on wool side.

I bought from ecorugs and was very pleased. I bought large enough to cover my Better Board with a piece to cut off for travel. Direct contact with wool is very uncomfortable for me, so I put the small piece in an old pillowcase and covered the Better Board with cotton.

See my comments at post 115 and 116 on this thread: https://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f...ml#post8210362

Go to the tack store and ask for a wool felted saddle mat , they are about 1/4 inch thick , 30" X 30" and run any were from 20 to 30 dollars. I cover my with a sheet of muslin to keep it clean, and I love it. I can't see paying more money for the smaller ones, I do have a small one form the quilt store to take to classes but the bigger size works wonderful on my ironing table.

I go to a lot of retreats and get together with others to sew. Have the wool mat for embroidery. But for quilt pressing we took an Oak TV tray layered with multiple layers of cotton batting then covered with cotton duck fabric and stapled the fabric to the back. Videos on UTube of this. I even took some regular cotton fabric and put some elastic around it as a cover so I could wash it. Now we have created something larger. We took one of those small plastic adjustable tables and my husband cut 1/4” plywood to fit the shape. He used small screws around the outside edge to hold the wood to the plastic top. Just use an travel ironing pad and an old tablecloth thrown over it for pressing and the wood surface keeps small cutting mat in place for trimming blocks